KIGALI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda government officials on Thursday paid tribute to 13 opposition politicians killed by the genocidal regime during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The murdered opposition politicians were hailed for their courage shown towards denouncing the former government's atrocities and human rights violations.
Speaking at the memorial event, Bernard Makuza, Rwanda Senate President, hailed the slain politicians for their heroism.
"Politicians played a major role in the planning and executing the genocide; however, the ones we are remembering today chose to oppose it," he said.
Some of the killed politicians were supposed to be part of a transitional government that was to be set up under Arusha Peace Accord.
The memorial event was attended by government officials, political leaders and families of the 13 fallen politicians. The event also attracted members of the foreign diplomatic corps accredited to Rwanda.
The slain politicians are honored at the last day of the official week of mourning, which started last Friday. The day is dedicated to remembering the brave politicians killed during the 100 days of genocide, which claimed about 1 million lives.
The genocide started after a plane carrying the ex-Rwandan president, Juvenal Habyarimana (a member of the ethnic Hutu majority) was shot down on April 6, 1994. Rwandan Hutus blamed ethnic Tutsis for the attack and sought immediate revenge.
