MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya

14.9.2021 - (2021/2874(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Michael Gahler, José Manuel Fernandes, Sara Skyttedal, Loránt Vincze, Tomáš Zdechovský, Janina Ochojska, Miriam Lexmann, Deirdre Clune, Inese Vaidere, Andrey Kovatchev, Vladimír Bilčík, Krzysztof Hetman, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Eva Maydell, Peter Pollák, Paulo Rangel, Christian Sagartz, Stanislav Polčák, Romana Tomc, Lefteris Christoforou, Ivan Štefanec, Luděk Niedermayer, Helmut Geuking, Michaela Šojdrová, Jiří Pospíšil, Tom Vandenkendelaere, Seán Kelly, David McAllister
on behalf of the PPE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0445/2021

B9‑0454/2021

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya

(2021/2874(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the joint statement to the press of 21 June 2021 by the Republic of Kenya and the European Union,

 

–  having regard to the Joint statement of 29 April 2021 by the Government of Kenya and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps Roadmap,

 

–  having regard to the European Union Strategy for the Horn of Africa,

 

–  having regard to the UN New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants adopted on 19 September 2016,

 

–  having regard to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa,

 

–  having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

1. whereas the Kakuma refugee camp, one of the largest refugee camps in the world in north-western Kenya, was established in 1992 to host unaccompanied minors fleeing the war in Sudan and refugee camps in Ethiopia; whereas the camp, originally conceived as temporary, has now become a permanent home for more than 200,000 refugees and asylum-seekers coming mainly from Sudan, Somalia, DRC and Ethiopia;

 

2. whereas according to UNHCR, the living conditions in the camp are dire and constantly deteriorating, with extreme poverty, poor housing and infrastructure, and lack of water, sanitation, medicines and electric supplies; whereas the situation was deeply aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic;

 

3. whereas the security situation in the camp is worrying; whereas armed robberies, thefts, rapes and killings are often reported, with women, children and persons with disabilities being most vulnerable to violence; whereas Kenyan officials have warned of terrorist threats emerging within the camp which allegedly serves as a base and recruiting ground for extremist groups;

 

4. whereas in the past year, there has been a surge in attacks against LGBTIQ people; whereas in March 2021, a 22-year-old Ugandan refugee died after a firebombing attack on the compound housing the LGBTIQ community; whereas the perpetrators have not been brought to justice yet;

 

5. whereas the Kenyan government has made several attempts to close the camp in the past decades; whereas in March 2021, Kenya’s Interior Minister announced the government’s intention to close the camp and gave UNHCR a 14-day ultimatum to come up with a plan but the decision was challenged by the Kenyan High Court;

 

6. whereas while the UN acknowledged the government’s concerns and recognised that refugee camps should not be long-term solutions to forced displacement, international and human rights organisations have warned that an abrupt and unorderly closure would lead to a humanitarian catastrophe and that forced repatriations would violate international law;

 

7. whereas in April 2021, President Kenyatta and UNHCR agreed to close the camp by 30 June 2022, following a roadmap for repatriation process and economic integration of refugees in their countries of origin aiming at voluntary return in safety and dignity, resettlement programmes and alternative stay options in Kenya;

 

8. whereas in 2021, the EU allocated €14 million in funding for humanitarian projects in Kenya, mainly for assisting refugees; whereas the EU currently supports the provision of basic life-saving aid to the Kakuma camp, including food assistance, healthcare, nutrition, WASH and education;

 

1. Commends Kenya for its efforts and solidarity in the hosting of an unprecedented number of refugees over the last thirty years despite the challenge it represents; stresses, however, that the current situation in the Kakuma camp is unsustainable in a long-term perspective and requires an efficient, coordinated response by the Kenyan government, governments of the region and the international community as a whole, including the EU;

 

2. Appreciates the Kenyan authorities’ renewed commitment to respect their international obligations and uphold refugees’ right and takes note of the recent adoption of the Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps Roadmap in this regard;

 

3. Insists that any repatriation process must be voluntary, informed, safe and rights-based;

 

4. Expresses its concern at the humanitarian situation and the reports of chronic violence within the Kakuma camp; strongly condemns in particular the attacks and killings perpetrated on the LGBTIQ community and urges the Kenyan authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable;

 

5. Calls on the Kenyan government to enhance security within the camp and strengthen the protection of refugees, in particular the most vulnerable groups;

 

6. Recognises the important and constructive role that Kenya plays and recalls the challenging regional situation, which is characterised by regional crises and conflict; underlines in this regard the importance of the EU-Kenya cooperation to tackle these challenges and advance mutual interests;

 

7. Stresses the need for a more integrated and comprehensive regional approach in the management of refugees and for strengthening cooperation between Kenya and its neighbouring countries on political, security, humanitarian and development issues in order to address the root causes of forced displacement;

 

8. Underlines that the growing instability in the region represents an obstacle to the safe return of refugees in their countries of origin; calls on the EU, in collaboration with the international donor community, to continue to step up its efforts as a mediating partner and in support of sustainable and long-term socio-economic development in the region, thus creating an enabling and safe environment for voluntary returns and reintegration of refugees;
9. Calls on the EU to continue to work closely with the Kenyan government, UNHCR and the wider international community to help find solutions to the protracted refugee situation in the region;

 

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Government and Parliament of the Republic of Kenya.