Rwanda National Police

The Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana on September 16, officially launched one day training on International Protection of Refugees at the Rwanda National Police Headquarters in Kacyiru.

The delegation was headed by the UNHCR Representative, Saber AZAM
The one day training organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs (MIDMAR) and Rwanda Immigration who are partners.

The participants will train and discuss refugee security and protection, emergency response and how to attend to persons with specific needs in Rwanda.

While addressing participants, IGP Gasana said that Rwanda National Police’s role is to ensure safety of people, their properties and ensure a safe environment. He emphasized that RNP is dedicated to securing refugees and refugee camps in line with principles of International refugee law.

“Our partnership with UNHCR has been emphasized especially in the areas of Justice, Child protection, prevention and response to sexual and Gender Bases Violence” IGP Gasan said

The one stop centers named Turikumwe were established in partnership with RNP, MIDMAR, UNHCR and the Immigration office in some refugee camps as models and will be extended to other camps, IGP Gasana added
He also informed them that due to partnership with the local community, security of transit centers and refugee camp is assured.

“Trainings of this kind help police officers to freshen their memories in as far as protection of refugees is concerned  and concerted efforts should be devised to sensitize refugees against involvement in any kind of criminal activities” IGP told participants.

He reiterated that RNP remains committed to the protection of refuges and always ready to join efforts with partners to solve disaster issues.

The UNHCR Country representative, Mr. Saber Azam told participants that it’s a responsibility of Rwandese to ensure the refugees’ security and protection maintained to international standards and requested security organs to work closely with UNHCR.

“This training is the beginning of a fruitful cooperation between UNHCR, RNP, MIDMAR and Immigration and we look forward to build a solid relationship” Saber said.

The government of Rwanda has the right to know and protect whoever is living on its territory, UNHCR intends to share the refugee population statistics with RNP, MIDMAR and Immigration to ensure refugees are safe under human character and respond to their needs,” Saber added.