Fresh call against genocide ideology

{ Rwanda National Police (RNP) reminds 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 against genocide survivors.}

The call comes in the wake of about 25 people arrested so far since April 7, believed to have conducted violent acts and threats against genocide survivors.

The arrests were made in various parts of the country.

Some particular cases involved two separate incidents in Bugarama Sector of Rusizi District; where one 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 threats of revisionist and genocide denial that were being promoted by the suspects directed to 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, Chief Superintendent 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. 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,” he added.

Under 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.

Under article 4, Incitement to commit genocide is any act committed in public with the intent to encourage, influence, induce or coerce another person to commit genocide.

Article 6 defines Minimization of genocide any deliberate act, committed in public, aiming at downplaying the gravity or consequences of genocide; downplaying the methods through which genocide was committed.

In its article 7Article 7, Justifying genocide is any deliberate act, committed in public, aiming at glorifying genocide, supporting genocide and legitimizing genocide.