The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Primary 6 · Social and Religious Studies
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Lesson 5 of 5
25 min
Let's begin
Byiringiro's class begins the day with a song about being Rwandan.
Their teacher says: "In 1994, people were told that their neighbours were their enemies. Today we choose to be one people. That choice is made again every day, by every one of us."
Today you will learn how Rwanda rebuilt unity, and what you can do so that genocide never happens again.
After 1994, very many people were accused of taking part in the Genocide against the Tutsi. Ordinary courts could not try so many cases in a reasonable time.
So Rwanda brought back Gacaca, a traditional way of settling disputes, in which the community met together, often seated on the grass. From 2002 to 2012, Gacaca community courts heard almost two million cases. The judges were respected community members elected by their neighbours, called Inyangamugayo, "people of integrity".
Gacaca helped in three ways: survivors learned the truth about what happened to their loved ones, many offenders confessed and asked for forgiveness, and communities began to live together again.
Reconciliation means rebuilding trust and peaceful relationships after a great wrong. Rwanda set up a national commission to lead this work. Today the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement leads it.
Ndi Umunyarwanda means "I am Rwandan". Launched in 2013, it invites every Rwandan to put their shared Rwandan identity first, to speak honestly about history and to build trust. Identity cards no longer carry ethnic labels.
Genocide ideology is ideas, words or actions that spread hatred of a group and encourage harming it.
Genocide denial is trying to hide the truth. It includes:
Both are crimes in Rwanda. Denial hurts survivors again, and it can prepare the way for new violence.
"Never Again" is a promise that genocide must never happen again, in Rwanda or anywhere in the world. You can keep it by:
Worked example
A classmate says something mean about a group of people.
Step 1 Do not laugh or repeat it.
Step 2 Calmly say that words like that hurt people and divide us.
Step 3 If it continues, tell a teacher.
That is "Never Again" in action, one small choice at a time.
Tip
Stop hate at the words
If you hear words that divide, do not repeat them: report them. Remember: Ndi Umunyarwanda, I am Rwandan, and so are you.
Answer each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What were Gacaca courts?
Answer: community courts, led by elected judges called Inyangamugayo, that tried genocide cases from 2002 to 2012.
What does Ndi Umunyarwanda mean?
Answer: I am Rwandan.
Give one example of genocide denial.
Answer: any one of: saying it did not happen or was not planned, making the number of victims smaller, blaming the victims, pretending the victims and killers did the same thing.
Name two things you can do to keep the promise "Never Again".
Answer: any two of: refuse divisive jokes, report hate speech, never share hate online, learn true history, treat everyone equally, support survivors.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Match each word to its meaning.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
