Genocide ideology and denial of genocide against The Tutsi: a sad reality after 30 years.

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April 7th 2024 marks the start of Kwibuka 30, the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi, which began on April 7th 1994. The sad reality is that some people still have the genocide ideology and deny the Genocide against Tutsis.

Kwibuka, meaning "Remember" in Kinyarwanda, is an annual commemoration period that starts on April 7th, lasting for 100 days. It serves as a solemn remembrance of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, a dark period in Rwandan history. Through a series of activities, Rwandans gather to honor the memory of the approximately one million lives lost and to pay tribute to the survivors who endured unimaginable suffering. Memorial ceremonies, community discussions, educational programs, artistic performances, and the lighting of the Flame of Remembrance are some of the ways in which Rwandans engage in remembrance and reflection during the Kwibuka period. The event provides an opportunity for reflection, healing, and unity as the nation comes together to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. Through Kwibuka, Rwandans embrace the values of forgiveness, reconciliation, and resilience, fostering a sense of national unity and a commitment to building a peaceful and inclusive society. During the first week of the commemoration period, prohibited activities include mass celebrations, weddings, sports competitions, playing unrelated music, betting games, projecting football matches, and non-related entertainment events are prohibited. Kwibuka has gained international recognition as a symbol of resilience and as a call to prevent similar atrocities worldwide. It serves as a reminder that the consequences of division and hatred can be devastating while promoting the need for unity, tolerance, and respect for human rights. Through Kwibuka, Rwanda leads the way in remembering, learning, and ensuring that the voices of the victims are never forgotten.[1]

Especially on social media, some people show that they still have the genocide ideology despite efforts to teach the public about the genocide against Tutsis.  the law nº 59/2018 of 22/8/2018 on the crime of genocide ideology and related crimes, article 4, states that; A person who, in public, either verbally, in writing, through images or in any other manner, commits an act that manifests an ideology that supports or advocates for destroying, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years, with a fine of not less than five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 500,000) and not more than one million Rwandan francs (FRW 1,000,000).[2] Under the banner of free speech, many people commit the crime of genocide, and it is clear that an atrocity starts with a bad idea, spread in people.

Article 5 of the same law talks about denial of genocide, it states that, A person who, in public, commits an act intended to:1º state or indicate that the genocide is not genocide;2º distort the facts about genocide for the purpose of misleading the public; 3º affirm that there was double genocide in Rwanda; 4º state or indicate that the genocide was not planned; commits an offence. Upon conviction of any of the acts referred to in Paragraph One of this Article, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years, with a fine of not less than five hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 500,000) and not more than one million Rwandan francs (FRW 1,000,000).[3] Of all the people who can say wrong facts of the Genocide against Tutsi, the saddest reality is that some Rwandans deny the Genocide against Tutsis by providing wrong narratives and wrong facts on it, but mostly living abroad. Social media has been their medium of spreading the wrong narrative, the same social media should be used to give them real facts on the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis.

In his statement last year, Ambassador Claver Gatete Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations, on Kwibuka 29 Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, he emphasized saying that, ‘’it is important to remember that Genocide does not occur overnight; it is a long-meditated and planned process that starts with hate speech. With technology and social media, we have witnessed an increase in hate speech campaigns worldwide. As Member States, we should question our legal and moral responsibility to protect and counteract hate speech and genocide ideology. Rwanda’s past should be a lesson and a call for the international community to breathe life into “never again,” saying it is just not enough. Genocide ideology poses a threat to communities directly affected and to humanity as a whole. He emphasized consolidating efforts, for more countries to ratify the genocide convention. Currently, 153 member states have ratified it. He hoped the event served as a call and encouragement for those who have not ratified it to do so.’’[4] Hate speeches show the existence of genocide ideology and denial of genocide. Hate before coming into action of destruction, it is first demonstrated through words.

He continued showing that, in the spirit of preserving the past and truth, it is important that we continue to fight against Genocide denial. As his Excellency Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, said in his Kwibuka 29 address, and he quoted: “Genocide denial is a dangerous and deliberate attempt to block the truth. We must fight revisionist ideologies because they are easily passed on from generation to generation. We must fight denial because that is how history repeats itself.” (End of quote)[5] As young people in particular, it is our responsibility to preserve the unity and peace our fathers, mothers and those before them fought for, so as to continue having a peaceful and prosperous Rwanda we have as our country today.  

Genocide ideology is a serious threat to unity of Rwandans, and while there are signs that it is reducing, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement Jean-Damascène Bizimana argued that more efforts are needed to fully eradicate the vice. Genocide ideology, according to Bizimana, is more prevalent during the period of commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He added that the ideology is prevailing mainly among the youth. During the 2021 Genocide commemoration period, 57 out of 184 youths, or 30.9 per cent, were prosecuted for genocide ideology, while 44 out of 179 youths, or 24.5 per cent, were prosecuted last year.[6]

 

Over the last five years, however, the prevalence of genocide ideology has decreased by 17.5 percent, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Unity and Civic Engagement.[7]

In high school upper level, when I was the coordinator of AERG for two years, I got a chance to work on topics related to genocide ideology and denial of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis. Through the information and lessons, we interchanged among ourselves.  I was inspired to write a poem that we performed on Kwibuka occasions which focused on Genocide ideology and denial of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and the effects in general and how to step into a new life full of hope of a brighter future. I later realized latter that, educating ourselves on the subject of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis, will give us the weapons to fight genocide ideology and genocide denial.

We should come together to fight genocide ideologists and genocide denialists. As it is rooted in our fundamental principles; prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide, fight against denial and revisionism of genocide as well as eradication of genocide ideology and all its manifestations; eradication of discrimination and divisionism based on ethnicity, region or any other ground, as well as promotion of national unity.[8]

As Rwandans we have shown that Kwibuka Twiyubaka is a reality. Fighting genocide ideology and denial of genocide is a possible war to win.  After 30 years Rwanda has achieved beyond expectations especially in protection human rights. Peace and security which was nowhere to be seen 30 years ago, now we have peace and security not only for ourselves but we give them to other people especially fellow Africans because we know how valuable a human being is and we know the cost peace and security. Legal framework on preventing genocide was put in place which is one of the measures to ensure that we don’t experience another genocide, as we strongly believe in NEVER AGAIN.


[2] Official Gazette nº Special of 25/09/2018, LAW Nº 59/2018 OF 22/8/2018 ON THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IDEOLOGY AND RELATED CRIMES, article 4.

[3] Official Gazette nº Special of 25/09/2018, LAW Nº 59/2018 OF 22/8/2018 ON THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE IDEOLOGY AND RELATED CRIMES, article 5

[5] Idem

[7] Idem

[8] Official Gazette n° Special of 04/08/2023,  CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA, Article 10 paragraph 1&2

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