Turning Genocide memorials into World Heritage Sites will help preserve truth

Editor, RE: “New conservation plan for Genocide memorials in line for UNESCO recognition” (The New Times, August 10). Keeping the memory alive is crucial for prevention of genocide. Kudos to the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) for compiling the document on long-term preservation of Genocide memorials in the country. Many people have only read about the Genocide against the Tutsi, thus they do not fully appreciate its wickedness. There are still many people who confuse it with civil war. This may lead some people into acts of trivialising it, willingly or otherwise, because they think it was just another spate of killing. Proper maintenance of the memorials of the Genocide against the Tutsi will help people (those who visit the sites) understand what genocide is. Keeping these memorials in good shape will also serve as facts to belie those who deny the Genocide against the Tutsi. Once people have understood the wickedness of the Genocide, hopefully most of them will resolve to fight against recurrence of such atrocities anywhere in the world. Bemba

Opinions

Turning Genocide memorials into World Heritage Sites will help preserve truth