The Canadian Association of Rwandan Genocide Survivors – Humura, will, on Thursday, April 7, commemorate the17th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsis, at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.Canadians of all walks of life were invited and are expected to join members and friends of the Humura for a series of activities that will take place for a month (April 7 – May 7)
The Canadian Association of Rwandan Genocide Survivors – Humura, will, on Thursday, April 7, commemorate the17th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsis, at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
Canadians of all walks of life were invited and are expected to join members and friends of the Humura for a series of activities that will take place for a month (April 7 – May 7)
According to Alain Ntwali, the President of Humura, during the commemoration month, they will reflect and remember loved ones who lost their lives as a result of divisive policies.
"As witnesses and survivors of one of the most violent and horrific Genocides, we have a duty to prevent and speak out against any form of Genocide and those that harbour its ideology," Ntwali added
The commemorating period provides an opportunity to reflect on the universal goal of preventing genocide.
Humura has lined up a series of public conferences that will discuss various issues, ranging from remembrance, preserving of memory, restoring dignity to survivors and dealing with the consequences of Genocide.
The first conference will be held on the evening of April 7 from 6pm at the Ottawa City hall’s A.S Haydon chamber.
The key speakers will include Victor Munyarugero who will tell his personal experience at Hotel des Milles Collines during the Genocide as well as Taylor Kraus, founder of Voices of Rwanda.
Voices of Rwanda is an organization dedicated to recording and preserving testimonies of Rwandans. It ensures that the stories inform the world about genocide and inspire a global sense of responsibility to prevent human rights atrocities.
Humura Association was initiated in Ottawa, in June 2001, by the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
In 2004, the Canadian Parliament declared April 7 as a Day of Remembrance of the victims of the 1994 Genocide.
Four years later, on April 7, the Canadian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution to designate April 7 as a Day of Reflection on the Prevention of Genocide. The same has been adopted by the United Nations.
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