{United Nations Rwanda staff have commemorated for the 22nd time their employees and Rwandans in general killed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
A total of 65 employees of United Nations agencies in Rwanda were killed during 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.}
The commemoration ceremony was held on April 15th 2016 attended by families of late victims and various leaders.
The One UN Resident Coordinator, Lamin Manneh, said that remembering genocide against Tutsi is a responsibility and a good opportunity to learn from what happened.
“It is a time to learn from past grave mistakes and seek how to build a better world where genocide can never occur again in any country. The United Nations has learnt many things from Rwanda over the past 22 years,” he said.
Manneh voiced appreciation to those who embraced bravery and devoted to put their lives at risk to save people who were getting hunted to be killed.
“As we commemorate 1994 genocide against the Tutsi for the 22nd time, it is necessary to look back and appreciate hard work of the government and Rwandans. I would like to thank the bravery of Rwandans and leadership of President Paul Kagame who stopped genocide and sought the way of unity and reconciliation other than discrimination; who preferred forgiveness other than hatred and revenge; who preferred the way of peace and sustainable development,” he said.
Manneh said that UN pledged to collaborate with the government of Rwanda in the drive of fighting against genocide ideology and resisting those who continue to deny and undermine genocide, hiding the truth and making it difficult to defeat genocide ideology.
The director of research and documentation at National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), Dr Gasanabo Jean Damascene highlighted that the government of Rwanda will never relent in fighting and eradicating genocide ideology.
Gasanabo requested the international community to intensify efforts of arresting and bringing to justice perpetrators of genocide who are wandering across the World.
Honorable, Mutimura Zeno who was the guest of honor at the commemoration held lauded United Nations for joining Rwandans during the 100 days of commemorating the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and reminded participants that the word ‘never again genocide’ must be translated into actions.
“We as Rwandans, we have many things we are delighted with. These include having stopped genocide ourselves and building a peaceful and developed country. Rwanda will not fall under similar tragedies since we have taken measures to fight against genocide ideology,” he said.
Families of UN employees killed during 1994 genocide against Tutsi lauded the received assistance to access education and transform their livelihoods.They also requested UN to support projects of those who want to write history of what happened to avoid reoccurrence of genocide.
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