The commemoration brought together members of the Rwandan community, Luxembourg officials, and friends of Rwanda on April 11, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Amb. Munyangaju stressed that remembering the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi is a responsibility shared by all, while expressing gratitude to those who joined Rwandans in honoring the victims.
“We are gathered here not only to remember but also to reaffirm our responsibility,” she said.
She highlighted the scale and brutality of the genocide, noting that in just 100 days, more than one million Tutsi were killed.
The ambassador emphasized that the genocide was not a spontaneous tragedy but a carefully planned and executed crime, rooted in decades of division, hate propaganda, discrimination, and systematic dehumanization of the victims.
She also pointed to the failure of the international community to act, despite clear warning signs, while commending the resilience and courage of survivors.
According to her, testimonies from survivors underscore the importance of remembrance and the collective responsibility to ensure that such atrocities never happen again.
Amb. Munyangaju called on the international community to play an active role in preserving historical truth, supporting survivors, and combating hate speech and genocide ideology that continue to spread.
She warned that, 32 years later, genocide ideology has not disappeared but has instead evolved.
Hate speech and genocide denial, she said, are increasingly spreading on social media, with coordinated networks disseminating misinformation across different parts of the world.
She stressed that genocide denial is not an expression of opinion but a continuation of the crime itself, urging countries to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 2150, particularly in prosecuting genocide suspects and addressing the challenge of impunity.
The ambassador also raised concern over the situation in the region, especially in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where genocide ideology continues to spread, particularly through the FDLR, a group formed by perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
She strongly condemned hate speech and violence targeting Congolese Tutsi and Banyamulenge communities, warning that such acts, if left unchecked, could escalate into further killings.
“The silence in the face of these warning signs amounts to complicity,” she said.
Amb. Munyangaju commended the Government of Luxembourg for its continued solidarity with Rwanda during commemoration periods, including its support in providing land for the construction of a Genocide memorial, describing it as a strong symbol of partnership.
“These actions honor the victims and send a clear message: peace is a choice, justice is essential, and hate speech must never be tolerated,” she noted.
She also urged young people to play an active role in preserving history and reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to working with international partners in fighting genocide ideology, promoting unity, and strengthening reconciliation.
Amb. Munyangaju further expressed appreciation to the commune of Mersch for allocating land for the construction of a memorial to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and to participants who took part in a wreath-laying ceremony held in Moesdorf, in Mersch district.
Attendees included staff from the Rwandan embassy in Luxembourg, members of Ibuka Luxembourg, and the Rwandan community organization RDL asbl.
Photos of the commemoration event in Luxembourg
karirima@igihe.com
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