{{On April 7th 2014, the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva jointly with the Rwandan community in Switzerland organized a Walk to Remember and the 20th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.}}
The Walk to Remember began at Jardin Botanique and ended at Maison de la Paix where the 20th Commemoration took place.
Participants included the diplomatic community, Rwandans living in Switzerland, Friends of Rwanda, University students and the local community. In tribute and solidarity with the victims, all participants wore a grey scarf.
The commemoration began with a choir performance of the song ‘Isomo twasigiwe na Jenoside yakorewe Abatutsi’ and was followed by the Kwibuka flame held by two Rwandan youth.
The event was moderated by Mrs. Jeanine Munyeshuli Barbé and attended by Heads of International Organizations and other Senior United Nations officials, Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community and international civil servants in Geneva, as well as the Rwandan community and Friends of Rwanda living in Switzerland.
Mrs. Esther Mujawayo delivered a powerful and poignant testimony to the importance of remembering and keeping the memories alive through Kwibuka, to ensure that the last word is not ‘genocide’ but life -Renew.
She called on the audience to remember that the victims of the genocide were not numbers but mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends. Mrs. Mujawayo shared that through pain and suffering, Rwanda has managed to rebuild itself stronger.
Dr. Michel Gakuba, President of Ibuka – Swiss section, emphasized that negationism is intrinsically integrated in the crime of genocide. ‘Denial is an offense to survivors and to inhumanity’ he stated.
Dr. Gakuba called upon the International community to fight against this evil as a conscious effort to honor the victims of this crime against humanity.
Mr. Georges Martin, Assistant Secretary of State, delivered a statement on behalf of the President of Switzerland.
Mr. Martin stated that ‘Kwibuka is a duty to the victims and an obligation to present and future generation to ensure that genocide will never again be possible’.
Switzerland encouraged Rwandans and the Government of Rwanda to continue in its efforts towards reconciliation and development.
He added that no society is immune against atrocities. ‘Preventing crimes and genocide is a continued responsibility which is shared by all nations.’
Mr. Moses Rugema, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Rwanda, in line with the theme of the 20th Commemoration stated that ‘Over the past twenty years the people and government of Rwanda have resolved to place unity- Unite- at the heart of their renewal- Renew’.
He went on to add that ‘Remembering and memory comes with responsibility, a responsibility to be faithful to what you remember and a responsibility to the truth and historical clarity.’
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