This year, Rwanda marked the 29th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Every year, memorial events are held around the country to pay tribute to the more than one million innocent lives lost through the monstrous slaughter of Tutsi during the 100-day period. Despite living away from home, members of the Rwandan community in various countries also hold commemoration events. Recently, Rwandans in Canada honoured the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Vancouver. During the event, the need for Rwandans in the diaspora to play a role in fighting genocide ideology and ensuring the past is not forgotten was emphasised. Speaking to Sharon Kantengwa, a few of them shared their views on the importance of commemoration away from home, and what it means for them. Janvier Katabarwa, Actor I am a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, so the commemoration is a cause that I take to heart and care about. It is a moment I join others to remember and honour the loved ones we lost during the Genocide. We are Rwandans away from home but we never forget that we are Rwandans, and keeping that memory is our duty. My message to Rwandan youth is that “never again” was used for the first time after the holocaust. But history repeated itself later in Rwanda. And young people were used during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The youth must understand that they have the power and hold the key to the future and that we hope to be better in their hands. In order to achieve that they must take the lead in our struggle against genocide denial and end the ideology completely. Genocide deniers keep propagating their ideology but with committed youth, we can win this struggle once and for all and say “never again.” Denial should not have a place in this world and should not be given any platform. Achille Karuletwa, Police Officer/businessman Rwandan youth around the world should always strive to be the best version of themselves, in the community in which they live. Our President, Paul Kagame, is a great example of how a ‘Rwandan away from home’ should be. Before 1990, he had to fight for liberation in another country in the name of peace and hope for a better future for Rwandans in refuge. No wonder his leadership has Rwanda as a beacon of hope in Africa not just within the country. June A. Muvunyi, Human resource professional I believe that it is my duty and honour as a Rwandan to commemorate our loved ones who were taken away from us in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Whether I live in the diaspora or home it is my utmost duty to make sure we keep their light burning. It is also very important to commemorate to make sure genocide ideologies out there have no voice or power. We continue to remember and rebuild. Liliane Umuhoza Pari, Graduate student at the University of British Columbia Remembering helps to ensure that the memories and legacies of the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi stay alive for future generations. It allows us to learn about history and create awareness about what happened during the Genocide so that the rest of the world can learn from it and hopefully turn “never again” into a reality. It is our responsibility not only to remember but to do so with the purpose to educate about the Genocide, advocate for Genocide survivors and create awareness about the ongoing consequences of the Genocide. For those of us residing in foreign countries, Genocide commemoration serves as a means to combat genocide ideology and revisionism, particularly since many of the revisionists are living in these countries we live in. Dean Simirnof, Founder Martial Arts for Justice Through commemoration and time comes healing. Rwandan people are uniquely resilient but science has shown us that we can enhance our resilience and that we all have resilience factors to work on. I have been privileged to bring Enhanced Resilience Training to Rwanda, working closely with Avega Agahozo and its members. Our Genocide widows are the best example of resilience and victory I have ever seen. It is important that the younger generation learn from them and carry the torch to never forget while building a healthy resilient future for Rwanda.
