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Kenya’s government is facing growing criticism from global organizations, rights groups and sections of the public following the repatriation of four Turkish refugees.
Kenya’s foreign affairs secretary Korir Sing’oei on Monday confirmed that the four had been repatriated on the Turkish government’s request, adding that Ankara had promised to treat them with dignity. Their whereabouts had been unclear since they were controversially abducted last week by unknown individuals.
The four are alleged to have links to the Gülen movement, an Islamic community with a significant following and presence in Turkey and around the world. The movement runs a global network of schools, including in Kenya. On Monday it was announced that Fethullah Gülen, the Turkish cleric who built the Islamic movement, had died in the US at 83.
Since it was blamed for a 2016 coup attempt against President Recep Tayipp Erdogan, Turkish intelligence authorities have reportedly conducted operations for the forcible return of more than 100 people with alleged links to the movement. Lawyers representing the four after their abduction had described them as “victims of political persecution”.
The United Nations High Commission on Refugees in a statement said it was “deeply concerned” by the repatriation, and urged Kenya to respect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. The repatriation has also been criticized by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Amnesty International among others.
— Martin K.N. Siele in Nairobi
