ICJ Kenya Condemns Abduction Of Turkish Asylum Seekers, British National

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Kenya has expressed grave concerns over the recent abduction of seven Turkish asylum seekers and one British national in Nairobi.[…]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE▶

The individuals, including Necdet Seyitoglu (a British national), Mustafa Genç, his son Abdullah Genç, Hüseyin Yesilsu, and others, were reportedly kidnapped on October 18, 2024, by unknown individuals.

While four have since been released, three — Oztürk Uzun, Alparslan Tasgi, and Hüseyin Yesilsu — remain missing, prompting fears of their potential deportation to Turkey.

In its official statement, ICJ Kenya condemned the abductions as a violation of both Kenyan and international law, emphasizing Kenya’s obligations under the principle of non-refoulement.

This principle, established under the 1951 Refugee Convention, prohibits the forced return of individuals to countries where they may face persecution, torture, or human rights abuses.

Kenya’s Refugee Act of 2021 further enshrines these protections in national law. However, the incident suggests Kenya’s failure to honor these obligations, raising concerns about complicity in transnational repression.

Speaking on the incident, ICJ Kenya Chairman Protas Saende said, “Kenya has a legal and moral obligation under international law to protect all refugees and asylum seekers from refoulement — the forced return to countries where they face persecution or human rights violations.”

He added: “By failing to protect these individuals and potentially enabling their unlawful return, Kenyan authorities risk being complicit in serious human rights violations and may face international condemnation as enablers of transnational repression.”

The ICJ’s statement comes amidst a disturbing trend of abductions and deportations targeting asylum seekers in Kenya.

Recently, the illegal deportation of 36 Ugandan nationals, including one refugee, raised further alarm.

These individuals are now facing terrorism charges in Uganda. The case has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups.

For Kenya, a nation traditionally seen as a safe haven for refugees, these recent incidents mark a worrying shift.

ICJ Kenya highlighted that such actions undermine the country’s reputation as a refuge for those fleeing persecution and violate both domestic and international laws protecting the rights of refugees.

“The abduction and possible deportation of these asylum seekers marks a deeply concerning trend,” Saende added.

“Kenya must uphold its commitments to international human rights law, ensuring that no refugee or asylum seeker is forcibly returned to a country where their lives or freedoms are in danger. Failure to do so endangers the very principles upon which the international refugee protection framework is built.”

ICJ Kenya is now calling for an urgent and transparent investigation into the abductions, urging various governmental bodies — including the Ministry of Interior, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit — to take action.

Furthermore, they called on the United Nations and the international community to monitor the situation closely, especially as Kenya recently secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a position that demands accountability and adherence to human rights standards.

Kenya’s growing involvement in deportation cases has drawn international scrutiny, with critics warning that the country risks damaging its standing on the global stage. If the missing Turkish asylum seekers are forcibly returned to Turkey, Kenya may face accusations of enabling human rights violations, including torture and political persecution.

This case further highlights the delicate balance Kenya must maintain between its counterterrorism efforts and its human rights obligations.

Rights groups are increasingly concerned that under the guise of national security, Kenya is turning a blind eye to violations of asylum seekers’ and refugees’ rights, actions that may come with serious legal and diplomatic repercussions.

ICJ Kenya has called on the government to swiftly locate the missing individuals and ensure their safety, reiterating that Kenya must adhere to its obligations under international law. Saende concluded, “Those responsible for these abductions must be held accountable. Kenya’s credibility as a rights-respecting nation is at stake…CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>