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 Protection Training Manual for European Border and Entry Officials - 7. The Return of Persons not in Need of International Protection. Annex 15 - UNHCR ExCom Conclusion on the Return of Persons Found not to Be in Need of International Protection
2011 ... Recalling the obligation of States to receive back their own nationals, as well as the right of States, under international law, to expel aliens while respecting obligations under international ...... -
The UNHCR Code of Conduct and Explanatory Notes
1 Nov 2010 ... Staff have an obligation not to abuse this power. This Code of Conduct is intended to serve as an ... It is designed to assist staff to better understand the obligations placed upon their conduct by the ...... -
The State of the World's Refugees 2012: In Search of Solidarity
31 May 2012 ... states accountable for respecting their obligations under the 1951 Conven- tion, UNHCR has ... territories, and to fulfil their obligations to refugees, displaced people and stateless people. ...... -
Frequently asked questions about the 1951 Refugee Convention
1 Jun 2001 ... Can the Convention resolve refugee problems? What obligations does a refugee have? Is a Convention ... to travel documents, but it also underscores a refugee's obligations to a host government. ...... -
Report of the UN Board of Auditors on the financial statements of the voluntary funds administered by the UNHCR for the year ended 31 December 2002
21 Aug 2003 ... ... income, cancellation of prior years’ obligation and currency exchange adjustments. 6. In ... I. Other items of interest Unliquidated obligations 24. Unliquidated obligations at the end of ...... -
"Article 31 of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees: Non-Penalization, Detention and Protection"
1 Oct 2001 ... ... be sure that its international obligations are met. Just as a decision on the merits of a claim to refugee status is generally the only way to ensure that the obligation of non- refoulement is ...... -
Refugee protection in international law: supervising the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees: Article 35 and beyond (10.1)
1 Jan 2003 ... ... The next three subsections outline the main content of the obligations of States under Article 35 of ... Article II(1) of the 1967 Protocol contains the same obligations in relation to UN- HCR’s ...... -
Self-Study Module 1: An Introduction to International Protection: Protecting Persons of Concern to UNHCR
1 Aug 2005 ... ... standards, including these countries’ obligations under the 1951 Convention; § Fears among ... policy and responses are consistent with obligations under international refugee law; § Protect ...... -
Matrix: Follow-up to the Recommendations of the Board of Auditors in their 2008 Report on 2007 Accounts, Update as of January 2010
9 Feb 2010 ... obligations and whether they are recorded in the proper period (para. 36); FCS / DFAM Closed and pursued under 2008 - 09 (a) Out of the USD 120.5 million un-liquidated obligations recorded ......