Coast based organization raises concerns on the need to safeguard rights of refugees.

 

“Mashinani Watch Organization will partner with Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) on various programs to safeguard the rights of refugees seeking asylum in  Kenya.

As an organization we are very much aware of challenges faced by refugees particularly when it comes to police harassment. We have seen many cases where refugees undergo problems in the process of being assimilated in the country and most of those challenges can be addressed through collaboration with relevant entities.

Today we had refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Somalia who reside in Kisauni areas of Mombasa County and they have listed several problems that make them feel demeaned and psychologically tortured.

For example, they have mentioned that, they are always harassed and arrested by police even after producing manifest document, discrimination from the community members, bullying of their children by peers in schools, unemployment due to lack of identification cards, harassment by illegal gangs, delay in acquiring refugee status from The Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and finally but not the least not accessing public services due to lack of relevant documents.

We are also aware that, sometimes some refugees sneak in the country, acquire refugee status and later participate in illegal activities and also display bad attitude that bring hostility between them and the hosting population.

However, we will look at those issues and have many forums with all stakeholders involved and see how to combat those challenges as one way of protecting and promoting a safe environment where the displaced and host populations enjoy justice and are empowered to achieve their full potential.”