End Violence Against LGBTQI+ Refugees at Kakuma Refugee Camp!

TW/CW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Anti-LGBTQI+ Violence, Transphobia, Suicide

There are several horrific and egregious reports of anti-LGBTQI+ violence coming from The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement, which is located in the North-western region of Kenya. The camp is supposed to be a safe haven for those who are experiencing high insecurity and homophobic and transphobic violence in their countries––many fleeing from countries like Uganda where homosexuality is illegal and condemned. However, what is being reported at Kakuma Refugee Camp is that it is NOT at all a safe place for LGBTQI+ refugees but instead is a place where they suffer and are tormented severely by anti-LGBTQI+ violence. Trans refugees are particularly targeted and beaten; with many activists stating that what is occurring at Kakuma Camp is genocide.

• You can read this report from activist and journalist Namupa Shivute on the violence against LGBTQI+ refugees at Kakuma Camp for Gal-Dem Magazine: “For LGBTQI+ refugees, UNHCR’s Kakuma Camp is no refuge." 
• You can also read this article on NBC News about violence against LGBTQI+ refugees at Kakuma Camp: “Lesbians, gays live in fear of attacks in Kenyan refugee camp.” 
• You can also read another report on NBC News: “Gay refugees in Kenya report repeated attacks from locals.”
• You can also watch a recent CNN video/report on the chronic harassment and violence against LGBTQI+ refugees: “Harassment and fear follow African LGBTQ refugees.”

Videos such as these show people harassing LGBTQI+ refugees at the camp. The transphobic and homophobic violence against LGBTQI+ communities at Kakuma Refugee Camp is so egregious that many refugees in the camp are considering committing suicide. The onslaught of COVID-19 has also exacerbated violence and lack of access to adequate health care. In April 2020, Aneste Mweru, a refugee, committed suicide outside United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Nairobi, Kenya after an exchange with police over food. Mweru had been complaining about being hungry and in need of food. There are also extensive complaints about the lack of proper housing at the camp, where many refugees are sleeping outside of tents because there is not enough space. This overexposure leads to even more violent attacks. 

WE REPUDIATE THE VIOLENCE, ABUSE, AND HARASSMENT AGAINST LGBTQI+ REFUGEES AT KAKUMA CAMP AND DEMAND IT TO END. WE ALSO DEMAND UNHCR, WHO IS OVER THE CAMP, TO ADDRESS AND END THE VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQI+ REFUGEES IMMEDIATELY. WE UNEQUIVOCALLY BLAME UNHCR AND CONDEMNED THEM FOR THEIR LACK OF CONCERN, LACK OF RESPONSE, AND LACK OF RESOLVE ON THESE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AT KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP. 

What You Can Do: 

Email  or call UNHCR Kenya (Website) at  kenna@unhcr.org and unhcrbo@gmail.com |  Phone Number: 41 22 739 7280

You can copy and paste this message below to kenna@unhcr.org and unhcrbo@gmail.com:  

Dear UNHCR Representative: 

WE DEMAND YOU INVESTIGATE AND END THE ANTI-LGBTQI+ VIOLENCE AT KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP! WE DEMAND YOU GIVE ADEQUATE HOUSING, FOOD, AND HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO REFUGEES! WE DEMAND YOU RELOCATE LGBTQI+ REFUGEES AT KAKUMA TO COUNTRIES THAT ACCEPT LGBTQI+ COMMUNITIES! 

STOP THE VIOLENCE AGAINST LGBTQI+ REFUGEES AT KAKUMA CAMP! WE DEMAND JUSTICE #KAKUMAISNOTSAFE

You can contact the media team of UNHCR Kenya and copy and paste the messages to them below. You can use the hashtag #KakumaIsNotSafe on social media.

• UNHCR Facebook
• UNHCR Twitter: @UNHCR_Kenya
• Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS) | Email: refugeeaffairs@refugee.go.ke
• Stanley Nyale, Public Relations Officer | Email: snyale.dra@gmail.com | Phone Number: +254 720 761 682.
• Colonel Kasili Mutambo | Email: kasilimutambo@gmail.com | Phone Number: +254726251477.

Spokesperson/Communications Officer for UNHCR Kenya:

Eujin Byun

• Email byun@unhcr.org 
• Twitter: @eujin2
• Telephone: +254 (0) 20 423 2122 
• Mobile: +254 (0) 798 487 988 

Communications Contact for UNHCR Kenya:

Rose Ogola

• Email: Ogolar@unhcr.org
• Twitter: @Rose_Ogola
• Telephone: +254 (0) 20 423 2125
• Mobile: +254 (0) 742 974807

Where You Can Donate

• You can donate to the Refugee Trans Initiative. 
• You can donate to support the recovery and surgery of a Black Trans Man who was brutally raped in Nairobi and is in need of extensive reconstructive surgery. 

We must stand in solidarity with our sisters and siblings at Kakuma Refugee Camp!