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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Address by Erika Feller, Assistant High Commissioner (Protection), UNHCR, to the Counter-Terrorism Committee, New York, 19 May 2011
19 May 2011 ... in particular international refugee law where such initiatives meet refugee protection obligations. ... In short, properly functioning asylum systems assist States to comply with their obligations to deny ...... -
A Thematic Compilation of Executive Committee Conclusions (7th edition)
Jun 2014 ... ... obligations should not be dependent on burden-sharing arrangements first being in place, particularly because respect for fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles is an obligation for ...... -
Consultation process: UNHCR Guidelines on Statelessness No. 5: Loss and Deprivation of Nationality under Articles 5-9 of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness
10 Dec 2019 ... ... OF STATELESSNESS ...... 4 a) Obligations to prevent and reduce statelessness under ... all States have obligations pursuant to the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of nationality. ...... -
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9 Oct 2006 ... Monday to live up to their legal and moral obligation to protect refugees and asylum seekers by ... Living up to our legal and moral obligations to refugees and asylum seekers is one way of fulfilling ...... -
Update on Programmes and Funding for 2003
4 Sep 2003 ... It also provides information, for the first time, on current levels of obligations in 2003. Annex II ... This is the minimum amount needed to avoid major disruptions in the disbursement of the obligation ...... -
No. 7: Maintaining the Civilian and Humanitarian Character of Asylum. Rosa da Costa
2 Jun 2004 ... ... IMPORTANCE OF THE PROBLEM AND RELATED LEGAL OBLIGATIONS The presence of armed elements, ∗ and more ... The legal framework which determines the host State’s obligations in this regard can be derived ...... -
"Access to Procedures: 'Safe Third Countries', 'Safe Countries of Origin' and 'Time Limits'"
1 Jun 2001 ... ... law, and subject to treaty obligations, to control the entry, residence and expulsion of aliens. That right is indeed subject to treaty obligations, and thus one held in the context of ...... -
UNHCR's comments on the Draft Bill on amending the Aliens Act, the Marriage Act and other Acts (Ref: 2001/7310-81)
18 Mar 2002 ... context of this Draft Bill, to adhere rigorously and fully to its various Convention obligations. ... to extend protection to all persons for 2 whom Denmark has an international obligation to do so. ...... -
Forgotten Without Reason: Protection of Non-Refugee Stateless Persons in Central Europe
30 Apr 2007 ... ... emphasis on relevant international legal obligations, as well as practical aspects and feasibility. ... by exempting stateless applicants from the obligation of passing any sort of examination (either ......