The High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana in close collaboration with the Rwandan Community in Ghana have called on the global community to bring to justice architects and perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, and to commit with actions to the fight against Genocide ideology and its denial.
They made the appeal on Friday, June 23, in Accra, as they commemorated the 1994 Genocide, according to a press release from the High Commision of Rwanda in Ghana.
Rwandans were joined by officials from the Government of Ghana, UN Agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, top political and business leaders, Senior Military Officers, the media and other friends of Rwanda.
Also present at the event were Rd. Major General Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Rd. Major General Major General Joseph Narh Adinkra – both of whom were last year decorated by His Excellency President Paul Kagame with the Rwandan Order of Bravery for their selfless service to save innocent lives during the Genocide.
Rwandans were joined by officials from the Government of Ghana, UN Agencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps, top political and business leaders, Senior Military Officers, the media and other friends of Rwanda.
The former military officers were joined by a number of the members of the Ghanaian contingent they led that was part of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), which despite orders to withdraw decided – with support of their government – to stay in Rwanda and as a result saved many lives.
The Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of Rwanda in Ghana, Theophile Rurangwa, reminded of the psychological trauma that survivors of the Genocide continue to battle on the knowledge that its masterminds and perpetrators of are still at large and being harboured and sheltered by some countries around the world.
“Many countries globally continue to shield these criminals from facing justice, caring not what that means for the innocent victims of their actions,” he said.
“We continue to call upon all of you, in government and the international community, to mobilise for justice to be served. Rwanda is ready to try these fugitives if they are extradited but instead of delaying justice, it would be best for countries unwilling to extradite to try them in their own courts. Let us all remember that justice delayed is justice denied,” he appealed.
The Director for Africa in the Multilateral Bureau at Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Sylvester Beliwine, in a speech read on behalf of the sector Minister, called for unity in confronting genocidal tendencies across the world as a way to advance towards a future with peace and dignity.
“It behooves on us as a duty to the victims and survivors to stand united and prevent it from ever happening again anywhere in the world,” he said.
The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani, said: “Let us today, renew our commitment to preventing genocide and protecting human rights.
“Let us renew our dedication to fostering a world where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is the norm. Let us renew our promise to the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi that their lives were not lost in vain.”
A survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and author of the book “Do Not Accept to Die”, Dimitrie Sissi Mukanyirigira, delivered a moving testimony to the audience about her survival during the Genocide as well as the long journey to recovery post-Genocide.
The event was held under the Kwibuka theme: ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.
It was in line with taking time to reflect on the innocent lives lost to the Genocide, and paying tribute to them.
They have called on the global community to bring to justice architects and perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, and to commit with actions to the fight against Genocide ideology and its denial.
