UN against forced repatriation of Somali refugees

UNHCR chief Antonio Gueterres (right) and the director of Africa Bureau UNHCR Geneva George Okoth-Obbo during a pa press conference. The UN has opposed forced repatriation of Somali refugees saying the process must be voluntary, a position earlier opposed by the Kenya government. Photo/FILE

UNHCR chief Antonio Gueterres (right) and the director of Africa Bureau UNHCR Geneva George Okoth-Obbo during a past press conference. The UN has opposed forced repatriation of Somali refugees saying the process must be voluntary, a

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

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The UN is against forced repatriation of Somali refugees saying the process must be voluntary, a position earlier opposed by the Kenya government.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in a press statement on Tuesday said it does not support forced repatriation, a few days after the Interior cabinet secretary Mr Joseph ole Lenku ordered all refugee camps to be closed.

"The Tripartite Agreement sets out the legal framework for returns to Somalia. It specifies that all returns should be voluntary and take place in safety and dignity. There is no deadline in the agreement for the returns," said the UN in a press statement.

Kenya has come under increased terror attacks from the Somali based Al Shabaab terror group since Kenya Defence Force moved into Somali in 2010, a condition that many feel is informing this hard stance.

Mr Lenku dismissed concerns by some refugees that their country was still unstable, saying Kenya Defence Forces, African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom), and other humanitarian agencies were active on the ground.

"Currently the refugees are returning on their own but we will on voluntary basis take them back to the places they feel most safe starting January next year," UNHCR regional representative Ms Kitty McKinsey told Nation.

However a meeting between the Senate and the country's top security chiefs Tuesday resolved that the repatriation should go on as per the tripartite agreement.

"The parties hereby agree that the decision of the refugees to repatriate shall be be based on freely expressed wish.....," reads the agreement.

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