Kigali, July 19th, 2004 (FH)- Genocide survivors in Rwanda on Sunday paid tribute to ethnic Hutus that "risked their lives by hiding Tutsis" during the 1994 genocide.

Nearly one million ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by extremist Hutu militias and soldiers in 1994.

In a ceremony to close the mourning period that started on April 6th, genocide survivors’ organisation, IBUKA (Kinyarwanda for Remember) honoured "everyone that did their best to dignify humanity" during the genocide.

"I did it with the help of God and other people", said one Gisimba. He reportedly offered sanctuary to some 400 ethnic Tutsis in an orphanage he run. Most of them are alive today.

Testimonies about the genocide were also given by survivors during the event held at Kigali genocide memorial in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

Speaking at the event, Rwandan Prime Minister, Bernard Makuza reiterated a message that has constantly been heard across Rwanda since the end of the genocide :never again.

"The government will not tolerate any acts or ideologies of genocide", said Makuza. "Events like this one give us hope that such acts will never happen again in this country. We have the laws and political structures to prevent genocide", he added.

GG/FH(RW''0719e)