Amnesty International Kenya has raised alarm over the arrest of a Turkish national in Nairobi, warning that his possible deportation could expose him and his family to human rights violations.
In a statement on Saturday, December 20, Amnesty International said the arrest of Mustafa Güngör alongside his immediate and extended family places him at risk of being forcibly returned to Türkiye, where he could face severe abuse at the hands of authorities.
"Amnesty International is deeply concerned that Mustafa Güngör who was arrested with his wife Zeliha, daughters Seniha Betül and Zeynep, and his in-laws Zümrüt and Salim is at serious risk of refoulement to Türkiye, where he could be subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, or ill-treatment," the statement read.
Amnesty International added that the arrest was not random, but followed a formal request initiated by Turkish authorities.
"We have reliably learnt the Turkiye authorities sought his arrest through a Mutual Legal Assistance request to the Office of the Attorney General," the statement further read.
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The organization stressed that Kenya is bound by international human rights and refugee law, which prohibit the return of individuals to countries where they face persecution, torture, or other serious harm.
"Kenya has an obligation under international law not to return anyone to a country where they face persecution or harm," the statement added.
Amnesty International is now calling on investigative and state authorities to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, guarantee due process, protect the family unit, and allow unhindered access to legal counsel and relevant international and judicial bodies.
"We call on the DCI and both authorities to respect the legal principle of non-refoulement; ensure due process and protection for family; and allow continued access to legal representation and UNHCR and Judiciary," the statement concluded.
This comes over a year after four Turkish nationals who were abducted by armed gunmen were repatriated.
In a statement on Monday, October 21, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the four who had been living in Kenya as refugees were repatriated at the request of the Turkish government.
"Kenya confirms that four Nationals of the Republic of Türkiye were repatriated to their home country on Friday, 18 October 2024, at the request of the government of Turkiye.
''Kenya acceded to this request on the strength of the robust historical and strategic relations anchored on bilateral instruments between our respective countries," Sing’oei said in a statement.
Sing’oei added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been assured that the four will be treated with dignity after their arrival in the Middle East country.
"Kenya is committed to the privacy and confidentiality of the repatriated individuals and will refrain from responding to media inquiries on the subject until the ongoing inter-agency review of the case is complete.
"Kenya assures the international community of its unswerving commitment to the protection and promotion of refugee rights as prescribed under the national and international law," he added.
Sing’oei noted that rights, welfare, and well-being of more than 780,000 refugees residing in Kenya will remain the government's singular priority.
