NAIROBI, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The 32nd anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was marked on Tuesday at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), with calls for humanity to embrace reconciliation, unity and healing in the face of ongoing geopolitical headwinds.
The event, held under the theme "Remember, Unite, Renew," was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, representatives of multilateral agencies, civil society and academia.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a speech read on his behalf by UNON Director-General Zainab Hawa Bangura, said that a reflection on the tragic events that occurred in Rwanda 32 years ago presents an opportunity for humanity to reject hatred and division, and chart a new path for unity, peace and reconciliation.
Guterres added that investing in social fabric, building communities' resilience and strengthening institutions are key to helping avert mass atrocities that were witnessed in Rwanda three decades ago.
"I call on all countries to become parties to the Genocide Convention without delay and to implement it fully," he said.
On Jan. 26, 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a revised draft resolution designating April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Abraham Korir Sing'Oei, principal secretary at Kenya's State Department for Foreign Affairs, said that fidelity to multilateralism is key to preventing the recurrence of mass atrocities in any part of the globe, fueled by militarism and disregard for diversity.
Ernest Rwamucyo, Rwanda's high commissioner to Kenya, said the commemoration of genocide victims and survivors should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to ensure such atrocities do not happen again anywhere. ■
