Survivre au génocide des Tutsi au Rwanda

Abstract

“IBUKA, Remember” is an organization that was founded by survivors of the Tutsi genocide immediately after it halted in order to give support, solace and help to those trying to cope with the unthinkable catastrophe they had endured. Step by step, victims became aware of the enormity of the problems they had to deal with. In addition to issues concerning memory and justice, the survivors had to face social-economic problems, such as the struggle of daily survival, since many survivors had lost everything they possessed. Other problems within the social order included educating numerous orphans, supporting the widows, caring for persons infected with HIV/AIDS —many women had been raped as part of the mass genocide program— and finally, the trauma of daily cohabitation with the perpetrators of the genocide.Among the major challenges which “IBUKA, Remember” encountered after the 4th of July 1994 —the date on which the genocide was stopped— were the threats of extermination against the remaining few which have always hovered over the Tutsi survivors. This issue was present in many discourses, both in Hutu refugee camps and in reports prepared by groups of western “experts” active in the denial of the genocide of the Tutsi.This gradual but systematic elimination of survivors makes one fear the worst.There is also the act of survival which is nearly impossible when one has lost everything —family, home, belongings. Only trauma remains which becomes increasingly heavy to bear, when one realizes the total lack or denial of justice in national courts, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and in foreign courts as well.The risk of extermination of the remaining few cannot, unfortunately, be ruled out in view of inflammatory responses towards the investigation of survivor assassinations.