New Delhi: Rwanda’s envoy to India, Amb MUKANGIRA Jacqueline, called for concerted efforts in the fight against Genocide ideology.
She made the remarks on Friday, April 7, during an event “Kwibuka29” – that brought together in India to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The envoy said, “World has to draw lessons from “Rwanda’s tragic history..& fight genocide ideology.”
“It is extremely important for all of us to work together in the fight against the denial of genocide and its ideology” with the ultimate goal of making the whole world a peaceful place to live for this generation and generations to come”, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to India further added.
Organised by the High Commision of Rwanda in India, the event was attended by officials from the government of India, diplomats, representatives of international organisations, and friends of Rwanda in India along with Meenakshi Lekhi, MoS (Ministry of External Affairs), Govt. of India.
At ‘Kwibuka29’ marking Rwanda Genocide, MEA MOS Meenakshi Lekhi said, “India was one the countries in 1992 (2 yrs before 1994 genocide) to express its concern about the situation, sent it’s troops under the UN flag. Says,’I share your pain..”
MoS Lekhi at the event marking Rwanda genocide, also pointed on India’s historical tradition. She said, “how India “protected” Jews, Polish nationals after world war 2, & Zoroastrians when they were thrown out from their homeland. She further critically asserted that,”perpetrators of violence giving lessons (to India) on secularism is a sham”
During the Kwibuka29 event in New Delhi, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ commemorative message was also delivered by Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative.
The message emphasized on the journey of the Rwandan people towards healing, restoration, and reconciliation. He reminded the international community to remember what happened in Rwanda and stand firm to combat rising intolerance elsewhere.
“A generation since the genocide, we must never forget what happened and ensure future generations always remember. How easily hate speech, a key indicator of the risk of genocide turns to hate crime,” part of the message reads.
Various other world leaders also have weighed in to pay tributes to over a million victims killed 29 years ago and shared messages of solidarity with the survivors.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has reminded the world that collective responsibilities are needed to foster lasting and sustainable peace. Scotland made a call through her official Twitter account as she joins Rwandans and Friends in commemorating the victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tusti that started today on 7th April.
Rwanda: 29 Years Later, Rwanda Remembers, Diplomats, dignitaries paid tribute to all the victims of the tragedy (#RwandanGenocide ) and to those who had the courage to oppose it. #Kwibuka29 .@RwandainIndia @M_Lekhi @MEAIndia @MUKANGIRA1 @AfricaWnn #Africa #RwandanGenocide pic.twitter.com/eQiTQ38ht7
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) April 7, 2023
Similarly, Türkiye also offered condolences to the African nation of Rwanda on the 29th anniversary of the 1994 genocide, which killed around a million people in a span of 100 days.
“We remember once again with deepest sorrow the Genocide against the Tutsi, one of the worst atrocities in the recent history of mankind, which took place in the Republic of Rwanda in 1994,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The commemoration event was also marked by screening of a documentary, candle lighting and a poem followed by drama depicting the genocide of 1994.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
