7 April marks the start of the 1994 genocide.
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. Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.
PROGRAMME
COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION ON THE 1994 GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI IN RWANDA
Monday, 14 April 2025, 4.00 p.m.
Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room (Room XX), Palais des Nations
____________
❖ 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. Nadia Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (TBC)
❖ Kwibuka31 documentary
❖ Remarks by Mr. César Murangira, President of the Association of Genocide Survivors IBUKA, Memory and Justice (Swiss section)
❖ Testimony by Ms. Sissi Domitrie Mukanyiligira, Survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
❖ Remembrance piano playing by Mr. Peter Grove
❖ Remarks by H.E. Mr. James Ngango, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations at Geneva
❖ 5.30 p.m. End of the Ceremony