CDH-VICAR Condemns Tanzania’s Decision to Forcibly Repatriate Over 95% of Burundian Refugees

CDH/VICAR has documented with grave concern the announcement made by the Government of Tanzania regarding the forced repatriation of Burundian refugees. According to the information released, Tanzanian authorities have published a list naming more than 95% of all Burundian refugees currently residing in the country, who are now being ordered to return to Burundi. This decision marks one of the most aggressive and sweeping repatriation measures taken in recent years and poses an immediate threat to refugee safety and dignity.

The publication of such a list constitutes a direct breach of international refugee law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of individuals to a territory where they may face persecution, violence, or threats to their life and liberty. Tanzania, Burundi, and UNHCR are bound by the 1951 Geneva Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the Tripartite Agreement governing the protection of Burundian refugees. By taking this step, the Tanzanian government is undermining its own legal commitments and placing thousands of lives at risk.

This development follows a series of escalating measures targeting Burundian refugees, including increased surveillance, intimidation, aggressive screening procedures, confiscation of documentation, and the dismantling of protective mechanisms within refugee camps. With more than 95% of refugees included on the published repatriation list, there is legitimate concern that the process is not only coercive but deliberately engineered to eliminate the possibility of genuinely voluntary repatriation, a cornerstone of international protection principles. Refugees now face heightened fear, uncertainty, and the real possibility of forced return without due process.

As part of our regional monitoring activities, CDH/VICAR is actively documenting these events and alerting relevant national, regional, and international stakeholders. We call on the Government of Tanzania to immediately halt all forced repatriation measures, on UNHCR to uphold its protection mandate with rigor, and on the international community to intervene to ensure the rights of Burundian refugees are safeguarded. CDH/VICAR remains committed to advocating for the protection, dignity, and safety of all refugees, and will continue to monitor and report on any developments that compromise their security.