December, 31, 2016: The last day for Rwandan refugees to b helped by HCR in repatriating

Rwandan Minister in charge of refugee affairs and disaster management Seraphine Mukantabara has told the MPs that the HCR in collaboration with Rwandan government has decided to stop helping Rwandan refugees across Africa repatriating if they don’t get home not later than December , 31, 2016.

She informed the parliamentarians that most of the Rwandans who still live bushes outside Rwanda have been overtaken by militias operating there or by some of the HCR staff members who want them to stay in refugee camps for them to keep their respective jobs.

MP’s called upon Min Mukantabana to narrate to them how far the repatriation process has reached as the refugee status of Rwandan refugees gets closer to an end.

The removal of the refugee status of Rwandan refugees concerns the ones who fled outside Rwanda since 1959 to 1998.

Min Mukantabana told the Members of Parliament that the HCR took a firm resolution to stop some material help for the refugees and other help and this will be implemented not later than December, 31, 2016.

She called upon the reluctant refugees to try their best to get home before the expiry date and that; meanwhile, the HCR will be helpful.

The concerned people still have choices that include  a free and supported repatriation, searching for permanent residence in the host country as a citizen , lastly, calling for renewed refugee status.

Since 1994 not less than 461 553 refugees have repatriated from various countries abroad and the ones who still living abroad will not be assisted by HCR in repatriating .

UM– USEKE.RW