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

  The 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in Vienna will bring together members of the diplomatic community, international organizations, civil society, and the Rwandan diaspora to honour the victims, stand in solidarity with survivors, and reflect on the global responsibility to prevent genocide and uphold the truth. Related Documents:  Kwibuka website  and the  Permanent Mission of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations Office at Geneva . Watch the  31st Commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (KWIBUKA31) !

   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...

On the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, UNESCO and the Rwandan government announced plans to strengthen the educational role of memorial sites, four of which have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2023. They will train managers and staff to receive school groups, enhance the exhibitions and create educational content for use in schools. " What happened in Rwanda concerns the whole of humanity. Education and the media were instrumentalized to transform ordinary citizens into killers. We must tirelessly transmit the history of the genocide, out of duty to the victims and to ensure that such atrocities never happen again. Everywhere, we must make education a powerful tool for remembrance, reconciliation and peace. " Audrey Azoulay; UNESCO Director-General. Commemorative event at Room II, UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. The UNESCO and Rwanda to step-up the role of education in the memorial sites .

  Watch the livestream ''Kwibuka ku nshuro ya 31 Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi''! Tariki 7 Mata 2025 - Kwibuka 31.

This year once again, the UNESCO headquarters hosted a commemorative ceremony in memory of the victims of the genocide. On this occasion, an initiative was announced to strengthen the educational dimension of Rwanda's memorial sites, in particular those of Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero , which will be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023. It will be implemented in partnership with Aegis Trust and the Rwandan Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE). UNESCO will send a team of around fifteen young researchers, multimedia professionals and Rwandan artists to enhance the memorial exhibitions and improve the signage. Emphasis will be placed on the ‘living memory’ of these sites through the digitization of interviews with survivors, documentary films and photographic projects. The Organization will also train memorial staff in receiving and guiding school groups, connect them with staff at other memorials so that they can share their expertise,...

The Director-General of UNON in collaboration with the Rwanda High Commission will be leading to mark the 31st Anniversary of International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This years' theme is "Remember, Unite, Renew". On 26 January 2018, the UN General Assembly adopted a revised draft resolution A/72/L, designating 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The new resolution amends the title of the annual observance, which was originally established on 23 December 2003 (A/RES/58/234) asInternational Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda Theme: "Remember – Unite - Renew" United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Gigiri, Conference Room 1 10:30am, Monday, 7 April 2025 Programme TIME 10:30- Welcome remarks and introduction of the programme Ms. Sandra Macharia, Director, UN Informati...

REMEMBER -UNITE - RENEW During a span of one hundred days, one million were killed in 1994. Since April 7, 2010, as per the decision of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the African Union (AU) has been organizing annual commemoration events. 2025 marks the 31st anniversary of those tragic days , a significant moment to honor the deceased, stand in solidarity with survivors, and join together to prevent such atrocities from occurring ever again. Additionally, it presents an opportunity to gain insights into Rwanda's journey of healing, reconciliation and nation-building. The commemoration will bring together officials from the African Union Commission, African Union Member States, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, African Union Organs, Regional Economic Communities, Religious Institutions, Human Rights Institutions, Intergovernmental organizations, Civil Society Organizations, UN Agencies, Think Tanks, International Organizations, Schools and Academic Institutions in ...

The date of April 7th , 2025 marks 31 years since the start of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In the space of 100 days, nearly a million men, women and children, Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu and Twa, were murdered. Learn more about the commemorative ceremony held by UNESCO .

  Watch the livestream of the International Conference in Kigali on April 6th 2025 - #KWIBUKA31