The State of Michigan in the United States of America has officially designated April 7 as a day to join the international community in commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The move aims to honor the victims, support survivors, uphold truth, and combat denial and minimization of the genocide.
This step comes as the United States increasingly adopts the accurate designation “the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” a term formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on January 26, 2018.
It also follows a similar declaration by the city of Kentwood, which announced that it would annually join Rwandans and the global community in commemorating the genocide every April 7.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged the brutality of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, noting that it left survivors with deep trauma and lasting scars.
Whitmer emphasized that remembering the victims, supporting survivors, and working collectively to prevent genocide and other crimes against humanity is a shared global responsibility. She added that commemoration plays a critical role in countering denial and distortion of this history.
She further stated that the State of Michigan remains committed to upholding human rights, promoting historical education, and opposing all forms of hatred, including racism, xenophobia, and discrimination in all their forms.
“In recognition of this,” she declared, “I, Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, hereby proclaim April 7, 2026, as a day of remembrance for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in the State of Michigan.”
IBUKA USA, which advocates for the rights of survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi living in the United States, along with the Rwandan community in Michigan, welcomed the Governor’s decision.
The President of IBUKA USA, Marcel Mutsindashyaka, stated: “This decision is a strong affirmation of truth. When the Genocide against the Tutsi is properly named, it restores dignity to the victims and reinforces the truth that survivors have carried for many years.”
Similarly, Caleb J. Uwagaba, President of the Rwandan community in Michigan, said the Governor’s decision holds significant meaning both within the state and across the United States.
“It honors those who lost their lives, reinforces the truth of our history, and supports survivors on their journey of healing. Michigan’s decision strengthens our commitment to promoting unity, reconciliation, and human rights, while ensuring that the lessons of 1994 guide future generations,” he said.
Michigan now joins other U.S. states, including Ohio, Utah, and Texas, in formally recognizing the correct designation of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and in participating in its annual commemoration.
