Host states urged to facilitate return of Rwandan refugees

Countries hosting Rwandan refugees have been called upon to provide enough facilitation to those who want to voluntarily repatriate as a way of helping the enforcement of the Cessation Clause. The call was made, yesterday, by the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs, Seraphine Mukantabana, while addressing the 64th Assemby of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) executive committee in Geneva, Switzerland. The Cessation Clause, which was invoked by the UNHCR on June 30, calls upon Rwandan refugees to repatriate as the conditions in the country did not necessitate them to remain in refuge. The week-long annual conference attracted ministers in charge of refugees from UN member countries as well as diplomats. There are about 70,000 Rwandan refugees, mainly in countries within the Great Lakes Region, while more than 4.5 million repatriated voluntarily over the last 19 years. Most of those that remain outside the country became refugees in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which more than a million people were butchered in the pogrom. “Rwanda is committed to continue to intensively work with all countries hosting its nationals with refugee status and other stakeholders toward a successful implementation of the comprehensive solutions strategy for the refugees,” Mukantabana said. The Cessation Clause to terminate status of all Rwandan nationals still under the UN protection in countries of asylum came into force on June 30, leaving refugees with three options, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, or seeking renewal of refugee status for those still in need of international protection. Failure to comply with any of the options, the refugee faces expulsion from the host country. But most countries are yet to implement the clause. The minister commended some countries that have already declared intentions to invoke the clause, urging others to do the same. “To consolidate these efforts, it will be paramount for the international community to financially support the host countries in implementing the various solutions identified to ensure proper closure of the Rwandan refugees’ chapter,” she said. Appeal for Congolese refugees Meanwhile, the minister made a case for the thousands of Congolese refugees living in Rwanda, saying there was urgent need for their children to receive education beyond primary school. Mukantabana said government, together with its partners, had done so much in ensuring that the refugees, most of whom have been in the country for nearly two decades, get basic requirements such as food and shelter, but they get stuck with children who complete primary education. She said the suspension of education leads to some children indulging in undesirable behaviour. Rwanda is home to more than 75,000 refugees and asylum seekers, accommodated in four refugee camps. And 99 per cent are Congolese with 80 per cent being children and women. They are hosted in Nyabiheke in Gatsibo District, Kiziba in Karongi, Gihembe in Gicumbi and Kigembe in Nyamagabe District.

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Host states urged to facilitate return of Rwandan refugees