{Residents of Kayonza District have been called upon to stand together to fight against any negative propaganda and all forms of action aimed at negating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. }
The call was made during a meeting held on January 8, in Rwinkwavu Sector and brought together about 1000 residents, Police officers and local leaders.
The Mayor of Kayonza John Mugabo, while speaking to the residents, said that there is a lot to lose in spreading harmful propaganda and genocide ideology adding that “you can never benefited from spreading hatred.”
“Considering how far we came and the state of unity and reconciliation in our country, we cannot afford to tolerate those that still have intentions of dragging us to the dark days…Community Policing has been key in overcoming several crimes; we should therefore continue to be proactive in overcoming all negative tendencies aimed at dragging us back by strengthening partnership with security organs,” he said.
This followed a case in which three men were arrested separately in connection with spreading genocide ideology.
They are currently detained at Kabarondo police station and investigations continue.
The District Police Commander, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Regis Ruzindana told residents that negating, denying or minimizing the genocide is a criminal offence that is punishable by law.
He pointed out that it should be a responsibility for all to fight genocide ideology.
“Although cases of genocide ideology are rare, we should all cooperate in fighting any sort of genocide denial and revision by reporting suspects and providing timely information on anyone that may be spreading malicious utterances,” CIP Ruzindana said.
“Rwandans have chosen to say Never Again to these acts and we should endeavor to stop those who still harbor ill intentions,” he added.
He noted that crimes such as threats, violence, negative utterances and attacks against genocide survivors, however few they are, can’t be tolerated and will be overcome if residents in general condemn these acts and reach out to their local leaders and Police with information about those negating the genocide.
Under the law No 84/2013 of 11/09/2013 on the crime of genocide ideology and other related offences, in its article 5, negation of genocide is any deliberate act, committed in public aiming at; stating or explaining that genocide is not genocide; deliberately misconstruing the facts about genocide for the purpose of misleading the public; supporting a double genocide theory for Rwanda; stating or explaining that genocide committed against the Tutsi was not planned.
It explains in its article 4, that incitement to commit genocide is any I act committed in public with the intent to encourage, influence, induce or coerce another person to commit genocide.
Under article 135 of the penal code, “any person who commits the crime of genocide ideology and other related offences shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of more than five to nine years and a fine of Rwf100, 000 to Rwf1 million.
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