Kenya deports 37 Taiwanese to China over telecom fraud

Kenya deported 37 Taiwanese nationals recently nabbed in a telecom fraud crackdown. Despite objections by Taiwan’s government, these individuals boarded a flight bound for China. The Foreign Ministry said Chinese and Kenyan authorities collaborated to obstruct Taiwan’s efforts to repatriate countrymen. These 15 Taiwanese nationals are resisting police efforts to move them. Outside the door can be heard the loud sound of a sledgehammer and voices urging them to submit. Early in the morning today, Kenyan police started transferring 15 Taiwanese acquitted of telecom fraud from a detention center to the airport. As some of the accused were of Chinese nationality, China requested Kenya to deport the entire group to China. Chen Chun-shen Foreign Affairs African Affairs Director-General Frankly speaking, we have much fewer resources than what is available to China’s embassy in Kenya.Because Taiwan and Kenya do not have diplomatic relations it was difficult to bail out these Taiwanese individuals acquitted of telecom fraud. China’s actions were actually a violation of the Cross-Strait Joint Crime-Fighting and Judicial Mutual Assistance Agreement which would allow both sides to repatriate nationals to their respective countries.Joseph WuDPP Secretary-GeneralChina did not go through proper legal procedures and infringe upon the freedom of Taiwanese nationals. This is a severe violation of human rights and of Taiwan’s sovereignty. The party is issuing the strongest protest. In addition to 15 Taiwanese that have been acquitted of telecom fraud, another 22 Taiwan citizens arrested have also been deported to China. 8 Taiwanese were previously deported to Beijing regarding this matter putting the total number of Taiwanese deported to China at 45.