UNHCR Concerned by Government Statement on Relocation of Burundian Refugees to Third Countries

In the past Rwanda has consistently expressed commitment to its international obligation to receive and protect refugees fleeing persecution in other countries, including over 150,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi who are in Rwanda today. This morning’s statement seems to undermine the precedent of refugee protection Rwanda has set over decades.

Following the announcement, UNHCR’s Representation in Rwanda urgently met with the Minister for Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDIMAR), Seraphine Mukantabana, who clarified the statement to the effect that Rwanda would continue to respect its international obligations to protect Refugees, would not close its borders, and would not forcibly expel Burundian refugees. UNHCR has urged the Government to make such clarifications publicly as soon as possible to prevent panic on the part of refugees in Rwanda, and to address the many questions which are raised by this morning’s statement.

UNHCR with its UN and NGO partners recently released the Burundi Refugee Response Plan, and, UNHCR with MIDIMAR signed partnership agreements with 11 national and international NGOs, totalling USD $10.8 million, to launch the first phase of operations for the 2016 refugee programme—including for Burundian refugees. UNHCR is reassured based on its meeting today with Minster Mukantabana that the Burundi refugee operation will continue, and UNHCR stands ready to continue to support the Government of Rwanda to ensure the protection of refugees who fled from Burundi in accordance with international law.

UNHCR trusts that it will be consulted by the Government of Rwanda regarding policies towards refugees, including those who have fled from Burundi in the past year, to ensure their protection in accordance with international law.
UNHCR has continuously supported the Government of Rwanda in its reception and hosting of refugees for decades; in 2015, UNHCR contributed USD $32.9 million to programs in support of over 150,000 refugees in Rwanda—not including staff and administrative costs. UNHCR also led the development of the interagency Burundi Refugee Response Plan which generated contributions from donors totalling USD $35.4 million in support to the response to the Burundi refugee emergency in Rwanda.

PRESS CONTACT

• Martina Pomeroy
  External Relations Officer
  UNHCR Rwanda
  pomeroy@unhcr.org
  +250 (0) 78-830-2769
• Karin de Gruijl
  Senior Communications Officer
  UNHCR Headquarters
  degruijl@unhcr.org
  +41-22 739-8438
  Mobile: +41-79 255-9213