On Wednesday 7^th April 2021, the High Commission of the Republic of Rwanda in Singapore, which is also accredited to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, hosted a virtual commemoration of the 27^th Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to launch the 100-day Kwibuka27 period. The event was hosted live on webcast in conformity with COVID-19 social distancing requirements.

The virtual commemoration included the observation of a moment of silence to honor the over one million lives lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and candle-lighting for the flame of hope symbolizing a better future. A short documentary ‘Root Causes of Genocide’ by Aegis Trust was also screened to educate the audience on how the genocide against the Tutsi was prepared.

The event saw the participation of the Diplomatic Corps in Singapore, Honorary Consul-Generals to Australia and New Zealand, Rwandan Community in Singapore, as well as leaders of Rwandan Communities in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.

In his address, the High Commissioner of Rwanda to Singapore, Amb Jean de Dieu UWIHANGANYE offered his appreciation of the presence of all participants in joining Rwandans around the world to remember the more than a million lives lost, and to offer comfort to the survivors.

He cited the strength and bravery of the survivors and how “the path to reconciliation and forgiveness nurtured the nation’s healing and contributed to rebuilding Rwanda’s journey”.

He observed that Kwibuka27 comes at a time where deniers of the genocide against the Tutsi and double genocide theory apologists are on the rise, and called on the participants to stand against genocide deniers and the spread of misinformation.

“Kwibuka period is an opportunity to remind the world that it is only through the cooperation of every country that genocide suspects, still hiding in different countries around the world, including in this region, will be brought to book to render justice to the victims as well as preventing genocide from happening again anywhere in the world.

Disallowing genocide deniers a platform and a safe heaven to peddle their misinformation as well as cooperating in apprehending genocide suspects is the only way to make “Never Again” mean “Never Again” for Rwanda and the whole world.”

Songs related to the Genocide against the Tutsi were also played on the live webcast in order to honour the victims and comfort the survivors.

7 April 2021, Singapore