UNHCR refutes misleading the voluntary repatriation of Somali refugees in Dadaab camp

The UN refugee agency has dismissed a report by Human Rights Watch charging that the agency has not given adequate information to Somali refugees at Dadaab, to decide on returning home.

UNHCR’s Representative in Kenya, Raouf Mazou, said in a statement that the agency has always campaigned for voluntary return and  the a process is being carried out transparently.

“In line with the principle of involuntariness, UNHCR is committed to ensure that all refugees receive adequate information about conditions in the country of origin and are able to make an informed decision regarding return,” the agency said.

The agency said It is false that the refugees are coerced to go back to their country.

“We regularly meet with refugees and broadcast radio messages in English and Somali, emphasising that returns must be voluntary and based on an informed decision.” noted UNHCR in its Statement.

Human Rights Watch, which interviewed scores of people in the vast camp last month, said Thursday that many Somalis are returning home involuntarily, only to face danger, persecution and hunger.

“Many refugees … say they have agreed to return home because they fear Kenya will force them out if they stay,” said the HRW report after interviewing around 100 people at the camp.

Earlier this year, Kenyan government announced it will close down Dadaab saying the camp harbour terrorists’ sympathisers.

Kenya, UNHCR and Somalia in 2013 laid down plans to repatriate about 150,000 Somali refugees in Dadaab by the end of 2016.

Since the process kicked off May this year, a total of 13,604 refugees have voluntarily been repatriated to Somalia.