UN Opposed to Forcefully Repatriating Refugees

The United Nations High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR) country representative Raouf Mazou says that refugees should only be relocated once they are ready to go back home.

“Refugees should not be forced to go back to their countries of origin. They should only be relocated once their country experience relative calm and stability,” said Mazou.

“First, we need to understand that refugees were at risk when they were coming here.”

He, however, he noted that the UNHCR is in consultation with the government following a directive by Deputy President William Ruto to have the Daadab Refugee Camp closed and refugees repatriated within three months.

Mr. Mazou noted that the government of Kenya entered into a tripartite agreement with UNHCR and Somalia to host its refugees in the country.

Agreements protecting refugees

“We already have an agreement between Kenya, UNHCR and Somali and we cannot just kick out the refugees from the country. This will only be contravening the agreement,” he added.

“Kenya has also signed several international agreements to protect refugees.  Refugees have rights that need to be protected by all countries globally.”

Mr. Mazou noted that the Somalia conflict will be over and the refugees will be ‘more than willing to go back home and help improve their lifes”.

“Kenya too has refugees in countries like Uganda and they have not been kicked out or forced to go back home without their consent,” he added.

“Uganda has also gone to an extent of allowing Kenyan refugees to participate in economy-building by working there. Kenya should also consider doping the same.”

Confronted with the question on whether Daadab Refugee Camp is the breeding nest of the Al Shabaab militia, Mr. Mazou noted that there have been such reports but they have not been ascertained by either the UN or other parties.

“I cannot confirm on whether these claims are true. We have received such reports and investigations are still ongoing.”