The convicts are eleven men and three women. On Sunday, they all gathered at Simbi Catholic Parish and apologized for the role in killing over 40,000 victims who had sought refuge at the parish and nearby places.
At the event, former convicts gave testimonies of how they perpetrated the genocide, served their terms in jail and then released. They used the opportunity to apologize to survivor families and repented to God.
The reconciliation event was conducted under Father Ubald Rugirangoga’s programme of Unity and reconciliation. Under the programme, Rugirangoga brings together convicts and survivors and preaches forgiveness to them.
One of the convicts, Antoine Sezibera admitted that he killed three children of his relative Liberathe Nikuze.
“After my release, I was ashamed to the extent that I didn’t wish to meet my relative, Nikuze. I attended Father Rugirangoga’s programmes and realized that it was necessary to ask for forgiveness. Today, I live peacefully with Nikuze, she is my relative indeed,” he explained.
Also, Nikuze emphasized that she forgave Sezibera and became a real friend.
“At first, it was difficult to understand that he (Sezibera) is the one who killed my children, today he is my friend, we live peacefully,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), Fidèle Ndayisaba hailed both parties for the activity.
He urged convicts not to fall back, but continue walking the reconciliation path.
“We urge you to continue walking the reconciliation path. The country gave you justice and the church gave you the opportunity to repent, you should not throw such opportunity to waste,” Ndayisaba urged.
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