Gacaca files to be made available online – CNLG

The gacaca courts have tried nearly two million cases. (file photo)

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) is currently in the process of moving the files used during the gacaca trials from their current location in Remera to a more secure place.

Jean-Damascene Gasanabo, the director general of the research and documentation center on genocide, explained that the CNLG offices, where the files were kept, were not suitable for keeping archives. He added that the new location, which he did not disclose “for security reasons,” allowed for the control of humidity and light and was equipped with appropriate storage for the files.

However, this does not mean that the some 60 million files – contained in 17,000 boxes kept at CNLG plus around 3,000 boxes that have yet to be collected – will no longer be accessible. Gasanabo explained that the process of relocation also involves archiving the files according to international standards.

“After having stored them appropriately, we will proceed with indexing, scanning and making them available online for researchers,” Gasanabo said, cautioning that this is a long-term program.

According to the director general, all this is being done because the files constitute a very important source of information for research on the Genocide against the Tutsis, its causes and consequences. In addition, he said, they document an important part of the history of the country, from which future generations should learn.

The Gacaca courts were formally closed on June 18 after trying close to two million Genocide cases in ten years.

Posted by Jean de la Croix Tabaro on Jul 18 2012. Filed under Daily News, National. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.