Since the last visit of the Burundian president to Tanzania on July 20, something has noticeably changed in the relationship between Burundian refugees in Tanzania and the authorities of their host country. While Burundian refugees were not entirely in good standing with Tanzanian authorities, the latter at least respected the principles outlined in the Geneva Convention on Refugee Status. Tanzania maintained its tradition as a land of asylum and remembered that Burundi has always produced refugees. However, the current double standard in the treatment of past and present refugees follows principles and motives that only Tanzanian authorities can fully understand and possibly explain.
Since when have they forgotten that refugees “vote with their feet” and that they cannot be arbitrarily turned away? Refugees are the ones who know and can explain the reasons behind their status. Instead of listening to them and alleviating their suffering, even slightly, brutality has replaced compassion, and the respect they deserve has been disregarded. Beatings have become the only response they receive. As if that were not enough, deaths were reported on August 14, 2017, in the Nduta camp, including that of a woman who had just given birth. Their only “crime” was refusing to be forcibly returned to Burundi, knowing full well that certain death awaited them there.
The Alliance of Burundians in Canada (ABC) is deeply concerned about this situation and strongly condemns the treatment inflicted on these refugees by the Tanzanian authorities, who are supposed to protect them. Tanzania cannot evade its responsibility, as it has been a long-time partner of the UNHCR. Furthermore, it cannot trample on the principles it committed to when it ratified the Geneva Convention on the treatment and protection of refugees. It is also worth noting that this is not Tanzania’s first experience with refugees: the current Burundian authorities were once asylum seekers themselves, welcomed, protected, and even supported by Tanzania. We do not wish to suggest that Tanzania intentionally shaped them into what they have become, but the way it currently treats Burundian refugees is shocking and alarming.
That said, while it may be difficult to establish a direct link between the Tanzanian authorities’ stance and the ongoing mediation process, it is not unreasonable to question why the much-needed inter-Burundian dialogue, supported by the international community, is struggling.
As long as the host country of this dialogue behaves in such a manner, it is hard to imagine a different outcome. However, one can still hope that ethics retain some place in politics. If that is the case, then no moral justification should allow refugee rights to be sacrificed simply because a regime in distress is desperately trying to improve its public image by forcibly repatriating them to create the illusion of stability in Burundi.
Given the seriousness of the situation, the ABC makes the following requests:
To Tanzania:
- Respect its commitments regarding the reception and protection of asylum seekers and refrain from persecuting them.
- Reject the Burundian authorities’ attempts to gain the sympathy of international donors by forcibly repatriating refugees under the false pretense that peace has returned to Burundi.
- Instead, support the mediation efforts it hosts to ensure the resumption of the inter-Burundian dialogue and work towards lasting peace.
To the International Community:
- Do everything in its power to ensure that Burundian refugees, wherever they may be—especially those in Tanzania—are no longer treated as bargaining chips but are protected and supported in accordance with the relevant recommendations of the Geneva Convention on refugee status.
To the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR):
- Continue to demonstrate neutrality by supporting Burundian refugees and using its full influence to ensure that its mission is respected and facilitated by the Tanzanian authorities.
- Do everything possible to ensure that all school-age children and those who had to abandon their studies due to the crisis can return to school.
To the Mediation:
- Demonstrate greater responsibility, diligence, and neutrality to ensure that the inter-Burundian dialogue resumes, is fully inclusive, and yields tangible results.
- Avoid falling into the trap of catering to politicians, regardless of their affiliation, as some are often more concerned with personal interests than with the refugees they claim to care about.
Done in Ottawa, August 21, 2017.
© The Alliance of Burundians in Canada (ABC)