Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda

Kwibuka 30 - On 15 April, the United Nations Office at Geneva will commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda 2024, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003. The date marks the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government. Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered.

This photo essay is based on an exhibition marking the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which began on 7 April 1994. It explores the landscape of each of these four sites through the lens of one person’s experience at each location.

Commissioned by UNESCO, this exhibition was created in 2024 by the Aegis Trust, which runs the Kigali Genocide Memorial on behalf of Rwanda’s Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement.

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Memorial Ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, organized by the Department of Global Communications and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations.

Watch the United Nations General Assembly Commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda!

UNESCO’s Director General was in Rwanda from 5-7 April to participate in the commemorations of the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsis. She will discuss UNESCO's efforts to teach new generations about violent pasts, following the recent inscription of four of the country's memorial sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

On the morning of Saturday 6 April, Audrey Azoulay will visit the Murambi Memorial in the south-west of the country, where she will meet survivors and the managers of the site. In April 1994, nearly 50,000 Tutsis were killed in the grounds of this technical school built in the early ‘90s.

In September 2023, the Murambi Memorial was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, alongside The Nyamata, Gisozi and Bissero Memorials, in recognition of the role they play in national reconciliation, and in promoting understanding of the events and helping to pass history on to future generations.

On the occasion of her visit to Rwanda, the Director-General of UNESCO will present the Rwandan government with the official certificate of inscription of these four memorials on the World Heritage List.

On Sunday 7 April, Audrey Azoulay will participate in the official commemorations in the Rwandan capital. The events will begin with a ceremony to rekindle the flame at the Gisozi Memorial, and will continue at the Kigali Arena; some 10,000 people are expected to be present. 

On the same day, at its Paris headquarters, UNESCO will hold a ceremony in memory of, and in homage to the victims, at the initiative of the permanent delegation of Rwanda. In the evening, at the invitation of UNESCO and Rwanda, 10 metropolises around the world will participate in this commemoration by lighting up one of their monuments.

A new exhibit at UN Headquarters in NYC marks the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The exhibition explores global efforts to #PreventGenocide, the impacts of hate speech, and more.

Remember. Unite. Renew.

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, this exhibit highlights the story of Laurence, a survivor, and Xavier, her family’s killer, who now live as friends – a testament to the power of post-genocide reconciliation. It also addresses the universal theme of genocide prevention, the impact of hate speech, and how visitors can take action to make a difference.

This exhibit is organized by the Human Rights Unit of the Campaign and Country Operations Division, Department of Global Communications. It is in connection with the 30th anniversary of and International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (7 April).

On display until 1 May 2024

Virtual Exhibit Remember. Unite. Renew.

Calling for everyone, in all nations, to stand firm against rising intolerance, be ever vigilant – and always ready to act - the United Nations Secretary-General concluded: “And ”

The Memorial Ceremony to mark the 29th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda will be held at UN Headquarters in NY on Friday, 14 April, featuring addresses by the Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, and other officials, as well as remarks from a survivor of the genocide.

A wreath laying and lighting of candles, as well as a ceremony featuring statements from senior United Nations officials and testimonies from survivors, will be held at the UN Office in Geneva on Thursday, 13 April.

On this International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, we mourn the more than one million children, women, and men who perished in one hundred days of horror 29 years ago.

We honour the memory of the victims – the overwhelming majority Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide.

We pay tribute to the resilience of the survivors.

We recognize the journey of the Rwandan people towards healing, restoration, and reconciliation.

And we remember – with shame – the failure of the international community.

A generation since the genocide, we must never forget what happened – and ensure future generations always remember.

How easily hate speech – a key indicator of the risk of genocide – turns to hate crime.

How complacency in the face of atrocity is complicity.

And how no place, and no time is immune to danger – including our own.

Preventing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other serious violations of international law is a shared responsibility.

It is a core duty of every member of the United Nations.

Together, let us stand firm against rising intolerance.

Let us be ever vigilant – and always ready to act.

And let us truly honour the memory of all Rwandans who perished by building a future of dignity, security, justice, and human rights for all.

Twenty-nine years ago, Rwanda reached a point in time where forward was the only way to go. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi it took tremendous efforts for the country to raise from the ashes it had been reduced to. It also took vision and an unshaken will to survive, live and strive as a nation. Above all, it took resilience.

In the face of tragedy, trauma and adversity, Rwanda’s road to resilience has been an eventful one. Health, Education, Agriculture, Trade, Economy… Rwanda has had to leak its wounds, resume to existence and rebuilt from all corners, for life never stopped for the rest of the world.

MEMORIAL SITES

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Murambi Genocide Memorial

Nyamata Genocide Memorial

Bisesero Genocide Memorial

Nyarubuye Genocide Memorial

Twenty-nine years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda has had a long but a successful journey of reconciliation and nation building.

Rwanda’s spirit has been restored by the resilience of its people and the strength of survivors.

The people of Rwanda are working together for the brighter future they deserve. They have a vision of hope, dignity and prosperity for their country.

Rwanda shows that reconciliation through shared human values is possible.

‘Remember’ is a translation of Kwibuka in Kinyarwanda, Rwanda’s national language. It describes the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

By remembering, we honour the memory of more than one million Rwandans who died in the hundred days of the Genocide. It was one of human history’s darkest times. Twenty-nine years later we, Rwanda, ask the world to unite to remember the lives that were lost.

A Scar in History: The 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

13 April 2023 - 5:00 pm - 13 April 2023 - 6:00 pm

Location:UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France

Rooms : Ségur Hall

Type : Opening of exhibition

Arrangement type : In-Person

The event will take place in person at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It is open to the public and visitors are welcome. To access the Palais and attend the event, visitors must register.

COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION ON THE 1994 GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI IN RWANDA.

Thursday 13 April 2023.

2.00-2.45 p.m. | Place des Nations Wreath laying at the Memorial Stele by:

Ms. Marie Chantal Rwakazina, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva.

Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service in Geneva.

Mr. César Murangira, President of Ibuka Memory and Justice (Swiss Section).

Mr. Yves Cyaka, President of Rwandan Diaspora in Switzerland.

3.00 p.m. |  Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX),  Palais des Nations Commemoration ceremony                                                                      

Introduction by the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service.

Lighting of candles

Observance of a minute of silence

Memorial Song by Ms. Shanel Nirere and guitarist Mr. Wade Alune

Message of Mr. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, read by Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, United Nations Office at Geneva, followed by the Director-General’s remarks

Remarks by Mr. César Murangira, President of the Association of Genocide survivors IBUKA, Memory and Justice (Swiss section)

Poetry reading by Mr. Albert Mukwiye

Testimony by Ms. Providence Umugwaneza, Survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Memorial Song by Ms. Shanel Nirere and guitarist Mr. Wade Alune

Remarks by H.E. Ms. Marie Chantal Rwakazina Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and other international organizations at Geneva

5:00 p.m.

7 April is is the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.