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Dr. Wolfgang Reinhardt highlights Germany’s role as refuge for Genocide deniers and revisionists

By Karirima Aimable Ngarambe
On 26 March 2024 at 05:11

Dr. Wolfgang Reinhardt has shed light on the concerning role Germany has played following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, becoming a sanctuary not only for the perpetrators but also for individuals denying or downplaying the atrocity. Despite Germany’s significant academic community, with over 450,700 researchers, efforts to address genocide denial or trivialization have been notably absent.

In a revealing presentation at the German Parliament on March 22, 2024, Dr. Reinhardt outlined the urgent need for initiatives to counteract the denial and revisionism of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

He suggested that the reluctance among journalists and academics to delve into this subject might stem from their associations with those implicated in the genocide or with entities that reject its reality.

Dr. Reinhardt detailed how various sectors in Germany, including academia, journalism, and legal professions, actively engage in the denial and minimization of the genocide, employing sophisticated methods to propagate denial ideologies.

Germany as a refuge for FDLR activities

Highlighting a specific case, Dr. Reinhardt spoke of Ignace Murwanashyaka, the former FDLR terrorist group leader who, under false pretenses, sought asylum in Germany.

In April 1994, at the height of the genocide, Murwanashyaka, along with Straton Musoni and Hutu students in Germany, established a network spreading ideologies that denied and trivialized the genocide.

Murwanashyaka’s involvement in directing FDLR operations from Germany underscored the country’s unintentional role as a logistical hub for genocide deniers.

The legal proceedings against Murwanashyaka, Musoni, and other FDLR members in Germany marked significant, albeit belated, steps towards accountability. Particularly notable was the life sentence handed to Onesphore Rwabukombe, a former mayor, for his role in the massacre of over 2000 Tutsis, a landmark case in the German legal system.

Criticism from individuals aligned with the former Rwandan regime targeted the German government, accusing it of bias and infringing on human rights. Such accusations often echo the rhetoric of genocide perpetrators who have found refuge in Europe.

Dr. Reinhardt also criticized the German literary and journalistic circles for perpetuating the denial of the genocide, specifically pointing to works by Helmut Strizek and the controversial reception of figures like Victoire Ingabire and Paul Rusesabagina in Germany.

The German media’s portrayal of these figures often ignores their contentious backgrounds and associations with denial groups, highlighting a concerning trend of bias and misinformation.

Dr. Reinhardt’s revelations call for a comprehensive reevaluation of Germany’s role and responsibilities in addressing the legacy of Genocide against the Tutsi, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and action against the denial and trivialization of such atrocities.

Dr. Reinhardt outlined the urgent need for initiatives to counteract the denial and belittlement of the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Dr. Reinhardt criticized the German literary and journalistic circles for perpetuating the denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

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