1. Forgiving the Unforgivable
Lesson 3
Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Mary Blewitt
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2. Concept Cracker What does the word Genocide mean?
Discuss in your pairs and get ready to feed back to the class.
Click here to reveal a dictionary definition…
Genocide: The deliberate and systematic extermination of a national,
racial, political or cultural group.
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3. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
The Rwandan Genocide
Read the passage in your student booklet and highlight any words or concepts you are unsure about.
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4. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Ground rules when exploring personal stories
Mary’s story may involve language or concepts which may be unknown or confusing to you. During the film make as many notes as you can in your student booklet of words you don’t understand or parts of the story you would like to discuss afterwards.
Please remember this is one person’s story, told from her own individual perspective.
1. Do respect the fact that your opinion is personal to you and may be different to your classmates.
2. Do take part in open discussions and value this as a positive activity, however refrain from making personal remarks which are negative.
3. Do be patient and wait until another student has finished before offering your opinion, idea or question.
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5. Please click here to launch the video
Mary Blewitt’s story
Please click here to launch the video
Alternatively copy this link into your browser:
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6. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Follow up discussion
As a class discuss any words, events and/or actions that were discussed in the film that you are confused about or unclear on; or give your initial thoughts on Mary’s story.
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7. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Split into pairs and read the following statement and then move onto the next slide:
“In the context of Rwanda and myself, forgiveness has no place at all. Reconciliation would only be there if there was justice and there hasn’t been justice, therefore reconciliation and forgiveness for me is a cliché. If you are a Christian, which is what I am you know the values of forgiveness as a Christian but in Rwanda I cant see how I can forgive anyone. Living next door to people who killed your family, given amnesty. They have their family, they have their aspirations, what do I have?
Justice is paramount for reconciliation, even for forgiveness, because there is no way we can forgive somebody until they are responsible for their actions. Until they are held responsible for their actions. I cant forgive anyone. I can’t forgive for my family.”
Mary Blewitt
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8. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Mary identifies justice as being paramount for reconciliation and forgiveness. In the case of Rwanda she feels justice has not taken place and therefore is unable to move onto a path of forgiveness.
Discuss Mary’s point of view in your pair: Do you agree with Mary? Do you think justice is important for people to feel they can forgive? If so, why?
Get ready to discuss with the class.
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9. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
Further development
Please read the passage on page 5 in your student booklet on Justice. In small groups discuss the questions below, make notes in your booklet and get ready to feed back to the class.  
If Mary had received an apology from the people that killed her family do you think she would feel differently about forgiveness? Please give your reasons.
If the people that killed Mary’s family were tried and convicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity and imprisoned do you think she would feel differently about forgiveness? Please give your reasons.
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10. Justice and forgiveness in Rwanda
One last story…
Although the Gacaca courts had mixed success stories, many meetings led to encounters which are slowly shaping the re-building of communities in Rwanda. Philippe (a Tutsi) whose father was slaughtered by Teresphore (a Hutu) live as neighbours in Rwanda. Philippe says of Teresphore, after meeting at Gacaca court:
“Four months later he came to my house. He brought food and banana wine. Again he started crying and repeatedly saying how sorry he was.  Eventually I escorted him home. Then my wife and I embarked on the path of true reconciliation. We wanted to do more than just forgive, but to actually live as neighbors and friends, side by side. We wanted to improve society, to respond to evil with goodness.”
For a further story of reconciliation please visit The Forgiveness Project website to read the story of Jean Paul Samputu:
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