The Commemoration Event on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda took place on Sunday 07th April at the State representation of Thuringia.

Dozens of members of the Rwandan Embassy in Germany, the Rwandan Community and Ibuka - Deutschland joined the Walk of Remembrance before the ceremony. Many strolled along the streets of Potsdamer Platz and alongside the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi.

After the Walk of Remembrance, members of the Rwandan community gathered at the Thuringian State Representation building, where candle flames were lit from person to person to mourn the massacre of nearly a million people in Rwanda. Members of the Rwandan Community in Germany walked along Berlin’s city centre holding banners depicting messages such as “Genocide, never again.”

Ambassador Igor CESAR lit the first candle, followed by Ibuka Germany representative Judence Kayitesi, who opened the floor to a number of witnesses and Genocide survivors such as Meusien Valens Kabarari, author of the book "Living", who told his personal story of surviving the massacre next to his late family members. He presented the documentary "Vivant les Chémins de la Mémoire", with soundtrack by artist Jules Sentore. 

Minister of Migration, Justice and Consumer Protection of the Free State of Thuringia, Hon. Ms. Doreen Denstädt opened the floor to the commemoration ceremony with her remarks, highlighting "the great responsibility to ensure that such [Genocide] atrocities never happen again, but also the independent responsibility and duty of all, which is why the commitment to justice, tolerance and reconciliation is all the more important."

The event was organized by the members of the Rwandan community in Germany, Ibuka - Deutschland and the Embassy of Rwanda in Germany.