RECONCILIATION THROUGH FORGIVNESS

Since March 2019, Dignité en Détention (DIDE RWANDA) is implementing initially a 15 months modified to 18
months project called Rehabilitative Justice for reconciliation in Rwanda under the
financial and technical support of USAID/ DUTEZE IMBERE UBUTABERA. The project is
targeting 3 prisons of Rwanda, namely Huye, Nyamagabe and Rusizi and two districts:
Nyamasheke and Nyaruguru and is set up with a view to promoting social cohesion and
peaceful coexistence between the soon-to-be released detainees from targeted prisons and
community members, including genocide survivors, the family members of genocide
perpetrators and globally with all community members from two districts of Rwanda.
Until March 2020, a total of 130 detainers already requested for forgiveness including 34
from Huye prison, 51 from Nyamagabe prison and 45 from Rusizi. Others 31 detainees from
Rusizi prison and 16 from Nyamagabe prison are ready to request for forgiveness

Before stating facilitating therapeutic groups, peer educators are trained. The photos below show:

(1) women in Nyamagabe prison that doing the pretest and (2) men detained in Huye prison in
working groups

The aim of therapeutic groups is the reconciliation between detainees and community members, including survivors. Below pictures illustrate reconciliation day:

Reconciliation day in Nyamagabe prison

Reconciliation day in Rusizi prison

Reconciliation session in Huye prison

At community level, community members are assisted by trained facilitators. The picture below illustrate the facilitators after 4 training days held in Huye from 24-27 June, 2019.