Kenya: UNHCR disturbed by arrests and deportations of Somali refugees
UNHCR is concerned over the arrest and detention of over one thousand refugees and asylum seekers who were rounded up during counter-terrorism operations launched by Kenyan security forces in Nairobi since 4 April 2014 targeting undocumented foreigners. Most of those who have been arrested are Somalis, 82 of whom were deported to Mogadishu on 9 April 2014. While UNHCR was able to secure the exemption of 10 registered refugees from this deportation, at least one refugee is reported to have been among those deported.
While we have received access to Kasarani stadium and police cells where those arrested have been held and we were able to secure the release of a number holding refugee documentation, UNHCR is disturbed by reports of harassment and other abuses. Furthermore, the conditions at Kasarani stadium and in the police stations are overcrowded and sanitary conditions are inadequate.
UNHCR fully recognizes the national security imperatives Kenya faces in the wake of recent devastating terrorist attacks. The vast majority of Somali refugees and asylum-seekers in Kenya are and have been law-abiding members of their communities. Furthermore, given ongoing hostilities in their country, Somalis, especially those originating from Southern and Central Somalia, continue to be in need of international protection as refugees and should not be returned against their will to a place where their lives will be exposed to risk.
UNHCR welcomes the assurances it has received from the Government that no registered refugee or asylum-seeker will be deliberately deported, but remains concerned that others could also face threats if returned. In addition, if the directive issued on 25 March 2014 ordering all urban refugees to move to the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in the north of the country is implemented, it will disrupt the lives of refugees who have for years settled and built their lives peacefully in Nairobi, Mombassa and other urban areas.
UNHCR remains ready to work with the Government authorities in ways which, while ensuring that Kenya's legitimate security concerns are catered for, would preserve the favourable asylum and protection environment which the country has provided over years, including in the urban areas.
For more information on this subject, please contact:
- In Nairobi, Caroline Opile on number +254 204 232 127
- In Geneva, Ariane Rummery on mobile: +41 79 200 7617
Related news and stories
Thousands of newly arrived Somali refugees in Ethiopia relocated to new settlement
Samira's Story
Drought brings life-threatening food shortages for refugees in Ethiopia
100,000 new Somali refugees arrive in Ethiopia in the past month, UN and partners are calling for urgent funding
Q&A with Mary Maker, UNHCR's newest Global Goodwill Ambassador
UNHCR teams and partners rush assistance to some 100,000 newly arrived Somali refugees in hard-to-reach area of Ethiopia
Your search for « unhcr » matched 36074 results. Only the first 1,000 results are displayed. Displaying page 1 of 112 pages.
-
2020 UNHCR-NGO Consultations on the COVID-19 response
... At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020, UNHCR established global weekly virtual ... to create a space for regular dialogue between UNHCR and NGOs on challenges and for sharing good ...... -
Privacy Policy
... UNHCR’s Privacy Policy UNHCR is committed to protecting individual privacy and securing the personal information made available by users of UNHCR websites (that is, all sites within the ...... -
2021 UNHCR-NGO Monthly Consultations
... Following-up on the model of weekly/monthly NGO Consultations on the COVID-19 response held in 2020, and in lieu of the usual UNHCR-NGO Global Consultations, the UNHCR Partnership and Coordination ...... -
UNHCR-NGO 2022 Quarterly Consultations
... Following-up on the model of weekly/monthly NGO Consultations held in 2020 and 2021, and as complement to the UNHCR-NGO Global Consultations to be held in June 2022, the UNHCR Partnership and ...... -
UNHCR Statistical Yearbook 2002 - Country Data Sheets
1 Sep 2004 ... UNHCR Statistical Yearbook AFGHANISTAN 1951 Convention: Not State party Region (MDGs): Developing regions 1967 Protocol: Not State party Sub-region (MDGs): United Nations: Asia Bureau (UNHCR): Other ...... -
UNHCR Resettlement Handbook (complete publication)
Jul 2011 ... UNHCR Resettlement Handbook Acknowledgments This revised UNHCR Resettlement Handbook is the product of close consultation and collaboration among UNHCR staff and resettlement partners. The Division of ...... -
UNHCR Tool Boxes on EU Asylum Matters: Tool Box 2: The Instruments
1 Sep 2003 ... to free movement of persons AMSTERDAM TREATY: UNHCR calls for a fair and coherent EU asylum policy, ... Member States of the European Union (including UNHCR Position) - Protocol on the application of ...... -
UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls, First Edition (complete publication)
1 Jan 2008 ... UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls Acknowledgments This Handbook is the product of collaborative efforts, resulting from extensive consultations with, and contributions, from UNHCR ...... -
UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls, January 2008
Jan 2008 ... UNHCR Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls Acknowledgments This Handbook is the product of collaborative efforts, resulting from extensive consultations with, and contributions, from UNHCR ......