{Young Belgians born on 7th April, 1994, the date on which the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi started, have formed an Association with the objective of fighting against Genocide denial and upholding the memoir of 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.}
The association is called “Souviens-Toi Le 7 Avril ! » translated in English « Remember 7th April »
IGIHE Journalist, Karirima A. Ngarambe met André Julien, a young Belgian and founding president of the association and bellow are excerpts of the interview..
{{IGIHE: Tell us about the origin of the Association}}
{{André Julien}}: I was born April 7, 1994, a date which marks the beginning of the Genocide against the Tutsi. And as our association wants to remember the genocide, it is natural that the name came to us…
{{How did you start your association?}}
{{André Julien}}: One year after my school work, I explained the genocide to a friend in a cafe Huy.
At the next table was a friend, Anne-Marie Lizin (first woman to be President of the Belgian Senate and is now the Honorary President) who asked me to accompany her to the commemoration.
I’ve realized that it had to act because of the memory of this historical fact – that many seem to want to forget.
So after many discussions with Ms. Lizin, the idea of creating an association was born.
Later, I met Mr Masozera, Ambassador of Rwanda in Belgium, with Oria Vande Weghe, responsible for communication of the embassy and helped me very much in this project.
{{What is the purpose of the association?}}
{{André Julien}}: We realized that many people wanted us to forget the genocide that is why we decided to create the association.
It aims to fight against the denial of the 1994genocide against Tutsi through symbolic actions and information.
{{What is the future of your association?}}
{{André Julien}}: In the short term, we will start giving lectures in schools to educate young people about the genocide and its aftermath.
In the longer term, we would like the association to become an idea repeated in several to create universality.
{{Who, today, made the association?}}
{{André Julien}}: Today, the board of directors of the association is composed exclusively of young born in April 1994. There are also full members of all backgrounds and finally there are three honorary members.
Do you have links with other organizations committed to the same cause?
{{André Julien}}: Yes, I have contacts with other associations. Especially with the association Ibuka, and with Patrice Nkusi of Mpore Association who was born on 7 April, but in 1996
{{What do you think about the incident that took place in the stele Wolluwe?}}
{{André Julien}}: I think it is a shameful act resulting from a serious error on the part of the Mayor Cerehxe. Also, I find it unacceptable action of denial, it is a desecration.
We find pity to see such facts. This proves that our association has more work…
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