THE NATIONAL RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER ON GENOCIDE PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

On August 6th, 2009 at Hotel Laico, a one day conference was held  on creation of a National research and documentation Centre on Genocide, prepared and hosted by The National Commission for the fight against Genocide (CNLG).

The conference was aiming at exchanging ideas between the stakeholders of CNLG, on how the centre can be initiated and how it will work once in place.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE

1. The conference was aiming at showing the relevance of the documentation and research centre on genocide. It defined the best and concrete condition for the establishment of the centre and showed its mission;
2. The conference showed the impact of the centre in the process of conserving genocide proofs;
3. The conference discussed the structure of the centre and the main components of the archives;
4. It suggested the best method of managing the centre.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTRE

1. The collection of oral, written and audiovisual testimonies and other documents on Genocide;
2. The analysis of essential elements of testimonies, written documents and reaction on them;
3. To define the  methodology to be used in the collection of testimonies and research on genocide;
4. The conservation, archives and distribution of audiovisual testimonies;
5. Regulations on consultation and reproduction of archive documents.

ARCHIVES:

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide will establish two on line database:

            - Witness Database which combine all information about witnesses,
            - Linkage Database which combine all notice of indexation of these documents.

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide will have the following archives:
           
            - Archive documents or papers: personal papers of the victims of Genocide against the Tutsi,
           
            -Audiovisual archives: audio and audio visual records of testimonies given by the Genocide survivors,
           
            - Photographic archives: Photographic library

The purpose is to create an audio visual archive in long run accessible by researchers and documentary film makers.

CONSERVATION OF ARCHIVES AND DISTRIBUTION OF AUDIOVISUAL TESTIMONIES:

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide will not exercise any modification on the recorded document. It will simply add a brief generic such as  the following items: complete identification of witnesses,  a team that make an interview and codify archive 
Every archive interview should have original cassette, two copies of prior work, arrangement of records, biodata of witnesses and any other document submitted by witnesses.
Archive papers will be the place where witnesses’ document on Genocide will be arranged. But some of documents may be filmed at the end of interview
Every witness will receive a copy of his/her testimony
Each interview will hold theme linkage, names, scope and cited collections.

METHODOLOGY OF COLLECTION

1. Testimonies will be registered in form of interview:  none guided interview without any time limitation;
2. Interview will be at his/her own home or in any other selected place;
3. Testimonies will focus on period before, during and after Genocide against the Tutsi;
4. Every testimony must be accompanied by references, stating factual data that are most significant related to the life of witness;
5. Testimonies will be registered and archived at the Research and Documentation Centre on Genocide of CNLG.

REGULATIONS ON CONSULTATION AND REPRODUCTION OF ARCHIVE DOCUMENTS

1. To create an archive inventory on information system, it will facilitate researchers and university students to access them when authorized;
2. All consultations of documents should undergo to the permission of the Director of the Research Centre, on bases of the theme and the goals of the research;
3. Set up a consultation form.