Dafroza Mukarumongi Gauthier, who dedicated her life to ensuring that people suspected of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who had fled to France were brought to justice, was laid to rest in Reims, France, on October 12, 2026.
Dafroza died on October 3, 2026, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the fight against impunity for genocide perpetrators, a cause she pursued alongside her husband, Alain Gauthier.
Her funeral service was held at Saint-André Church in Reims on the morning of October 12, followed by her burial in the afternoon. Family members, friends and various officials attended the ceremony.
Rwanda’s Ambassador to France, François Nkulikiyimfura, extended his condolences to Dafroza’s family, saying Rwanda would not forget her significant contribution to securing justice for victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
He also delivered a message from President Paul Kagame, who expressed his condolences to her family, friends and those who worked alongside her in the pursuit of justice.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Rwanda, and in my own name, I extend my deepest condolences to her family, friends and all those who had the privilege of working with her. May she rest in peace,” Kagame said.
The President stressed that Dafroza would remain in the hearts of Rwandans for her determination and commitment to bringing those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to justice.
“Dafroza will remain in our hearts for her unwavering determination to fight impunity for those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. For more than 30 years, she devoted herself selflessly to restoring dignity to genocide victims and survivors,” he said.
Kagame said Rwanda was deeply grateful for Dafroza’s work, adding that her legacy would continue through the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda (CPCR), an organisation she founded with her husband, Alain Gauthier. He also described her dedication as an example for Rwandans and future generations.
Dafroza was born in Butare Prefecture in 1954. She met Alain Gauthier when he was working as a teacher in Rwanda. They later married in France and had three children.
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi took place while Dafroza was living in France, but she suffered a profound personal loss, with about 80 members of her extended family killed.
The tragedy motivated her to dedicate herself to seeking justice for genocide victims. In 1996, she and her husband began efforts to identify and pursue people suspected of participating in the genocide who had fled to France.
In 2001, the couple founded the CPCR, an organisation dedicated to ensuring that people suspected of involvement in the Genocide against the Tutsi are brought before the courts.
The organisation collected information about genocide suspects living in France, gathered evidence and testimonies relating to alleged crimes, and submitted the material to judicial authorities to support investigations and legal proceedings.
More than three decades of work in this cause established Dafroza and Alain as prominent figures in efforts to ensure that people suspected of genocide crimes could not escape justice by seeking refuge abroad.
On November 18, 2017, President Kagame awarded the couple the Umurinzi Medal, in recognition of their contribution to strengthening cooperation and pursuing justice.
