The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) stated it was “deeply involved” by stories that 4 refugees had been repatriated to Türkiye from Kenya.
The refugees have been repatriated on the request of the Turkish authorities, Kenya’s international ministry says.
The assertion comes after information of the kidnapping of a number of individuals within the capital Nairobi on Friday.
A British citizen advised the BBC that he and several other Turkish residents have been kidnapped by masked males.
He stated he was launched after eight hours when he confirmed his alleged captors a replica of his British passport.
In an announcement, UNHCR stated: “UNHCR urges the Government of Kenya to respect its worldwide authorized obligations and, particularly, to respect the precept of non-refoulement (compelled return of refugees), which protects asylum seekers and refugees from any measure which may result in their removing to a spot the place their life or freedom could be threatened.”
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry stated it accepted Turkey’s request to repatriate the 4 males as a result of nation’s “sturdy historic and strategic relations” with Turkey, and that it was assured that the refugees could be “handled with dignity”.
The 4 are believed to be followers of the Gulen motion, a robust Islamic neighborhood with followers in Türkiye and all over the world. whose leader has just died.
The Gulen motion runs a community of colleges in Kenya and all over the world.
Known as Hizmet or “service” in Türkiye, it was blamed for a coup try in 2016 and later declared a terrorist group.
Turkish authorities haven’t but commented on the repatriation.
According to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention, refugees shouldn’t be returned to a rustic the place they face severe threats to their life or liberty.
Following the reported abduction, Kenyan regulation agency Mukele & Kakai stated it was appearing on behalf of 4 males who have been registered refugees and warned airways in opposition to permitting them to be on board.
In a letter seen by the BBC, he describes them as “victims of political victimisation”.
The Kenyan authorities stated it has “an ongoing dedication to the safety and promotion of refugee rights” and is “dedicated to the privateness and confidentiality of returnees”.
The British citizen, Necdet Seyitoğlu, he told the BBC Six different individuals he knew, all Turkish residents, have been additionally kidnapped in the identical method in numerous areas in Nairobi.
In an announcement, the UK Foreign Office stated it was “offering consular help to a British man and his household following an incident in Kenya”.
Following information of the kidnapping, Kenyan police advised the BBC they have been investigating a “kidnapping incident” after a motorcyclist witnessed the kidnapping.
According to the report, two automobiles intercepted and blocked a silver sedan with two occupants within the entrance and rear.
“About eight armed individuals emerged from the 2 automobiles, pulled out the 2 occupants” and left with them, Kenyan police spokeswoman Resila Onyango stated.
However, Amnesty International’s spokesperson in Kenya stated he was “deeply involved by stories that seven asylum seekers from Türkiye had been kidnapped on Kenyan soil”.
The UN refugee company, UNHCR, advised the BBC it was “conscious of the information and can present extra info as soon as now we have it”.
Turkey’s relations with African countries has grown over the previous 20 years, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan searching for to strengthen ties.
But Kenya’s shut ties with Turkey return even additional.
In 1999, Kurdish separatist chief Abdullah Öcalan was arrested by Turkish forces within the nation and introduced dwelling the place he was tried and later convicted of treason.
