Your Excellency President Kagame,
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
We are here to commemorate the victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi. I am grateful for this opportunity to unveil this commemorative plaque with you, President Kagame, and the Rwandan delegation. I would like to thank the Rwandan Foreign Minister and Embassy for their initiative.
Ladies and gentlemen!
Thirty years ago, the world witnessed one of its darkest moments. The 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi served as a reminder of how hatred can poison people's minds. The atrocities of the events of 1994 in Rwanda cannot be described and must not be forgotten. In light of the victims, the survivors, their families and the future.
Three decades later, we continue to remember the victims and to honour the survivors of the genocide. Rwanda has demonstrated to the world how to overcome an unimaginable tragedy by making a determined effort to heal society and forge unity. To achieve this, the entire society had to engage in deep reflection and to ensure that the perpetrators of violence were held accountable and brought to justice.
The international community can learn much from Rwanda's history and stand firm for international law, human rights and justice.
Unfortunately, Latvia's history is also marked by tragedies – wars, occupations, and violent repressions that have divided families and broken fates. We deeply understand the importance of preserving historical memory.
Thank you to the National Library of Latvia for opening its doors to the commemorative initiative. It is only fitting that we can commemorate this dark moment in history at the Castle of Light.
I hope that the kwibuka, or flame, which symbolises remembrance and hope, will spark a new tradition of remembering the Rwandan lives that were extinguished in 1994. It will allow us to stimulate conversations and reflections on the darkest chapters of history and what we can learn from them to build inclusive and cohesive societies in the future.
Thank you!
