June 2
KENYA:
Kenya Ranked High in Human Rights Defence
Kenya scored highly in its human rights protection index last year,
according to the London-based watchdog, Amnesty International (AI).
But with the creation of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional
Affairs and the consequent launch of the Kenya National Commission on
Human Rights, expectations were higher than the achievements, the world
human rights watchdog said in its report released yesterday.
The report says that during the year under review-2003-the Press enjoyed
freedom with the introduction of new radio stations and newsletters.
Whereas Kenya was praised by the report on its human rights record, the
United States of America unjustifiably issued travel advisories, adversely
affecting the local tourism industry.
The report was released by the AI country coordinator Miriam Kahiga at her
office in Westlands, Nairobi.
One case of alleged torture in police custody was reported during the year
at Malakisi police station where a Mr Samuel Sirare Wanyonyi died two days
after arrest, the report says.
Ms Kahiga said a Bill on Domestic Violence and Family Protection should be
debated in Parliament and enacted to introduce clear guidelines
discouraging the vice to law enforcers.
The Government was faulted for its failure to take action when women in
Samburu complained that they had been raped by British soldiers practising
in the area for a period spanning 35 years.
"Human rights groups are appalled at the Government's seeming abdication
of its responsibility over the women's claims," Ms Kahiga said.
The report says that whereas Kenya released 28 death row inmates and
commuted 195 such convicts to life imprisonment, the US executed 65
people, bringing the total to 885 since 1976.
The report reads in part: "The USA continued to violate international
standards in its use of the death penalty, including executing people who
were under 18 at the time the crime was committed."
The human rights watchdog faults the Government's publication of the
Suppression of Terrorism Bill, which, if enacted would allow the police to
arrest suspects and search property without the authority of the courts.
(source: The Nation)
