KENYA

2017 ELECTIONS: BROKEN PROMISES PUT HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AT RISK

International Fact-Finding Mission Report

May 2017

 

 

OMCT and FIDH are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society. This report was produced notably within the framework of ProtectDefenders.eu.OMCT and FIDH would like to thank the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the European Union for making the publication of this report possible. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of OMCT and FIDH and shall under no circumstances be interpreted as reflecting the views of these organisations.

Directors of publication:

 Gerald Staberock, Dimitris Christopoulos.

Editing and coordination:

 Chiara Cosentino, Delphine Reculeau, Alexandra Poméon O’Neill.

Drafting:

 Otieno Aluoka, Chiara Cosentino.

Distribution:

 The full text of this report is published in English.

Copyright:

 The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and FIDH authorise the free reproduction of extracts of this text on condition that the source is credited and that a copy of the publication containing the text is sent to their respective offices.

Graphic design

: Graphius Group Printed by OMCTOMCT ISBN 978-2-88894-068-5Cover photo: © KHRC / #StopExtraJudicialKillings Demonstration, Nairobi, July 2016.

The Observatory KENYA – 2017 elections: broken promises put human rights defenders at risk 

This project is funded by the European Union

   S  o  u  r  c  e  :   P  e  r  r  y   C  a  s   t  a   ñ  e   d  a   L   i   b  r  a  r  y   M  a  p   C  o   l   l  e  c   t   i  o  n  :   h   t   t  p  :   /   /  w  w  w .   l   i   b .  u   t  e  x  a  s .  e   d  u   /  m  a  p  s   /  a   f  r   i  c  a   /   k  e  n  y  a_  p  o   l   8   8 .   j  p  g

 

The Observatory KENYA – 2017 elections: broken promises put human rights defenders at risk 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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I. INTRODUCTION

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II. HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL CONTEXT: A COUNTRY MARRED BY ELECTORAL VIOLENCE

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III. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS

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1.

The 2010 Constitution

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2.

Penal Code, Chapter 63 Laws of Kenya (last revision 2014)

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3.

National Police Service Act and Independent Policing Oversight Act, 2011

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4.

From the NGO Coordination Act 1990 to the Public Benefit Organisations Act 2013: a missed opportunity

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5.

Prevention of Terrorism Act 2012 and Security Laws (Amendment) Act No. 19 2014

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6.

Kenya Information and Communication Act (last revision 2013) and Access to Information Act 2016

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IV. EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE AND HARASSMENT BY THE POLICE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN IMPUNITY

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1.

Peaceful demonstrations disrupted by the police with violence

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2.

Threats, harassment and killings of defenders fighting impunity

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3.

A culture of violence fuelled by widespread impunity

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V. CRIMINALISATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND DELEGITIMISATION OF THEIR WORK

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1.

Arbitrary arrest, detention and judicial harassment of defenders

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2.

Delegitimisation and slandering of human rights defenders, particularly ahead of the 2017 elections

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VI. RESTRICTIONS TO THE RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

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1.

Legal and administrative restrictions to freedom of association

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2.

Obstacles to international and foreign NGOs operating in Kenya

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VII. CATEGORIES OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PARTICULARLY TARGETED

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1.

LGBTI rights defenders

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2.

Women human rights defenders (WHRDs)

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3.

Land and environmental rights defenders

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4.

Bloggers and journalists

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VIII. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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