Urge Kenya to Protect Somali Refugees

The Issue

I found this on the website of Amnesty International Canada:

Armed conflict in Somalia has forced thousands of Somalis to seek asylum in Kenya.  However on January 3, 2007, The Kenyan government claimed to have ‘security concerns’ and closed its border with Somalia.  On the same day at least 420 Somalis who had already crossed into Kenya were forcibly returned to Somalia by the Kenyan authorities. These actions put thousands of lives at risk.  Many of the people trying to flee Somalia now live in extremely difficult conditions at the border with Kenya.  As ‘internally displaced people’ they do not receive aid or humanitarian assistance.

While the Kenyan government has the right to control its borders, this right is not absolute.  Under international refugee law people seeking protection must be allowed to enter another country.

Kenya has violated its international legal obligations by returning refugees to Somalia at a time when there is armed conflict in Somalia. Urge the government of Kenya to protect these refugees.

This petition had 11 supporters

The Issue

I found this on the website of Amnesty International Canada:

Armed conflict in Somalia has forced thousands of Somalis to seek asylum in Kenya.  However on January 3, 2007, The Kenyan government claimed to have ‘security concerns’ and closed its border with Somalia.  On the same day at least 420 Somalis who had already crossed into Kenya were forcibly returned to Somalia by the Kenyan authorities. These actions put thousands of lives at risk.  Many of the people trying to flee Somalia now live in extremely difficult conditions at the border with Kenya.  As ‘internally displaced people’ they do not receive aid or humanitarian assistance.

While the Kenyan government has the right to control its borders, this right is not absolute.  Under international refugee law people seeking protection must be allowed to enter another country.

Kenya has violated its international legal obligations by returning refugees to Somalia at a time when there is armed conflict in Somalia. Urge the government of Kenya to protect these refugees.

The Decision Makers

New York Consulate
New York Consulate
Kenya
Los Angeles Consulate
Los Angeles Consulate
Kenya
Washington Embassy
Washington Embassy
Kenya

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Petition created on October 25, 2007