Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
49
humanitarian crisis.182 The Kenyan government has since softened its position, saying that the
camp will remain open until the situation in Somalia improves.183
2.6. Forced Migration in Central Asia184
While choice of destination is almost always dictated by certain cultural affinities and
historical ties, this tendency is particularly pronounced in Central Asia. In the south of the
region, Pakistan and Iran have taken in large numbers of Afghan refugees throughout recent
history, and multi-directional flows continue between all three countries. In the north, the
former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
have accepted limited numbers of refugees amongst themselves, while the largest number of
forced and nonforced migrants travels towards Russia. However, the lack of willingness by
governments in the region to meaningfully implement the 1951 Convention or create a strong
regional framework for refugee protection continues to place refugees at risk of refoulement
and the denial of basic rights and services.
Figure 7: Forced migrant populations in OIC countries in Central Asia
Source: UNHCR, “Population Statistics”
Note: The international forced migrant population is calculated to be the number of refugees, people in refugee-like situations,
and asylum seekers residing in a country.
182 Republic of Kenya Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, “Government Statement and Update on
the Repatriation of Refugees and Scheduled Closure of Dadaab Refugee Camp,” May 11, 2016,
183 Elsa Buchanan, “Kenya softens its position on Dadaab refugee camp closures and refugees repatriation to Somalia,”
International Business Times, August 22, 2016,
184 This report considers the Central Asia region to include the following OIC member states: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.