CDH/VICAR documented and monitored a meeting held on July 1, 2026, at the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, where representatives of UNHCR met exclusively with Burundian refugees. According to information received, refugees were encouraged to consider returning to Burundi on the basis that the security situation in the country had improved and that peace had been restored.
The organization notes that these discussions took place within a highly sensitive context, as many Burundian refugees continue to express concerns about their safety and the conditions required for a voluntary, safe, and dignified return. Refugees who fled political persecution, human rights violations, and insecurity remain apprehensive about returning without adequate guarantees of protection.
CDH/VICAR also observed that the meeting occurred shortly after the presentation of the report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Fortuné Zongo, before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report documented continuing human rights concerns in Burundi, including allegations of more than 400 killings and over 200 enforced disappearances since 2020, while noting the absence of credible investigations into these cases.
The organization emphasizes that decisions regarding refugee repatriation should always be guided by objective, comprehensive, and up-to-date assessments of the human rights situation in the country of origin. International refugee law requires that any return be strictly voluntary, based on free and informed consent, and carried out in conditions that guarantee safety, dignity, and sustainability.
CDH/VICAR reiterates that the principle of non-refoulement remains a cornerstone of international refugee protection and prohibits the return of individuals to situations where they may face persecution or serious human rights violations. Refugees must be able to make informed decisions free from direct or indirect pressure and with full access to accurate information regarding conditions in their country of origin.
Through this monitoring and advocacy activity, CDH/VICAR calls upon UNHCR, host governments, regional institutions, and the international community to ensure that all repatriation initiatives fully comply with international refugee law and human rights standards. The organization remains committed to promoting the rights of Burundian refugees and advocating for durable solutions founded on protection, dignity, and respect for fundamental rights. States must uphold their commitments.
