Valens Bimenyimana, a researcher at the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) has said that from 2017 to 2020 at least 1,172 Genocide ideology cases were prosecuted. He was addressing members of Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) and the Network of International INGOs (NINGO) during the activity to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The members on Friday, June 18, gathered at Kigali Genocide Memorial where over 250,000 Genocide victims are buried and reflected on “the role of Civil Society in the fight against Genocide ideology and denial”. Bimenyimana said that over this period, most of the Genocide ideology cases were recorded during commemoration periods. “During the 23rd commemoration of the Genocide in 2017, courts received 193 cases of Genocide ideology. The following year, they received 133 cases, he said. He added that in 2019 during the same period, 224 cases were recorded and last year, 246 cases were registered. This shows the complexity of the situation,” he said. He explained that what is worrying is that during the 26th commemoration, among the 246 cases recorded, 167 suspects were young people. “These include those who were very young during 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and others who were born after the Genocide,” he said. Of the total 1,172 cases in the last four years, he said that 288 suspects are female representing 24.5 percent. “Most of the cases prosecuted are aged between 36 and 45 years. Those born after genocide represent 8 percent of total cases. Based on these figures, Bimenyimana urged civil society organizations and NGOs to play their role in fighting against genocide ideology and denial. “We still have some organizations, individuals and scholars and institutions that still support genocide denial and revisionism through different communication channels including social media. Civil society and non-governmental organizations should take the lead in challenging them, he said. Comforting genocide survivors During the event, the Chairperson of Rwanda Civil Society Platform, Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza said that as part of comforting genocide survivors, the platform and NINGO presented Rwf10 million package to Ibukas “Survivors in Solidarity” initiative to support Genocide survivors most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Chairperson of NINGO, Sean Kerrigan added, “Commemoration of 1994 genocide against the Tutsi is an emotional experience to see the facts and hear the testimonies. We must remember what happened so that it never happens again. Leadership and right focus are very important in building the nation, focusing on forgiveness and unity. ”
