The Rwandan community in Canada held an event to observe the 29th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda on April 21. The commemoration event—organised by Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West—was held on Parliament Hilll. ALSO READ: Canadian MP Arielle Kayabaga speaks out on her tour in Rwanda In her remarks, Kayabaga emphasised the role of media in propagating hate and its use as a weapon of genocide. She reminded everyone of the need to remain vigilant and speak out against hate speech, which continues to be used as a weapon. High Commissioner Prosper Higiro also spoke at the event and noted the importance of remembering and honouring the victims. ALSO READ: Canada set up high commission in Kigali He emphasised the need to fight denialism and impunity and to educate people, including in Canada, to ensure that genocide never happens again. The High Commissioner also suggested the need for a memorial in the Capital Region of Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also took to Twitter to reaffirm the government's commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again. He met with Chiko Bavon Kirenga, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to hear his story and highlight the importance of remembrance. “Meet Chiko Bavon Kirenga. He survived the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – what he witnessed, and what he experienced, was horrific. I sat down with Chiko to hear his story today, and to reaffirm our government’s commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again,” he said in a tweet. Meet Chiko Bavon Kirenga. He survived the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – what he witnessed, and what he experienced, was horrific. I sat down with Chiko to hear his story today, and to reaffirm our government’s commitment to ensuring such atrocities never happen again. pic.twitter.com/WG0DxLvVtX — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 20, 2023 ALSO READ: Preventing Genocide is a collective and individual responsibility – Rwandan envoy The event sends a message of the country's commitment to remembering the victims and fighting against hate speech, denialism, and impunity, and to ensuring genocide never happens again.
