Conduct research on Genocide deniers, says cleric

NORTHERN PROVINCE Bishop John Rucyahana of Shyira Diocese has said that Rwandans have an unenviable task of carrying out a scientific research on those who deny the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

NORTHERN PROVINCE
 
Bishop John Rucyahana of Shyira Diocese has said that Rwandans have an unenviable task of carrying out a scientific research on those who deny the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

The bishop indicated that such a study would provide a deeper insight as to why  they do so, in order to bring facts, guilt consciences and fiction to the fore. 

Rucyahana made the remarks during part of the commemoration occasion at  Muhoza genocide memorial site where over 300 bodies were buried.

‘We should move into the future knowing what happened in the past’ he said.

‘By revealing  the truth of events we will be in a better position to heal the wounds, thereby  working towards bringing  lasting peace’, Rucyahana noted. 

Ruchahana made history last month  by being  the first African to receive the prestigious William Wilber Force award and the Russel Brown Climate of Excellence in Leadership award offered  by Harry J.LIoyd Charitable Trust.

In his testimony Oswald Habiyaremye, a survivor of the genocide used the occasion to recall how he faced abuse and  harassment right from child hood.

He said that to date he  is still haunted by the memory of a woman named Nyirakanyana from Rulindo who killed her five children  because they were fathered by a Tutsi.

Jean Piere Birara, of IBUKA reminded the listeners about former President Habyarimana’s  remarks at the same stadium in 1991 which centered on inciting citizens to help plan and carry out the Genocide.

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