GENÈVE/ CSPR Press Release

Comité de Suivi de la Problématique des Réfugiés Rwandais (CSPR) 

SPR • P.O. Box 3026, Manchester, NH  03105 • PHONE : +1(603) 233-4511 • CSPR Is a coalition of Rwandan Civile Society and Political organisations in Diaspora on the Process and Application of the Cessation Clause applied on Rwandan refugees

Fled between 1959 to December 31 1998.

CSPR Press Release

Convened in the International Conference on the implementation of the Cessation Clause for Rwandan Refugees from 1959 to 31 December 1998, held in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 June 2017, with the participation of certain diplomatic missions in Switzerland, including one of the Government of Rwanda, and some international NGOs, and representatives of Rwandan refugees:

Reiterates its tribute to all the States and peoples hosting Rwandan refugees for their unshakable spirit of solidarity, selflessness, humanism and generosity they have demonstrated and continue to demonstrate since they entered into their respective territories. In this regard, a special mention goes to the African peoples and countries.

Reiterates the relevant recommendations of the International Conference on Rwandan refugees held in Brussels, Belgium, on 19 and 20 April 2013 as well as those of the Joint Conference of Rwandan Civil Society and Political Organizations of Diaspora on the common position in relation with the implementation of the cessation clause for Rwandan refugees from 1959 to December 31, 1998 held on November 29, 2015;

Recommends to all players involved in the implementation of the procedures of the cessation clause for Rwandan refugees from 1959 to 1998 to recognize that obstacles to massive voluntary repatriation are more to be found on the side of Rwandan Government than on the side of refugees;

Recommends to all players involved in the implementation of the procedures of the cessation clause for Rwandan refugees from 1959 to 1998 to refrain from any act that may cause chaos within the refugee community where some of them might find themselves in a situation of irregulars or stateless people in the host country, or even attempt to vanish in nature;

1.      Recommends to the UNHCR to  :

a.      Advocate for the introduction of some flexibility in the timing of the process of the implementation of the Comprehensive Solutions Strategy for Rwandan refugees;

b.     Admit that the extension of the deadline of 31 December 2017 is inevitable and the right thing to do, especially when you candidly look at the pace of progress of the process;

c.      Organize a Round Table on Rwandan refugees which would regroup the multilateral and bilateral donors, countries hosting Rwandan refugees, and those who receive them the context of resettlement program, the African Union, the European Union, the Government of Rwanda, concerned human rights organizations, as well as the true representatives of these refugees to enhance and smooth the Comprehensive Solutions Strategy that takes into account the realities on the ground;

d.     Provide for a special status for Rwandan refugees in the DRC as they are in a special situation and the majority of them have never had the chance to be officially recognized as refugees prima facie ,nor received any kind of assistance from the international community;

e.      Provide a special protection to former defense staff and witnesses at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

f.       Consider the resettlement of some refugees in third countries such as those of the European Union, USA, Australia, Canada and many others as one of sustainable solutions by excellence and urge these countries to increase the quotas of refugees they regularly receive in the framework of the relocation program.

g.      Open a line for formal or informal communication between UNHCR and the true representatives of the refugees to exchange on approaches that would lead to the success of the process of implementation of the current or future cessation clause;

2.      Recommends to the Rwandan Government to :

a)      To ensure that the principle of independence of institutions and the separation of powers does not suffer from any interference of the Executive in the matters of legislative or judicial power.

b)     Resolutely embrace the cessation of all continued flagrant violations human rights accompanied by the release of political prisoners and ensure that all political opponents are free to participate in the political process and are not labeled as enemies of the country;

c)      Open the political space and offer all citizens the right and the opportunity, without distinction and without unreasonable restrictions, to freely establish and register a political party and to operate in a pluralistic political sphere without being threatened or concerned as is the case today;

d)     Stop once and for all to harass, kidnap and murder refugees in their host countries;

e)      Immediately suspend all laws and regulations leading to the deprivation and dispossession of refugees properties;

f)       Thoroughly investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of assassinations, disappearances, arbitrary detention, torture and inhuman and degrading treatment observed on the whole national territory on a daily basis;

g)      Stop covering up or minimizing the famine raging in many parts of the country, to tackle its root causes and accept the offer of food aid in kind rather than requiring aid in cash;

h)      Put an end to belligerent acts against the countries of the sub region and focus on the good neighbor policy;

3.      Recommends the countries hosting refugees to :

a)      Keep in mind that despite the current Government charm offensive fear of Rwandan refugees is real, and therefore continue to foster their integration in alleviating the requirements and other administrative formalities, because anyway these refugees already live in harmony with the local population;

b)     Understand that it would be deplorable that all acts of charity they have taken in favor of  refugees are watered off by a rigid and blind implementation of  the process of the cessation clause;

c)      Refrain from any act that would put the refugees in a situation of irregulars or stateless such as the refoulement, the refusal to renew the residence permit or of the identity card;

d)     Follow very closely and punish the acts of harassment and persecution against Rwandan refugees by the Rwandan Government through its diplomatic missions and agents of what is commonly called "diaspora."

e)      Refrain from sending Rwandan refugees to the Rwandan courts because Rwanda enough has demonstrated that its justice is neither fair nor independent;

f)       Continue paying attention to the concerns of the refugees.

4.      Recommends the International Community to  :

a)      Put pressure on the Government of Rwanda so that it opens up political space, stops its flagrant violations of the human rights and fundamental freedoms, put term to all attempts of destabilization of the sub-region countries regardless of the pretexts advanced;

b)     Put pressure on the Government of Rwanda so that it proceeds to the dismantling of all obstacles preventing refugees from returning to the country with dignity and confidence.

c)      Put pressure on the Government of Rwanda to accept a Highly Inclusive Inter-Rwandan Dialogue to find a lasting solution to cyclic violence of ethnic conflicts.

d)     Follow-up of the recommendations of the Mapping Report concerning the most serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed within the territory of the DRC between March 1993 and June 2003 in order to put an end to impunity.

e)      Cooperate with the UNHCR in the mobilization of necessary funds for the Organization of a Round Table on the issue of Rwandan refugees.

Calls on the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to advocate for the Rwandan refugees in general and in particular those that are hosted on the African continent, so that the countries and the peoples of Africa hosting Rwandan refugees understand that the fears of the latter are real and founded and that, despite the entry into force of the cessation clause and acting in the context of legendary African values of their hospitality, solidarity and Ubuntu (humanism), they refrain from brutalizing them until conditions are right for their safe repatriation or another durable solution is found.

Calls on the Swiss Confederation to use its experience and expertise in resolving crises to facilitate and support a round table with all actors, including refugees, in order to find a solution to the problem of Rwandan refugees.

Reiterates its exhortation to Rwandan refugees to better organize themselves and intensify their efforts to better interact with their host countries.

Charges the Follow-up Committee on the Issues of Rwandan Refugees to follow very closely the matter of Rwandan refugees, and make concrete proposals to the relevant authorities in order to alleviate the negative consequences on the lives of refugees related to the implementation of the cessation clause.

Done in Geneva 19 June 2017

CSPR • P.O. Box 3026, Manchester, NH  03105 • PHONE : +1(603) 233-4511 • CSPR Is a coalition of Rwandan Civile Society and Political organisations in Diaspora on the Process and Application of the Cessation Clause applied on Rwandan refugees

Fled between 1959 to December 31 1998.