Situation in refugee camps called 'dangerous.'(Rwanda)

Reports of "continuing intimidation and security problems" in camps for Rwandese refugees, particularly in Zaire, were the subject of grave concern by the Security Council on 10 February, when it condemned actions by former Rwandese leaders and their forces living in those camps aimed "to prevent the repatriation of refugees".

In a statement (S/PRST/1995/7) made by Council President Legwaila J. Legwaila of Botswana, the Council stressed that the "earliest possible action" was important in addressing the security problems. The present situation remained "dangerous for both refugees and relief workers", and was "potentially destabilizing for the subregion as a whole", it stated.

The Council also welcomed two agreements on refugees: one concluded on 27 January between the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Zaire to deploy 1,500 Zairian security forces and a UNHCR liaison group; the other between Zaire and Rwanda on the return of refugees and property.

Security arrangements endorsed

UNHCR efforts to put in place security arrangements in the Tanzanian camps were endorsed by the Council. UNHCR was also encouraged to address the situation in Burundi. Further measures in Rwanda were urged to ensure that refugees could return to their homes "without fear of retribution or persecution".

In that regard, the Council acknowledged the achievements of the Rwandese Government and encouraged it to continue to provide a framework for the action to be taken to repatriate the refugees, promote national reconciliation, and reinvigorate the political process. It also asked the international community to support the Government in its task.

Underlining the temporary nature of the refugee camps, the Council said that the return of refugees to their homes in Rwanda remained the ultimate goal. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali was asked to explore "all options" and make further recommendations for ensuring camp security.

Under the terms of the 27 January agreement, the Zairian military and police security personnel would assist in the maintenance of law and order in refugee camps in the Goma, Bukavu and Uvira regions.

In a 1 February letter (S/1995/127), the Secretary-General said those personnel would take measures to prevent violence against and intimidation of refugees, provide protection for relief workers and for the storage and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and escort to the border of Rwanda those refugees who voluntarily chose to return to their homes.

The UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) would help escort repatriated refugees to their home communities. UNHCR would establish a liaison support group, composed of experienced security advisers, to be deployed in Goma and Bukavu.

An `unprecedented challenge'

On 25 January, the Secretary-General had cautioned that the "scope and complexity of the problems in the Rwandese refugee camps, especially those in Zaire, represent an unprecedented challenge". He reported (S/1995/65) that nearly 2 million Rwandese refugees remained in Burundi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zaire.

Tripartite agreements had been signed by Rwanda with UNHCR and with the Governments of Burundi and Zaire on the voluntary repatriation of refugees, he went on. Dialogue on issues affecting the refugees in the United Republic of Tanzania and their repatriation to Rwanda was also continuing between those two countries.

Some 200,000 refugees had returned out of those who had left the country after the 6 April 1994 airplane crash that killed the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi. The Secretary-General said the low number was due to intimidation by...