Kigali, 11 April 2019 - Members of the Diplomatic Corps (Ambassadors/High Commissioners as well as Heads of International Organisations) accredited to Rwanda held a Reflection Day on the responsibility of the International Community in preserving memory, fighting impunity and denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the event included a testimony by a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi, D’Artagnan Habintwali, and a panel discussion, followed by a conversation with the audience, allowed constructive exchanges.

In his opening remarks, Rwanda Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Richard Sezibera said that the commemoration event is an opportunity to reflect on the impact the Genocide has had in our society and the role of the International Community in preventing such a tragedy from happening again. ‘’Today’s commemorative event for the Diplomatic Corps is a call to the International Community to stand with us as we continue to build the unity of all Rwandans because it is the source of our strength’’, added Sezibera.

Minister Sezibera further emphasized the need to increase efforts in order to preserve the memory of the victims in order to build a strong foundation for the country’s socio-economic development.  ‘’It is our collective responsibility to educate our young generation on the negative effects of divisionism and discriminatory ideology, while at the same time promoting values of unity and reconciliation aimed at creating a brighter future that we all want and aspire to as a country,’’ said Sezibera.  

Minister Sezibera informed the diplomatic corps that Rwanda have sought the support of some of their respective countries to open their archives related to the Genocide with the goal of ‘’owning our history and preserving the memory’’. ‘’We are thankful for the countries who have already responded positively to share these archive documents with us, and encourage the others to do so as well. Preserving this memory is not only crucial for the prevention of Genocide in Rwanda, but also to stop such a tragedy to happen elsewhere in the world’’, added Minister Sezibera

Minister Sezibera said that there is a need to end impunity by making sure that all those accused of Genocide crimes in Rwanda face justice. As we speak today, we have sent more than 900 indictments and international arrest warrants in 33 countries worldwide for a number of individuals suspected to have committed crimes of genocide in Rwanda. We appreciate the cooperation of many countries, represented by Your Excellences here this morning, that have decided to prosecute or extradite those accused of genocide crimes, and we are calling on the other countries hosting genocide fugitives to follow suit. Holding accountable the perpetrators of genocide tremendously contribute to a culture of prevention.

Addressing the denial and revisionism of the Genocide, Minister Sezibera said: ‘’It is primordial that we continue to fight for the truth, especially to honor the lives of those who have perished in 1994. Rwanda is committed to fight genocide denial in all its forms, and solicits our partners to work with us hand in hand to uproot this dangerous trend, by ensuring that those responsible of minimizing the importance and impact of the genocide and planting the seeds of hate are brought before courts, to answer for their actions.’’

The panel discussion was an opportunity to engage representatives of the diplomatic corps, Rwandan and foreign civil society members and survivors to reflect on: “the responsibility of the International Community in preserving memory and fighting impunity and denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.’’ Panelists included Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe - Minister of State in in charge of the East African Community, MINAFFET, John Mwangemi - High Commissioner of Kenya to Rwanda, Benoît Ryelandt - Ambassador of Belgium to Rwanda, Yolande Mukagasana - Author and Genocide survivor and Alain Gauthier - French Activist against Genocide Denial and Co-founder of Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR) – France.

End.