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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Handbook for the Protection of Internally Displaced Persons
Mar 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 ...... -
No. 38: Political participation of refugees in their country of nationality
Nov 2018 ... ... it may have different Memoranda of Understanding and which may have different treaty obligations. ... and international human rights law treaty obligations, all states are committed within the United ...... -
Eswatini
10 Oct 2022 ... key to instilling a sense of duty and obligation within the bureaucracies with which they interface. ... Chairperson The Kingdom of Eswatini places a high premium on its obligation to provide for refugees; ...... -
Update on programme and funding projections for 1996
18 Mar 1996 ... Obligations entered into during 1995 totalled $ 1,142,940,884 ($ 405,058,260 for General Programmes ... As noted above, the final obligation level was $ 405.0 million, i.e. $ 6 million more than ...... -
Structural and Management Change Process: Progress Report (March 2007) [PowerPoint Presentation under item 4 a)]
6 Mar 2007 ... Progress Report (March 2007) UNHCR Structural & Management Change Team 2 Why change? Three imperatives: Moral obligation: maximizing resources for beneficiaries on the “front lines” Relevance: ...... -
"Supervising the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees: Article 35 and Beyond"
1 Jun 2001 ... ... Article II(1) CSRP67 contains the same obligations in relation to the UNHCR's functions, ... 59-60. 3 Article 35 was regarded as a strong obligation that might be too burdensome for some States ...... -
No. 10: The Administration of Justice in Refugee Camps: A Study of Practice. Rosa da Costa
1 Mar 2006 ... ... If a host State is lacking in its legal obligations to render justice to persons under its ... tenable (e.g. the obligation of a late husband’s family to take care of his wife and children). ...... -
An Overview of Protection Issues in Europe: Legislative Trends and Positions Taken by UNHCR, European Series, Vol.1, No.3
1 Sep 1995 ... ... and build institutional capacity to meet their obligations towards international refugee protection. ... countries, then states’ actions are contrary to their international obligations towards refugees. ...... -
Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons: Its History and Interpretation. A commentary by Nehemiah Robinson, Institute of Jewish Affairs, World Jewish Congress, 1955 (re-printed by the Department of International Protection in 1997)
1 Jan 1997 ... ... taken residence as having the rights and obligations which are attached to the possession of the ... or accession may at any time extend its obligations by means of a notification addressed to the ......