Kwibuka 21: 25 held over genocide ideology

Police have reminded the public to fight against actions that negate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as provide information to Police about any individual or group of people suspected of committing crimes Genocide survivors. The call comes in the wake of arrest of 25 people since the beginning of the weeklong commemmoration over allegations of conducting violent acts and threats against Genocide survivors. The arrests were made in various parts of the country. Some cases involved two separate incidents in Bugarama Sector, Rusizi District, where a group of 10 residents connived to destroy a house belonging to a survivor, while another group of seven burnt a kraal, also belonging to a survivor. Other cases involved Genocide denial and, in some of the cases, suspects are said to have physically confronted survivors. “These acts that negate the Genocide against the Tutsi are disrespectful to Rwanda and its people. They are punishable by law and must not be tolerated in our community,” Police spokesperson Celestin Twahirwa said. “As a community, we all have the obligation to care for Genocide survivors and protect them against anyone who has ill intentions against them. We call upon Rwandans to provide timely information to Police on anyone or group of people with intentions to perform such acts that undermine the Rwandan values, open the wounds of the survivors and threaten their lives,” Twahirwa added. Cases of harassing Genocide survivors during the commemoration period had been rampant in the previous years, but have of late been on the decline. Last year, according to Police statistics, 138 cases of genocide ideology were recorded in the country and 36 per cent of these were committed during the commemoration period. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Kwibuka 21: 25 held over genocide ideology