The Finnish city of Vantaa is honouring the victims of the 1994 Tutsi genocide by installing a permanent memorial on June 4, 2025. The initiative is a historic and highly significant gesture of international solidarity, remembrance, and moral responsibility, according to Rwanda’s embassy in the Nordic region.
During a dignified ceremony in the city of Vantaa, Jokiniemi, in Finland, the first permanent memorial site in the Nordic region dedicated to the victims of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda was officially inaugurated.
The memorial joins a growing global network of memorial sites in Paris, Geneva, Ottawa, Cape Town, New York, and Brussels, which ensures that the memory and truth of what happened in Rwanda are preserved and honoured on several continents.
At the inauguration, Rwanda’s ambassador to the Nordic countries, Dr. Diane Gashumba, expressed her profound gratitude to the residents and leadership of Vantaa for their recognition of the genocide:
“This site ensures that the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi will not be forgotten. It is a place to mourn, a place to learn, and a place to renew our shared commitment to peace and dignity.”
The memorial, unveiled as part of the Kwibuka31 commemoration, serves as a symbolic and educational space for reflection, contemplation, and dialogue.
“It honours the memory of over a million innocent lives lost and stands as a warning of the destructive power of hatred, propaganda, and indifference,” said Gashumba.
The project was made possible through a collaboration between Ibuka Finland, the Rwandan Embassy in the Nordic countries, the Rwandan community in Finland, and the city of Vantaa. The city has committed to preparing and maintaining the site, which includes landscaped walkways, lighting, and public access.
The chosen location in Jokiniemi is particularly significant. It is situated on the peaceful Vantaa River, surrounded by nature and historic buildings, and provides a contemplative environment for reflection.
The proximity to the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which successfully prosecuted a key figure in the 1994 genocide of the Tutsis, further reinforces the memorial’s message of responsibility and justice.
One of the perpetrators of genocide fled to Finland to avoid legal consequences in Rwanda. Under international commitments, the National Bureau of Investigation in Vantaa opened a pre-trial investigation in 2007 to establish his involvement. The Porvoo District Court and the Helsinki Court of Appeal sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Thomas Elfgren Ramba has received the award for his outstanding contributions to international justice. His decisive role in the investigation and successful prosecution of François Bazaramba, a former pastor convicted in Finland in 2010 for his role in the 1994 genocide of Tutsis, is a powerful testament to the fact that justice can transcend national borders.
His work reinforces the message conveyed by this memorial, namely that truth is essential, impunity must end, and the pursuit of justice must remain unwavering.
“Memory is our responsibility, and remembrance is the path to peace”.
Remarks shared by Mr. Thomas, who was following closely the inauguration ceremony of the Genocide memorial in Vantaa, all the way from Rubavu District in Rwanda.
“Though Rwanda is far in distance, the scars of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi remain close, no matter where one is”, he said.
This new memorial joins similar sites around the world, from Paris to Ottawa, Geneva to Rome, the UK and Belgium, forming a global network for remembrance and education. It also reaffirms Finland’s continued commitment to human rights and the rejection of impunity.
Michel Nshimiyimana, chair of Ibuka Finland, the association for survivors in Finland, thanked the city of Vantaa for understanding this historical significance and for turning memory into action:
“This memorial gives voice to the voiceless and hope to those seeking healing.”
Henry Westlin, City Manager of Vantaa, affirmed the city’s moral responsibility, saying:
“To forget is to risk repetition. To remember is to resist hatred, violence, and dehumanisation.”
The city of Vantaa has taken a courageous and dignified step by joining the international community in recognising the genocide of the Tutsis. The site not only honours the victims but also challenges us all, Rwandans and Finns alike, to confront the dangers of hate propaganda, discrimination, and denial of history.
The unveiling of the memorial was also marked by a solemn Kwibuka31 commemoration ceremony, which brought together survivors, academics, media outlets, and residents of Vantaa.
The monument’s ”Flame of Hope” symbolises hope and the endurance of peace. The ”Imigongo” pattern on the base, for its part, links traditional Rwandan art to the country’s culture and heritage.
The event was honoured by representatives of the Finnish government, members of the Rwandan community in Finland, and friends of Rwanda from across the Nordic region. Their participation confirmed a shared commitment to remembrance, accountability, and the global fight against genocide denial and hate propaganda.
At the end of the ceremony, guests laid flowers. They observed a minute of silence to affirm that from this place in Jokiniemi, a global message will continue to echo: “To remember is to protect the future.”
In his speech, Ambassador Gashumba emphasised:
“Let this site be a living lesson to future generations. What happened in Rwanda must never happen again, anywhere.”
By T. Sassersson, NewsVoice
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