Rwanda’s envoy to China, Amb James Kimonyo, has called for concerted efforts in the fight against Genocide ideology.
He made the remarks on Friday, April 7, during an event that brought together Rwandans living in China to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
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The envoy said it is "extremely important for all of us to work together in the fight against the denial of genocide and its ideology” with the ultimate goal of making the whole world a peaceful place to live for this generation and generations to come.
Organised by the embassy of Rwanda in China, the event was attended by officials from the government of China, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and friends of Rwanda in China.
The representative of the Chinese government at the event, Shi Shaojing, conveyed a solidarity message to the people of Rwanda and survivors in particular.
She commended Rwanda’s determined effort made in the reconciliation process after 1994 genocide and reiterated China’s commitment to continue supporting Rwanda’s transformation journey.
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"It is heartening that under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, the government and people of Rwanda have walked out of the shadow of history, achieved national reconciliation, and embarked on a development path that suits the country’s national conditions. Rwanda has thus maintained national stability and social harmony and achieved rapid economic growth,” she noted.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ commemorative message was delivered by Stephen Bainous Kargbo, the Acting Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in China.
The message emphasized on the journey of the Rwandan people towards healing, restoration, and reconciliation. He reminded the international community to remember what happened in Rwanda and stand firm to combat rising intolerance elsewhere.
"A generation since the genocide, we must never forget what happened and ensure future generations always remember. How easily hate speech, a key indicator of the risk of genocide turns to hate crime,” part of the message reads.
Rwanda has learnt to forgive, but has not forgotten
"Twenty-nine years later, Rwanda has learnt to forgive, but has not forgotten. Better, it got up with incredible courage to face the difficult challenges of reconciliation and reconstruction,” he noted.
Participants also heard from Frida Umuhoza, a genocide survivor and author of "Frida: Chosen to Die, Destined to Live,” who shared her personal story.
Umuhoza, who was 14 in 1994, recounted how her family was brutally killed.
"My family and I were thrown in the same ditch and the murderers started killing one after another. They hit me with a club on the head leaving me unconscious thinking I was dead but later on I was rescued and survived.”
The commemoration event was also marked by screening of a documentary, candle lighting and a poem titled ‘In the blink of an eye’ performed by Ishimwe Hope, Marebe Benitha and Ndahiro Germaine, Rwandan students from Alibaba Business School in Hangzhou. They shared inspiring messages reflecting what Rwanda has passed through and how Rwandan youth should be equipped with the right education to fight the genocide ideology.
In the next 100 days, the Rwandan Community in China will conduct more commemorative activities in different provinces and cities.