The genocide roots lie in the longstanding tensions between Tutsi and Hutu groups. The Tutsi and Hutus are two different groups within the Rwandan society. Tensions between these two groups date back to the end of the First World War: the Tutsi seemed more hostile to democratisation policies, as opposed to the hutus, who instead embraced decolonisation movements. Tensions were to increase in the following decades: the early 1960s were characterised by the so-called ‘Hutu Peasant Revolution’, which forced many of the Tutsis to leave the country. This continued even after independence was achieved in 1962.

In 1988, exiled Tutsis founded the Rwandan Patriotic Front in Uganda. At the beginning of the 1990s, the RPF launched a major attack from Uganda, which led the Rwandan government to label every Tutsi individual in Rwanda as enemies.

Despite the establishment of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) in 1993, with a mandate encompassing peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and general support for the peace process, violations of human rights were still widespread in the country.

In 1994, the Rwandan people were subjected to an act of genocide that began after the plane carrying the presidents of Burundi and Rwanda was shot down.

The Rwandan government blamed RPF, without evidence, and thus initiating several weeks of intense and systematic massacres. 

On November 8, 1994, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established by the Security Council to "prosecute persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda and neighbouring States, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994."  Ninety-three people were accused by the Tribunal for grave breaches of international humanitarian law that occurred in Rwanda in 1994.  High-ranking government and military officials, legislators, businesspeople, and leaders of the media, militia, and religion were among those charged.  Jean Kambanda, the prime minister during the genocide, was sentenced to life in jail by the court.  On December 31, 2015, the ICTR's tenure came to an end.

The Honorary Consuls of Rwanda, Government officials, members of the diplomatic corps members business community, civil society and members of RCA Germany attented the Commemoration. The event was moderated by Dr. Elisabeth Kaneza Chairman of the Kaneza Foundation, an organisation dedicated to human rights, equal opportunities, and diversity.

Speakers included Christian Ngarambe, Ms. Dimitri Sissi, Ms. Belko Kenza Naike, Honorary Counsul of Rwanda Rabbiner Prof. Walter Homolka, and finally Ambassador Igor Cesar. Both Ambassador Cesar and Honorary Counsul Prof. Homolka praised Rwanda's journey to reconciliation. Ambassador Cesar also underscored the need to prevent genocide denial and misrepresentation.

• https://www.rwandaingermany.gov.rw/infodetails/kwibuka31-commemoration-in-berlin https://www.rwandaingermany.gov.rw/infodetails/kwibuka31-commemoration-in-berlin
• https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/historical-background.shtml https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/historical-background.shtml