Ibuka-Netherlands chairperson Christine Safari passes away #rwanda #RwOT

Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, announced her passing on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

"I am heartbroken by the untimely passing of Ms. Safari Christine, Chairperson of Ibuka Netherlands. I offer my deepest condolences to her husband, Léon, and to her children," Minister Nduhungirehe wrote in a heartfelt message on X.

"Christine, you fought a good fight for memory, reconciliation, and against genocide denial. As a former Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands, who had the privilege to work with you, I will forever be grateful for your friendship, your courage, your perseverance, and your tremendous achievements," he added.

"May your soul rest in eternal peace, together with that of our loved ones you dedicated your life to."

Through collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in the Netherlands and Ibuka in the country, Christine played a huge role in initiatives such as commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi, supporting vulnerable genocide survivors, and advocating for justice.

Ibuka-Netherlands has been instrumental in identifying and bringing to justice those responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Additionally, Christine championed efforts to secure the Dutch government's support for constructing a Genocide memorial to serve as a site for remembrance.

As a result of her advocacy, on April 19, 2023, a memorial for the Genocide against the Tutsi was inaugurated in the Netherlands.

At the time, she emphasized the significance of the memorial for herself, fellow genocide survivors, and anyone concerned with this history, highlighting its global importance.

'This memorial will help counter genocide denial and serve as an educational resource. It will be a place where we can find solace and remember our loved ones," she stated.

"This is a major milestone for Ibuka-Netherlands. The Netherlands was the last country in Western Europe without a memorial for the Genocide against the Tutsi, despite having significantly contributed to justice efforts.'

Through collaboration with the Embassy of Rwanda in the Netherlands and Ibuka in the country, Christine Safari played a huge role in initiatives such as commemorating the Genocide against the Tutsi, supporting vulnerable genocide survivors, and advocating for justice.

Christine Safari, pictured here with Rwanda's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, played a pivotal role in the inauguration of the first memorial for the Genocide against the Tutsi in the Netherlands on April 19, 2023.

Located in Amsterdam's Beatrix Park, this memorial serves as a place for survivors and the broader Rwandan community in the Netherlands to remember and honor the victims.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/ibuka-netherlands-chairperson-christine-safari-passes-away