Lynne Featherstone laid a wreath at the Ntarama
Memorial Site to commemorate the genocide as part of a three day visit to
Rwanda.
While at Ntarama, which is in Rwanda’s Eastern
Province, she met with representatives from the Aegis Trust who provided a tour
of the site and gave her an account of what happened there during the
genocide.
She
also saw how funding from the UK is helping the Aegis Trust preserve the site
and promote peace and reconciliation through education about the
genocide.
The
Governor of the Eastern Province Hon. Odette Uwamaliya also joined the
visit.
International Development Minister Lynne Featherstone
said:
“Remembering the tragedy of the genocide is vital
to making sure that such horrific events are never repeated.
“The UK will continue to support the important
work here at Ntarama and across the country. The new archives, classrooms and
peace projects the UK is funding will help ensure the atrocities are recorded
for future generations and help communities to come to terms with the
tragedy.
“Rwanda has made remarkable progress over the past
20 years and the determination of the Rwandan people to stand together and
rebuild their country is truly inspiring.”
John Petrie, Director of the Aegis Trust
said
“The support that Aegis is receiving from DfID is
a major contribution to the peace and reconciliation programme and it is a
pleasure to host the Minister of State and be able to show how elements of the
programmes are being delivered”.
DFID is providing £2.5m to the Aegis Trust to
support its Genocide Research and Reconciliation Programme in
Rwanda.
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