Dutch rights body impressed with reconciliation, Iwawa centre

Musanze — Visiting members of Dutch-based Human rights group, ‘Unity is Strength Foundation’, Wednesday, called on the international community to support Rwanda’s efforts to foster peace, security and development. The nine-member delegation was visiting Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, where they interacted with over 200 ex-combatants undergoing demobilisation and reintegration course at the centre. The group also visited Volcanoes National Park, where they tracked the famous Mountain Gorillas. Ambassador Sergio Belfor, the Foundation’s Managing Director, said that Rwanda should be looked at as a rapidly developing country, instead of associating it with Genocide. “Now there is hope, this country has faced the most difficult things that you can image. It has faced the fall of humanity, but we see a peace process, which is bringing all people together,’’ Sergio Belfor said. The group, received by the president of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Bishop John Rucyahana, also visited Iwawa Rehabilitation Vocational and Development Centre, situated in Lake Kivu, Rubavu district. “I’m inspired and happy because I have seen men smiling. Having the face of hope, for a great future, for their own, their children and for this country,’’ Sergio Belfor said. The Foundation awarded Rwanda with the International ‘Unity is Strength Award’ (Diversity Award) for her leading role in promoting unity among the people last year. The centre, which came under criticism from some sections of international media and other organisations when it was established, last year, is set to hold its first graduation later this month. So far, students at the vocational school, located on Iwawa Island in Lake Kivu, are all former street children. At Mutobo Demobilisation Centre, Rucyahana, urged ex-combatants not to be held back by their guilt but to participate in development activities in their respective communities. Ends