The Umbrella Organisation of Genocide survivors’ associations- IBUKA has condemned activities of the newly formed and Diaspora-based Genocide Survivors Association called “Igicumbi -voix des recapés du Génocide contre les Tutsi” that is distorting truth about 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
IBUKA monitors individuals, institutions and organizations that fight against the genocide while also healing genocide survivors and Rwandan society in general.
Therefore, the umbrella said in a statement issued on August 4, 2021, that it is worried over the so-called association that is demeaning 1994 genocide against the Tutsi by advancing double genocide ideology.
The statement was signed by the leaders of IBUKA Rwanda, AVEGA Agahozo, GAERG, AERG, IBUKA Belgium, IBUKA Switzerland, IBUKA France, IBUKA Italy, IBUKA Hollande, IBUKA Germany, IBUKA USA, ISHAMI Foundation UK, URUKUNDO Rwandan Organization Norway.
IBUKA says the group’s activities are aimed at misleading genocide survivors, Rwandans in general as well as the world because their activities are for the benefits of the political elite.
According to the statement, IBUKA said that the documents and statements of the members from the “Igicumbi -voix des recapés du Génocide contre les Tutsi” association is using social media platforms to violate and demean the memory of those who were killed during genocide.
It says that Phillipe Basabose who leads this association together with his associates have since May 2019 used social media platforms like YouTube to advance their own political agenda at the expense of survivors.
“The group has consistently said that there was a double genocide,” which Ibuka says is a direct attack to the legacy of the over a million people killed in the Genocide.
Those distorting truth about genocide against the Tutsi do so fully knowing the truth that the survivors were able to make it due to the sacrifice made by the RPA soldiers, some even lost their lives in the process, the statement adds.
According to the communique, the group uses language that demean the victims of genocide against the Tutsi, where they say “bones remain are sold in glass jars”.
This, IBUKA reiterates, is hurting genocide survivors considering that the words they use are used by genocide deniers.
IBUKA goes on saying that those whom the group treats as genocide survivors are those whose ideology says that there was double genocide in Rwanda.
In addition, the condemned group works with other organizations that spread the denial of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that insists existence of double genocide in Rwanda.
IBUKA argues that the purpose of the diaspora-based group is not for their own political interests not for the benefits of genocide survivors.
“The so-called organization does not even believe in Unity and Reconciliation, does not allow people to be equal before the law, and it promotes divisionism. The organization refuses to cooperate with others in dealing with the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi except seeking their own political interest and they do not really advocate for genocide survivors,” IBUKA warned.
Ibuka calls on all Rwandan genocide survivors, both at home and abroad, to fight against anyone seeking to mislead them while masquerading to be a spokesperson for them.
It enlightens that the leaders of the organization distorting the truth about genocide against the Tutsi include Basabose Philippe, Bayingana Jovin, Niyibizi Hosea, Rugambage Louis, Muhayimana Jason and Gasirabo Dada.
By Rene Anthere
