CDH/VICAR Documents Continued Forced Disappearances and Threats Against Burundian Refugees in Tanzania

CDH/VICAR has completed a comprehensive investigation into the increasing cases of forced disappearances, kidnappings, and reprisals targeting Burundian refugees living in the camps of Nduta and Nyarugusu in Tanzania. The findings reveal a pattern of nighttime abductions, systematic intimidation, and unlawful arrests affecting refugees who should, under international law, be protected from such violations.

Our team documented multiple incidents in 2025 involving refugees abducted by unidentified men, often transported in vehicles resembling those linked to intelligence services. Testimonies consistently point to a troubling passivity—and in some cases, suspected complicity—of local security forces, who fail to prevent or investigate these crimes. Families of victims remain without answers, deepening fear and uncertainty within the camps.

The investigation also highlights the alarming silence of humanitarian actors operating in the camps. Despite repeated alerts from the refugee community, neither the UNHCR nor partner NGOs have publicly condemned these violations or initiated mechanisms to protect those at risk. This erosion of trust has left refugees feeling abandoned and exposed to further harm, especially as pressure for premature or forced return to Burundi intensifies.

Beyond Tanzania’s borders, CDH/VICAR’s findings confirm that repatriated Burundians continue to face persecution, arbitrary detention, and disappearances upon return—contradicting official narratives of a “safe and voluntary” reintegration process. The organization calls on governments, international institutions, and human rights defenders to take urgent action to stop these abuses and restore meaningful protection for all Burundian refugees.