{The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda has on Tuesday April 7, 2015 at 14:15 joined Paris municipality, Municipality of 20th arrondissement and Ibuka France Association to lay a wreath at a memorial stone erected in the Cemetery of Père Lachaise at the occasion of the 21th commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda in {1994}.
At this occasion, HE the Ambassador of Rwanda, Jacques Kabale, President of SOS Racisme Dominique Sopo, President of Ibuka- France Marcel Kabanda, the Deputy Mayor of Paris Patrick Klugman, Mr. Mohamad Gassama, deputy Mayor of 20th Arrondissement, the Head of Jewish Students union of France Sacha Reingewitrtz paid an eloquent tribute to a million of victims of the last Genocide of the 20th century. They solemnly expressed their strong commitment regarding perpetuation of memory.
The Ambassador of Rwanda, Jacques Kabale recalled the expectations of Rwandans which is refusing impunity. Stressing that genocide perpetrators still live freely at the French territory, the Ambassador of Rwanda calls the French Justice to toe other European countries’ line by bowing to extraditing genocide suspects. He also recalled that the heavy sentence of first genocidaire and ongoing criminal investigations facing two genocide suspects offer a glimmer of hope.
The president of Ibuka- France Association, Marcel Kambanda described the first three phases of propagation of Genocide of Tutsis which correspond to three weeks from 7 April 1994. He stressed the importance of memory sites which are primarily built for the living.
The Deputy Mayor of the 20th arrondissement, Mohamad Gassama, reiterated the commitment of the Mayor of the 20th arrondissement, Madame Frédérique Calandra regarding perpetuation of memory. Mr. Gassama highlighted the support and action of Paris municipality and the 20th arrondissement in the inauguration of the memorial stone at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in October 2014.
On behalf of the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, Pierre Klugman agreed to find a large public place in Paris, visible and accessible, dedicated to the memory of the Genocide of Tutsis. He pledged to the Rwandan Diaspora and friends of Rwanda to meet in this new space during the 22th commemoration of the Genocide of Tutsis in 2016. In conclusion, he invited everyone to be vigilant to many early warning signs of the Genocide of Tutsis.
A night vigil held from 7:00 p.m. at the headquarters’ hall of Medecin du monde was a moment devoted to testimonies of survivors.
The Embassy of Rwanda notes with satisfaction that about 250 people responded to the invitation bringing together Rwandans, survivors, associations, friends of Rwanda, local officials and members of the French civil society.
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