On 7 April 2025, the Rwandan community in the Netherlands, together with friends of Rwanda, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the Dutch government, gathered in Amsterdam to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The annual event is a solemn occasion to honour the victims, express solidarity with the survivors, and reaffirm the global commitment to combating genocide ideology and denial.
The commemoration began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial site in Beatrixpark, followed by a formal ceremony attended by dignitaries and officials. Among the speakers were Mr. Joseph Rutazihana, President of IBUKA-Netherlands; Madam Touria Meliani, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam; and Madam Anneke van Dijk, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the Netherlands. Each expressed messages of remembrance, resilience, and hope.
Speaking on behalf of the Embassy of Rwanda, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Mr. Jean Hugues Mukama delivered a powerful address highlighting the significance of remembrance and the global imperative to act against genocide ideology.
“We are presented with the opportunity to honour the memory and pay tribute to the countless men, women, and children who fell victim to this senseless and abominable crime,” he said. “We also honour the memory of those Rwandans who resisted the call to genocide and paid the ultimate price for that courage.”
Mr. Mukama reminded the audience that the genocide was not spontaneous, but rather the culmination of decades of hate and divisive ideology. He underscored the importance of confronting denial and historical revisionism, which continues to spread in parts of Europe, including the Netherlands and Belgium.
“This disgraceful activism seeks to shield well-known genocide fugitives and at the same time mislead the public with baseless claims of a double genocide,” he warned. “It is deplorable that reputable media houses have fallen to this narrative.”
Rwanda’s remarkable journey of recovery was a central theme. From the ashes of devastation, the country has become a model of resilience, reconciliation, and renewal.
“Despite the trauma, fear, and distrust, Rwandans chose to carry the burden of reconciliation,” Mr. Mukama said. “It is this determination that continues to guide our path to building a new Rwanda… a better one. One that does not discriminate, humiliate, divide, or dehumanize its children.”
He paid tribute to the Dutch government for its early and enduring support of Rwanda’s justice system, particularly in extraditing and prosecuting genocide fugitives.
“The Kingdom of the Netherlands was among the first to offer a helping hand and played a critical role in putting Rwanda’s judiciary back on its feet,” he said. “Rwanda is grateful for this shared value, and I reaffirm our commitment to continue this constructive cooperation.”
Addressing ongoing regional threats, Mr. Mukama drew attention to rising hate speech and violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly against Tutsi communities, perpetrated by the FDLR and their allies.
“These well-known crimes, reminiscent of 1994, are met with international indifference,” he stated. “We must ensure that ‘Never Again’ is not just a slogan, but a call to action.”
As the ceremony concluded, Mr. Mukama offered a heartfelt tribute to survivors of the genocide:
“Very few in this world will ever grasp the extent of the suffering you endured. Yet, despite this, you have demonstrated great courage, sacrifice, dignity, and resilience. This gives us the strength to continue the fight for justice, for the preservation of memory, and for the unity of the Rwandan people.”
Twibuke Twiyubaka – Remember, Unite, and Renew.
