KIGALI, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Cases of genocide ideology related crimes fell slightly during this year's week of commemoration of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, according to official data.
At least 50 cases of alleged genocide ideology and related crimes were recorded in the 2023 commemoration week, down from 53 cases in 2022, according to figures released Sunday by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
Twenty-seven cases of violence against genocide survivors were reported, while nine cases of genocide ideology and minimization of genocide were registered, the figures showed.
No murder case was recorded of a survivor during the 29th mourning week, which ended on April 13.
"People now understand that verbal discrimination is no longer bearable compared to the previous years, which signals social transformation," RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira told reporters in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.
Under Rwandan law, crimes of genocide ideology, denial of genocide, minimization of genocide, and justification of genocide may result in imprisonment of not less than two years but not exceeding four years, with a fine of not less than 500,000 Rwandan francs (450 U.S. dollars) upon conviction.
The national mourning week ended last Thursday, but genocide commemoration activities will continue until July 4 to mark the 100-day calamity, during which over 1 million people, mainly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, were killed. ■