Delegates during the 12th National Dialogue, ‘Umushikirano’ at the parliamentary building in Kigali
In a bid to fight and prevent genocide and its ideology, Rwandans have taken a stand to take action on genocide deniers in the country and abroad.
This is one of the key discussions that prevailed during the second day of the 12th National Dialogue, ‘Umushikirano’, which was held at the parliamentary building this December 19, 2014.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said that it is time from Rwanda to move from just complaining to taking action.
She said that there is need to move faster and forward on the next gear of fight genocide deniers.
“More efforts now needed in rebuking and fighting them. We should expect that they have not gone anywhere. It is our responsibility, not to just complain but fight them now”
Mushikiwabo said that the field of Politics should not be mixed with genocide and that is why Rwanda should fight on.
“This is not something we should accept. That is why FDLR still exists because of lip services that we have been given.” She said.
Mushikiwabo also said that there is need to thanks other countries that have supported us in the 20 years of commemoration and those leaders who have enacted and seen the need to try the genocide suspects using the international law on genocide.
The executive secretary of the National Commission against Genocide (CNLG), Jean d’ Dieu Mucyo said that progress has been seen in education, handouts, health and accommodation for genocide survivors; however there are problems in repaying the property of genocide survivors fight genocide deniers, ending gacaca cases, and trauma which is evident in family and workplaces .
He said that issues still remain in ideology which is now even among foreigners apart from Rwandans. “There are those who continue to deny genocide as seen in recent days, but we shall continue fighting and following those who deny genocide, in line with the law on genocide.
But we want the law on genocide to be applicable to even the foreigners who have continued denying genocide, and I am hopeful that we shall be able to get there” Mucyo said.
Responding to these issues Justice Minister and State attorney, Johnson Busingye said that on repayment of property- over 80 percent cases have been resolved but there is still a problem to repay the property, because of those who don’t have means, but others have tried to make it hard to the process and hide information which is necessary in.
Genocide and its ideology doesn’t end one day but those who still hold on to these ideology are very few now and reducing.
We are winning their cause through the unity of Rwandans. The genocide ideology may be there but these are kicks of a dying horse, because they don’t have the arena to expose it” we should fight them until they are weakened in their efforts.
On repeat of cases of Gacaca Busingye said that the justice sector is firm and there are not more than 20 cases repeated out of the 2 million cases.
“The process is very clear and there is no worry it should cause because requesting to have the cases repeated is a right, but the procedure is another case all together, of which some requirements must be fulfilled.” He said.
On the delays in repaying the property of survivors, President Paul Kagame stated those who are supposed to pay should pay.
“I don’t understand why you say that this has failed and the timeline for repaying the property must be stated or given by those responsible. This should not be a problem and issue of discussion here. They should pay and those who have means should pay as soon as possible.” Kagame said.
Kagame also tasked the foreign ministry to give an update on BBC documentary on Rwanda-“Rwanda’s untold story” which has irked for many Rwandans in its content.
“BBC film is not so much on genocide denial but a serious attack on the nation and has intensions to promote the interest of those who have fought Rwanda since then. This film gives us a wakeup call to stand up at once to fight such people who think they have a right over us. Therefore, We denounce, we complain but we fight” said Mushikiwabo.
Diaspora representatives said that they should form a forum of Rwandans that will have to attack the deniers of genocide but also create a coalition with some of the influential people who are willing to support Rwanda in this cause.
Youth made a commitment to fight a battle of speaking and disseminating the truth of what happened in genocide.