Let's close the doors to Genocide denial, says ex-ICTR Prosecutor

The outgoing Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Hassan Bubakar Jallow has called on the international community to step up efforts in fighting the genocide ideology. “We need to continue addressing the challenge of restoring the shuttered community keep memories and close the doors of denial,” he said. Jallow was speaking on Thursday during the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the EAC Secretariat Headquarters in Arusha Tanzania. The ceremony began with laying a wreath at the EAC Monument which was built in memory of victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi East African Community (EAC) Secretary General Richard Sezibera told his audience that Genocide is a deliberate decision taken rationally by leaders where people are classified as “us and them.” “What is it that they did not know?” Sezibera said. He added that the Genocide in Rwanda started with intent and experimental killing until people got used to killings. Sezibera urged the audience to teach the youth on the effects of Genocide to human kind. Eng. Daniel Murenzi the chairman of the Arusha - Moshi Rwanda Diaspora community noted that there has been an unfortunate increase in cases of genocide denial and ideology, calling for a firm fight against such tendencies. Samuel Akorimo, the representative of the mechanism for International criminal tribunal applauded Rwandan people for upholding reconciliation efforts and healing, which he said, is a strong legacy to the young and future generations. The ceremony was also graced by different heads of diplomatic missions and over 200 students from various institutions of learning in Arusha. In her sermon, Apostle Trice Shumbusho underscored that it takes wisdom to rebuild a country that was destroyed, and prayed for God’s grace on the leadership of Rwanda. She added that it is wisdom that gives the understanding on how to protect, support and strengthen the nation.

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Let's close the doors to Genocide denial, says ex-ICTR Prosecutor