NRC members train in refugee protection

MUSANZE - Members of the National Refugee Council (NRC), yesterday, completed a one-week workshop on determination of refugee status among asylum seekers. The workshop, which was organised by the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugee Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), reviewed the international refugee protection regime, international humanitarian law and human rights law. According to the President of the National Refugee Council, Francois Ntaganda, the workshop enlightened participants on the procedure, legal framework and requirements in determining someone’s refugee status in context of the national laws. “It has equipped us with international principles. We discussed the draft law relating to refugees and the general duties for the National Refugee Council as mandated by the law,” Ntaganda stated. The Refugee Council is mandated to monitor the upholding of the rights of refugees living in Rwanda and those of returnees, examine and make decisions on applications of persons seeking refuge in Rwanda, among other responsibilities. The workshop also focused on the convention relating to the status of refugees, including cessation of refugee status and refugee problems in Africa. The training was conducted by Randhir Wanigasekara, an expert from the UNHCR. bonny.mukombozi@newtimes.co.rw