KWIBUKA31: Commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi 

On Friday, April 11^th, 2025, Embassy of Rwanda in Hungary organized the 31^st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The event was attended by some members of the Hungarian Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, members of private sector, friends of Rwanda and members of the Rwandan community in Hungary.

During the event, H.E. Margueritte Francoise Nyagahura, Ambassador of Rwanda to Hungary, reminded that the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi did not emerge from a vacuum, rather it was the culmination of decades of systemic discrimination, hatred, and division that were intentionally sown by colonial powers and perpetuated by the post-independence government.

She Highlighted that the most troubling consequences of the genocide has been the presence of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), that continues to wage a campaign of violence and hate against the Tutsi population in the region and has been a threat to regional peace and stability. She called on the international community, to take decisive action against the promotion of genocide ideology, and support actors’ adherence to commitments, particularly in the context of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit process and other initiatives, for a lasting peace in the region.

Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary as the Guest Honour, Ms. Katalin NYIRATI, Director of Africa Department at the Ministry, said that commemoration is time to pause and reflect on one of the darkest chapters in human history, where innocent lives were lost in a brutal act of violence and hatred that scarred not only the people of Rwanda but the conscience of the entire world.

Director lauded Rwandans for extraordinary strength and resilience, who managed to achieve an impressive economic transformation, with consistent growth as well as reconciliation and justice.

Director highlighted the strong and growing relationship between Rwanda and Hungary developed in recent years, rooted in mutual opening of diplomatic representations in Kigali and Budapest and continuous high-level dialogue between our two countries.

Ambassador Karel Kovanda, who wasthe Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the United Nations during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, narrated in detail how United Nations Security Council was indecisive in taking action to preventing and stopping the genocide, and rather how when genocide was taking place, most of the times the discussion of the council on Rwanda, focused on issues related to UNAMIR, instead of the victim of genocide who was facing extermination.

Ms. Josée BUTERA, Genocide Survivor and author of a book titled “Rwanda - The Country that was Reborn”, shared her moving testimony narrating the ordeal she and other Tutsis living in Gahanga locality (Kigali) suffered under the unforgiving interahamwe. Thousands were killed, including both of her parents. She also talked about her healing journey and how she was able to rebuild her life. She also expressed gratitude to RPA soldiers who sacrificed their lives to save others and for the support provided by the government to survivors which enabled them to rebuild their lives.