Dirty secret by Tanzania to expell Burundian Refugees in several of its Camps. It is not new for this country to send away refugees. For example a couple of years ago, it sent massive numbers of Rwandese home.
It is known that Tanzania has singned the 1951 Convention which requires any country (that signed it of course) to shelter refugees until they feel that the threat they fled is resolved. The justification for sending away Rwandese was that they were illegal as Alison des Forges, senior Africa advisor at Human Rights Watch said: "Tanzania has the right to expel people who are illegally within its territory, but it must assess cases individually. Arbitrary expulsion of people based on their national origin is a serious violation of international law" (Human Right News, 2007).
However, these Burundian are not illegal, they are in refugee camps that are UNHCR protected. Report from the ground says that refugees must state the date of their return home before they can be given a "Token" (Refugee ID) which simply means that if a refugee does not state the date of his/her return, he/she is denied food and other life sustaining necessities.
Tanzania has done a great job at receiving Burundians for so many years, but it should be reminded that the decision to go back in Burundi should be done by refugees themselves. Burundi is still actively in War, Tanzania should at least work with UNHCR to find alternatives. When Mr AntÃ'nio Guterres(UNHCR boss) visited Tanzania recently, it was clear that refugees will not be sent home with fear of persecution.
Tanzania should STOP inflicting FEAR on refugees in Refugee Camps so that they can go back Home. Going back in Burundi remains a voluntary process.
Mukeza
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