Spotlight on Rwandan refugee crisis

The Refugees Studies Programme at Queen Elizabeth House has hosted a one-day international conference on the plight of refugees fleeing from conflict in Rwanda. The aim of the conference, entitled `Towards Understanding the Crisis in the Great Lakes Region', was to reflect on key events and problems as they emerged, rather than concentrating on the background to the crisis. Presentations focused on the status, number, and fate of Rwandan refugees remaining in Eastern Zaire, the political role of external intervention, and the problems faced by large numbers of refugees returning to Rwanda (pictured above). Among the speakers were academics and aid workers with direct experience of the crisis, including representatives of the United Nations High Commisssion for Refugees, human rights organisations, US military personnel, the media, and non-governmental organisations.