RECONCILIATION

RWANDA HAS A STORY OF RECONCILIATION TO SHARE

WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD

After the genocide in 1994, two legal commissions were set up to combat genocide ideology and promote reconciliation – The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), created in 1999, and the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), established in 2007.

With a limited capacity of prison infrastructure to handle the huge number of genocide cases and an enormous burden on the judiciary system, Rwanda’s traditional Gacaca community courts system was modified in 2002 to address thousands of genocide crimes. As a grassroots justice and reconciliation system, Gacaca courts uncovered the truth of what happened by allowing survivors and perpetrators to meet together in their own communities and talk about the genocide events. Judges elected by local communities heard the trials of genocide suspects and would deliver lower sentences if perpetrators confessed, pleaded guilty and asked forgiveness for their crimes. Nearly two million cases were tried through Gacaca until its closure in 2012.

Post-genocide recovery is a long-term process that requires concerted efforts of all stakeholders to the goal of social cohesion and authentic reconciliation. Non-profit organizations such as CARSA (Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance) play an important role in this vital work of reconciliation in grassroots communities in Rwanda.

Post-genocide recovery is a long-term process which needs concerted efforts of all stakeholders to the goal of social cohesion and authentic reconciliation. Rwanda has taken a courageous step in rebuilding the nation. We sincerely welcome you to join us in bolstering peace and reconciliation in local communities.

COLLECTING STORIES OF RECONCILIATION

How are forgiveness and reconciliation between victims and perpetrators possible?

These are the questions we ask at UPRC, and we want to provide tools and documentation that help answers to emerge. By collecting positive stories of reconciliation, we give the Rwandan healing journey a voice.

Hereby, partnerships with international organizations, researchers, and artists are key. We want to fusion the Rwandan point of view with various perspectives from open-minded collaborators worldwide.

PORTRAITS OF SURVIVORS AND PERPETRATORS

A photographic series by Professor Joonhee Elliot Park, Wheaton College, IL, USA

UNFORGIVEN

A Film by Lukas Augustin, 2014

Unforgiven Rwanda 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. The film portrays perpetrators and their victims as they struggle to overcome the past, when Hutu militiamen slaughtered over 800,000 people. The scars of that event created a deep rift between the ethnic communities of Rwanda.

PEACE CONFERENCE

A documentary about how CARSA

educates the youth

BLOOD AND MILK

A Film by Yuri Bernales

MOVIES AND DOCUMENTARIES ABOUT RECONCILIATION

AS WE FORGIVE

Student documentary film by Laura Waters Hinson, 2008

The film tells the story of two Rwandan women who come face-to-face with the neighbors who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide, and their personal journeys toward forgiveness. Featuring in-depth interviews with both survivors and murderers, As We Forgiveprovides an intimate, first-hand view of the encounters between genocide perpetrators and their victims’ families.

THE CHOICES WE MADE

Bystanding and Conflict in Northern Ireland

A filmed collection of six true stories about individuals wrestling with how to behave and act when confronted with sectarianism, violence and prejudice.
The stories range over a 30 year period (1972 – 2002) and offer a fresh take on the options available for people during the Northern Ireland Troubles and post–ceasefire period.

A STEP TOO FAR?

A Contemplation On Forgiveness by Paul Moorehead

Most of us at some time in our lives feel that we have been wronged by others in some way. It may be as a result of malicious gossip or maybe a violent act or even worse.

How do we react in such situations? Do we lash out at the offender, are we eaten up with the desire for revenge? “A Step Too Far?” investigates an alternative to revenge – the idea of forgiveness.

READING RECOMMENDATIONS

When Blood and Bones Cry Out: Journeys Through the Soundscape of Healing and Reconciliation, (University of Queensland Press, 2010), by John Paul Lederach