KIGALI, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Rwandans on Friday remembered politicians killed during the 1994 genocide at the conclusion of the mourning week.
The event took place at Rebero genocide memorial in Kicukiro district, Kigali, where wreaths were laid on graves where remains of most of the prominent fallen politicians were buried.
The function was attended by Rwanda's senior officials led by Senate president Bernard Makuza, families of fallen politicians and members of the diplomatic corps.
Remains of more than 14,000 genocide victims were buried at the Rebero memorial site.
Most of the fallen politicians were reformists belonging to the Liberal Party (PL) or Social Democratic Party (PSD), who stood firm against the then regime of hate ideology, said Elizabeth Mukamana, spokesperson of Rwanda's National Consultative Forum of Political Organizations.
Speaking at the event, Mukamana appealed to political parties and politicians against divisive politics, urging them to sensitize youth on development politics and patriotism.
Makuza said the genocide happened not as an accident but was well planned.
The fallen politicians paid price for their reformist ideologies, to honor their legacy Rwanda should promote unity and avoid ethnic divisions, he said.
Makuza also called for the fight against genocide ideology and denial while promoting political dialogue and equal opportunities for all Rwandans.
He meanwhile called on the international community to put efforts in apprehending genocide suspects still at large so as to bring them to justice.
Rwanda's justice ministry said more than 800 indictments have been issued to different countries but less than 20 fugitives have been extradited or deported to Kigali.
While the official mourning week closed on Friday, genocide commemoration activities will continue until July 3 to mark 100 days during which more than 1 million people, mainly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, were killed in 1994.