{{The Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva jointly with the Office of the United Nations at Geneva, on 8 April, organized a ceremony of observance of the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.}}
The ceremony began with the lighting of candles and the observance of a minute of silence in honor of the victims of the Genocide.
A number of Senior UN and International Organization officials, Ambassadors, diplomats and international civil servants in Geneva, as well as members of the Rwandan Diaspora and Friends of Rwanda living in Switzerland attended the ceremony.
The Director General of the Office of the United Nations in Geneva, Mr Kassym-Jomart TOKAYEV delivered a message on behalf of Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, outlining the ways in which the United Nations is working to prevent the recurrence of Genocide in the world.
On the role of the United Nations in the fight against impunity, Mr. Ban Ki -moon stated that‘’ Suspected genocidaires and other would-be criminals around the world now know that they will be held accountable before the International Criminal Court, other international tribunals or domestic courts’’.
In his remarks, the Director General emphasised the need for timely detection and stronger instruments to prevent and mediate conflict before they spiral into Genocide.
He commended Rwanda’s efforts at the Security Council stating “Rwanda’s initiative to place conflict prevention at the centre of its Presidency of the Security Council this month is very timely.
H.E Minelik Getahun, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, speaking on behalf of the Chair of the African Union noted that Rwanda had come a long way and that the world could learn a lot from the people of Rwanda.
He further noted that through home-grown solutions Rwanda had achieved reconciliation and had registered commendable economic prosperity and peace.
Dr. Gakuba, President of Ibuka Swiss Section, called on the Untied Nations to uphold its commitment to support survivors of the Genocide.
He further expressed concern at some of the judgments passed by the ICTR which he said were an affront to survivors.
H.E Soline Nyirahabimana, Ambassador of Rwanda and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, in line with the theme of the 19th Commemoration she stated that “Self-reliance is about the choices one makes for oneself.
We, Rwandans, have learnt from the genocide and in the last nineteen years that we must work together, face our challenges and not wait or expect others to address them for us.”
She went on to add that “The people and government of Rwanda have deliberately set out to define themselves, to define our challenges and collectively define the solutions to those challenges.”
The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Navi Pillay, also made remarks.
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