Students must undertake their studies putting into consideration the gains made by the country, especially in the good governance and justice sectors. This call was made, last week, by the Minister for Justice, Johnston Busingye, during a public lecture at the University of Rwanda–College of Arts and Social Sciences (Huye Campus). The lecture, which was about the role of the judiciary in fighting Genocide denial, was held as part of activities organised to mark the 21st anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Busingye said a country ravaged by bad governance will most certainly have no rule of law which results in discrimination, persecution and the culture of impunity, like what happened in Rwanda before 1994. He said that genocide can only happen if the government allowed it to. “If there is breakdown in the rule of law, anyone does what they feel like. Those in leadership positions can oppress other people with impunity,” Busingye said. He reassured students that genocide will never happen again in Rwanda. Rwanda has changed for the better, impunity will never have a place in Rwanda and there is rule of law, the minister said. He said laws have been enacted to fight genocide ideology, negation and denial and all this is intended to ensure respect for human rights. “Some people argue that these laws are infringing on their freedoms but they are rather meant to ensure that the tragedy that befell our country never happens again,” he said. ACP Theos Badege, Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said there are cybercrimes about genocide ideology and denial being recorded. Statistics from Police show that 149 and 180 cases of genocide ideology were recorded in 2012 and 2013, respectively. He urged university students to form anti-crime clubs at their respective universities so as to counter genocide ideology. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
