This call was made during a commemoration event held at the Rwandan Embassy in Beijing, attended by Chinese government officials, diplomatic corps, international organization representatives, and friends of Rwanda.

He reminded attendees that the genocide’s brutality resulted in the murder of over one million people within 100 days, averaging about 10,000 lives taken daily.

"Perpetrators had no iota of mercy, they slaughtered people like chickens, raped, banged babies against solid objects...they did all manner of callous things without sparing anyone - young, elderly, disabled, even pregnant women," said Amb. Kimonyo.

The ambassador lamented the international community’s inaction despite clear warnings, such as those from Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, then-commander of the United Nations Force in Rwanda, who foresaw the impending massacre but was denied reinforcements.

Highlighting acts of valor amidst the tragedy, Amb. Kimonyo praised the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPA) for ending the genocide and noted the courageous efforts of peacekeepers like Ghanaian soldiers under General Henry Kwami Anyidoho and Captain Mbaye Diagne from Senegal, who risked their lives to save others.

Thirty years post-genocide, Rwanda’s narrative is one of resilience and unity. The nation has transcended its painful past, fostering a collective identity devoid of ethnic divisions.

"Despite this tragedy that befell our country, we stand as a testament to the strength of human spirit and resilience," Amb. Kimonyo affirmed.

He emphasized the importance of learning from history to prevent future atrocities, calling out the ongoing hate speech and ethnic discrimination in regions like the Great Lakes, urging for a concerted effort to eliminate impunity and promote global solidarity against genocide.

“Let me call upon the international community to fight the spread of hate speech, genocide ideology, denial and bring to book all the perpetrators residing and working in different countries,” he said.

“The commitment to never again should not be an obligation but the true claim to uphold humanity,” added Amb. Kimonyo.

He also called upon Rwandans, especially the youth, to carry the responsibility ‘that lies on our shoulders to preserve the memory, uphold our unity, safeguard, and accelerate the progress of Rwanda’.

The Director General of the Department of African Affairs, Amb. Wu Peng, representing the Government of China at the event, expressed profound sympathy and condolences towards Rwandans.

He recognized Rwanda as an exemplar of resilience and praised the significant strides Rwanda has made under President Paul Kagame’s leadership, including efforts towards reconciliation and transformation aligned with national conditions. These efforts have led the country to achieve stability, social harmony, and economic growth.

Amb. Wu Peng also reiterated his country’s commitment to continue supporting Rwanda on its development journey, deepening bilateral relations and cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

Meanwhile, Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in China, conveyed a message from the Secretary-General, expressing solidarity with Rwandans and urging the global community to unite against all forms of hatred and discrimination to prevent the recurrence of genocide.

Rahamtalla Mohamed Osman, the Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, remarked that commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda serves as a crucial reminder to African states of its magnitude and their essential duty to counteract the destructive path opened by such criminal acts.

The event featured poignant testimonies from Narcisse Mulinga, who survived the Genocide against the Tutsi. At the tender age of 11, he witnessed the murder of relatives right before his eyes yet managed to transcend his harrowing experiences to reconstruct his life. Today, he cherishes having a loving family, including a 10-year-old child.

Currently, he is on the verge of completing his PhD in regional rural development at Anhui Agricultural University, embodying the ongoing journey of personal rebuilding and resilience.

The commemoration also included a documentary screening, lighting the flame of hope, and a poem titled ‘Rwanda: A Beacon of Light,’ performed by Rwandan students in China, capturing Rwanda’s journey of recovery and hope.

Throughout the 100 days, the Embassy and the Rwandan Community in China will continue to host commemoration activities centered on the theme ‘Remember, Unite, Renew’.

Rwanda's Ambassador to China, James Kimonyo has called for global action against hate speech and genocide ideology.

This commemoration event took place at the Rwandan Embassy in Beijing.

The commemoration event was attended by Chinese government officials, diplomatic corps, international organization representatives, and friends of Rwanda.

Amb. James Kimonyo taking guests through history of Genocide against the Tutsi and resilience journey at the embassy's premises.

Narcisse Mulinga, who survived the Genocide against the Tutsi shared testimonies at the commemoration event.

Rwandan students in China performed a poem titled ‘Rwanda: A Beacon of Light,’ capturing Rwanda’s journey of recovery and hope.

Rwanda's Embassy in China is based in Beijing.

The Director General of the Department of African Affairs, Ambassador Wu Peng, representing the Government of China at the event, expressed profound sympathy and condolences towards Rwandans.