http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Letters/It-is-not-Rwanda-s-duty-to-manage-Uganda-s/-/806314/1893808/-/15h4wty/-/index.html

It is not Rwanda's duty to manage Uganda's refugee procedures

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I was shocked to hear Rwanda's Ambassador to Uganda Maj Gen Frank Mugambage say that the Government of Rwanda wants the 16 Rwandan students who recently crossed to Uganda seeking asylum, to be taken back to their country.

The students claim they were being forced to join the M23 rebels of DR Congo, while the ambassador said they had taken part in some examination malpractice of some sort. My concern, however, is for the ambassador to tell the Uganda government what to do and how to manage its asylum seeking/refugee assessment process.

An asylum seeker is someone whose claim for protection has not been decided by the country in which she or he has submitted their claim. Not every asylum seeker will ultimately be recognised as a refugee, but every refugee is initially an asylum seeker.

Uganda has the obligation to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees. Forcible return of refugees and asylum seekers fundamentally violates Uganda's international obligations. Uganda has signed the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 protocol; and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of the Refugee Problem in Africa.

Uganda has a Refugees Act 2006, which epitomises its unwavering liberal policy towards refugees who seek protection until they can achieve any of the three durable solutions of: returning in safety and dignity to their countries of origin, resettlement in a third country, or integration in the country of displacement. This Act followed the 1960 Uganda Control of Alien refugees Act. Uganda also has a country asylum policy.

Ambassador Frank Mugambage should note that Uganda's asylum system will decide whether the Rwandan asylum seekers actually qualify for protection. They will be assessed and reviewed without any interference. Those judged through proper procedures not to be refugees, nor to be in need of any other form of protection, will be sent back to Rwanda.

Uganda has a positive track record in giving fair individual procedures that determine refugee status and respects asylum seekers rights. The Uganda government, however, does not need any directives from the Rwanda government on how to manage this process.

Since time in memorial, Uganda has hosted thousand of asylum seekers. Likewise, many Ugandans, including the families of President Museveni and other prominent Ugandans, sought asylum during Uganda's turbulent political past. There was no way their host countries could have listened to the government of the day to have them returned.

It is no secret that most of the current Rwandan leaders were either born in exile or sought asylum in various countries, including Uganda. I wonder what would have happened if the then ruling government in Rwanda had demanded for their return at that time. What is sauce for the goose is source for the gander.

Albert Gomes-Mugumya
Specialist in peace, conflict & international security

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http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Rwanda-among-least-peaceful-countries-Tanzania-high/-/2558/1891216/-/item/0/-/6c88qd/-/index.html

Rwanda among 'least peaceful' countries, Tanzania high on list

   

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Rwandan refugees perform a dance during the World Refugee Day celebrations in Nairobi on June 20, 2013. The 2013 Global Peace Index Report ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162 countries surveyed. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI  Nation Media Group

By EMMANUEL RUTAYISIRE Special Correspondent
Posted  Saturday, June 22  2013 at  13:02

In Summary

• The institute's Global Peace Index Report for 2013 on the trend of peace in the world ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162, which contradicts official accounts that it is among the most peaceful.
• Regionally, the report puts Uganda at 106, Kenya 136 and Burundi 144 while Tanzania is ranked the most peaceful East African Community state, at 55.
• The three countries that had the largest improvements in peace over the past six years were Chad, Georgia and Haiti while the three with the greatest deterioration were Syria, Libya and Rwanda.

Rwanda is not as peaceful a country as government officials say — at least not in the eyes of the Institute for Economics and Peace, a global think tank that promotes greater understanding of economics, business and peace.

The institute's Global Peace Index Report for 2013 on the trend of peace in the world ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162, which contradicts official accounts that it is among the most peaceful.

The researchers found Nordic countries, which also had stable democracies, to be the most peaceful — meaning there is a correlation between rule of law and citizen participation in the presence or absence of peace.

Regionally, the report puts Uganda at 106, Kenya 136 and Burundi 144 while Tanzania is ranked the most peaceful East African Community state, at 55.

