Last Change:
05/28/2025
Law No. 13 ter/2014 of 21/05/2014 relating to refugees
Year: 2014
Type: Domestic law
Rights Category: Asylum, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Family life, Documentation
Description
This law governs refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda.It sets out the general law relevant and applicable to the main refugee and asylum issues.
Selected provisions
Refugee status shall be revoked when it subsequently appears that it was granted contrary to the provisions of Article 7 and 14 of this Law.
A person granted the refugee status on a prima facie basis may have his/her status revoked by the Refugee Status Determination Committee for reasons of territorial integrity and security of the nation.
Refugee status shall cease for any person who:
1° has voluntarily re-availed him/herself of the protection of the country of his/her nationality;
2° having lost his/her nationality, has voluntarily re-acquired it;
3° has acquired a new nationality, and enjoys the protection of the country of his/her new nationality;
4° has voluntarily re-established him/herself in the country which he/she had fled;
5° had been granted refugee status but can no longer continue to avail him/herself of the protection of the
country of asylum, because the circumstances in connection with which he/she has been recognized as a
refugee has ceased to exist;
6° has no nationality and being in a position to return to the country of his/her former habitual residence
because the circumstances in connection with which he/she had been recognized as a refugee have ceased
to exist.
Without prejudice to other laws, any person having obtained refugee status in Rwanda shall enjoy the rights and liberties provided for by international instruments on refugees ratified by Rwanda.
A refugee shall be granted Rwandan nationality in accordance with Rwandan laws.
The marriage of refugees shall be governed by Rwandan laws.
Documents required for marriage of a refugee shall be issued by a civil status registrar whose jurisdiction covers the place of settlement of the refugee on the basis of information and documents availed by the organ responsible for the daily management of refugees.
When a refugee is married to a Rwandan, he/she shall keep his/her refugee status unless he/she acquires Rwandan nationality in accordance with relevant laws.
A refugee or an asylum seeker shall in no way stay in or relocate from a camp without prior authorization of the Minister.
A refugee who no longer wishes to stay in a camp may relocate to another place upon a written request addressed to and approved by the Minister.
Law No. 13 ter/2014 of 21/05/2014 relating to refugees - Generic