President Paul Kagame has directed the minister of justice to ensure that genocide victims be compensated as soon as possible.
Kagame said those with the ability to pay, should not be given the choice to decide compensation period.
“It’s upon the justice system to put a re-payment schedule to ensure compensation of genocide victims comes to an end,” he said adding, “All levels should engage in addressing this issue for once and for all.”
Speaking at the 12th National Dialogue, Kagame was frustrated the issue kept coming back every year.
However, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG), Jean de Dieu Mucyo said 80% of the victims of the 1994 Genocide have been compensated.
“We are honoured for the courage by government and other stakeholders in ensuring that genocide survivors were compensated,” Mucyo said.
Mucyo said perpetrators are reluctant to compensate 100% of victim’s damaged properties.
Some deliberately resisting paying indemnities others hide or sell off properties to claim inability to compensate.
Justice Minister Johnston Busingye said getting 80% compensation was a tough task that resulted from engaging local authorities, including the civil society and religious denominations.
Mucyo ephasised that compensating survivors is a vital tool to ensure societal cohesion.
By: Lilian Gahima
