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KIGALI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The 23rd anniversary of the genocide against Tutsi due on April 7 will be marked with focus on fighting genocide ideology while building on current country's progress, Rwanda's National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) said on Wednesday.
It will be marked under the theme: "Remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, Fight Genocide Ideology, Build on Our Progress."
Speaking ahead of this year's commemoration, the CNLG executive secretary Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, affirmed his government's commitment to fight genocide ideology.
"The Genocide against the Tutsi was an attempt to break down our potential and rip apart our unity. In 100 days we lost 1 million friends, family members, neighbors, leaders and future leaders," he said.
"To honor the memory of those lost, we will spend 100 days coming together. We will spend the rest of our lives fighting genocide ideology -- with all the tools in our possession. Good governance, continued and sustainable growth and remembering our loved ones are our weapons of choice," he said.
On April 7, events will be held at national and village levels to kick off the national mourning week, the commission said in a Wednesday statement.
It stresses the need for Rwandans to pay tribute to the more than one million innocent lives lost in 1994.
Between April 7 and 13, Rwandans across the country will reiterate their commitment to fight genocide ideology and reflect on the country's journey of unity and reconciliation in the last 23 years, according to the commission.
The mourning week will be concluded on April 13 with an event to pay tribute to politicians who were killed for opposing the inhumane acts of the genocidal regime.
In the 100 days of the Commemoration period, Rwandans and friends of Rwanda will hold discussions on how best to encourage and ensure the current progress in socio-economic growth for the people of Rwanda.
The Genocide against the Tutsi began on April 7, 1994 and lasted 100 days, claiming more than one million Tutsi and moderate Hutus.
On December 23, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution designating April 7, the start date of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.
Annually, on or around that date, the United Nations organizes commemorative events at its New York headquarters and at United Nations offices around the world. Enditem
