Belgium to pass law against denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi

The ceremony took place in the former Camp Kigali where the 10 Belgian soldiers who guarded the then Prime Minister Agathe Uwiringiyimana were killed. It was organized by the Kingdom of Belgium.

The ceremony was attended by the Belgian Prime Minister, Right Honourable Charles Michel, who was accompanied by a large delegation of around 130 persons from Belgium (including family members of the 10 Belgian peacekeepers who were killed in Rwanda) and the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Dr. Ngirente Edouard.

During the ceremony held yesterday, Michel said that by the end of April 2019 Belgium will have voted for passing a law against denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
Michel said that there was evidence that genocide was being prepared at the time through his country and the international community never acted against it.

“As we pay homage to our soldiers, we reassure that it won’t happen again. We want to show that the memory of our heroic women and men is kept alive,” he said.

“Denial and trivialization of crimes against humanity in Rwanda must desist. I would like to inform that the Belgium parliament will pass a law against the denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi before the end of this month,” he said.

Rwanda’s Premier Dr. Edouard Ngirente said that Rwandans will always remember the bravery of Belgium soldiers who sacrificed their lives standing against the evil and hailed Belgium contribution to Rwanda in the resilience process. He noted that the relations between both countries are the right honor these soldiers deserve.

“This will always be the memory to honor Belgium soldiers killed during the genocide. However, the great honor we should respect is good relationships between both countries’ citizens,” he highlighted.

Belgium courts in 2007 handed 20 years sentence to Major Bernard Ntuyahaga, senior officer of the former government was in 2007 for being behind killings of Belgium soldiers.
Belgium also remembered 12 citizens who were killed in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.