Concealing genocide victims should not be a family enterprise

Residents of Ngoma Sector in Huye District, especially survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, are reeling from the shocking news of a home where victims of the Genocide were concealed, with the full knowledge of the occupants. By the latest count, over 140 people had been recovered in a compound, including the main house, where occupants have comfortably lived for decades despite the knowledge by some of the members that they slept over people’s remains. ALSO READ: Remains of Genocide victims discovered around Mibilizi Catholic Church parish These victims would probably have forever remained concealed had it not been the workers who had been hired to build a perimeter wall around the said home, who inadvertently discovered six bodies within the compound back in October last year. Perhaps the same family could have kept a lid on the information had the workers not taken the step to inform the authorities of the discovery, which later expanded the search to the kitchen and later the main house where all these people were discovered. ALSO READ: To survivors, Mibilizi massacre was a journey through hell. This is not an isolated incident; just a few months back, over 500 bodies were found within the precincts of Mibilizi Catholic Church located in Rusizi District, among many similar cases including an entire neighbourhood in Kabuga town where thousands of bodies were recovered a few years back. It is unfathomable that 30 years after the Genocide, survivors still languish in pain over the whereabouts of their loved ones whose lives were taken away and have never found them to be able to accord them a decent burial. For survivors of the Genocide, being able to afford their loved ones a decent burial is an important step towards their healing journey, while the country in general will completely heal when all the victims are identified and given a dignified send-off. The fact that some people, at times entire families, still find it perfectly fine to have a good night’s sleep well knowing that under their concrete are victims of the worst massacre of the 20th century, is an indication that we still have a long way to go. ALSO READ: Renewed calls to reveal whereabouts of Genocide victims. While significant steps have been made towards unity and reconciliation in the country, such incidents are reminders that we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Finally, concealing the whereabouts of genocide victims should not be a family entreprise. It is ok for a family member to disassociate themselves from such criminal entreprise and report such cases.

Opinions

Concealing genocide victims should not be a family enterprise