HRW asks Kenya to stop security operation
Some of the women who were arrested during a swoop at Nairobi's Eastleigh hide their faces at Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani where they are being held as they undergo vetting on the April 9, 2014. PHOTO/EVANS HABIL
What you need to know:
- Police harassed and detained thousands, including journalists and international aid workers in appalling conditions
- UNHCR alleges that the Kenyan authorities have denied them access to detainees in police cells
- UNHCR has called Somalia “a very dangerous place
The Kenyan government has been asked to end the ongoing security operation aimed at flushing out illegal immigrants over claims of human rights violations by police officers.
In a statement Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleged that security forces have raided homes, buildings and shops where they looted property including mobile phones, money and other goods.
HRW Africa director Daniel Bekele claimed police harassed and detained thousands, including journalists and international aid workers in appalling conditions for over 24 hours without taking them to court as required by law.
Operation Usalama Watch began on April 1, 2014 following grenade and gun attacks in Mombasa and Nairobi by unknown perpetrators on March 23 and March 31, 2014.
“Kenyan authorities should immediately end ongoing harassment, arbitrary detentions, forced relocations to refugee camps and summary deportations in a round-up operation that has affected both foreigners and Kenyan citizens.
“Kenyan police and security forces are using abusive and discriminatory tactics in the name of national security, targeting entire communities. This crackdown clearly violates basic rights of Kenyans, refugees, and other foreign nationals and does nothing to improve security,” Mr Bekele added.
He said the government should also give the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) full access to all detainees to identify registered refugees, asylum seekers and anyone seeking protection regardless of when they came to Kenya.
UNHCR alleges that the Kenyan authorities have denied them access to detainees in police cells, at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to identify registered refugees and asylum seekers or people who wish to claim asylum because they fear serious harm in Somalia.
“They should immediately allow UNHCR access to all detention facilities, including the stadium where people’s residence status is being verified,” Mr Bekele said.
UNHCR has called Somalia “a very dangerous place,” and Mr Bekele said no Somali should be forcibly returned there unless assured that they would not risk persecution.
