Courts to protect and deliver justice to refugees Judge

The courts will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders in order to guarantee the protection of the refugees, Garissa High Court Judge, George Dulu, has said.

Speaking at a local hotel during one-day workshop that was organized by UNHCR to train judiciary staff on refugee laws and international protection, Dulu said the Judiciary was committed to providing equitable access to justice for all and to efficiently and expeditiously deliver justice to all.

He said the courts are aware of the applicability of the national and international laws relating to protection of refugees and will continue delivering justice.

“As the courts endeavor to enforce the law and standards on protection of the refugees, it should be noted that Garissa town is a transit town for genuine asylum seekers, economic migrants, human traffickers, human smugglers and illegal immigrants,” he noted.

He, however, said that the court, through the Court Users Committees where UNHCR is represented, has given directions on how genuine asylum seekers and refugees should identify themselves in order to ensure their rights are protected while they are being processed in the courts.

He further said that with government intention to close the Daadab Refugee Complex, the court will guarantee protection of refugee child rights by granting custody orders of children accompanying one parent.

He added that the court has recently posted a Kadhi to to Dadaab to manage the court on a permanent basis saying this will ensure the refugees get timely justice.

Speaking at the same forum, Head of Operations UNHCR sub office, Ahmed Baba Fall, said that the workshop will strengthen collaboration between UNHCR, the Judiciary and stakeholders towards enhancing refugee protection in Kenya as a whole.