‘FOR A WORLD WHERE REFUGEES ARE WELCOME’
For a World where Refugees are welcome
By: Harriet Ajiambo, Public Affairs and Communication, KNCHR
KNCHR and partners participating in a solidarity walk in Kakuma during the World Refugee Day 2024 celebration in support of the refugees and asylum seekers.
‘FOR A WORLD WHERE REFUGEES ARE WELCOME’
The theme for this year’s World Refugee Day marked on the 20th of June, 2024 encouraged nations to embrace refugees. The theme “For A World Where Refugees Are Welcome” highlighted the need for global unity in supporting Refugees. It envisioned a world that accepts and encourages inclusion and assistance to Refugees as they rebuild their lives. Kenya has been living to that spirit with the number of refugees in Kenya increasing for decades. Several factors have been attributed to that.
With close to 800,000 asylum seekers and refugees both in Kakuma (288,206), Dadaab (382,658) refugee camps and the urban areas refugees (103,506), Kenya is one of the countries with the largest number of refugees in Africa. The World Refugee Day therefore is a very important day for Kenya as the country takes stock of the strides made in advancing the rights of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. The Day reminds us to celebrate the gains made in ensuring refugees thrive in a conducive environment. It also reminds us of the resilience of asylum seekers.
It is in this regard that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) joined hands with partners working with the refugees and host communities in Kakuma to commemorate this special day. A number of activities were planned and brought together the asylum seekers, refugees, host communities, service providers and the duty bearers supporting refugee matters.
Led by KNCHR’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Bernard Mogesa, the commission and various partners participated in a solidarity walk from Kakuma’s Baraza Park to the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kakuma to drum support for the refugees and asylum seekers and to raise awareness on the plight of the asylum seekers and refugees. A tree planting exercise was also carried out to commemorate the day.
In fulfilment of the aspirations of the Haki Na Ushirikiano Project, representatives from KNCHR and Refugee Consortium of Kenya participated in a talk show at the REF FM in Kalobeyei to sensitize the public on the Refugee Act 2021 and other legal provisions guarding the asylum seekers and refugees. The commemoration of the World Refugee Day 2024 provided a great opportunity to build public knowledge on the rights of the refugees, asylum seekers and the hosts in the quest for promoting a peaceful, human rights-based integration.
Dr. Bernard Mogesa applauded the efforts put by the government in creating a favorable environment that respects, promotes and protects refugees’ and asylum seekers’ rights. He also commented the spirit of brotherhood cultivated in the push for the integration of the refugee and host communities. Dr. Mogesa urged leaders in Kenya and globally to identify programs for refugees and asylum seekers to facilitate sustainable solutions to the challenges they face. He also encouraged them to provide necessary support to enable the refugees move from dependency to a level of self-reliance.
Refugees and the asylum seekers escape from wars, persecution and even the effects of climate change in their mother countries hoping to find solace and better living situations in their host countries. The Refugee Day recognizes the suffering the refugees and the asylum seekers face. KNCHR recognizes the need for conducive environments that respect and uphold the rights of refugees and any other persons in accordance with the international laws.
“The statistics show that a number of refugees have been arrested as suspects in cases of robbery with violence and defilement. These are grievous human rights violations.” said Dr. Mogesa. He reminded the refugees to be cognizant of the laws of the country and to follow them.
KNCHR appreciates the need for strengthened partnerships to address mental health issues among the refugees, hosts and duty bearers. The Commission continues to carry out capacity building programs and legal aid clinics to empower refugees and asylum seekers to be able to navigate the corridors of justice in case they experience violations.
Asylum seekers and refugees are people with dreams and aspirations and contribute largely towards the revenues and security of the country when given an opportunity. Despite the tremendous obstacles they face, many Refugees have risen to be successful entrepreneurs and business owners who are rebuilding their lives, providing for themselves and their families, and giving back to their host communities. The barriers that we witnessed before are fast vanishing and the host communities are co-existing peacefully with the Refugees.
In the month of April 2024 alone, the number of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Kenya increased by over 4,100 persons. That is attributed to the resumption of registration of Refugees as well as the arrival of more Refugees in the country. KNCHR is calling upon the National Government to expedite the process of determining Refugee status to clear the close to 250,000 pending requests for registration and determination of status.