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Dar urged to support pact on prevention of genocide
2008-04-14 09:38:59
By Zuwena Shame
Tanzanians have been urged to support the convention on prevention and punishment of genocide crimes to ensure what happened in Rwanda in 1994 does not occur in any part of the world again.
The remarks were made by the head of UN Information Centre, Eshila Maravanyika, during a press conference on the commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, in Dar es Salaam on Thursday.
Maravanyika said commemoration of the day was aimed at enhancing public awareness on the 1994 genocide in Rwanda to mobilise international community, civil societies and the general public to remember genocide victims.
``As we mark the 14th anniversary of Rwanda genocide, people must be aware and make sure that what happened there won\'t happen again in any county it was a disaster for the two major tribes to fight. The UN is here today as a special adviser in conflicts,`` she said.
Maravanyika said the day was also aimed at educating people on the `ills` of genocide to help prevent similar occurences in future.
Referring to a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, she said the day was significant because the UN has a moral duty to act on the lessons of Rwanda, by mobilising people to prevent genocide from happening.
The International Day for Reflection on the 1994 Rwanda Genocide was mandated by the UN General Assembly on December 23, through resolution A/RES/58/234, which encourages member states, organisations of the UN system and other relevant international as well as civil organisations to observe the Day, with special focus and activities in memory of the victims of the genocide.
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