CDH-VICAR Warns Against Impending Forced Repatriation Decision Violating the Geneva Conventions

CDH/VICAR has been closely monitoring developments surrounding a joint communiqué expected this Friday, 28 November 2025, to be issued by the Tanzanian Government, the Burundian Government, and UNHCR. According to credible information gathered through our monitoring and protection networks, the communiqué is anticipated to formalize a policy decision authorizing the forced repatriation of Burundian refugees currently residing in Tanzania. This announcement follows weeks of coordinated lobbying between Tanzanian and Burundian authorities, reportedly supported by certain UNHCR staff members.

If confirmed, this decision would constitute a grave violation of international refugee law, specifically Article 33 of the 1951 Geneva Convention, which enshrines the principle of non-refoulement. This principle prohibits the return of any individual to a country where they face threats to their life, liberty, or physical integrity. All three entities—Tanzania, Burundi, and UNHCR—have formally committed to these obligations, reinforced under the binding Tripartite Agreement governing the protection of Burundian refugees.

CDH/VICAR views the current developments as a dangerous escalation that places thousands of vulnerable individuals at immediate risk. The forced repatriation of refugees to a context where political persecution, human rights abuses, and reprisals remain well-documented undermines foundational humanitarian principles and erodes the integrity of international protection frameworks. Any policy enabling involuntary returns, whether explicit or disguised as “voluntary,” violates the established norms that safeguard displaced populations.

As part of our protection-monitoring mandate, CDH/VICAR is documenting these unfolding events and preparing to engage regional and international stakeholders. We call upon the international community to ensure that no refugee is returned against their will and that all parties adhere to the legal commitments they have signed. Our organization will continue to advocate, document, and provide evidence-driven reporting to prevent actions that threaten the security and dignity of Burundian refugees.