16 Apr 2010

TANZANIA / BURUNDI REFUGEES

In a historic gesture, Tanzania grants 162,000 Burundian refugees citizenship. The move represents the largest naturalization of any one refugee group at one time. UNHCR

Posted at: April 16, 2010 12:59 pm

Duration: 02:13

Available in: SD

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STORY: TANZANIA / BURUNDI REFUGEES
SOURCE: UNHCR
TRT: 2.13
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/ KISWAHILI/ NATS

DATELINE: 13, 15 APRIL 2010, TANZANIA

SHOTLIST:

15 APRIL 2010, KATUMBA REFUGEE SETTLEMENT, TANZANIA

1.     Tracking shot, High Commissioner greeting many of the soon to be citizens 
2.     SOUNDBITE (English)Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
"This is a historic moment; I think we need to the express to the government and people of Tanzania our deep gratitude and appreciation for this very generous act. More than 162,000 Burundian refugees who had fled their country more than thirty years ago will receive the nationality of Tanzania.  That's great moment, that's the best possible solution and we are extremely happy with that."
3.     Various shots, home of a family that will receive citizenship
4.     SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Boas Yohana Majuto Burundian Refugee:
"If I am fortunate to be a Tanzanian national like others, I will be extremely happy. It will be extraordinary and unique feeling.  I will continue cooperating with fellow Tanzanians for better and or worse, and working together."
5.     Med shot, Guterres and Masha talking and greeting the refugees.  
6.     Various shots, acrobatic dancers and residents celebrating

13 APRIL 2010, DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA

7.     SOUNDBITE (English) Lawrence Masha, Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister:
"This is something I believe should they should remember for the rest of their lives because effectively they have opened the door. They are the first to be given certificates to be part and parcel of this exercise we have been doing together."
8.     Tilt down, Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister Lawrence Masha welcomes student refugees  
9.     SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Fidelitha Momenye, New Tanzanian citizen:
"I wanted to be Tanzanian because I was born here. I have studied in Tanzania and I have lived here all my life. It was my parents who fled here in 1972."
10.     Med shot, Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister Lawrence Masha giving certificates to student refugees

STORYLINE:

In a historic gesture, Tanzania has granted 162,000 Burundian refugees citizenship. The move represents the largest naturalisation of any one refugee group at one time. It means that for the first time, the refugees, who have lived in exile in Tanzanian refugee camps since 1972, will have the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens.

It also resolves one of the most protracted refugee situations on the African continent.

In Katumba refugee settlement, the soon-to-be citizens greeted the UN High Commissioner and he listened to them speak about their plans for the future.

SOUNDBITE (English)Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
"This is a historic moment; I think we need to the express to the government and people of Tanzania our deep gratitude and appreciation for this very generous act. More than 162,000 Burundian refugees who had fled their country more than thirty years ago will receive the nationality of Tanzania.  That's great moment, that's the best possible solution and we are extremely happy with that."

The UN refugee agency hailed the move by the Tanzanian government and called on other countries to follow suit. Once the refugees receive their certificates, they will be able to leave the settlements and start their lives anew in other parts of the country. It is the end of a long wait for the exiles.

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Boas Yohana Majuto Burundian Refugee:
"If I am fortunate to be a Tanzanian national like others, I will be extremely happy. It will be extraordinary and unique feeling.  I will continue cooperating with fellow Tanzanians for better and or worse, and working together."

While this process has been underway since 2008, it was finalized this week when Home Affairs Minister, Lawrence Masha posted the first notification of those who were naturalized at a centre in the Katumba settlement.  Much celebration accompanied the announcement.

SOUNDBITE (English) Lawrence Masha, Tanzanian Home Affairs Minister:
"This is something I believe should they should remember for the rest of their lives because effectively they have opened the door. They are the first to be given certificates to be part and parcel of this exercise we have been doing together."

At a small ceremony in Dar Es Salaam, Masha accompanied by the UN High Commissioner of Refugees gave out the first naturalisation certificates to students.

SOUNDBITE (Kiswahili) Fidelitha Momenye, New Tanzanian citizen:
"I wanted to be Tanzanian because I was born here. I have studied in Tanzania and I have lived here all my life. It was my parents who fled here in 1972."

Similar notices were simultaneously released in the two other Burundian settlements by senior Tanzanian immigration officials.

Filed under 13.01.00 - PROTECTION OF AND ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS BURUNDI UNHCR - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ZANZIBAR .