{The Embassy of Rwanda to Japan organized the 21st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, at the United Nations University (UNU) Tokyo, Japan.}
The event was attended by Japanese Government officials, Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Community, members of Rwandan Diaspora in Japan, as well as friends of Rwanda from the private sector and the civil society. The Government of Japan was represented by, Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs. Also in attendance was Hon. Diashiro yamagiwa, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Dr. Charles MURIGANDE, the Ambassador of Rwanda to Japan, in his remarks highlighted the main purposes and importance for us to commemorate namely to solemnly remember and pay tribute to the one million lives that were lost in the genocide as well as to comfort and encourage the survivors of that senseless tragedy. To remind ourselves of our shared humanity and to renew our collective commitment to never again be passive bystanders when a genocide is perpetrated anywhere in the world. To defend the truth which is continually under attacks by genocide deniers. But also to celebrate the incredible resilience and determination that the people of Rwanda have shown in rebuilding their lives and country.
On denying the genocide Ambassador Murigande said that denial is always the last stage of genocide and this has always been the case of all genocides, even with the Holocaust which is probably the most document event in modern history. He added that “it is important to recount what happened in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis not a way to inspire guilt, pity or hatred as some ill-intention people have often accused us, but to counter those who seek to deny, negate or trivialize the genocide or even attempt to find excuses for perpetrators and turn the victims into villains” said Ambassador Murigande.
He concluded by stating that Rwanda has moved from the chaos and hopelessness of 1994 to being a place of law, order and hopefulness, and said that “Rwanda thanks all those around the world who stood by us in our efforts to rebuild our country over the last 21 years, most particularly the government of Japan”.
Representing the Government of Japan, Hon. Mr. Kazuyuki NAKANE, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that the Genocide that occurred in Rwanda was greatly shocking news around the world. He observed that Rwanda put massive effort in reconciliation and has achieved steady development, which has made Rwanda to be described as “the miracle of Africa”, with a notable friendly environment that ranks Rwanda third best country in Africa.
He added that Japanese companies are also paying attention to this development, and in August 2014, under the Public and Private Sector Joint Mission that aiming to promote trade and investment to Africa, Japanese companies visited Rwanda.
He also expressed his respect to Rwanda and Rwandans’ determination to overcome their tragic past and be actively involved in peace building, lauding Rwanda’s contribution to global peace building and stability, siting Rwanda’s deployment of more than five thousand troops to U.N. Peacekeeping Operations, making Rwanda a fifth biggest contributor in the world.
He said that “in a chaotic world we live in today, full of civil wars caused by the difference between ethnicity and religion, and where terror activities caused by extremism and exclusivist ideology are also still happening, the world can and should learn from Rwanda’s achievements, especially reconciliation” said Hon. NAKANE
He concluded by expressing Japan’s commitment to cooperate and be a part of Rwanda’s determination to make the world better place where will never see genocide again.
Participants also heard a testimony of Mr. Vianney Vunabandi, a genocide survivor, who is currently in Japan pursuing his Master Degree studies at Kobe Institute of Computing (KIC).
Mr. Vunabandi recalled the ordeal he went through in the 1994 genocide including the some of his siblings and relatives.
He recounted how he managed to rebuild his life despite very challenging difficulties and unbearable physical and psychological consequences of the genocide. He then thanked the Government of Rwanda for supporting genocide survivors in different ways.
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