The Hague to host Rwanda Genocide commemmoration

Friday 14 February will mark the commencement of the Kwibuka20 activities in the Netherlands. The Church of our Savior on the Bezuidenhoutseweg 157 will host activities from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by a reception. Speakers will include the ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands mr. Karabaranga and Dutch politician, professor and diplomat, Jan Pronk. This year is the 20th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. In 1994, Rwanda was marred by a 100 days of fighting. More than one million Rwandese perished in the event that is still remembered as one of the largest atrocities in history.

After 20 years, it is a chance for Rwanda to share the history with the world. But more importantly, it is a chance to demonstrate how far Rwanda has come since the genocide, how it has peacefully rebuilt a nation in just 20 years . Through solidarity and strength, Rwanda is on its way to establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with in East Africa. Kwibuka (which means "remembering/commemorating in Kinyarwanda) is the general framework for all activities, events and participants of the commemoration. The focus for the series of events surrounds three key words that encompass the country's general standpoint: To remember, to unite, to renew. In Rwanda, the Kwibuka20 events were launched at the Genocide Memorial in the capital Kigali. The most important national remembrance day is on 7th April, 2014. The mourning period will end on 4th July 2014 with Liberation day. Kwibuka20 aims to get people involved across the globe, in Rwandese as well as non-Rwandese communities, to remember the events of 1994, and to mourn the people who were lost.