Burundian refugees currently hosted in Bugesera, Nyanza and Nyarushishi Transit Centres have refused to abide by laws and obligations regulating refugees in Rwanda, citing religious beliefs.
On Friday refugees were informed of basic conditions they have to fulfill if they want to be granted refugee status in Rwanda.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees (MIDIMAR), the United Nations refugee Agency (UNCHR), The Ministry of Health (MoH), The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Food Program (WFP) have jointly briefed them to abide by laws.
“In view of preventing and protecting against public health threats, a vaccination against Measles-Rubella and Polio needs to be conducted immediately and all sick or ill persons must seek and receive health services as per the national standards,” partners announced in a statement.
The Government of Rwanda requested all asylum seekers present in Rwanda to be individually registered.
“As asylum seekers they are protected from forceful return but at the same time they must comply with the laws of Rwanda, their hosting country,” the statement reads.
Partners said that everyone has a right to return home; and urged them to exercise that right at any time.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugees, Ministry of Health and the United Nations refugee Agency (UNCHR) have been holding talks with these asylum seekers to sensitize them on the importance of Vaccination to children under five years.
On March 28th, 2018 the asylum seekers boycotted the physical identification exercise which was planned in Bugesera, Nyanza and Rusizi Transit centres.
Due to the resistance, 33 leaders who were inciting others to boycott have been detained by Police.
These refugees left Kamanyola refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo early this month seeking refuge in Rwanda amid fears they could be forcibly repatriated back home by Congolese authorities.
They were well received and dispatched to different transit centres; 1607 in Bugesera Transit Centre, 522 in Nyanza Transit Centre and 394 remained in Nyarushishi Transit Centre.
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