Gauthier’s funeral service was held on Monday, October 12, 2026, in Reims, northeastern France, following her death on October 3.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, delivered Kagame’s message during a religious service held at Saint André Church in Reims, attended by her family, friends and other guests.
In his message, President Kagame said Gauthier would be remembered for her unwavering determination to fight impunity for those responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“For more than 30 years, she tirelessly devoted herself to restoring the dignity of victims and survivors. Her legacy will endure through the organisation she founded with her husband, Alain Gauthier, whose courageous mission is to identify the perpetrators of the genocide and bring them to justice,” the President said.
Kagame expressed Rwanda’s gratitude for Gauthier’s dedication to the cause, saying her commitment continued to inspire the country and future generations.
“Rwanda is profoundly grateful to Dafroza for dedicating her life to such a noble cause. Her commitment remains a source of inspiration for our nation today and for generations to come,” he said.
On behalf of the Government and people of Rwanda, as well as his family, Kagame extended condolences to Gauthier’s family, friends and those who had worked alongside her.
“May her soul rest in peace,” he said.
Before reading the President’s message, Ambassador Nkulikiyimfura also expressed his personal condolences to Alain Gauthier, the family and other mourners, acknowledging the loss of someone whose life had touched many people.
He said he hoped the love and support of family and friends, together with the expressions of sympathy they had received, would bring them comfort and strength.
A life dedicated to justice
Born in Butare in 1954, Dafroza Gauthier met Alain Gauthier when he was teaching in Rwanda. The couple later married in France and had three children.
The Genocide against the Tutsi took place while she was in France, claiming the lives of approximately 80 members of her family.
The loss became a driving force behind her efforts to pursue justice for the victims. In 1996, she and her husband began working to bring genocide perpetrators to justice, later establishing Collectif des parties civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR) in 2001.
The organisation works to identify people suspected of participating in the Genocide who sought refuge in France, gather evidence and testimonies about their alleged crimes, and initiate legal proceedings through the relevant judicial authorities.
Gauthier’s work alongside her husband earned them recognition from Rwanda. On November 18, 2017, President Kagame awarded the couple the ‘Impeta y’Igihango’, an honour recognising outstanding contributions to strengthening cooperation between countries, as well as promoting the dignity of Rwanda and Rwandans internationally.
Through CPCR, the couple helped advance efforts to ensure that people responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi could be held accountable, making their work an enduring part of the pursuit of justice for victims and survivors.
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