As Rwanda enters the official mourning period to mark the 31st commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, we bow our heads in solemn remembrance of more than a million lives mercilessly taken within a record 100 days. This is a time not only for grief, but a time to stand in solidarity as Rwandans at home and abroad, and for renewed commitment to justice, unity, and healing. We call on all Rwandans, wherever they may be, to stand together during this sacred period. Let us support genocide survivors, whose strength and resilience continue to inspire our nation. Let us also rededicate ourselves to preserving the truth and countering any attempt to distort our history or diminish our pain. To the international community, Kwibuka31 is a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of inaction and indifference. The failure of the world to intervene in 1994 should never be repeated. Now is the time for nations to move beyond regret and take concrete steps to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again—anywhere. We call particularly on countries like Belgium, where genocide denial and the spread of genocide ideology are alarmingly taking root. Hosting fugitives and giving a platform to genocide deniers undermines not only justice for the victims, but also global peace and security. Belgium and others must take a firm stand—close the space for hate, and open the path to justice. While the actions from the Brussels government give no hope in this regard, we can only use the opportunity to call upon Belgian nationals of good conscience to take the lead and put their government to account. Same applies to other countries like the United Kingdom, which have found it convenient to hide behind flimsy excuses to perpetually keep mass murderers on their land without any consequence, despite overwhelming evidence that was presented to their courts especially with regards to five men who were indicted close to 20 years ago in that country. Justice delayed is justice denied. We urge the international community to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute genocide fugitives still at large. There can be no peace without accountability, and no healing without truth. As we reflect on the lives lost, let Kwibuka31 be a rallying call—to protect the dignity of survivors, to defend the truth, and to build a world where genocide has no place. Together, we remember. Together, we heal. Together, we rise.
