Kwibuka event
On June 17th, 2024, the Certa Foundation and the Rwanda Bar Association hosted the Kwibuka Conference to honor the lives lost in the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. The conference opened with a minute of silence before Adv. Moise Nkundabarashi, Board Chair of the Certa Foundation and President of the Rwanda Bar Association, officially commenced the event. He emphasized Rwanda's ongoing commitment to delivering justice and confronting genocide denial. Following his remarks, he welcomed Chief Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo, the guest of honor, to share his insights.
Chief Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo provided insights into the efforts at both domestic and international levels to hold perpetrators accountable. He also highlighted the role of traditional justice systems in fostering unity and reconciliation. After his address, Florida Kabasinga, Founder and Executive Director of the Certa Foundation, took the stage to announce the forthcoming release of the Certa Foundation’s Kwibuka Journal Special Issue and expressed her gratitude to all contributors. She then welcomed Hassan Boubacar Jallow, Chief Justice of the Republic of The Gambia, to deliver the keynote address virtually, as he was unable to attend in person.
The conference featured several panel discussions:
1. "A Reflection on the Domestic Status of Criminal Justice: Impunity and Denial 30 Years After the Genocide Against the Tutsi":
Moderated by Maggie Baingana, this panel included Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Adv. Moise Nkundabarashi, and Ntete Jules Marius. They discussed the current state of criminal justice in Rwanda, the fight against impunity and denial, and the lessons learned from the pursuit of justice post-genocide.
2. "International Criminal Justice: Investigating, Tracking, Arresting, and Prosecuting International Genocide Fugitives":
Dr. Charity Wibabara moderated this panel with Florida Kabasinga, Dr. Charles Adeogun-Phillips, and Thembile Segoete as panelists. They explored the impact of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on national courts, the challenges in prosecuting genocide denial, and the ongoing role of residual mechanisms in continuing the ICTR's work.
3. "Justice and Reconciliation 30 Years After the Genocide Against the Tutsi: The Role of Religion During and Post-Genocide":
Moderated by Lydia Taima, Director of the Center for Justice and Advocacy at the Certa Foundation, this panel featured Bishop Rucyahana and Moses Ndahiro. They discussed the transformation of religious leadership and the crucial role of churches in promoting healing and reconciliation.
4. Closing Plenary: "Roadmap for Combating Impunity and Ensuring Justice for Genocide Survivors":
Moderated by Michael Butera Mgasa, Chief Technical Advisor at the Rwanda Ministry of Justice, the panelists included Dr. Charity Wibabara, Dr. Jean Bosco Siboyintore, and Me. Janvier. They stressed the importance of global collaboration in pursuing perpetrators, the ongoing challenges of addressing the deep scars left by the genocide, and the need for continuous efforts against impunity.
A significant highlight of the conference was the premiere of the Certa Foundation's Kwibuka documentary. Following the screening, there was a reflective session with the team behind the documentary. Nyiramihigo Philippe, co-founder of Illume and the documentary's Director, emphasized the importance of visual storytelling in depicting Rwanda's history to reach a wider and younger audience. Chris Kayiteshonga, CEO of CK Art Productions, discussed the artistic challenges and the vital role of film in combating genocide ideology.
Florida Kabasinga concluded the Kwibuka 30 Conference by acknowledging that while complete justice for victims may never be achieved, it is crucial to continue the fight against genocide denial and impunity. She thanked all participants for their insightful contributions.