{Minister Seraphine Mukantabana has called UNHCR to revitalize efforts for the implementation of Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees. She made the appeal, on the behalf of the Rwandan delegation, at the occasion of the 65th Executive Committee Meeting of the UNHCR (EXCOM) being held in Geneva Since Monday September 29, 2014. }
The Cessation Clause for Rwandan refugees was declared on June 30, 2013. That clause applies to those who fled between 1959 and December 1998.
In her address to the 65th EXCOM, Minister Mukantabana Seraphine reiterated that much more efforts are needed to spearhead the implementation of all components stipulated in the clause, as some states hosting Rwandan refugees didn’t abide by the recommendation.
“Although since the declaration of the Cessation Clause, some good progress has been made, many challenges remain. Some countries have neither declared nor abide by this clause. 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 as if nothing has happened, in flagrant violation of international rules for this status. “Said Mukantabana
Since the coming into effect of the Cessation Clause, seven countries have made official declaration. They are Burkina Faso, Burundi, Republic of Congo, Niger, Senegal, Togo and Zambia.
“We want to encourage UNHCR to continue to support the process by accompanying host countries in the implementation of the cessation clause, including the declaration.” Stressed Mukantabana.
Minister Mukantabana also called the international community to support efforts meant to neutralize FDLR which remains the major threat for the voluntary repatriation of Rwandan refugees.
“The existence of the terrorist rebel group, FDLR (Forces démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda) remains a major challenge to the process of voluntary repatriation of thousands of Rwandans it continues take into hostage as human shields, 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 the delaying inhuman acts of these terrorists” Said Mukantabana
Rwanda has invested enough efforts to promote voluntary repatriation.
Between July 2013 and June 2014, over 24,000 Rwandan refugees have returned including those expelled from Tanzania.
As part of the implementation of the Cessation Clause, Rwanda also support local integration by facilitating former refugees to acquire national passports to enable them to legally stay in their host countries due to socio-economic ties.
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