The RPP statement condemning the killings of Rwandan refugees at the Kanyabayonga transit camp
On behalf of myself and my party, I wish to condemn the recent killings of Rwandan refugees at Kanyabayonga transit camp in the DRC on May 25, 2015 unreservedly.
On 25 March 2015, soldiers who had disarmed and were living with their families under the protection of the Congolese regular army and UN forces were attacked. These killings occurred in the presence of UN peacekeepers. In the latest massacre, Congolese soldiers led by Colonel Abubacar and Major Papi, subordinates of General Delphini Kahimbi, tried to load Rwandan refugees onto trucks. When the refuges questioned the soldiers about what was happening to them, the Congolese soldiers opened fire. There were several casualties and at least one fatality. One little boy, named Tumayine, was shot by the soldiers and died in his father’s arms. His father was also shot and wounded as he fled the scene.
These senseless killings must be stopped and the perpetrators brought to justice. The RPP expect the UN to at least
give justice to the refugees who were slaughtered by General Kahimbi’s men since they failed to protect them.
The RPPs prayers and thoughts are with the families and relatives of the victims, the injured ones and all the Rwandan refugees in the DRC that have been forced to endure the greatest humiliations and treatments.
We have learned with great sorrows and pains that refugees in demolished camps, are treated by the FARDC and DRC like animals. In camps refugees die of starvation, with no healthcare and no human rights. This is an outrage and a possible crime against humanity.
The RPP calls upon the international community to support the welfare and wellbeing on Rwanda refugees. We also call up the international community to bring to justice those responsible for killing Rwandan refugees at Kanyabayonga. In Particular General Kahimbi and his men, along with the FARDC should be brought to account for their crimes.
Again, this clearly takes us back, to the RPPs policy for all Rwandan refugees to return home. We again urge every
Rwandan refugee to return to their country of birth.
Being a refugee today is often unbearable. I know this personally from my own experience as a refugee, in Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda (twice), Kenya, Sweden and the UK, I know well how refugees are mistreated both in Africa, Europe and North America. In Europe, today refugees are caged, have no human rights, no housing, and refugees survive on coupons given to them and refugee agencies dictate to them what they should buy. In effect refugees are not entitled to money or have the right work and to make their own choices. Refugees have no real freedom today in Europe.
These are intolerable circumstance for someone who is a refugee. It is contrary to morality and international law. The world must stop mistreating and neglecting refugees and respect them as human beings. It can begin this, by ensuring that there are no repeats of the recent killings of Rwandan refugees by Congolese army.
Once again, our thoughts are with all Rwandan refugees suffering in the forests of the DRC. We can only hope that the international community does its duty and protects these helpless men, women and children.
May God help and protect refugees all over the world. Thank you.
John V Karuranga, President Rwanda People’s Party www.rwandapeopleparty.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
@rppimvura
Skype: John.Karuranga