Two days ago, over 15 Rwandan returnees who returned from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have disclosed they never enjoyed refugee rights rather faced suffering and isolation.
Isidore Nkurunziza hopes things will change, now that he’s back in his mother country.
“I started planning my travel back to Rwanda in October last year from Kinshasa where I resided with my family, to be honest we were suffering especially because we didn’t have DRC’s legal documents, meaning we were not given priority in government initiatives for instance,” he remarked.
Another returnee, Felicien Nsanzineza explained he and his friends never enjoyed the rights of a refugee since they were not living in a camp. They had to move out in search for greener pastures but unfortunately things didn’t turn out how they expected.
“We were frustrated because of being refugees and I couldn’t keep a job for two months for example yet I wouldn’t report some work related injustice to any authority because I didn’t have legal documents, really we have suffered enough and I hope that life will be smoother according to what Rwandan authorities assure us,” he said.
The return of Rwandan refugees is expected to increase following a UN cessation clause ending refugee status of all Rwandans by June 2013.
Some of the Rwanda refugees residing in Uganda, Congo Brazaville and Cameroon amongst others, have shown fears of being persecuted in the country due to their role in the 1994 genocide.
ENDS
Leave a Reply