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Can former perpetrators of genocide truly be re-educated and taught to reject the racist, dehumanizing beliefs that lead them to violence? What are the obstacles and benefits of trying to rehabilitate former perpetrators?
Following genocide or mass violence, the question of how to reintegrate former perpetrators into society in a way that will be most beneficial to all citizens is a huge challenge, as well as an enormous opportunity. The emotional, spiritual and physical costs of keeping so many young people in prison must be weighed against the instability their release may cause, as well as the personal safety of all citizens. With such high stakes, the success of re-education is critical. |
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While many people, including human rights groups, have been critical of the mass releases of prisoners from jails, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has urged them—and Rwandans—to see the releases as a means for promoting reconciliation. The prisons are overcrowded and prisoners have the potential to offer crucial evidence about the crimes of the genocide. In order to be released, prisoners are required to offer confessions and to attend re-education camps. The camps are called “ingandos.” They teach Rwandan history and life skills. In these camps, a premium is placed on the development of solidarity—that people will begin to see themselves as “Rwandan” rather than as “Hutu,” “Tutsi,” “victim,” or “perpetrator.”
Critics of the camps view them as places for government indoctrination rather than as places where democratic values are modeled and taught. Still others argue that they are another force helping to maintain Rwanda’s fragile peace—and a home-grown way of dealing with the genocide and the daily realities of its legacies.
Connections for the Classroom...
- The concept of “Ingandos”—of re-education camps where you could “un-learn” dangerous thoughts and ideologies—brings up some basic questions about human behavior. Do you think people who have done hateful acts of violence to other human beings can be taught to not hate; to be tolerant of others; to accept differences? Using the Internet, your library, and other sources, learn about Rwandan re-education camps. After you have learned about the camps, in small group discussion, share your opinion on whether you think the camps are effective tools in helping to reconcile a wounded society, and whether you think they might play a role in preventing future atrocities. Based on your research, what would you change about the camps? What about the camps do you think works well?
- Look at other examples of genocides or mass violence, either historically or present-day. Were similar “re-education” initiatives used in those cases? If so, were they effective? If they were not used, do you think they would have helped heal and reconcile the society in which the violence took place? What characteristics of the society lend themselves to this idea of “re-education?” What characteristics might be obstacles?
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