9 April 2026 – This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
The annual commemoration ceremony included a moment of silence and the lighting of candles, as well as speeches, a musical performance by Sylvie Imenimena and a recital from the students of class 5B at Vienna’s GRG 23 Alterlaa school.
Giving a moving testimony from her perspective as a survivor, Yvonne Buhikare, emphasized: “Remembrance is not just looking at the past; it is also protecting the future.” She called for vigilance and warned that a genocide does not start with weapons, but with words, hatred, and indifference.
Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations at Vienna, spoke at the memorial: “For the international community, remembrance must go beyond ceremony.” She warned that it is now easier than ever to spread falsehood, distortion, and hate across borders, which is why remembrance must sharpen our ability to recognize the signs before hatred hardens into policy and violence.
Kwibuka is the official 100 days of mourning held each year between April and July to remember the victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. More than one million people, mainly Tutsi, but also Hutu, Twa, and others who opposed the genocide, were killed in less than three months. During this period of remembrance, we honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering of those who survived. Kwibuak twiyubaka, as loosely translated by Ambassador Bakuramutsa, means “let us remember and continue to rebuild together”.
Today, Rwanda is a testament to the power of post-genocide reconciliation.
In his message for the International Day, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, reiterated words of hope: “Let this day reaffirm our commitment to remember, to listen, and to act. With history as our guide, and the prevention of genocide as our goal.” The message was delivered at the event by John Brandolino, Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) & Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
You can view the recording of the event here.
Pictures of the event can be seen here.
