I do not see the difference of being a refugee in DRC or in some other countries where refugees in DRC are being forced to return back to Rwanda. The UN should understand that all Rwandan refugees are equal and protected by the international law. No single refugee should be forced to return home against his/her will. Let us all be civilised people and abide by the law. The well recognised body like UN should be exemplary.
Mr Martin Kobler can not know Rwandan problem better than people who have been in exile and hunted by the same government that is supposed to protect them. Everybody should know by now that FDLR combatants are the survivors of the massacres of 1996-7 in DRC refugee camps. This ugly act was conducted by RPF-Inkotanyi, the ruling party in Rwanda. Those who doubt the facts can read the UN mapping report on atrocities committed in the great lakes region between 1993 and 2003.
These Ex- FDLR combatants are refugees like any other refugees in the world. They laid down weapons in the hope that the internatinal community can come to their rescue and protect them and help them to return back home in dignity.
It is known that the birth of FDLR was triggered by the crimes committed against humanity that were perpetrated on Rwandan refugees by RPF-Inkotanyi in DRC where they took refuge.
Mr Martin Kobler can do at least the minimum of not stressing the refugees who have been abandoned by the international community more than 20 years. He should not threaten them using different tactics of food shortage and lack of medical care. He should give them a break, they need it.
In this modern world, we should not hear things of the past repeating themselves like concentration camps during world war. It was a disaster, let us say NO to this evil treatment. Let us show love and compassion and solve problems humanely.
I would show gratitude to the congolese who have endured the suffering with Rwandan refugees. Let us stand together and fight evil and for sure we will be victorious. The bad apples should be discouraged from responding to the call of the mastermind of the chaos in the region. If all of us say NO to the perpetrators the victory will come soon.
Donat Gapyisi
