Writing books on genocide history is a great weapon to fighting deniers-Dr Bizimana

By Elias Hakizimanar

Writing books telling stories of how genocide against the Tutsi was planned and executed as well as testimonies of the genocide survivors is a great weapon to fighting against genocide deniers, Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission against the Genocide has reiterated.

He was speaking during the launch of the book of one of genocide survivors that was titled “ Pour que Tu Saches” in French loosely translated into “so that you know.”  The book’s aim is to educate Rwandans on how genocide was masterminded and executed even before 1994.

“Writing books on genocide is an essential tool in preserving genocide history, and an approach to fight genocide ideology spread by deniers,” he said.

He urged people to write more books on genocide and use social media to disseminate testimonies on how they experienced the tragic past, adding that the history should be taught in schools so that children grow with unity spirit.

Speciose Niwemugore, the current 61-year old mother of four  who wrote the book “ Pour que Tu Saches”said that being the genocide survivor inspired her to write the book so as to let future generation know the atrocities that were committed in Rwanda so as they play role in ensuring it never happens again.

Niwemugore,who currently lives in Belgium, said she was tortured in school since 1973 until she was expelled feom it, and resumed schooling later [after the genocide].

“I started to gather my testimonies by handwriting soon after surviving. In my book I narrate the discrimination that has always reigned against the Tutsi such as in schools which I faced for long time, and the genocide against the Tutsi was executed and I mention the names of the people who were targeted and how I witnessed their being killed,” she said.

The book with over 200 pages also shows how injustice was always committed against Tutsi yet they were always silenced so that they could not reveal it, exposing the fact that Tutsi were not only killed in 1994 but also in the previous years such as 1961, 1962 among others.

“These killings could happen but the then regime never delivered justice to the victims instead those who committed killings would be promoted in jobs,” she said.

She advises Rwandans not sow genocide ideology among children and youth, recommending that unity and reconciliation initiatives should be maintained.