KWIBUKA 32 | Montreal pays tribute to the victims of the Rwandan Genocide

Before an assembly composed of survivors, families of victims, youth, and dignitaries, a solemn call to remembrance and commitment was issued at the opening of the 32nd commemoration period of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The address, marked by emotion and gravity, recalled both the scale of the tragedy and the contemporary responsibilities that arise from it.

“We are gathered today with heavy hearts, but also with a human warmth that reflects who we are,” the speaker declared, emphasizing the resilience of a people “who do not forget and who support one another.” This ceremony provided an opportunity to honor the victims, express solidarity with survivors, and renew the collective pledge: “never again.”

The reminder of the facts remains essential. Thirty-two years ago, over the course of approximately 100 days, between 800,000 and one million people were massacred. “These are not just numbers; they are lives, families, and communities torn away,” the speaker insisted, referring to a tragedy that affected nearly a quarter of Rwanda’s population at the time, with around 70% of the Tutsi exterminated.

Beyond the human losses, the social consequences were profound. Nearly two million people were displaced, causing lasting disruptions to the social fabric. In response, justice mechanisms were established, notably the gacaca courts, which handled nearly two million cases through an unprecedented level of citizen mobilization. At the international level, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda prosecuted 93 individuals, helping to establish responsibility at the highest levels.

However, the question of justice remains closely tied to that of memory and lasting trauma. The speaker shared a striking testimony from a film presented at a film festival: “It is important that those responsible are condemned, because the victims, especially the survivors, have already been sentenced to life.” He added, referring to his personal experience: “The bullet wounds I have on my body, my parents, my brothers and sisters whom I no longer have, will stay with me until the end of my life.”

Even today, survivors live with psychological wounds, economic vulnerability, and difficult social realities, particularly in households led by widows or the elderly. These realities call for concrete actions, including sustained psychosocial support, targeted economic programs, and genuine social inclusion.

In a global context marked by the persistence of violence based on ethnicity, religion, or identity, the speech also warned of contemporary dangers. “Hate sometimes spreads through discourse and social media that have never been more powerful,” he warned, calling for increased vigilance against all forms of stigmatization and discrimination.

Memory, according to him, must not be limited to remembrance. “Memory is a school of life for younger generations,” he stated, reminding that “words can turn into weapons and indifference can become complicit in the worst.” Quoting a powerful reflection attributed to a Holocaust survivor, he emphasized: “The opposite of love is not hate… it is indifference.”

Three main commitments were proposed to the public: to pass on the truth to younger generations without altering the facts, to concretely support survivors, and to reject all forms of indifference by denouncing hate speech and denialism. The latter was described as “the final stage of genocide,” a phase that “has no end” and that can begin as soon as the violence ends, or even during it.

Finally, the speaker acknowledged the presence of public and political leaders, calling on them to carry this memory through their actions. “By coming here, you are saying yes […] to the responsibility of promoting memory, supporting policies of reparation, and preventing any resurgence of hatred,” he stated.

In conclusion, a strong message was addressed to society as a whole: to make memory a living force. “May each of us, in our own place, be vigilant guardians of human dignity so that ‘never again’ becomes a lasting reality and not just a slogan.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVhx9YmY-II