Director-General's remarks at the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide
against the Tutsi in Rwanda
Monday, 14 April 2025 at 4.00 p.m.
Room XX, Palais des Nations

Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Al-Nashif, 
Mr. Tubanambazi [Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Rwanda], 
Mr. Kakoma [President and Director General of Interpeace]
Mr. Murangira [President of IBUKA],
Ms. Mukanyiligira [Survivor],
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 

Every year, here in Geneva, we come together to pay tribute to the victims, to pledge our support to the survivors and to recognize the remarkable determination of the people of Rwanda in rebuilding their lives and their country. 

I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Tubanambazi and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda for co-organizing this commemoration with the United Nations Office at Geneva, and for continuing this important tradition at the Palais des Nations. 

It is now my privilege to share with you the message of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda:

“Today we mourn the one million children, women and men slaughtered in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. 

This appalling chapter in human history was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence. It was intentional, premeditated and planned -- including through hate speech that inflamed division, and spread lies and dehumanization. The overwhelming majority of victims were Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide.

As we recall how these crimes came about, we must also reflect on resonance with our own times.  
These are days of division. The narrative of “us” versus “them” is ascendant, polarizing societies. Digital technologies are being weaponized to further inflame hate, stoke division, and spread lies. 

We must learn from the terrible history of the genocide in Rwanda, and act to stem the tide of hate speech, stop disunity and discontent mutating into violence, uphold human rights, and ensure accountability.

I urge all States to deliver on commitments made in the Global Digital Compact to tackle online falsehoods and hate, to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law, and to become parties to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide without delay.

On this day of remembrance, let’s commit to be vigilant and to work together to build a world of justice and dignity for all – in honour of all the victims, and survivors of the genocide in Rwanda.”

That was the end of the Secretary-General’s message.

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Allow me now to share a few personal reflections on this important Day.  

The genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is one of the darkest chapters in human history. Three months of mass atrocities in Rwanda resulted in the death of more than one million people. Hundreds of thousands more were injured, raped and traumatized. The scale and impact of this atrocity are unfathomable.

The lessons of the genocide in Rwanda are particularly relevant nowadays as hate speech is on the rise worldwide, amplified by the reach of social media. Coupled with disinformation, hate speech can lead to stigmatization, discrimination and large-scale violence – undermining peace, stability, and the fulfilment of human rights for all.

In this regard, let me echo the Secretary-General’s call on all countries to comply with their duties and obligations under international human rights and humanitarian laws, and to implement the commitments of the Global Digital Compact to combat disinformation and hate speech in digital space.

Prevention is the best medicine to fight xenophobia, racism and discrimination.  However, prevention goes well beyond legislative frameworks and early warning mechanisms. Hate speech, like any other global challenge, should be tackled in a holistic way, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders, civil society organizations, as well as media, tech companies and social media platforms. This is exactly what the United Nations family does here in Geneva: ensuring accountability for atrocities, advancing human rights, strengthening mediation efforts, and promoting preventive diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes.  

Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The genocide in Rwanda did not start with the mass killings. It started with the dehumanization of a specific group of persons. They were murdered not for what they had done, but simply for who they were. 

Today, it falls on us to keep their memory alive, including by mobilizing young people and investing in their education. They must know that when any one of us faces discrimination and abuse, all of us are diminished. However, by welcoming diversity in all its forms, we reinforce social cohesion and bring valuable benefits to societies around the world.

The most powerful voices for genocide prevention are those of the survivors. We are privileged to have with us today Ms. Sissi Dimitrie Mukanyiligira who will share her testimony. We need to ensure that the individual stories of the survivors become our shared memory and serve as the basis for action against hate speech for the years to come. 

On this solemn Day, let us all recommit to the purposes and principles on which the United Nations was founded 80 years ago: the equality, dignity and respect of every member of our human family. We owe it to the victims of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, their families and communities. We owe it to our common future. 

I thank you for your attention.