Remains of 15 Genocide victims exhumed at Kigali hotel

The umbrella organisation of Genocide survivors, IBUKA, yesterday confirmed that remains of an estimated 15 victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi were exhumed at Remera-based Hotel Tech. The president of the umbrella, Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu confirmed the development, yesterday in an interview with The New Times. “The limbs were in very bad shape and it was hard to determine the actual number of people exhumed. But we estimated them to be 15, but the search continues,” Dusingizemungu said. He explained that the victims were killed using grenades. The victims are said to have been hiding at the nearby catholic centre, Centre Christus where they were drawn from by the owner of the hotel premises, Theodose Barakengera and other Ex-Interahamwe militias, murdered and buried. The search for the remains at the hotel started last week following information provided by survivors in May. The victims had been buried in pits underneath the hotel’s sauna and ladies bathrooms. Dusingizemungu said they are yet to decide whether or not to establish a monument at the hotel where the bodies were recovered. “Other parts of the hotel can continue to operate, but we need this place, like others, to hold a sign of commemoration in memory of those innocent Tutsis who were killed and buried there,” he added. He warned those hiding information on the whereabouts of other Genocide remains of dire consequences. “We have a law against Genocide, and it’s clear. Anyone who will be identified as having the knowledge of the whereabouts of the genocide remains, but refuses to share the information will be penalised according to the law. We know there are people who had information regarding victims buried at the hotel (Hotel Tech) but, deliberately, refused to provide it. It’s a long channel but investigations are ongoing before they are arrested to face justice accordingly,” Dusingizemungu noted. Rose Mukanyangezi, the wife of the landlord attempted to obstruct the exhumation of the victims saying that the structure was new. She had reportedly arrived in Rwanda from the United States to sell the property. Ends

National

Remains of 15 Genocide victims exhumed at Kigali hotel