Participants of the meeting listening to the opening remarks by Hon. CHikawe.
The Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs Hon. Mathias Chikawe (MP) has today opened a two day meeting on “ Best Practices and New Opportunities in Genocide Prevention: Government Action, Technology and Regional Context” that has been organized by the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and UN Office of the Special Advisor on Genocide Prevention with collaboration with the Tanzanian National Committee for the Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and all forms of Discrimination.
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Hon chikawe in a group photo with the participants just after officiating the meeting. From left Ms Felistas Mushi Chairperson of Tanzania National Committee for the Prevention of Genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and all forms of discrimination shares a moment with Mr Castro Wesamba of the UN Office of the Special advisor on Genocide Prevention and Ms Mercy Mrutu (Principal Legal Officer Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs) and Prosper Mwangamila (Principal State Attorney from the Attorney General's Chambers) who are members of the Tanzania National Commitee ======================== |
The meeting has brought together experts on genocide prevention from Argentina, South Sudan, Poland, Indonesia, Kenya, Montenegro, Mexico, Nigeria, Burundi, Croatia, Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Romania, Germany, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Uganda, Civil Society Organisations and number of international Institutions that work on genocide prevention in the world.
The meeting will focus on learning and sharing the best practices that exist in the world on the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. It will also discuss on new opportunities in genocide prevention on governmental actions, technology and regional contexts.
In his opening remarks Hon. Chikawe reminded the participants on how the world has witnessed profound acts of atrocities in the past decade even in areas that were least expected and the effects of such acts beyond the borders of the affected country. He emphasised that the effects of genocide respect no borders and it is not a surprise that genocide prevention is attracting a common cause at international, regional and national levels.
He emphasised that prevention of Genocide is the responsibility of every one and that it is necessary for countries to improve and find best ways to prevent genocide and human rights violations. He urged Governments to improve their actions towards prevention and to revisit all efforts taken towards preventing the occurrences of mass atrocities. He on the other hand stressed the need for sharing of ideas, best practices and finding new opportunities for preventing genocide.
Hon Chikawe assured the participants of the Government of United Republic of Tanzania’s commitment and the highest degree of political will in preventing and fighting genocide and mass atrocities. He stressed that as part of her commitment the United Republic of Tanzania is party to a number of international instruments and that we will continue to adopt domestic and foreign policies that are geared towards fighting genocide and mass atrocities.
He informed the participants that February 2012 the National Committee for the Prevention of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and all forms of Discrimination was established in Tanzania and since then the Committee has been engaged in different activities including conducting seminars to different religious leaders on their role in peace keeping inside and outside the country.