Haroun Ndubi , human rights lawyer,
member of Kenya Domestic Observers Forum received a number of anonymous
threats, including death threats but also Maina Kiai , Chairman of Kenya National
Commission for Human Rights, .Muthoni Wanyeki , Executive Director of
Kenya Human Rights Commission ; ; David Ndii , author of report on
electoral irregularities ; Gladwell Otieno , Director of Africa Centre
for Open Government; Ndung'u Wainaina , staff member of National
Convention Executive Council; Njeri Kabeberi , Executive Director of the
Centre for Multi-Party Democracy; Nahashon Gachehe , employee of
Independent Medico-Legal Unit ;James Maina , member of People's
Parliament (Bunge La Mwananchi)
The human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists named above
have received a number of anonymous threats, including death threats, in
the last two weeks. As a result, they have had to take precautions for
their safety such as moving from their house, or not making public
statements, after receiving anonymous SMS messages, telephone calls and
emails threatening them.
These threats are in response to statements or actions by those named
above about the results of the Kenyan General Election held on 27
December 2007, or about human rights abuses that have occurred during the
violence that has followed the elections. The results of the election are
contested, and have resulted in significant political conflict in Kenya
that has become divided on ethnic lines. The Kikuyu ethnic group are
largely perceived to have supported President Kibaki while the Luo and
Kalenjin ethnic groups in Kenya, are thought to have supported the
opposition candidate, Raila Odinga.
All except one of the human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists
listed above are of Kikuyu ethnicity. The threats they have received
include accusations that they are “traitors” to their ethnicity, because
they have spoken out about what they believe to have been irregularities
in the election result, or about human rights abuses committed by the
police and armed gangs, including gangs of Kikuyu people, throughout the
country.
Four of the human rights defenders and activists are also named in an
anonymously authored pamphlet that has been circulating within the Kikuyu
community in Kenya by print and email in recent days. The pamphlet
includes the four as part of a list of more 25 people of Kikuyu origin,
who it calls “traitors (who) live among us in peace”, and included a
veiled threat that they should be killed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
There
has been widespread violence in Kenya following the General Election and
President Mwai Kibaki’s inauguration on 30 December 2007. This violence
has been witnessed in different parts of Kenya, including parts of
Nairobi, Nyanza province, Western Province, the Rift Valley and Coast
Province.
The violence was largely instigated by supporters of the opposition
party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), who believed the
presidential election had been rigged in favour of President Kibaki.
There were reports of excessive use of force by the police against
protesters, including protesters being shot dead.
There have been many attacks on Kikuyu people, often with machetes,
stones, clubs, and bows and arrows. Recently the number of retaliatory
attacks by Kikuyu gangs on Luo and Kalenjin people has increased. Over
600 people have been killed in the violence, and the UN has stated that
over 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes. Thousands have
crossed into Uganda and Tanzania as refugees.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
- expressing concern about the death threats against the human rights
defenders and pro-democracy activists listed above (naming them);
- urging the authorities to ensure the safety and protection of human
rights defenders and pro-democracy activists in Kenya;
- calling on the Kenyan government to investigate these threats and to
bring those responsible to justice through fair trials;
- calling on the authorities to guarantee that right to freedom of
expression and the rights of human rights defenders are respected;
-urging the government to take effective action to ensure all public
servants, including the security forces, act to recognise the legitimacy
of the work of human rights defenders and to abstain from making
unsubstantiated allegations against human rights defenders.
If you live in an EU member country, please also copy your embassy in
Nairobi, asking the EU to intervene to support these human rights
defenders, in accordance with the European Union Guidelines on Human
Rights Defenders.
APPEALS TO:
Hon. Mwai Kibaki C.G.H. M.P
President of Kenya
PO Box 30510-00100, Nairobi,
Kenya
Fax: +254-20-313600
Email: pps@statehousekenya.go.ke
Salutation: Your Excellency
Major General Mohamed Hussein Ali, M.G.H.
Commissioner of Police
PO Box 30083, Nairobi,
Kenya
Fax : +254-20-240955
Salutation: Dear Commissioner
Hon. Prof George Saitoti
Minister of State for Internal Security
Harambee House, Harambee Avenue
P. O. Box 30510-00100, Nairobi,
Kenya
Fax: +254-20-313600
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
Maina Kiai
Chairperson, Kenya National Commission for Human Rights
PO Box 74359 – 00200, Nairobi,
Kenya
Fax: +254202716160
Email: mkiai@knchr.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
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