Melbourne Honors Victims of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi at Kwibuka32

IBUKA Australia brought together Rwandans from across Australia, friends of Rwanda, diplomats, community leaders, and supporters for the Kwibuka32 commemoration held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick. Organized by IBUKA Australia, the event marked the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It served as a solemn occasion to honor the victims, stand with survivors, and renew the global commitment to ensuring that genocide never happens again. The commemoration featured keynote speeches, survivor testimonies, a documentary scr

IBUKA Australia brought together Rwandans from across Australia, friends of Rwanda, diplomats, community leaders, and supporters for the Kwibuka32 commemoration held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick. Organized by IBUKA Australia, the event marked the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It served as a solemn occasion to honor the victims, stand with survivors, and renew the global commitment to ensuring that genocide never happens again. The commemoration featured keynote speeches, survivor testimonies, a documentary screening, and moments of reflection, all emphasizing the importance of preserving historical truth, promoting unity, and combating genocide denial and hate speech. The ceremony was moderated by Elly Brooks, who highlighted the importance of educating future generations about the Genocide against the Tutsi. Brooks noted that remembrance is not only about honoring those who were killed but also about preventing hatred, discrimination, and division from taking root in societies. Frida Umuhoza, President of IBUKA Australia, welcomed participants and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to preserving the memory of the victims, supporting survivors, and ensuring that the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi continues to be shared with future generations. She emphasized that Kwibuka is founded on truth, justice, unity, and the responsibility to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again. One of the most emotional moments of the ceremony came through the testimony of Janviere Dusabimana, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi. She recounted the heartbreaking story of her family from Kaduha Sector in Rwanda's Southern Province, where her parents and six siblings were murdered during the genocide. Her testimony reflected the immense suffering experienced by countless Rwandan families while demonstrating the courage and resilience of survivors who continue to share their stories so that the truth is never forgotten. Participants also watched a documentary featuring personal accounts that illustrated the lasting impact of the genocide and reinforced the importance of preserving historical memory and educating future generations. Dr. Daniel Haumschild emphasized that remembering the Genocide against the Tutsi is a shared global responsibility. He urged communities to remain vigilant against hatred, discrimination, and extremist ideologies that can lead to mass atrocities. In his remarks, Michael Roux highlighted the importance of supporting initiatives that preserve the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi. He described remembrance as an essential foundation for peace, justice, and reconciliation. Representing Rwanda, Ornella Kayitesi, who delivered a message on behalf of High Commissioner Innocent B. Muhizi, reaffirmed that the message of "Never Again" must continue to resonate around the world. She stressed that remembrance is not only about reflecting on the past but also about defending the truth and confronting genocide denial wherever it occurs. The Kwibuka32 commemoration organized by IBUKA Australia concluded with a renewed call for unity, remembrance, and collective responsibility. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, supporting survivors, and ensuring that the lessons of 1994 continue to inspire efforts to build a more peaceful and just world.."

IBUKA Australia President Frida Umuhoza calls for unity, remembrance, and continued efforts to combat genocide denial during the Kwibuka32 ceremony.

Participants attend the Kwibuka32 commemoration at the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, honoring victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and renewing the global call for "Never Again."