KNCHR and Partners Unite for Unprecedented Support in Refugee Rights Advocacy and Host Communities Integration
KNCHR and Partners Unite for Unprecedented Support in Refugee Rights Advocacy and Host Communities Integration
By: Dominic Kabiru- Head of Public Affairs and Communication- KNCHR
In a groundbreaking announcement, the Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Roseline Odede, expressed profound gratitude for the unprecedented support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands through its Royal Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi. She said the historic collaboration not only marked the first instance of dedicated support for refugee rights and host communities integration in KNCHR's history; but also brings forth a strategic partnership with the resourceful Refugees Consortium of Kenya (RCK).
“The convergence of these partnerships promises immense benefits for the promotion and protection of the rights of refugees and host communities, setting the stage for transformative results”, she told the various State and non-State actors who graced the occasion.
Addressing invited guests during the project launch that comprised the Ambassador of the Royal Netherlands Embassy, HE Maarten Brouwer, the Chairperson highlighted the significance of National Human Rights Institutions in championing the rights of refugees and host communities. She emphasized that human rights institutions such as; KNCHR play a central role in ensuring the respect, promotion and protection of inherent human rights, irrespective of legal status or origin. Chairperson Odede underscored the commitment to upholding rights enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution and international obligations guiding refugee operations within the country.
The Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights - Roseline Odede delivering her remarks during the launch of the Refugees and Host Communities project in Nairobi.
(Photo: Courtesy- KNCHR Public Affairs & Communication Division)
The Chairperson shed light on the approved project document outlining various interventions addressing identified problems with a focus on human rights principles. These interventions encompass legal support, human rights investigations and rapid responses to violations, international commitments, and awareness-raising initiatives. Developed, negotiated, reviewed and agreed upon by the implementing partners, KNCHR and Refugees Consortium of Kenya, these activities are poised to serve as vital pathways for the promotion and protection of the rights of refugees and host communities.
Odede outlined the Commission's constitutional and statutory mandate during the project implementation, pledging to:
- Advocate for policies ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for both refugees and host communities.
- Conduct advocacy for the provision of better support and services.
- Hold government agencies and relevant stakeholders accountable for any human rights violations or shortcomings in providing for refugees and host communities.
- Carry out policy advocacy contributing to the development of comprehensive and rights-based policies promoting integration, social cohesion, and protection.
- Conduct awareness campaigns fostering empathy and a more positive perception of refugees within the host community, ensuring state commitment to various international obligations.
The Chairperson further expressed the need for close partnership and collaboration with stakeholders, including State agencies, Civil Society Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, grassroots Human Rights Defenders and Development Partners. Acknowledging their presence, she extended gratitude and anticipated positive collaboration on different aspects of the project for the better promotion and protection of the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and host communities in Kenya.
In her concluding remarks, Chairperson Odede reiterated the KNCHR institutional commitment, emphasizing that, with the support of the gathered stakeholders, the Commission will strive to deliver the project to the best of its ability. The overarching goal remains the enhanced protection, promotion, and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for refugees and host communities in Kenya. The momentous occasion marked not only the beginning of a transformative project but also a collective commitment to rewriting the narrative of refugee rights advocacy in Kenya.