Rwanda is commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, a mass slaughter that claimed over a million lives. During the Genocide, Hutu gangs executed victims in their own homes and villages. When the killings escalated, some sought refuge in churches and school buildings, but even then, killers didn’t hesitate to hunt them down. And without mercy, they murdered every single one of them with machetes and rifles. Films like 100 Days, Shake Hands With The Devil, Sometimes in April try to depict fractions of what happened. But it’s the memorial centres that stand witness to this horror, and survivors’ stories that hold first-hand accounts of what really happened 26 years ago. Every year, Rwandans remember, but as many are removed from this history, how do we keep the memories alive long after those who lived through it are gone? As someone who witnessed the horror of the Genocide, Iréné Mizero, the chairman of Mizero Care Organisation, says taking care of Genocide memorial sites, writing and documenting the visual (videos) of stories related to Genocide and above all, taking care of Genocide survivors is the best way to preserve this history. His organisation aims at helping the youth recover from wounds caused by the Genocide. He does this with a certainty that with help, survivors can be assisted to deal with the trauma. “Preserving memories of the Genocide is very important as it influences the saying “Never again” and learning from our history which instils a zeal in us and the coming generation, to ensure that the dark history does not repeat itself, he says. “Preserving memories is also a way of learning how we can become resilient. We know what caused this history, but let us use the opportunities such as the will, good counsels and humanitarian activities ready for resilience. Let us pull ourselves out of isolation and not allow to be kept behind by this dark history, rather, contribute to the nation rebuilding and self-development.” Upholding what happened 26 years ago should be an ongoing act of sensitising others to fight against Genocide and any form of ideology, adds Mizero, as he explains that it takes effort from all of us to see that such a tragedy never happens again in the country or elsewhere in the world. He quotes Napoleon who once said: “The world suffers a lot. Not because of the violence of bad people but because of the silence of good people.” Author and Genocide survivor Karen Bugingo says there is need to leverage the use of technology in preserving Rwanda’s history. “We can use technology, the good thing with the internet is that whatever you put will stay for a long time. And now that people are not able to meet others, let’s use social media platforms to share our stories, just like it has been done in events,” she says. She emphasises the need for the next generation to know about this history, in order to prevent it from ever happening again — whether in Rwanda or any other part of the world. “Outside countries can learn from our mistakes and, in my opinion, the only way to preserve this is by sharing different stories and different testimonies from all generations.” The case with Genocide denial and ideology The issues of Genocide denial and ideology stand to test the success in the protection of this history, but Mizero points out that people who still deny the Genocide against the Tutsi and its ideology dare to willingly pollute the truth they know, but facts are available. For example, memorial sites and books related to the Genocide, among others. He stresses that such people are destroying the future out of selfish interests. “Genocide denial is a crime against humanity and it is punished by laws on international level, whoever and wherever they are, such people will be found and summoned for their crimes. “The truth will always stand and it prevails. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us be united,” he notes. Mizero explains that the love of country must be based on the good leadership and enhancement of welfare of its citizens, which is also based on unity, reconciliation and prosperity of every Rwandan. “One who perceives it otherwise must know that he/she is in the wrong direction.” Political analyst Lonzen Rugira commends efforts of National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) to collect and preserve the testimonies of survivors. “This is important. Without it someone will come and say there was no Genocide, it was an exaggeration and there will be no way to disprove them. The testimonies and memorials are complimentary in preserving this history and all memorabilia of memory,” he says.
