A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held in Geneva, Switzerland, at the Memorial Stele of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the tragic event.

Diplomats and staff from the Embassy of Rwanda to Switzerland and the Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva, along with members of Ibuka Switzerland, the Rwandan diaspora, and friends of Rwanda, gathered in a dignified procession to honour the memory of the victims and pay tribute to those who acted to halt the Genocide.

ALSO READ: India illuminates Qutb Minar in Rwandan flag colours to commemorate

Wreaths were placed at the stele as a gesture of solidarity and remembrance, reaffirming the commitment to never forget the over one million innocent victims killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

A minute of silence followed, allowing for personal and collective reflection on the atrocities endured and the resilience of survivors.

During his remarks, Ambassador James Ngango highlighted the significance of Kwibuka, "A crucial moment to reflect on Rwanda’s journey of economic transformation, reconciliation, and nation-building in the thirty years since the Genocide was halted by the Rwanda Patriotic Army under the leadership of President Paul Kagame.”

ALSO READ: Inside Murambi Genocide Memorial, a new UNESCO world heritage site

He emphasised the imperative to prevent such atrocities from occurring again, in Rwanda or anywhere else.

The Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Memorial Stele marks the start of a series of commemorative events across Switzerland and Austria, including ceremonies at the United Nations Office in Geneva on April 15 and Vienna on April 19.

These events will feature an International Conference themed "Combating Genocide Denial, Preserving Historical Memory, and Pursuing Fugitives” at Palais des Nations on April 15, preceding the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

ALSO READ: Kenyan President Ruto lauds Rwanda’s resilience after Genocide

Cesar Murangira, President of Ibuka - Switzerland, also highlighted upcoming commemoration activities, including a Memorial Vigil at the Village Hall, Montbenon Casino in Lausanne on April 13, a Walk to Remember from Palais Wilson to the memorial stele at Palais des Nations in Geneva on April 15, and a documentary screening featuring the story of survivor Éric Eugène Murangwa.

Unveiled in partnership with the City of Geneva on April 8, the Memorial Stele stands in Palais des Nations, serving as a lasting tribute to the victims and a site for reflection, while advocating for genocide prevention, combating denial, and promoting international peace and security.

Throughout the commemorative period each year, the global community is encouraged to visit the memorial stele, offering their tributes and reflecting on the gravity of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.