According to recent data from the Rwandan Prosecutor General's Office, over 1,100 people are still wanted for their roles in the Genocide against the Tutsi. Many of them have found refuge in different countries in the region and Europe.
Among them are former businessmen, leaders, and individuals who studied in these countries. Many of them continue to instill hatred and genocide ideology in their children, even in the countries they sought refuge in.
Denial and trivialization of the Genocide against the Tutsi is predominantly led by the children of those directly or indirectly involved in the Genocide, such as members of Jambo ASL, and individuals who support their ideology, including Filip Reyntjens, Pierre Pean, Robin Philpot, Bernard Lugan, Serge Desouter, Madeleine Raffin, Luc De Temmermann, Peter Erlinder, Peter Verlinden, Judi Rever, Charles Onana, and others.
The IBUKA-Europe meeting held on November 1-2, 2025, discussed topics such as combating the increasing genocide ideology, ways to fight it, justice, educating young people about history, and more.
Currently, IBUKA has branches in Belgium, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
In an interview with IGIHE, the President of IBUKA in Italy, who also leads IBUKA-Europe, Honorine Mujyambere, explained that they have plans to fight genocide ideology, including delivering talks and testimonies that clearly explain Rwanda's history, focusing on the youth to prevent any misleading narratives.
'We continue to strengthen our efforts in combating genocide denial, we collaborate more, and we also expand our activities. Being able to reach many people and present the truth about the Genocide against the Tutsi, especially using technology, is another tool in fighting those who deny or distort the Genocide.'
Mujyambere emphasized that all of their activities are closely tied to the youth, as they are the strength of the future and make extensive use of social media. They educate them about history to ensure they play a part in confronting genocide deniers hiding behind social media platforms.
She stated that the only effective tool to eliminate genocide ideology among the youth, especially those from genocidaires' families, is to educate them and show them the crimes committed by their parents and the severity of those crimes.
She continued, 'We show them the crimes their parents committed in Rwanda. Many of them have been convicted by the Gacaca courts or other international criminal courts.'
She added, 'In all the countries where IBUKA operates, we have long taken measures to encourage the youth to participate in activities to remember the Genocide, and this is part of what we have discussed, and it is already being done and yielding results.'
Mujyambere explained that their efforts go beyond just awareness campaigns; they also go into schools to teach the history of the Genocide, with some schools beginning to implement these lessons.
She said, 'Through delivering talks at universities and higher learning institutions, we now have students writing their final theses about the Genocide. They come to us looking for information. All of this is the result of IBUKA's discussions in schools.'
Europe's weak commitment to fighting genocide denial
In 2015, a British court ruled that five Rwandans charged with involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi would not be sent back to Rwanda for trial.
The court argued that these individuals could not receive fair justice in Rwanda. The individuals involved were Vincent Bajinya, Celestin Ugirashebuja, Charles Munyaneza, Emmanuel Nteziryayo, and Celestin Mutabaruka.
Mujyambere highlighted that the lack of political will is one of the challenges they face in combating genocide denial.
She continued, 'These European countries mistakenly believe that Rwanda does not offer human rights protections, which is why they are hesitant to send genocide suspects to Rwanda. In some instances, they even apply minimal effort in following up on these cases, but we will not give up; we will continue to fight.'
However, she noted that some countries, like France, have started to make significant strides in tackling genocide crimes. Recently, France confirmed the involvement of Munyemana Sosthène in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced him to 24 years in prison.
IBUKA President in Rwanda Dr. Philbert Gakwenzire also highlighted that genocide ideology remains a serious issue in Europe. They work together with IBUKA branches globally to share information, especially since much of the evidence is stored in Rwanda.
He said, 'When it comes to fighting genocide ideology, we collaborate with IBUKA branches in various countries. Witnesses, memorial sites, and physical evidence of the Genocide are based in Rwanda. What we do is work with our colleagues representing IBUKA in the diaspora to send them the necessary information.'
He further stated that all countries still harboring genocide suspects should strengthen their efforts to prosecute them so that justice can be served to the victims.
He added, 'Although genocide crimes do not expire, the perpetrators age, and the victims also grow older. It is truly tragic that victims of the Genocide may pass away without ever seeing justice done.'
IGIHE
