On Monday, Kenyan police fired live bullets at refugees in the Kakuma Refugee Camp who were peacefully demonstrating to raise awareness about their neglected humanitarian situation. The protest aimed to remind both the United Nations and the Kenyan government of the ongoing hardships faced by refugees, who feel forgotten and abandoned despite international commitments to their protection.
The attack left more than five refugees seriously injured, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of displaced populations in camps where security forces often respond with excessive force. Refugees were demonstrating peacefully, yet the response was violent, underlining a disregard for their fundamental rights to assembly and protest.
This alarming incident underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention and accountability. Refugees in Kakuma continue to face dire conditions, including food shortages, lack of clean water, limited access to healthcare, and barriers to education and employment. The use of force against peaceful demonstrators further exacerbates their insecurity and trauma.
CDH/VICAR calls on the Kenyan government, UNHCR, and the international community to immediately investigate this attack, provide medical care to the victims, and implement measures to ensure the safety and dignity of refugees. Protecting the rights of displaced persons is a non-negotiable obligation, and the international community must act without delay to prevent further abuses.
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