The 2015 commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commonly known by its local concept Kwibuka (to remember), registered the highest number of cases involving Genocide denial and revisionism.

This was revealed, yesterday, during a presentation of the 21st Genocide Commemoration Report by Dr Jean Damascène Bizimana, the executive secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) at the commission headquarters in Kigali.

This year’s Kwibuka was conducted at the village level.

"For the 21st commemoration, 168 cases of genocide ideology were reported compared to 86 last year,” said Bizimana, who clarified that it should not be a cause for alarm as the high figures highlight the fact that commemoration events were held at the village level, hence involving more discussions than before.

Eastern Province registered the majority cases (54) of Genocide denial and ideology, followed by the Southern Province (34 cases), while Western Province and the City of Kigali registered 31 cases each.

Northern Province registered the least cases, at 18.

Rusizi District, with 13 cases, had the highest number of Genocide ideology cases reported. Other districts that registered high incidences of such cases were Rwamagana, Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Musanze, Nyanza, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo.

"We are trying to carry out serious sensitisation campaigns against Genocide denial and ideology in schools, public places, prisons, among others. People have to know the consequences and penalties that come with such cases and learn about the history of Rwanda,” Bizimana added.

Countering denial

CNLG is currently putting more emphasis on Genocide research, which Bizimana said would also counteract Genocide denial and ideology, both locally and internationally.

Dr Diogène Bideri, the principal legal advisor to CNLG, said the organisation, Genocide survivors associations, together with the government, were encouraging the international community to cooperate in bringing fugitives to book.

"Genocide denial is a battle we will have to fight forever; Genocide, in most cases, has people who deny it, this is not only the case in Rwanda but in other places where genocide occurred as well. We will continue fighting for the truth so that the deniers do not overshadow us,” said Bideri.

Marcel Kabanda, the chairperson of Ibuka France, the Genocide survivors’ community leaving in France, said: "The people who are denying the Genocide are mainly former soldiers and government officials who do not want to be implicated for their involvement in the mass slaughter.”

Meanwhile, Bizimana expressed appreciation to members of the public, including institutions and nonprofit organisations that extended support to Genocide survivors during the commemoration period that ended last week.

About Rwf359 million was collected from contributions to support commemoration events and survivors’ initiatives this year.