UN agency voices concern over return of Burundian refugees by Rwanda

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today voiced concern about the return of a large group of Burundian refugees to their homeland from Rwanda, noting that repatriation should never be compulsory and may not be the best solution for all.

The returns from Kigeme camp, which took place yesterday, are believed to involve more than 400 people, although the precise number is not known.

“UNHCR recognizes the positive developments in Burundi and the fact that a majority of Burundian refugees no longer have concerns preventing them from going home,” the agency stated in a news release.

At the same time, it is “distressed” that contrary to recent agreement, the refugees in Kigeme camp “were deprived of options except to return home immediately.

“Many of those forced to return intended to do so voluntarily but desired more time to ready themselves for the journey. In light of their many years in exile and strong connections to Rwanda, this is in no way surprising,” UNHCR stated.

The agency stressed that the repatriation of refugees should never be involuntary and that the use of force and violence to compel return is not acceptable.

Nearly 480,000 Burundian refugees have returned voluntarily from neighbouring countries since the start of organized voluntary repatriation in 2002, according to UNHCR.

In April, Rwanda, Burundi and UNHCR jointly decided to re-launch sensitisation campaigns and inform some 2,000 remaining Burundian refugees at Kigeme camp about assistance available for repatriation.

Since 18 May, more than 1,500 of these 2,000 refugees opted to return voluntarily.