The “Kwibuka Flame of Hope” was on September 11 installed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, as a permanent memorial in tribute to the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
    
The Kwibuka flame symbolizes the resilience and courage of Rwandans after the Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed more than one million people in 100 days. The monument also reflects Rwanda’s dedication to combating genocide ideology, denial, and hate speech, while fostering a global commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.

“The Kwibuka Flame of Hope will burn forever as a visual reminder for the international community and the many visitors to the United Nations, on the need to speak out and say no to hate,” said Melissa Fleming, the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Global Communications, which manages the General Assembly-mandated Outreach Programme on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations.

She added: “This is also a tribute to the immense courage and resilience needed to rebuild after such a profound loss and trauma.”

Meanwhile, welcoming the development, Ernest Rwamucyo, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN stressed that the monument is “a symbol of peace, justice, and unity-values that guide Rwanda 's healing and commitment to unity and reconciliation.”

He added that the monument holds profound meaning not only for Rwandans but also for the global diplomatic community, and that it will burn forever as a visual reminder for the international community and many visitors to the UN to speak out against genocide and hate speech.

The Kwibuka Flame of Hope is the first permanent tribute to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda installed at the United Nations Headquarters.