During an event held this week to mark the 30th Commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Bugesera District, survivors, through their umbrella, made a fresh appeal for those with information regarding the whereabouts of their loved ones who perished in the Genocide so that they can be given a decent burial. While the nation has embarked on a commendable journey towards reconciliation, a cruel absurdity persists. Survivors, already burdened by unimaginable loss, continue their agonizing search for their loved ones – a search for even the most basic solace: a proper burial. ALSO READ Ibuka renews call to reveal whereabouts of Genocide victims Rwanda's path to healing has been remarkable. It stands as a testament to the magnanimity and resilience of its people, most especially survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Yet, a shadow falls upon this progress. The survivors' simple request – the knowledge of where their loved ones lie – remains heartbreakingly unfulfilled. Mass graves are still being unearthed, each discovery a grim echo of the past. A case in point is the discovery of over 2000 bodies in Huye District through an exercise that started back in October last year and ended just a few weeks back. ALSO READ: The ongoing struggle to locate Genocide victims’ bodies For many if not all survivors of the Genocide, these exhumations offer a sliver of hope – the hope of closure, of finally laying their loved ones to rest with dignity. But this hope is consistently dashed by a deafening silence. The knowledge of where remains lie often resides with those who participated in the killings, or their kin and those who were not being hunted during the 100-day mayhem. Fear, or perhaps a chilling indifference, keeps these secrets buried. This is more than just an act of omission; it is a betrayal of the very process of reconciliation. Denying survivors this fundamental right perpetuates the trauma, a constant reminder that the wounds of the genocide remain raw. ALSO READ: Over 2,000 Genocide victims' bodies discovered in Huye to get decent burial We deserve better as a community. Survivors deserve the right to grieve without this additional burden. Those who hold this information must come forward. Acknowledge the pain inflicted, not just through words, but by offering the solace of truth. A decent burial is not merely about closure for survivors; it is about honouring the dead. It allows a community to begin healing collectively, to properly mourn a shared loss. Rwanda's journey of reconciliation deserves to reach its final destination. Let us urge those with the key to unlock this final chapter, to allow survivors to finally grieve with peace, and to truly lay their loved ones to rest. This is the last mile towards national healing.
