5 January 2015 - Officials of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and members of the Filipino community in Geneva and Vaud, commemorated the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal through a simple wreath-laying ceremony held at the marker of his visit to Geneva on 29 December 2014.

After the publication of Noli Me Tangere in 1886 in Berlin, Rizal embarked on a grand European tour with his good friend, Dr. Maximo Viola.

They visited the various important European cities which included the five Swiss cantons of Schaffhausen, Basel, Berne, Lausanne and Geneva. 

Dr. Rizal stayed in Switzerland from 06 to 21 June 1887.

Arriving in Geneva on 06 June 1887, he stayed at Pension Bel-Air at Rue du Rhone 3. The former pension now houses the Bank of Lloyds of London. Rue du Rhone is now one of the busiest streets in Geneva.  END