We stand in solidarity with Refugee Demonstrating in Nairobi Kenya and call upon UNHCR to listen to the demands of people
Refugee Demonstration at the Offices of UNHCR in Nairobi- Kenya this morning of Thursday September 5th, 2024: We stand in solidarity with refugees demonstrating in Nairobi Kenya and call upon UNHCR to make the necessary reforms as quick as possible.
Caroline Van Buren the Country Representative in Kenya who should resign immediately according to refugees
Today a group of refugees demonstrated at the Offices of UNHCR in Nairobi Kenya calling upon the resignation of UNHCR Country Representative to Kenya Caroline Van Buren who is accused of massive violations of refugees’ rights including:
Refugees do not enjoy the right to health, education, right to work, the current camping policy and more especially the mistreating of refugees who are fleeing Uganda, South Sudan and Somalia among other countries in order to come enter Kenya. Many have been taken back to countries where they came from and that has exposed them to various risks. On top of that UNHCR is accused of putting in place a culture of bribe in order to access services especially the Refugee Status Determination Process and accessing to durable solutions mainly resettlement to third countries.
In Countries like Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DRCongo among others actually UNHCR is leading agency that directly violates refugee rights through denial of services, impose a practice of threats and intimidations and in some situations cooperates or even uses her influence to Government to threaten and violate refugee rights. In some cases the Police is called upon, the Courts of Law are compromised and intelligence services are highly bribed in order to threaten refugees. UNHCR approach towards vocal refugees is always that of the use of violence in order to impose fear in refugees that has been used in Uganda it is being used in DRC currently and also it is observed in Kenya.
We loudly appreciate the courage of refugees in Kenya to hold such a beautiful peaceful demonstration which will be used as role-model by other refugees who feel oppressed by UNHCR in various countries.
Being engaged in the promotion of refugee rights, we encourage refugees to organize themselves more in strong pressure groups that can advocate for a real change in the way refugee affairs are being conducted in Kenya and in many other countries in Africa and probably in the world.
Thanks
Kulihoshi Musikami Pecos
Global Refugee Leaders/ COJESKI North Kivu
