First-ever Genocide memorial in Asia-Pacific set to be launched

A memorial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is set to be launched in Australia, becoming the first ever in the Asia-Pacific region. Scheduled to be inaugurated on Saturday, May 11 in Perth, the memorial is a brainchild of the Rwandan Community Perth Inc (RCAP), an association of Rwandans living in Western Australia. ALSO READ: The purpose of Genocide memorials: Condemning ideology, not descendants In a statement, RCAP said the memorial holds immense emotional significance for the Rwandan community in Australia, many of whom find it difficult to travel to Rwanda annually to honour their loved ones. “It will provide an essential space to alleviate the emotional distress caused by this inability, offering a place of remembrance and reflection. Equally, it will serve as an educational resource, teaching the wider community about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and provide a site for reflection on the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and genocide ideology, ensuring that the commitment to “never again” remains universal,” the statement read. ALSO READ: Genocide cannot be mentioned in isolation, without adding the targeted group Approximately 2,000 Rwandans reside across Australia, facing not only difficulties in frequent travel back to Rwanda but also a lack of recognition regarding their culture and history. Stéphanie Kabanyana Kanyandekwe, a Rwandan who has been living in Australia with her mother since 1986, said having a physical memorial is important for a number of reasons, including serving as a lasting monument to educate and highlight what Rwandans have been through. “Also, I think from a psycho-emotional level, knowing that there is a memorial place near you, on the continent where you are, means a lot for many people,” she noted. ALSO READ: Rwanda: Four Genocide memorials added to UNESCO World Heritage List Emphasising that traveling from Australia to Rwanda can be expensive and challenging, she pointed out that a memorial where people from different parts of Australia can gather during commemoration is important. Over the last decade, the Rwandan community in Western Australia has actively contributed to the City of Stirling through various projects, events, and collaborations. ALSO READ: Genocide commemoration activities continue overseas The annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, regularly attended by elected members, MPs, and community leaders, has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and the State of Western Australia. The memorial takes the form of a monument shaped like a flame, symbolising the enduring spirit of resilience and hope within the Rwandan community. It bears inscriptions echoing “Never Again”, and underscoring the collective commitment to preventing genocide in the future.

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First-ever Genocide memorial in Asia-Pacific set to be launched