UNHCR statement on the future of Kenya's Dadaab refugee camps
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Karin de Gruijl – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The Government of Kenya has announced that the Dadaab refugee camps should be closed within three months and the 350,000 Somali refugees living there returned to their country. The Government's decision was announced this past weekend following the horrific attack at Garissa University earlier this month.
UNHCR too has been shocked and appalled by the Garissa attack. High Commissioner António Guterres and his staff stand in solidarity with the people of Kenya. We reiterate our condolences to the families of all the victims.
Kenya has been generously hosting and protecting refugees from violence and persecution in neighbouring Somalia for more than two decades. UNHCR works closely with the Government of Kenya and we understand well the current regional security situation and the seriousness of the threats Kenya is facing. We also recognize the obligation of the Government to ensure the security of its citizens and other people living in Kenya, including refugees.
UNHCR is nevertheless concerned that abruptly closing the Dadaab camps and forcing refugees back to Somalia would have extreme humanitarian and practical consequences, and would be a breach of Kenya's international obligations.
We are thus urging the Kenyan authorities to give the matter further consideration. UNHCR stands ready to work even more closely with the Government of Kenya to strengthen law enforcement at Dadaab and support other measures to protect refugees and Kenyans alike against possible intrusion by armed actors from across the border.
In December 2014, a pilot scheme was launched to support people who seek to voluntarily repatriate to one of three relatively safe areas of Somalia, namely Luuq, Baidoa and Kismayo. We are ready to work with the Governments of Kenya and Somalia to step up this program where there are opportunities for voluntary repatriation. Nonetheless, for now UNHCR considers that large-scale returns are still not possible in many parts of the country, in particular to South Central Somalia.
UNHCR reiterates it continued commitment to supporting the Government of Kenya in its protection of Somali refugees going forward.
For further information on this topic:
- In Nairobi: Raouf Mazou,mobile +254 716 359 655
- In Nairobi: Emmanuel Nyabera,mobile +254 733 995 975
- In Geneva: Karin de Gruijl, mobile +41 79 255 9213
- In Geneva: Babar Baloch, mobile +41 79 557 9106
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UNHCR Statement on the right to an effective remedy in relation to accelerated asylum procedures
21 May 2011 ... implicitly required, for States’ compliance with their obligations under the 1951 Convention. ... there is no compromise over international obligations including under the Refugee Convention and ...... -
Refugee Protection and Mixed-Migration: The 10-Point Plan in Action: Chapter 3 Protection-sensitive entry systems. Annex 4 - Romanian National Council for Refugees, Handbook of good practices related to asylum at the borders, 2004
1 Jun 2009 ... ... The 1951 Convention defines a refugee, his/her rights and obligations in the host country; establishes the general obligation of the contracting states to co-operate with the United Nations High ...... -
'A violation of his or her human security': New grounds for the recognition of refugee status: a proposal for reform, Mehreen Afzal
31 Dec 2006 ... would engage the Contracting State’s obligation either to provide protection within its ... negative duty of non- refoulement, a positive obligation on the host state to protect the refugee. ...... -
Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons
Jun 2010 ... ... framework is national but should also take into account the State's international legal obligations. ... or unwilling to fulfil their protection obligations. 2 Protection is an activity because action ...... -
Matrix: Follow-up to the Recommendations of the Board of Auditors in their 2009 Report on 2008 Accounts, Update as of August 2010 (including BoA comments)
15 Sep 2010 ... provisions concerning the cancellation of unliquidated obligations and reinforce its mechanisms for controlling the validity of obligations (para. 37); Financial Control Section - DFAM December 2010 ...... -
Voluntary funds administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1981 and Report of the Board of Auditors
28 Jul 1982 ... ... Status of prior years' projects as at 31 December 1981 - All funds: obligations liquidated/... Status of obligations as at 31 December 1981 - 37 All funds •••••••••••••...... -
UNHCR Protection Training Manual for European Border and Entry Officials - 2. The Legal Framework. Annex 1 - 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol
2011 ... ... applies for the purpose of its obligations under this Convention. (2) Any Contracting State which has adopted alternative (a) may at any time extend its obligations by adopting alternative (b) by ...... -
The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol
Sep 2011 ... They clarify the rights of refu- gees and the obligations of the 148 States that are party to one or ... It also defines a refugee’s obligations to host countries and specifies certain categories of ...... -
Submission by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in the Case of Hirsi and Others v. Italy
29 Mar 2011 ... of non-refoulement and pursuant legal obligations concerning the rescue and interception of ... Sea and Air exempt states from complying with other international standards or treaty obligations. ......