Rwanda Pushes for Speedy Cessation Clause on Rwandan Refugees, Reports KT Press

GENEVA, Oct. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Rwanda has addressed a high-level UN summit for an accelerated timetable for the implementation of the UN cessation clause on Rwandan refugees.   

"Some countries have neither declared nor abide by this clause," said Seraphine Mukantabana at the 65^th Executive Committee Meeting of the UN refugee agency UNHCR (EXCOM), taking place in Geneva. The Minister was leading a high-level Rwandan delegation. 

The cessation clause for Rwandan refugees was declared on June 30, 2013, providing three options to Rwandan refugees: return to Rwanda, settle in host countries with Rwandan IDs or completely take up nationality in host countries.

Before the clause was activated by the UN, there was an estimated 100,000 Rwandan refugees in different countries. Rwanda has put in place numerous incentives including free land and monetary resettlement package to encourage voluntary repatriation. The UN initiated the cessation clause arguing Rwanda, with its stable political environment and booming economy is no longer a 'risk' country.

In the past year, over 24,000 Rwandan refugees have returned including those expelled from Tanzania. Rwanda also supports local integration in host countries by facilitating former refugees to acquire national passports enabling them to stay legally. 

Seven countries have joined the cessation clause process including Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo Republic, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Zambia.

"Others declared but have not yet taken any step for implementation, and Rwandans falling under the scope of the cessation clause continue to benefit from refugees status… in flagrant violation of international rules for this status," said the Rwandan minister.

Rwanda is also pushing for international action on rebels based in neighboring DR Congo – the so-called FDLR, who are blocking the voluntary repatriation process. The militia group members took part in the 1994 genocide against Tutsis in Rwanda, and fled to DRC. FDLR has been declared a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the UN.

The Minister said: "The existence of the terrorist rebel group, FDLR, remains a major challenge to the process of voluntary repatriation of thousands of Rwandans. They continue taking into hostage Rwandans as human shields as well as killing and persecuting innocent civilians who show any intention of returning home. We call upon on the international community to play their role to end this injustice."

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SOURCE KT Press