JOINT COMMUNIQUE THE 8^TH MEETING OF THE

TRIPARTITE COMMISSION ON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF

BURUNDI REFUGEES IN TANZANIA

BUJUMBURA, 23^rd JUNE 2004

1. Following the invitation of the Minister In-Charge of Reintergration and Resettlement of Displaced Persons and Repatriates of the Government of the Republic of Burundi Hon. Francoise NGENDAHAYO, the eighth meeting of the Tripartite Commission on Voluntary Repatriation of Burundian Refugees from Tanzania was held at Novotel Hotel in Bujumbura on 23^rd June 2004.

2. The Tanzanian delegation to the Tripartite Commission was led by the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Omar R. MAPURI.

3. The UNHCR delegation was led by Mr. Kaba-Guichard NEYAGA, the UMHCR Representative in Burundi.

4. In their opening speeches, the heads of delegation put emphasis on the following.

· The three parties commended the achievements registered on the process of ongoing repatriation especially with the opening of the two remaining border points namely; the Mabamba-Gisuru and Manyovu-Mugina which have witnessed over 52,000 repatriants crossing into Burundi in the past 5 months.

· The Heads of Delegations acknowledge the evolving and improving security situation in Burundi, resulting in the increase and wider distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout many parts of the country. In this regard, the three heads of delegations therefore called upon the International Community to assist in the provision of funding in order to meet the challenges posed by the re-integration programs in the country.

· Heads of Delegations reiterated the need to achieve the right pace of repatriation in a manner that the operation is sustainable. In this regard, the need for human and material resources that will ensure the continued pace and sustainability of the process can not be over-emphasized.

· The Tripartite Commission had a frank and fruitful discussion on the report of the 10^th meeting of the TWG which was held in Bujumbura on 21-22 June 2004 and endorsed its recommendations with some amendments.

The TC agreed on the following:

1. Evaluation of the Implementation of the recommendation of the last TC meeting

(a) Opening of crossing points

The Mabamba-Gisuru point of entry exit was opened on 28^th January 2004 with the organization of a test convoy in accordance with the recommendation of the 7^th TC meeting in Arusha.

(b) Burundi Refugees living outside camps

The TC agreed that ll Burundian Refugees living outside refugees camps should be informed and sensitized on the ongoing voluntary repatriation operation.

(c) Number of Convoys per week

While taking note of the increased logistical capacity of UNHCR, the TC agreed to the continued maintenance of a minimum of 2 convoys per week per crossing point in order to address the current demand for facilitated returnees to Burundi.

(d) Rehabilitation of access roads and transit centres

While all the repatriation access roads between Tanzania and Burundi are fully operational, the TC recognizes the need to identify and to rehabilitate roads to areas of return and other crossboarder roads. Such rehabilitation would reduce logistical constraints and ensure the ongoing smooth repatriation and reintergration operation. This matter will be addressed in the next cross border meeting

(e) Repatriation of long term Burundian refugees- Budget finalization

The TC recommends that as a preliminary step, the planned survey be carries out to determine who among the old Burundian refugees caseload wishes to repatriate. At the conclusion of the survey, the corresponding budget should be finalized. However should refugees living outside the camps express the with to be repatriated, they should be assisted to return.

(f) Go and See Visits

The TC acknowledges the successful completion of four Go –See – Visits and recommends that such visits be intensified with a view to increase confidence building among the refugees.

(g) Assistance to Spontaneous Repatriation

The TC noted the decrease in number of spontaneous returnees which can be attributed to the opening of all crossing points for facilitated repatriation. The presence of UNHCR in the area of return has further improved the assistance provided to the spontaneous returnees. However the TC recommends the harmonization of assistance to all repatriants as already agreed in Arusha during the 7^th meeting of the TC.

(h) The land issue in Burundi

The TC observed that the mechanisms to resolve land disputes were in place in some parts of the country. However, the need was highlighted for them to be more widely used by returnees through appropriate information dissemination. On the issue of available State-land, delimitation efforts should continue to make land accessible to returnees who have a right full claim to such lands and to seek further habitable plots of land.

2. Status and evaluation of ongoing voluntary repatriation and Reintergration

(a) While acknowledging the achievements made in the ongoing voluntary repatriation operation, the TC highlighted the importance of having a common basis of collecting information on spontaneous and facilitated returnees to enhance accurate and harmonized statistics. TWG shall work out the modalities of harmonization.

(b) The TC noted a number of constraints hindering the reintegration process. The constraints include: limited access to education and health services, insufficient building materials for permanent housing and lack of relevant information on the location mines.

The TC has noted the need to release funds and recommends that the necessary resources be mobilized to that effect in order to maintain the momentum already gained in the re-integration process.

3. Consideration of the report on cross border activities undertaken since the last TC meeting

The various cross-border activities were successfully implemented:

· A cross-border meeting was held in Kigoma on 16^th March 2004 where modalities on transportation of livestock and other related repatriation issues were streamlined;

· A total of four Go-See-Visits were undertaken. Two visits were made from March 16^th -18^th 2004 and from 1^st -6^th of May 2004 to Muyinga Province, one visit was conducted to Ruyigi Province from the 8^th-10^th June 2004 and one visit was made to Makamba Province from the 1^st to the 7^th of April 2004;

· Primary school examinations were dispensed on the 16^th June 2004 in the Ngara refugee camps in accordance with the Burundian education curriculum. The TC recommends that these activities be continued.

4. Transition From Facilitation to Promotion Phase

Due to the fact that the established benchmarks have not all been met, the TC recommends that the issue of transition from facilitated to promoted repatriation should be subject to a regular assessment submitted in a report for the consideration the TC

5. CALENDA OF ACTIVITIES

The TC accepted the tabled proposed calendar of activities with some amendments.

6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

(a) INFORMATION PACKAGE

· TC has noted the existence of an information leaflet on the repatriation of Burundian refugees and recommends that it be translated into Swahili language and disseminated throughout refugee camps.

· It was also recommended that mine awareness activities should also target refugees prior to their departure.

(b) VISA AND TAX PAYMENTS

· It was recommended by the TC that a waiver of fees on cattle be made for the first 12 months upon return.

· The payment of entry visa for staff assigned to the Voluntary Repatriation Operation in the two countries shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement of May 2001.

(c) BIRTH CERTIFICATES

It was recommended by the TC that all refugee children born in Tanzania be issued with birth certificates in accordance with Tanzanian laws and regulations.

Done in Bujumbura on the 23^rd of June 2004, in six originals, three in English and three in French, both version being equally authentic.

Madame Francoise NGENDAHAYO Honourable Omar R. MAPURI

______________________________ __________________________

For the Government of the For the Government of the United

Republic of Burundi Republic of Tanzania

Mr. Kaba-Guichard NEYAGA

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For the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees