Commemorating the deportation to Rwanda of Habomuremye Angelo a Refugee Human Rights Defender in Goma

Stop the culture of silence, take action to ensure the protection and security of Refugee Human Rights Defenders in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are at high risk. Today we commemorate the deportation of Habomuremye Angelo to Rwanda in total indifference of UNHCR and CNR in Goma, DRCongo.

On that day of May 26^th, 2021 in the morning, the Refugee Human Rights Defender Angelo left his home in the morning and went for an appointment with the AIDES officers at their offices in Goma (AIDS) was the traditional implementing partner of UNHCR for urban refugees. Angelo was called by AIDS officers to bring the school documents for his children in order to process for their school fees.

He left his home around 7am and did not come back, surprisingly after three months we were informed that he was in Rwanda and his wife and children were secretly mobilized by UNHCR and CNR to join him and that operation was called Voluntary Repatriation. Later on in December 30^th, 2021 another refugee leader Pastor Habimana was also deported back to Rwanda by DRC security services in collaboration with Rwanda security services.   

We are coming to you today, to share with you this ugly situation faced by refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo where Rwanda has a strong penetration in the entire refugee regime in DRC and highly influences the decisions mainly within UNHCR, and the Congolese Department of Refugees called CNR.

Dear colleagues, it is now six years (6) since our colleague known as Angelo a Rwandan Refugee Human Rights Defender disappeared from Goma, North Kivu, D.R.Congo and was later found in Rwanda. And the situation of Rwandan refugees in has continued to deteriorate in North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces which are under the control of Rwandan Army. Refugees are the main target and are facing deportation back to Rwanda every day. UNHCR has participated in these forced deportation and continue to support the deportation of Rwandan refugees.

The gaps to protect Rwandan Refugees in DRC

Rwandan refugees who are high risks are Hutus and yet we observed that UNHCR hires officers who are Tutsi perceived to be Rwandan Security Services Agents. This alone may not favor the impartiality and the trust in the whole process, it is also the same with the Congolese National Commission for Refugees which is managed by officers who do not attract the attention of refugees and who are perceived as working closely with Rwanda.

We strongly object the narrative about Rwandan refugees in DRCongo

We object and discourage any person who would be victim of Rwanda’s propaganda claiming that all Rwandan Hutus Refugees in DRC are genocidaires and members of FDLR. We observed that most of those who are criminalized are mere civilians’ refugees who are yearning for protection.

We strongly object the argument that Rwanda is safe for them, this narrative has exposed many to risks of their lives and many refugees in DRC have string reasons why they cannot go back to Rwanda.

We also object UNHCR narrative of repatriation claiming it is the best option for the, we clear indicate that repatriation operations in DRC are forced and should be discouraged. The Democratic Republic of Congo has better opportunities to favor the protection of refugees in the region than any other country, we propose an approach based on refugee protection.   

 UNHCR was fully aware of the risks faced by Angelo and so far not much was done in order to ensure that he could have been protected apart from renting for him a house in Goma in an area which is highly at risk (Ndosho) which is known as a place where Rwandan Security Services have carried various operations, where his life was at risk.

Stand up for the protection of Rwandan Refugees in DRC,

Stand up for the protection of Human Rights Defenders who are promoting refugee rights in DRC,

Stand up for reforms in DRC which should ensure the protection of refugees,