05.12.07 - RWANDA/GACACA - GACACA JUDGEMENTS SERVE AS PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION FOR THE RWANDAN

  GACACA JUDGEMENTS SERVE AS PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION FOR THE RWANDAN COMMUNITY Kigali, 5 December 2007 (FH) - The gacaca judgments are a kind of psychological rehabilitation for the post-genocide Rwandan society and are used as communal hearing, explained to the Hirondelle agency the Executive Secretary of the National Service of the Gacaca Courts (SNJG), Domitille Mukantaganzwa.

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Fathers killed their wives before their own children, many people assisted or took part in the death of their neighbours, there are widows, orphans, victims, killers or parents of killers... many people remain troubled!, she explained. According to her, the "gacaca brings people in the same space of dialogue, of revelation of the truth which helps to reduce suspicions. People express themselves, exchange, debate, confess and ask for forgiveness. Finally, it is everyone that has a share of the cure ".

  

According to Mrs. Mukantaganzwa, the repeated revision of the organic law on gacacas draws from the complexity of the dispute of the genocide and falls under the logic to search for a therapy suitable to the Rwandan ill. If the cohabitation is now peaceful, the Executive Secretary of the gacacas, nevertheless, deplores cases of insecurity for genocide survivors, persons who pleaded guilty and inyangamugayo (integrety) judges recorded, in particular, in the South Province.

  

In connection with reparations, as one of the pillars of the reconciliation, she does not reject it, but she remains sceptical. "The restitution of goods, by agreement, or to help the victims survive in dignity by ensuring their health care costs, a roof, schooling... but how to repair a raped woman, a widow or an orphan?" she questioned herself.

  

Out of the half a million alleged 2nd category authors of the genocide, 95% have until now been tried by the gacaca courts and 5% are either in revision or cases recently created on the basis of new information, indicates the SNJG official. Officially, gacacas are to end in December 2007, but certain courts will benefit from an extension of a few months in 2008. After, cases that are awaiting trial or not yet created "will be tried by the traditional courts", she specified.

  

SRE/PB/MM

© Hirondelle News Agency