'Let Rwandan refugees stay'
2005-10-17 06:47
Bujumbura - The UN refugee agency called on Sunday on the Burundian government to allow more than 3 000 Rwandan refugees who fear persecution at home to stay.
The call was made on the eve of a meeting on Monday between Burundi's Interior Minister Savator Ntacobamaze and Rwanda's local administration minister Protais Musoni in northern Burundi.
"We continue to call on the Burundian government to consider the status of these people and we also ask for a site for housing for security and aid reasons," said a spokesperson in Burundi for the the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Catherine-Lune Grayson.
Some 8 000 Rwandans, mainly majority Hutus, have fled to Burundi since March fearing prosecution by grassroots gacaca (pronounced "gachacha") courts trying suspects in the 1994 genocide during which some 800 000 people, mostly minority Tutsis, were slain by Hutu extremists.
The UNHCR has criticized Burundi for what it said was the forced repatriation of some of the Rwandans, and has urged Burundi recognise them as asylum seekers.
"They've been waiting months in precarious conditions ... a positive decision needs to be taken quickly," said Grayson.