Observers attribute that to the political elite in Tanzania adhering to the constitution on presidential term limits and the country having never had a major internal conflict like the majority of its neighbours.

"The three countries that had the largest improvements in peace over the past six years were Chad, Georgia and Haiti while the three with the greatest deterioration were Syria, Libya and Rwanda," it says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo however disputed the ranking, saying: "Anybody who thinks Rwanda is not peaceful certainly doesn't have information, or measures backwards."

Anastase Shyaka, the chief executive officer of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), also faulted the report.

"When you look at the 22 qualitative and quantitative indicators they used to measure peace, you find systematic mismatches between the score they have attributed to Rwanda and the reality on the ground," Prof Shyaka said. "We will do an analysis on the report… point out where they got it wrong."

"We encourage them to go the extra mile, use the right information and credible data sources to make GPI more accurate not only on Rwanda but also on other countries."

A senior political analyst stated that there is a difference between peace and security, saying absence of war does not mean the citizenry is at peace. The university lecturer noted: "Peace means that people get an opportunity to advance.

"People want to participate in running the affairs of their country. Look at our parliament; it is not representative. It is ironical that we have an elected president but not an elected parliament. We are not sure of transition. We have also been under scrutiny over our relations with DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). Walking unharmed at night is not enough.…"

However, Andrew Rugege, formerly of Higher Education Council, noted that the authors could have interviewed the enemies of the government scattered in the West.

"It depends on the source of the report. You need to research on the authors. The important thing is that we know who we are. The way they rank us is immaterial," Prof Rugege argued.

The report, which accuses the state of clamping down on independent media as well as its political opponents, nonetheless clarifies that although Rwanda has sustained the third largest decline in its GPI score over the six years, it is not classified as being in a fragile situation in 2013 and therefore makes an interesting comparison with the aforementioned countries.

Least peaceful nations worsened

Besides losing points in several external indicators related to the conflict in neighbouring DRC, the report says, Rwanda has seen increases in homicide and terrorist activity. Kigali has lately witnessed grenade attacks which the state links to dissidents.

Outside the Arab Spring countries, Rwanda is pooled with nations that account for a significant majority of the global fall in peacefulness, with the report showing the least peaceful countries as becoming less peaceful.

Among the factors in disfavour of Rwanda is its proximity to the DRC, which has been a source of tension and conflict dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide with both governments often accusing each other of supporting armed rebels.

On the alleged clampdown on media and attacks on dissenting voices, the destabilising effect means Rwanda has seen an increase in what the report terms "Political Terror Scale, the number of people jailed per 100,000 people, political instability… homicide rate, and terrorist activity.

"These factors have contributed to Rwanda experiencing the third largest fall in the GPI since 2008."

Reporters Without Borders rates Rwanda's press climate as one of the 10 worst, with a ranking of 168th out of 179 countries, while Freedom House categorises the local press under "Not free", at 178th out of 192.

Observers also link Rwanda's continual poor ranking by rights groups and think tanks to strict controls the ruling class maintains on civic and political life.

READ: Mixed feelings as Rwanda scores low marks on freedom of media

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Rwanda-among-least-peaceful-countries-Tanzania-high/-/2558/1891216/-/item/0/-/6c88qd/-/index.html

Rwanda among 'least peaceful' countries, Tanzania high on list

   

Share  Bookmark Print Rating

Rwandan refugees perform a dance during the World Refugee Day celebrations in Nairobi on June 20, 2013. The 2013 Global Peace Index Report ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162 countries surveyed. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI  Nation Media Group

By EMMANUEL RUTAYISIRE Special Correspondent
Posted  Saturday, June 22  2013 at  13:02

In Summary

• The institute's Global Peace Index Report for 2013 on the trend of peace in the world ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162, which contradicts official accounts that it is among the most peaceful.
• Regionally, the report puts Uganda at 106, Kenya 136 and Burundi 144 while Tanzania is ranked the most peaceful East African Community state, at 55.
• The three countries that had the largest improvements in peace over the past six years were Chad, Georgia and Haiti while the three with the greatest deterioration were Syria, Libya and Rwanda.

