Menu
Restorative Justice International

Blog. Take a look around and join the conversation.

in Victims-Driven Restorative Justice on

June 18, 2012

Rwanda: is justice complete?

Rwanda “gacaca” genocide courts finish their work according to this news report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18490348

But is their work finished? If victims, and the victims families, have not told their stories then more justice and healing is possible. Have all offenders been held accountable?  Have offenders and victims/victims families been able to meet in some way? Gacaca justice is very much similar to restorative justice and its indigeous roots. What do some say who are  Rwandans and others who have done restorative justice work there? We’ll seek their input. But the work is not complete–not by a long shot. The following is an interview I conducted with PFI’s Dan Van Ness about their work in Rwanda. It was first published by the UN publication “Freedom from Fear” through UNICRI.

http://www.freedomfromfearmagazine.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=235:applying-restorative-justice-to-the-genocide-in-rwanda&catid=49:issue-6&Itemid=186

RJI is working with one Rwandan who is seeking to do more to bring restorative justice to bear on Rwanda’s justice system, particularly its prison system. We welcome this request and are exploring ways to assist in whatever way we can. Support our work and let us know you are interested in helping. Healing and restoration of all injured is possible.

 

 

 

 

 

There are 2 comments. Add Yours.

john ngabo —

Gacaca in its tradional concept is a permenent,regular way to solve issues and conflicts within a community in order to maintain her social harmony,security,peace .social and economical ties for a better ,safe,envirronmement and economical growth.
victims stories still need to told and heard.
genocide perpetrators still yet to be known and heard.
.those who confessed genocide still yet to meet the victims on truth healing for heling process even though some have been meeting as your will see it on the D.V.D. I WILL SOON SEND TO YOU
.

    lisarea —

    Thank you, John. It is great to hear from you given you are a Rwandan. There is so much left to do, as you say, given we are attempting to find justice in the face of genocide. It has been very encouraging to watch the various efforts using gacaca justice. But I agree that one-on-one victim offender dialogue (i.e. restorative justice meetings) must continue. It would be extremely premature to shut the door on justice. Victims or their families must hear offenders express remorse for their terrible deeds while giving victims a chance to tell their stories and ask questions. Tell us more from your perspective.