Local media reported a story of a 43-year old man in Nyamasheke who fears his life is in danger after unknown people set fire to some of his coffee plants. He says over the past three years, he has been harassed and vividly remembers when his name, followed by “Rest In Peace” were written on his relative’s grave right after burial. This is not definitely a first when it comes to intimidation and harassment of people who survived the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. In fact, many of these actions culminate into murder. ALSO READ: Ngoma genocide survivor suspected killer arrested, confesses For instance, a couple of months ago, Pauline Nduwamungu, 66, was brutally murdered in her home. Several times, she had reported to authorities harassment from her neighbors that included death threats. She had been menaced for 17 years. As of November 2024, about 400 cases of genocide ideology were filed by the prosecution in the previous two years. What’s more, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) received 2,660 cases of genocide ideology and related crimes involving 3,563 suspects. ALSO READ: Violence against genocide survivors: 400 cases filed in two years Attacks on against genocide survivors accounted for 50 percent of these cases reported between 2019 and 2023, while genocide ideology cases accounted for 22 percent. Even one case is too much. But should we just sit on our hands as genocide ideology is normalised like this? Yes, there is zero-tolerance when it comes to trying these cases. Nevertheless, prevention is better than cure. Through proper education on unity and reconciliation can be a lifestyle. Culprits would also be exposed by those who now think it is not their business to report them. Sometimes, the law punishes a crime, but it doesn’t always prevent it. Therefore, collective efforts and holistic interventions should be made to ensure that genocide ideology-related crimes are history in Rwanda.
