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

   On 14 April, the United Nations Office at Geneva will commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, 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. ❖ Introduction by the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Alessandra Vellucci, Director, United Nations Information Service ❖ Lighting of candles ❖ Observance of a minute of silence ❖ Classical music performance by Mr. Peter Grove ❖ 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 ❖ Reading of a Poem by Ms. Belko Kenza Naike ❖ Statement by Mr. Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights, read by Ms. Nadi...

The Commemoration of the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (on the occasion of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda ) is organized by the Department of Global Communications in cooperation with the Permanent Mission of Rwanda. H.E. Mr. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr. Philemon Yang, President of the 79th session of the General Assembly Survivor testimony from Ms. Germaine Tuyisenge Müller, global health researcher, author and educator Special message from Rwandan youth: Cindy Monia Keza Allegra Nshuti Sandrine Amahoro Rutayisire Nelly Darlene Teta H.E. Ms. Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN H.E. Mr. Robert Kayinamura , Chargé D'affaires, Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations Moderated by  Ms. Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Music by the String Quartet of the United Nations Staff Recreation Council Symphony O...

65% of the Rwandan population was born after 1994. UNESCO has been supporting the country's authorities for several years to pass on the memory of the genocide to younger generations. This UNESCO initiative is part of its  International Programme on Holocaust and Genocide Education,  run in conjunction with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Already implemented in 30 countries worldwide, it will be extended to around 20 more this year, with the support of Canada and the United States. In this context, UNESCO has also published several tools for policy makers, teachers and education professionals. For example,  the guide ‘Teaching to Prevent Genocide: A Guide for Teachers in Africa’  (in English) provides concrete recommendations to teachers on the African continent on how to teach about violent pasts in and out of the classroom .

Watch the livestream of the Night Vigil /Umugoroba w'Ikiriyo!  

Commemorations of the 31st Anniversary of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Events in UNHQ in New York on Monday, 7 April 2025. Memorial Ceremony at the General Assembly Hall United Nations Headquarters, New York. Explore the  Programme Read the  United Nations Secretary-General — Message Read the  SUnied Nations Secretary-General — Remarks Memorial Ceremony to mark the 31st 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. Events at UN Genev a on Monday, 14 April 2025. Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX) Palais des Nations, Geneva Commemoration of the 31st anniversary at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. 7 April 1:00 - 2:00 pm Events — Paris The commemorative ceremony will include: A candle ceremony and a minute of silence, a survivor testimony, musical interludes and ...

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General at the 2025 Commemorations — 31st Anniversary of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Today we mourn the one million children, women and men slaughtered in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This appalling chapter in human history was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence. It was intentional, premeditated and planned -- including through hate speech that inflamed division, and spread lies and dehumanization. The overwhelming majority of victims were Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide. As we recall how these crimes came about, we must also reflect on resonance with our own times. These are days of division. The narrative of “us” versus “them” is ascendant, polarizing societies. Digital technologies are being weaponized to further inflame hate, stoke division, and spread lies. We must learn from the terrible history of the genocide in Rwanda, and...