UK envoy lauds Rwanda's approach to fighting Genocide denial

The British envoy to Rwanda has commended the country’s approach in tackling Genocide denial.

Thursday, April 09, 2015
British High Commissioner William Gelling (R), the representative of British Council, Hillary Sheridan (C), and Head of DFID Laure Beaufils lay wreaths in honour of the Genocide victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi, yesterday. (John Mbanda)

The British envoy to Rwanda has commended the country’s approach in tackling Genocide denial.

William Gelling said this yesterday during a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre with the High Commission, Department for International Development (DFID), as well as the British Council staff.

"Rwanda has a good approach to fighting Genocide denial and ideology,” the British envoy said.

He said his country was committed to fighting Genocide denial as clearly demonstrated in its support for commemoration events and memorial sites.

The British government, through DFID, is one of the financiers of Aegis Trust, which is in charge of the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

"The best way to fight Genocide denial is by ensuring that events such as the commemoration have full backing of the British government and that we, like the Rwandan government and Rwandans, want to ensure that genocide never happens again.”

The head of DFID in the country, Laure Beaufils, said their support aims at eliminating Genocide denial and contributing toward reconciliation.

"We have an excellent collaboration with Aegis Trust and I think what they are doing is critical in making sure that there is reconciliation and an understanding of what happened,” Beaufils said.

This year’s commemoration, is guided by three pillars; "Remember, unite, renew”,  and has a special focus on fighting Genocide denial and revisionism, as well as honouring those who rescued people during the Genocide.