The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed deep concern over the news that four refugees were sent back to Turkey from Kenya. The refugees were returned at the request of the Turkish government, according to Kenya’s foreign ministry. This statement comes following reports of multiple abductions in Nairobi, the capital city, on Friday. A British national informed the BBC that he, along with several Turkish citizens, had been abducted by individuals wearing masks. He mentioned that he was released after eight hours when he showed his British passport to the alleged abductors. The UNHCR stated that the Government of Kenya should adhere to their international legal obligations and uphold the principle of non-refoulement, which safeguards asylum-seekers and refugees from any actions that could lead to their return to a place where their life or freedom may be at risk. Kenya’s foreign ministry stated that they agreed to Turkey’s request to repatriate the four men due to the countries’ strong historical and strategic relations, and they were assured that the refugees would be treated with respect. The four individuals are believed to be followers of the Gulen movement, a prominent Islamic community with supporters in Turkey and globally, led by a recently deceased leader. The Gulen movement operates a network of schools in Kenya and other parts of the world. Known as Hizmet or “service” in Turkey, it was held responsible for a failed coup in 2016 and subsequently identified as a terrorist organization. Turkish authorities have not yet commented on the repatriation. According to the 1951 Refugee Convention by the UN, refugees should not be sent back to a country where they face serious threats to their well-being or freedom. In response to the reported abduction, Kenyan law firm Mukele & Kakai stated that they were representing four men who were registered refugees and cautioned airlines against allowing them to be transported. They described the individuals as “victims of political persecution.” The Kenyan government emphasized its unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting refugee rights, as well as ensuring the privacy and confidentiality of the repatriated individuals. Necdet Seyitoğlu, the British national, informed the BBC that six other individuals, all Turkish citizens, were also abducted in a similar manner from various locations in Nairobi. The UK Foreign Office mentioned that they were offering consular assistance to a British man and his family following the incident in Kenya. After the kidnapping reports emerged, Kenyan police stated that they were investigating a “kidnapping incident” based on a witness account from a motorcycle rider who observed the abduction. It was reported that two vehicles intercepted and blocked a silver sedan with two occupants, and a group of armed individuals emerged from the vehicles, took out the occupants, and drove away with them. Amnesty International’s Kenya spokesperson expressed deep concern over the reported abduction of seven asylum seekers from Turkey on Kenyan soil. The UNHCR stated that they were aware of the reports and would provide further information once available. Turkey’s relations with African countries have expanded in the last two decades, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aiming to enhance ties. However, Kenya’s close relationship with Turkey dates back even further. In 1999, Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Öcalan was captured by Turkish forces in the country and extradited back to Turkey, where he was tried and convicted for treason.
