Zaria Court delegation honours victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial

Standing before the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial, a delegation from Zaria Court Hotel Tapestry by Hilton and Zaria Court on Thursday, April 9, reflected on the devastating consequences of division and the importance of standing for justice after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi The delegation, composed of both Rwandan and international team members, was taken through Rwanda’s history before colonial rule, when communities largely coexisted. ALSO READ: 32 years later, Rwanda remembers They learned that the categories of Hutu, Tutsi and Twa were originally linked to social and economic status, before colonial authorities transformed them into rigid ethnic identities, sowing division among Rwandans. Guides at the memorial explained how hate was spread through divisive leadership, elements within religious institutions, the media, and other structures, ultimately culminating in the Genocide against the Tutsi. The visit included documentary footage and survivor testimonies, offering a deeply moving account of the events. The delegation later laid flowers at the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims are buried. In a gesture of remembrance and solidarity, both Zaria Court Hotel and Zaria Court made a financial donation to the memorial, supporting its ongoing efforts to preserve the history and educate future generations. In his speech during the visit, Che Rupari, Brand and Campus manager at Zaria Court, described the experience as deeply emotional and a powerful reminder of the consequences of losing one’s sense of humanity. “What we just witnessed shows what can happen when we forget our humanity,” he said. ALSO READ: Kwibuka32: Rwanda will not die twice, says Kagame He also highlighted the resilience of survivors and the country’s journey toward rebuilding. “But it also shows the resilience of the people and the survivors to move on and build a better nation,” he added. Rupari noted that remembrance must go hand in hand with a commitment to building a more just and compassionate society. “It is important that we remember the victims and take a moment to reflect on what happened,” he said. “But it is equally important that we move forward.” He called on his colleagues to be more intentional in how they relate to one another, emphasising that the message of “Never Again” must be lived, not just spoken. “Never Again should not only be a slogan. It should be something that we live by,” he said. “Whenever we see injustice or something that is wrong, we have a duty and a responsibility to stand for justice.” He further urged people to value their loved ones and use the lessons from the memorial to build a better future. “What this journey shows us is that time is finite,” he said. “We should take time to greet our friends, our family, and those close to us.” ALSO READ: This country will not die twice Janvier Munyaneza, an employee at Zaria Court, said the visit was his first to the memorial and gave him a deeper understanding of how the Genocide was planned and executed. “I learned a lot about how the eGnocide was prepared and how Rwanda was eventually liberated,” he said. He pointed out that one of the key lessons he drew from the visit is that preserving peace is a shared responsibility. “Keeping our country peaceful depends on us. We have the responsibility, more than anyone else, to protect our country,” he said. Munyaneza added that the message “Never Again” remains as relevant today as ever, given the country’s history. “We should never go through that again,” he said. “We must live by treating every person equally and rejecting all forms of discrimination.”

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Zaria Court delegation honours victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial