Kenya urged to help Somali refugees

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 12 (UPI) -- Kenya should protect Somali refugees, instructing its officials to treat them as demanded by international law, Human Rights Watch said Saturday.

The group said it has documented instances of extortion, with Kenyan police and immigration officials demanding bribes and deporting those unwilling or unable to pay. Refugees have also been detained and assaulted, HRW said.

"Kenyan officials talk about the government's commitment to protecting refugees, but actions speak louder than words," said Bill Frelick, HRW refugee policy director. "Closing the border and abusing asylum seekers, including forcing Somalis to return because they can't pay police bribes, is unacceptable and mars Kenya's reputation as a haven for the persecuted."

Human Rights Watch released "From Horror to Hopelessness," a report on the plight of Somali refugees in Kenya, in March. The day after the report appeared, Kenya deported 31 refugees to Somalia, HRW said.