On Friday 15th March 2019, Seven members of the Canadian two houses called on the national Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) as part of their visit to the country ahead of the 25th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which begins early next month on 7tth April. They were accompanied by two of their Rwandan counterparts.
They were received by Dr Jean-Damascène Bizimana, Executive Secretary of the CNLG.
They exchanged on missions of the CNLG with focus on strategies put in place to combat negationism and minimization of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
During their visit, Dr Bizimana, discussed the successes and challenges of CNLG in Genocide prevention, fight against Genocide denial and Genocide ideology, as well as in overcoming Genocide’s consequences as is stipulated in the CNLG’s mission.
Dr Bizimana explained the different measures taken by Rwanda in prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, fighting denial, and revisionism as well as the eradication of genocide ideology and all its manifestations.
Moreover, Dr Bizimana spoke about the role of the Gacaca courts and their outcomes in fostering unity and reconciliation amongst Rwandans.
He also informed them that Rwanda documents of these Courts are being digitized for future use in educational and research purposes.
He told them that Rwanda has embarked on the project to list four genocide memorial sites namely the Kigali genocide memorial Centre in Gisozi, Nyamata genocide memorial site in Bugesera District, Murambi genocide memorial site Nyamagabe District and Bisesero genocide memorial site in Karongi District on the UNESCO world heritage, which he said was essential in prevention of future conflicts and atrocities.
He concluded by sharing the Rwanda’s remarkable success in overcoming its horrible past and its wonderful plans for the better future of Rwandans
During their stay in Rwanda, the group visited different institutions including the two chambers of Rwanda’s parliament, the Kigali Genocide Memorial centre and the Museum of the Campaign against Genocide among others.
Source: CNLG