Rwanda is not as peaceful a country as government officials say — at least not in the eyes of the Institute for Economics and Peace, a global think tank that promotes greater understanding of economics, business and peace.

The institute's Global Peace Index Report for 2013 on the trend of peace in the world ranks Rwanda 135th out of 162, which contradicts official accounts that it is among the most peaceful.

The researchers found Nordic countries, which also had stable democracies, to be the most peaceful — meaning there is a correlation between rule of law and citizen participation in the presence or absence of peace.

Regionally, the report puts Uganda at 106, Kenya 136 and Burundi 144 while Tanzania is ranked the most peaceful East African Community state, at 55.

Observers attribute that to the political elite in Tanzania adhering to the constitution on presidential term limits and the country having never had a major internal conflict like the majority of its neighbours.

"The three countries that had the largest improvements in peace over the past six years were Chad, Georgia and Haiti while the three with the greatest deterioration were Syria, Libya and Rwanda," it says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo however disputed the ranking, saying: "Anybody who thinks Rwanda is not peaceful certainly doesn't have information, or measures backwards."

Anastase Shyaka, the chief executive officer of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), also faulted the report.

"When you look at the 22 qualitative and quantitative indicators they used to measure peace, you find systematic mismatches between the score they have attributed to Rwanda and the reality on the ground," Prof Shyaka said. "We will do an analysis on the report… point out where they got it wrong."

"We encourage them to go the extra mile, use the right information and credible data sources to make GPI more accurate not only on Rwanda but also on other countries."

A senior political analyst stated that there is a difference between peace and security, saying absence of war does not mean the citizenry is at peace. The university lecturer noted: "Peace means that people get an opportunity to advance.

"People want to participate in running the affairs of their country. Look at our parliament; it is not representative. It is ironical that we have an elected president but not an elected parliament. We are not sure of transition. We have also been under scrutiny over our relations with DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo). Walking unharmed at night is not enough.…"

However, Andrew Rugege, formerly of Higher Education Council, noted that the authors could have interviewed the enemies of the government scattered in the West.

"It depends on the source of the report. You need to research on the authors. The important thing is that we know who we are. The way they rank us is immaterial," Prof Rugege argued.

The report, which accuses the state of clamping down on independent media as well as its political opponents, nonetheless clarifies that although Rwanda has sustained the third largest decline in its GPI score over the six years, it is not classified as being in a fragile situation in 2013 and therefore makes an interesting comparison with the aforementioned countries.

Least peaceful nations worsened

Besides losing points in several external indicators related to the conflict in neighbouring DRC, the report says, Rwanda has seen increases in homicide and terrorist activity. Kigali has lately witnessed grenade attacks which the state links to dissidents.

Outside the Arab Spring countries, Rwanda is pooled with nations that account for a significant majority of the global fall in peacefulness, with the report showing the least peaceful countries as becoming less peaceful.

Among the factors in disfavour of Rwanda is its proximity to the DRC, which has been a source of tension and conflict dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide with both governments often accusing each other of supporting armed rebels.

On the alleged clampdown on media and attacks on dissenting voices, the destabilising effect means Rwanda has seen an increase in what the report terms "Political Terror Scale, the number of people jailed per 100,000 people, political instability… homicide rate, and terrorist activity.

"These factors have contributed to Rwanda experiencing the third largest fall in the GPI since 2008."

Reporters Without Borders rates Rwanda's press climate as one of the 10 worst, with a ranking of 168th out of 179 countries, while Freedom House categorises the local press under "Not free", at 178th out of 192.

Observers also link Rwanda's continual poor ranking by rights groups and think tanks to strict controls the ruling class maintains on civic and political life.

READ: Mixed feelings as Rwanda scores low marks on freedom of media

[Video] Clemantine Wamariya: Refugee Childhood: A Resilient Life

http://youtu.be/1bR3WwyCeIs