On 7 April 2026, Rwanda marked the 32nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kwibuka, which means “to remember,” is a period of solemn reflection during which we honour the victims, unite in remembrance, and renew our shared commitment to building a better future for all Rwandans.

The commemoration in the Netherlands began on the morning of 7 April 2026 with the Walk to Remember, led by H.E. Ambassador Lambert Dushimimana. Participants gathered at the RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam and walked together to the Genocide Memorial site in Beatrixpark. This memorial site serves as a place of remembrance for survivors and the wider Rwandan community in the Netherlands, and as a tribute to more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The event brought together more than 150 guests, including the Guest of Honour, members of the diplomatic community, Rwandan nationals living in the Netherlands, friends of Rwanda, and other invited guests.

The official commemoration ceremony opened with remarks by Mr. Jeff Rutazihana, representative of IBUKA Netherlands, the association of survivors in the Netherlands. This was followed by an impressive spoken word performance by Lisette Ntakabumwe in English, Kinyarwanda, and Dutch.

In his remarks, Ambassador Lambert Dushimimana honoured the memory of more than one million victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and paid tribute to the resilience of survivors. He reflected on Rwanda’s journey of rebuilding through unity, justice, and reconciliation, while also expressing appreciation for the Netherlands’ longstanding support in judicial cooperation. The Ambassador further warned against the continued threat of genocide ideology, hate speech, and historical distortion, including beyond the region, and called for stronger international action against impunity. He concluded by urging remembrance, solidarity with survivors, and a meaningful commitment to the principle of “Never Again.”

The ceremony also featured a keynote address by the Guest of Honour, Mr. Hans Docter, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

During the wreath-laying ceremony, Ambassador Lambert Dushimimana was joined by representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IBUKA Netherlands, the Rwandan Community in the Netherlands, Amsterdam South District, the Diplomatic Corps, and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The programme was concluded by the Master of Ceremony, Mr. J.H. Mukama, who expressed appreciation to the Guest of Honour, Hans Docter, IBUKA Netherlands, and the Rwandan Diaspora association in the Netherlands for their contribution to the organisation of this annual commemoration in cooperation with the Embassy.

For more information about Kwibuka, please visit www.kwibuka.rw

Click here to download the speech of Ambassador Dushimimana. 

View the photo album Walk to Remember here.

View the photo album Commemoration here.