Rwandans and Friends Commemorate 31st Anniversary of Genocide Against the Tutsi

Rwandans living in the Netherlands, alongside friends of Rwanda, diplomats, and leaders from Dutch government institutions, gathered in Amsterdam to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The event, held on April 7, 2025, began with a solemn flower-laying ceremony at the Genocide Memorial in Beatrix Park. This was followed by a remembrance ceremony honoring the victims of the Genocide, featuring messages of comfort for survivors and highlighting the ongoing efforts to confront denial and marginalization related to the events of 1994.

Jean Hugues Mukama, Chargé d’Affaires ai at the Rwandan Embassy in the Netherlands, expressed gratitude to those participating in the Kwibuka 31. He emphasized that commemorating the Genocide is not merely a reflection on the past but a commitment to building unity, justice, and a new life for Rwanda.

In his address, Mukama noted that the Genocide was a premeditated act aimed at the complete destruction of the Tutsi population. He referenced the dehumanizing portrayal of Tutsis as “snakes” and Inyenzi, which marked the beginning of the violence that culminated in the Genocide.

He recalled how the ideology behind the Genocide was nurtured over time through education, religious teachings, and policies of successive governments prior to 1994.

Mukama also addressed the Netherlands’ role in supporting Rwanda’s justice system, highlighting contributions in terms of resources and assistance with the trials of individuals suspected of genocide who reside in the Netherlands.

He thanked the Dutch government for its ongoing support of Rwanda’s justice efforts, particularly in the apprehension, extradition, or prosecution of genocide suspects within its borders. He urged all nations, including the Netherlands, to collaborate with Rwanda in identifying and bringing those involved in the Genocide to justice, asserting that “No country that believes in justice should harbor perpetrators of genocide.”

He further underscored the persistent spread of genocidal ideology, particularly through social media and connections with organizations linked to the perpetrators. He called for collective action to combat this ideology.

Mukama also noted that signs of continued genocidal ideology are evident in the region, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there is ongoing ethnic hatred and violence targeting Tutsis, perpetrated by groups such as the FDLR and their allies.