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...

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 .

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...