The National Human Rights Commission, this weekend, joined Rwandans in honouring the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.The chairperson of the commission, Madeleine Nirere, said that 19 years after the Genocide, most Rwandans are aware of their rights, adding that it is the commission’s mandate to ensure that all are acquainted. “We are working with other stakeholders, like civil society and other organisations, to advance the rights of Rwandans so that genocide never occurs again in this country,” Nirere (pictured) said.Several speakers talked about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Antoine Mugesera, a historian and former Senator, gave a detailed presentation on discrimination cases in Rwanda from the early 1950s through the Genocide in 1994. “I advise survivors to try and live with some of the perpetrators in our communities; be ready that some will come with a negative attitude. Be accommodative but also vigilant,” said Mugesera. According to one of the genocide survivors, Dative Nzamugulisuka, the Genocide was no doubt organised by people in the highest offices in the country.“It is my belief that the Genocide would never have been possible without a vigorous campaign by the leadership. Citizens would never have woken up one morning and started hacking their neighbours like they did,” said the survivor.
