Memoria [EN] No. 23 (08/2019) | Page 60

Prevention

of Crimes

and Genocides’

Paul Rukesha, Digital Content Development Team Leader, Kigali Genocide Memorial

Małgorzata Wosińska, Representative of the Director, Jewish Historical Institute for International Co-operation

Céline Bardet, International jurist (specialising in war crimes, international crimes, justice and security issues); founder and President, We are NOT Weapons of War

Moderator: Bartosz Bartyzel, Head of Press Office, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum

What is your personal perspective on the matter of prevention?

Ms Wosińska began by commenting on the progress that has taken place, both at the Auschwitz Museum and in Rwanda, over the last decade. She emphasised the fact that genocide is a process, not an event, no matter how many stages may be involved. Wosińska said that prevention can be helped by “listening to the survivors, listening to their language, and being mindful of your own language.”

Ms Bardet admitted to being “sceptical” about the idea of prevention, and totally dismissed the notion of “never again” given the atrocities that have occurred since the Holocaust. She stated, however, that “justice is a tool of prevention,” not just in prosecuting perpetrators but also in archiving and documenting crimes. She also commented on the impact that globalisation and the Internet have had on the world – despite the benefits of worldwide communication, Bardet believes such factors “have made us less aware of reality and social links.” She agreed with Ms Wosińska, saying that it is important to listen to survivors to aid prevention. Ms Bardet works with survivors of sexual violence, who deliver testimonies, but feels migrants and refugees should also be able to speak out.

Mr Rukesha said, “you can’t prevent genocide, because it’s not something like a package that can be thrown at you and hit your head.” He stated, however, that the processes that lead to genocide can be, and acknowledged the importance of identifying elements involved in the process. Rukesha then spoke about the work of the Kigali Memorial, including collecting testimonies from survivors of the genocide in Rwanda, showing students round the Memorial and speaking to policymakers and stakeholders. He added that a digital platform is currently being worked on in Kinyarwanda to reach more Rwandans.