From Child to Genocide Perpetrator: Narrative Identity Analysis Among Genocide Prisoners Incarcerated in Muhanga...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• Examines narrative identity in convicted Rwandan genocide perpetrators involved in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
• Focuses on autobiographical memories, present experiences, and future projections of perpetrators within psychosocial rehabilitation.
• Defines narrative identity as an internalized, evolving self-story for making life sense and meaning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the self-perception of genocide perpetrators through their life stories.
• To understand how narrative identity influences psychosocial rehabilitation.
• To analyze the impact of past experiences and future projections on perpetrators' self-perception.

Main Methods:

• Employed the Biographic Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM).
• Collected and analyzed life stories from eight genocide prisoners at Muhanga Prison.

Main Results:

• Narratives revealed five themes: childhood abandonment, ethnic self-discovery, perpetrator identity, imprisoned self, and future self.
• Key feelings identified were 'the abandoned' and 'the abandoner'.
• Perpetrators' narrative positioning can positively or negatively affect rehabilitation outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Genocide perpetrators rationalize or justify their actions as part of their life biography.
• Interventions promoting self-discovery can positively impact perpetrators, their families, and Rwandan society.
• Narrative analysis is crucial for understanding and supporting perpetrator rehabilitation.