EASTERN PROVINCE

NGOMA—Genocide convicts living in their homes while serving out their community service are partly to blame for the continuing threats against Genocide survivors, an official has said.

Launching the second phase of Travaux d’Intérêts Générales (TIG) last Thursday, in Ngoma district, the Executive Secretary of TIG, Evariste Bizimana said all convicts serving under TIG will after the mourning week in April, be required to stay in one camp; and return to their homes after serving their sentence.

The programme was launched in the three Sectors of Rukira, Remera and Jarama.

"The first objective of TIG is to punish the culprits, secondly to foster unity and reconciliation, and thirdly to build the country."

He said the practice of living in their homes while serving their sentences should stop immediately after the Genocide commemoration week.

"After that week, all those based in their homes should join the rest of their colleagues staying in camps. Not only in Ngoma district but the whole country.

He pointed out that somer of those who perform their community service from their homes- also known as TIG proximity- are to blame for the continuing threats and deaths of survivors," Bizimana said.

"If you were found guilty of the offence why don’t you serve your sentence as required?" he asked.

Bizimana expressed his appreciation on the work already accomplished by TIG countrywide.

He noted that the government has saved a lot of money through TIG which would have been spent on activities like constructing houses for Genocide survivors and other vulnerable groups.

He told TIG convicts that their sentences were like punishing them with kid gloves. "It is only this government that loves you. It is this government that is trying to make you rehabilitate what you destroyed," he said, and urged them to commit the same efforts and energy in their own homes when they complete their sentence.

Bizimana also cautioned the group against being misled into committing other crimes, and practicing ethnic hatred.

Ngoma district was ranked the best in Eastern province in making good use of TIG. There are currently about 1,800 TIG convicts in the district.

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