Jean Paul Iranzi: The ongoing genocide against the Banyamulenge ethnic group in Eastern DR of Congo.
Channel: GIRES-Global Research Institute
Date: 22/02/2021

Jean Paul Iranzi is a young leader, committed, and innovative peacebuilder with 3 years of experience in peacebuilding programs in Rwanda. Jean Paul is a dedicated public speaker with Competent Communicator and Competent Leader certificates from Toastmasters International. Jean Paul has been contributing to genocide prevention activities through volunteering since he was 20 years old at national level and abroad. He is a founding member and Immediate Past president of Rwanda Chemistry Students Association, a local organization that involves Chemistry Students in community activities in Rwanda, and a former President of Ijambo Toastmasters Club at University of Rwanda. Jean Paul has been a participant in various national and International trainings, and conferences on Peace and Genocide studies. He is currently studying in the Master of Arts in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University in New Jersey, with hopes of becoming an educator.

Abstract:
This presentation analyzes the ongoing genocide against the Banyamulenge minority group in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Banyamulenge are Tutsi ethnic group living in South Kivu— Eastern DR Congo since the Colonial period. For decades, the Banyamulenge status as full Congolese citizens have been denied by their neighboring ethnic groups, such as Babembe, Banyindu and Bafuliro. Given those disputes on their citizenship, those ethnic groups have created together a Mayi-Mayi armed group supported by some government officials in order to fight and cleanse the Banyamulenge population whom they claim to be “outsiders” or “foreigners”. Some recent genocidal acts by the Mayi-Mayi armed group targeting the Banyamulenge in South Kivu indicate a serious intent to destroy them as their villages were burnt down, killed their cattle, and killed some Banyamulenge people not because they are criminals, but because of their identity. Unfortunately, there were such repeated multiple human rights violations which caused thousands of Banyamulenge population to flee in the Great Lakes region and in other parts of the world.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION
"Genocides, Deportations and Massacres: Experiences, (hi)stories and interpretations"
Organizer: GIRES-Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship  
Date: 14-15 November 2020
Place: Amsterdam (Virtual)
More information: https://www.gires.org/activities/conferences/genocides-deportations-and-massacres-experiences-histories-and-interpretations/

The new International Conference organized by GIRES, the Global Institute for Research Education & Scholarship based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands dedicated to interdisciplinarity, opened the discussion on a highly interesting and complex issue. We live in the most technologically advanced era in human history, offering the unique privilege of access to limitless knowledge and information. Despite the knowledge we have gained from the painful lessons of the past, in many ways we face challenges similar to those of previous generations.

We analyzed and discussed various mass atrocities including genocides, ethnic-cleansings, massacres, and forced deportations. We explored the newest research on these topics, examined the past, analyzed the present, and contemplated the future.