Today, on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I find myself thinking about 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 then, but we are still far from enjoying our full rights.
The threat of extermination is gone, but new threats to our rights have taken its place. 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.
Freedom of speech, a right many hold dear, is heavily regulated in Rwanda. Writing a blog post like this takes courage because of the strict control and the prevailing culture of self-censorship. Our voices, which matter so much to our country’s history and future, are often silenced.
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. Government monitoring and interference, especially for survivors who dare to join political parties other than the ruling RPF, can make membership feel like walking a tightrope.
Those who speak out, criticize through poetry, music or social media, or associate with dissidents see their civil and political rights 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 is 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 because some perpetrators cannot pay 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.
Closing FARG, the survivor assistance fund, in 2021 without a real reparations program to replace it was a big setback. FARG, established in 1998, provided essential support in healthcare, education, housing, and income generation but was framed more as charity than as an obligation of reparative justice.
When I started this blog in 2013, the survivors’ justice movement was gaining momentum. Watching so many reparation demands go unanswered over the last ten years has been hard. Still, we have come a long way since the genocide.
I still hope that one day all Rwandans, survivors included, will enjoy the rights promised in the Universal Declaration.
By Albert Gasake, December 10, 2023.
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