Today His Excellency Sebastian Kurz, the Federal Chancellor of Austria, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay respects to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi and learn more about the history of the Genocide.

The Federal Chancellor was accompanied by Rwanda’s Minister of Sports and Culture, Espérance Nyirasafari, Rwanda’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the Executive Secretary of Rwanda’s National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Dr. Jean-Damascène Bizimana.

His Excellency Kurz began his visit by laying a wreath on the burial place where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide are laid to rest. Together with his delegation, he observed a moment of silence to honour the victims of the Genocide.

In total, more than one million Rwandans were killed in the Genocide against the Tutsi between the months of April to July 1994.

During this visit, His Excellency Kurz toured the memorial exhibits to learn about the history of the Genocide. The exhibition details the causes, reality and consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsi as well as the incredible stories of post-genocide reconstruction that have taken place in Rwanda. This includes how justice and reconciliation have been fostered.

The Federal Chancellor of Austria was impressed by the willingness of Rwandans to move on and focus to their better future and build a society based on unity.

 “This was a difficult moment of deep sense of mourning which one feels while being here. I am deeply impressed by your way of looking forward to the future and your commitment to live together.” H.E. Kurz wrote.