The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr. Jean Damascène Bizimana shared this update during a press conference ahead of the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
While he acknowledged that some individuals exploit hate speech and genocide denial for personal gain, Dr. Bizimana emphasized the challenge of monitoring such content, as many platforms cite difficulties in interpreting messages written in Kinyarwanda.
To counter this, Minister Bizimana said, requires translating and reporting such content, despite the complexity of the task.
"We will continue working with the owners of these platforms to ensure that those individuals are held accountable, without restricting people's right to express their opinions," he noted.
The minister reaffirmed Rwanda's commitment to freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Constitution, but emphasized that hate speech and genocide denial constitute crimes that will not be tolerated.
Dr. Bizimana urged social media users to engage in respectful discussions and refrain from insults or misinformation. He also stressed the importance of educating younger generations to resist genocide ideology, noting that many young people are misled by distorted historical narratives.
The minister linked genocide ideology to Rwanda's colonial past, where divisive teachings fueled ethnic tensions.
He also pointed out that over 60,000 genocide perpetrators have been reintegrated into society, contributing to national development, and warned against repeat offenses, which would be met with severe consequences.
As Rwanda continues to promote unity, social media accountability remains a crucial tool in preventing the spread of harmful rhetoric.
IGIHE
