Today, on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I find myself in a contemplative mood, reflecting on the journey of my fellow survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Being a survivor means that our most fundamental right – the right to life – was gravely threatened. We have come a long way since those harrowing days, but the journey to enjoy our full rights remains fraught with challenges.

While the threat of extermination no longer looms over us, new threats to our rights have emerged and evolved. Reports from human rights organizations and watchdogs, such as the US Department of State, consistently point to Rwanda as a repressive regime in terms of human rights. The government’s stringent control extends to all its citizens, and survivors of the genocide are no exception.

The freedom of speech, a right many hold dear, is heavily regulated in Rwanda. The act of writing a blog post like this is an exercise in courage due to the strict control and the prevailing culture of self-censorship. Our voices, so crucial in the narrative of our nation’s history and future, are often stifled.

In terms of freedom of association, genocide survivors seem to have some leeway through organizations such as IBUKA, AERG, and GAERG. However, the true extent of freedom within these associations is questionable. The presence of government monitoring and interference, especially for survivors who dare to affiliate with political parties other than the ruling RPF, can feel like a tightrope walk over perilous waters.

The civil and political rights of those who speak out, criticize through various mediums such as poetry, music, or social media, or associate with dissidents are severely restricted. High-profile cases, like the murder of Kizito Mihigo in police detention in 2020 and the long imprisonment of Deo Mushayidi, a genocide survivor and political prisoner, are stark reminders of the risks involved. Others, such as Aimable Karasira and Idamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne, face imprisonment on charges as absurd as denying the genocide they survived.

The repression extends beyond Rwanda’s borders, as highlighted in recent reports by Human Rights Watch. The message seems to be clear: join the prevailing narrative or face dire consequences.

One of the most pressing issues for survivors is the right to timely and adequate justice, particularly reparative justice. Many Gacaca verdicts for material compensation remain unenforced due to the inability of some perpetrators to compensate and the lack of a governmental framework to address this gap. The long-standing campaign for reparations, including calls for the establishment of a reparation fund by the Rwandan government and international actors, has been largely ignored.

The closure of Rwanda’s survivor assistance fund, FARG, in 2021, without a replacement comprehensive reparations program, is a significant setback. FARG, established in 1998, provided essential support in healthcare, education, housing, and income generation but was framed more as charity than an owned obligation of reparative justice.

When I began blogging in 2013, momentum was building in the survivors’ justice movement. But seeing many reparations demands go unfulfilled these last ten years has been sobering. Still, we have come a long way since the genocide, overcoming immense challenges.

I remain hopeful that in time, all Rwandans, including us survivors, will enjoy the full human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration. The journey continues.

By Albert Gasake, December 10, 2023.