UNHCR, APRIL 2023 REFUGEES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION However, it should be noted that refugee intentions can change over time, according to the different options that appear to be available. A significant number of Congolese refugees in Rwanda have been targeted for resettlement in the past decade, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming couple of years. In total, 33,750 refugees, the majority of whom are Congolese, had been targe ted for resettlement between 2012 and 2021; as of 31 December 2021, 17,308 Congolese refugees had departed on resettlement. In 2023, UNHCR is planning to submit 6,000 refugees for resettlement, the majority of whom are Congolese. 83 In this context, it is likely that, in responding to a survey of this type, there would be a desire not to compromise the possibility of access to resettlement by expressing any other view. In the context of a survey questionnaire, it was not possible to delve deeper into these p references; and in particular the concept of permanent residence as a half-way status between refugee and citizen may have been differently interpreted by different respondents – although it was explained as being a status that gave most rights of citizens except the ability to vote and stand for public office. The desire for ongoing refugee status may also reflect an acknowledgement of the assistance – albeit limited – available to refugees that is not available to nationals of the country of asylum. It is – again, unsurprisingly – clear that most long-term refugees have no understanding of the specific legal provisions in each country – including the potential routes to acquisition of nationality or permanent residence status in the country of asylum set out in this report (see above, Gaps in national laws creating risks of statelessness, and Annex 4). The focus groups provided some more insights into the wishes of refugees. DRC None of those participating in focus groups wished for voluntary repatriation to Rwanda, calling either for local integration in DRC as citizens, with the same rights of citizens especially to own land, or for resettlement. Although many had information about their ancestry in Rwanda, they had not visited since their flight in the mid-1990s, and considered their lives to be in Congo. Intermarriage with Congolese is common. Young people in particular have no or little attachment to Rwanda as a place of origin (and many would be eligible for Congolese nationality under existing provisions of the law). Some older refugees were concerned that they might be suspected of association with the crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide if they were to return. The insecurity in DRC, however, especially for refugees, meant that resettlement in another country was for most the desired solution - but in practice is not available. Rwanda The great majority of long-term Congolese refugees in Rwanda participating in focus groups wanted to retain their refugee status in Rwanda over the long term, if they could not be resettled. They thought that the children of refugees born in Rwanda should be resettled. They did not wish to be granted Rwandan nationality; at the same time, there was no view that individuals should not acquire Rwandan nationality if they wished (for example, those who had done so through marriage ), so long as they could also retain their original nationality. Uganda In Uganda, too, resettlement was kept as the best option for a majority of those surveyed. If resettlement was not possible, most said they would prefer to remain as refugees. The reasons for this preference appear complex. A few hoped for peace and stability to come to their countries of origin, so that they could return; this was true especially for those from South Sudan. A few were undecided or needed more time to evaluate these options, saying they had not enough knowledge to express a preference. For others, the sense of identity as nationals of their country of origin – whether South Sudan or DRC – was sufficiently strong that the idea of changing nationality almost did not make sense. In addition, refugee status is perceived as effectively a permanent legal residence status, that additionally attracts some 83 ‘Projected Global Resettlement Needs 2023’, UNHCR, 21 June 2022 https://reliefweb.int/report/world/unhcrprojected-global-resettlement-needs-2023 . 27