Blow to govt as court says no to Dadaab Refugee camp closure

Refugees living in the Dadaab Refugee Complex can now breathe a sigh of relief after the High Court on Thursday, February 9 declared the government’s decision to close the camp null and void.

In a ruling delivered by Justice John Mativo, the court indicated that the directive issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery, on the intended repatriation of refugees and asylum seekers of Somali origin on May 10, 2016 violates the Constitution and the International legal obligations adding that Nkaiserry and his Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, acted in excess powers in announcing the closure of the camp.

“A declaration that the decision of the government of Kenya to collectively repatriate all refugees in Dadaab Refugee Complex to the frontiers of their country of origin against their will violate the principle on international convention as expressed in Article 33 of the 1951 UN convention relating to the status of refugees as well as Section 18 of the Refugee Act 2006,” the court ruled.

The court further ruled that the decision specifically targeting Somali refugees is an act of group persecution, illegal, discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional.

In the case, Kituo Cha Sheria, Legal Advice Centre and Amnesty International sued CS Nkaissery seeking to stop the directive to close the world’s largest refugee camp, Daadab.

The petitioners protested the directives issued by the two on May 6 and 10, 2016 requiring the Department of Refugee Affairs be disbanded and that Dadaab be closed.

They argued that the directive violates international laws and that some of the refugees are likely to face persecution.

They also claimed the move will harm refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya as it denies them access to vital services.

The government has now been directed to restore the status quo with regard to administration of refugee’s affairs within the country and operationalize the Department of Refugees Affairs.

Early May 2016, the government declared that it will no longer be hosting refugees in the interest of national security.

Kenya said it was shutting down the camps due to “very heavy” economic, security and environmental issues.

The Government also disbanded the Department of Refugee Affairs, which worked with humanitarian organizations for the welfare of the refugees.

The government also moved to assure that the closure of the Dadaab refugee complex and repatriation of Somali refugees will be carried out in a humane manner.

The Dadaab camp in Kenya is home to more than 300,000 people on the Kenya-Somalia border.

Dadaab was set up in 1991 to house families fleeing conflict in Somalia, and some people have been living there for more than 20 years.

Tags:

refugees Amnesty International Dadaab Kenya-Somalia border Dadaab refugee complex Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery repatriation of Somali refugees null and void asylum seekers conflict in Somalia Department of Refugee Affairs government’s decision to close the camp Kituo cha Sheria/Legal Advice Centre

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories