Experts tip Rwandan youth on combatting genocide denial online

Youth are being called upon to take an active role in defending the truth and fighting genocide denial through social media platforms, as Rwanda continues to observe 100 days during which over a million people were massarced from April 7 to July 4, 1994. With the rise of misinformation and revisionist narratives online, officials and experts say the younger generation must step up by learning the country’s history and using creative content to spread factual messages. ALSO READ: Healing across generations: How to share Genocide stories with youth Jean Damascène Bizimana, Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, has called on Rwandan youth to play a central role in combating the denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi by actively using and promoting factual evidence. Bizimana told The New Times that the only effective way to fight genocide denial is through facts particularly those documented and verified by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). The youth can access facts proving that the Genocide against the Tutsi was real. The ICTR confirmed that the killings targeted the Tutsi because of how they were born, and that it was a planned operation by the government at the time,” he said. ALSO READ: Genocide Timeline - April 8: Interim govt incites massacres, presidential guard joins campaign He cited the example of Jean Kambanda, Rwanda’s former Prime Minister, who pleaded guilty before the tribunal and admitted that the genocide was state-organised. Other key cases include that of Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former Bourgmestre of Taba, which is now part of Kamonyi District, as well as court judgments against media leaders who used their platforms to incite violence. Bizimana reminded young people that denying the Genocide against the Tutsi is a criminal offense under international law, as reaffirmed by the ICTR. He also referenced United Nations Security Council Resolution 2150 of 2014, which encourages member states to prosecute those responsible for the genocide and continue efforts to fight groups like the FDLR, which harbor genocide ideology. “What genocide deniers do is twist the facts some claiming that Hutus were also killed. But the youth must respond with evidence, not emotions,” Bizimana urged. The minister also encouraged young people to share Rwanda’s post-genocide achievements as a counter to denial narratives, especially targeting those living abroad who may not be aware of the country’s development. “The youth experience these achievements every day, universal education, school feeding programs, infrastructure development, and many others. These are tangible signs of national progress, unity, and peace. They must be part of the narrative we share to show that today’s governance is fundamentally different from that of the past one that no longer discriminates against anyone.” Yolande Mukagasana, an author and survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, says Rwandan youth to be cautious about who they follow and engage with on social media. “Some platforms are being used to spread false narratives and revisionist history, often targeting young audiences, the Rwandan youth have a critical role to play in countering this by actively promoting facts and truth,” said Mukagasana. ALSO READ: Belgium funds genocide denial organizations, says Minister Bizimana “Some groups, like Jambo ASBL, a Belgium-based organisation led by descendants of genocide perpetrators, are actively feeding the next generation with dangerous lies. The youth must be aware of such groups and counter these narratives with facts.” Mukagasana emphasised the role of survivor organisations, particularly the former Association of Student Survivors of the Genocide (AERG), in raising awareness, by giving testimonies, speaking out, and sharing what their parents and communities endured. That is how truth prevails.” She urged the youth to take ownership of Rwanda’s history by learning from older generations and embracing social media platforms to promote truth, unity, and healing. “All we need to do is engage the youth, tell our stories, and allow them to carry them forward. By spreading love, sharing testimonies, facts, and our history, we can all play a role in fighting genocide denial,” Mukagasana added. Solange Tetero, Director General of Youth Empowerment at the Ministry of Youth and Arts, emphasised that for young people to effectively combat genocide denial on social media, they must first have a deep understanding of Rwanda’s history. “Young people should learn about Rwanda’s history from an early age. How Rwandans were united before colonisation, how colonisation fractured that unity, and how this ultimately led to the Genocide against the Tutsi. They must also understand the nation’s rebuilding, the liberation struggle, and the resilience of the inkotanyi. By gaining this knowledge, they will be equipped to share the truth on social media,” said Tetero. “We want them to be active on social media, sharing our legal history and ensuring that our story is told by young Rwandans, whether in Rwanda or abroad, who truly understand the reality of what happened, not the lies.” Tetero also emphasized that young Rwandans creating content must understand the various ways in which they can do so. She urged authors, actors, artists, and others to produce more content that highlights Rwanda’s history, to make sure that people can get the message through different channels. “We also want young people to confront those who spread lies on social media. Many people deny the Genocide against the Tutsi, and they do so intentionally. This denial is part of the genocide’s preparation and implementation, because after the genocide, denial becomes a tool. We must understand that it is deliberate, not just a result of ignorance,” she said. “Many of those who deny the genocide actually participated in it, and they do so to escape shame and to complete what they started. As young people, they must not accept this. They must say no and respond to these lies with the truth about what happened in Rwanda as they know what really happened.” The youth should also be interested in knowing more information than what they know, from books, visiting the genocide memorials, because there's also a lot of information there that they can learn and use in fighting those who deny what happened in Rwanda, she said. Srael Nuru Mupenzi, the Executive Director of Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP), who has been actively involved in youth leadership and peacebuilding, said that Rwandan youth have both the responsibility and the creative power to tackle genocide denial online in meaningful ways. “The right way is not just about fighting back with facts but also telling the history in ways that connect, inspire, and that last. We need to become what I would call digital guardians of memory, not reacting with anger, but responding with creativity, storytelling, and innovation,” said Mupenzi. “It's not just about correcting lies, but shaping the narrative and owning our history. Imagine a TikTok series where young people break down historical facts in under a minute, Instagram reels with powerful survivor quotes, told through animation or spoken word. Or even virtual reality experiences that walk people through our history with empathy and truth.” Mupenzi also said that it’s time the youth move from just posting to building digital campaigns, intentional, collaborative, and engaging. “Let’s work with artists, creators, and influencers to turn remembrance into something that lives and breathes online. Because here’s the truth, silence on the internet is dangerous. When we don’t speak up, denial fills the gap. So let’s keep the memory alive. Let’s tell our stories. Let’s make the truth go viral.”

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Experts tip Rwandan youth on combatting genocide denial online