IBUKA France has reported that the Genocide against the Tutsi memorial in the city of Rouen has been vandalized by unidentified individuals.
In a statement posted on X on April 16, 2026, the organisation condemned the act, describing it as one of “exceptional gravity,” saying that damaging a genocide memorial amounts to disrespecting victims and survivors, as well as undermining collective memory and human dignity.
IBUKA France called on French authorities to open a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
The organisation stressed that memorial sites play a critical role in preserving historical truth and passing on the memory of genocide victims to future generations, adding that such acts cannot erase history.
The Rouen memorial was inaugurated in April 2024 during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The incident comes as Rwanda and the world continue the 100-day commemoration period marking the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over one million lives.
