International Human Rights Standards for Migrants

Refugees and Their Struggles

Every day, in many parts of the world, groups of people flee their homeland mainly because they are at risk of serious human rights violations. Their own governments cannot or will not protect them, forcing them to seek international protection. These individuals are called refugees, and their journeys can be fraught with danger and fear. They are not always welcomed in new countries, and some are detained by authorities as soon as they arrive. Often, they become victims of torture, rape, and racial and sexual abuse, and in the worst cases, they are killed. After long and arduous journeys, refugees are often extremely tired, and many fall sick from being deprived of basic necessities for so long. Where there are refugees, various refugee camps have been established, but the question remains whether they successfully provide for the needs of the deprived (UNHCR, 2020).

International Human Rights Standards for Migrants

Ensuring proper health and sanitation mechanisms in refugee camps has always been a critical issue and is vital for ensuring the well-being of refugees. The right of everyone to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is what the World Health Organization (WHO) works for, having been constituted in 1948 (World Health Organization, 1948). Ratified international human rights standards and conventions exist to protect the rights of migrants and refugees, including their right to health. Nevertheless, many refugees and migrants often lack access to health services and financial protection for health. Kenya houses one of the world's largest refugee camps, the Dadaab Refugee Camp, which is monitored and controlled by NGOs, the UNHCR, and the WHO. Since it is one of the biggest refugee camps, it is crowded and packed with many refugees, making health and sanitation a major challenge. There are approximately one to two toilets for 30-40 people, which raises concerns about hygiene and open defecation, especially by small children and the elderly, making it simple for diseases to transmit and proper sanitation to be hampered. The cramped camps also mean an outbreak of viral diseases, such as waterborne diseases and viruses, and a lack of clean and adequate water supply. Waste management is inadequate for the vast population, and refugees' health is further threatened by breeding grounds for flies, mosquitoes, and rodents (Smith, 2019).

The Kenyan Government's Stance and International Response

The health and sanitation challenges remain a major issue for the Kenyan government and are frequently questioned by international communities. In a surprising move, in 2017, the Kenyan government announced it would appeal a court ruling against its plan to close the Dadaab refugee camp, the largest in the world, stating that the safety of Kenyan citizens is of utmost priority and that the refugee camp is being used as a "launchpad for various terrorist attacks by Al-Shabaab" (BBC News, 2017). Deputy President William Ruto affirmed the decision to close Kenya’s camps, stating that western countries should take their share of refugees from East Africa. However, international pressure and a high court ruling came in response to a petition not to shut Dadaab by two Kenyan human rights organizations, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Kituo Cha Sheria. Thus, to this date, the camp has not been closed due to mixed decisions. Besides the Dadaab camp, there are other refugee camps in Kenya hosting refugees from war-affected African nations, and although reports claim the refugees are living moderately, the refugees tell stories of hunger, poor health, and inhabitation by poisonous species such as spiders and snakes (Amnesty International, 2018).

Ensuring Basic Human Rights for Refugees

Nevertheless, refugees are human beings as well, and they should not be deprived of basic human rights, no matter the circumstances. Health and sanitation are fundamental elements of human life, and for countries with refugee camps, respective governments should ensure these are provided. In Kenya, the government, together with UNHCR, WHO, and other governmental organizations, works hard every day to maintain proper standards in camps. Statistically, there has been an improvement in the health sector within these camps. However, this achievement is still not something to be proud of, considering the hardships these people endure in their daily lives. Healthcare and proper sanitation should be made top priorities, and organizations should collaborate to address the situation effectively (UNICEF, 2021).

References:

• Amnesty International. (2018). Kenya: Refugees facing hunger and poor conditions in Dadaab. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org
• BBC News. (2017). Kenya to appeal ruling stopping closure of Dadaab refugee camp. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com
• Smith, J. (2019). Health and sanitation challenges in refugee camps. Journal of Refugee Studies, 32(2), 234-256.
• UNHCR. (2020). Global trends: Forced displacement in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.unhcr.org
• UNICEF. (2021). Improving health outcomes in refugee camps. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org
• World Health Organization. (1948). Constitution of the World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int