Re: The UN here in New York on the situation in Kenya

January 4, 2008

Thank you Chifu for this posting.

In terms of freedom of association and expression, Both All political parties should be given opportunity to address their followers starting with a national meetings in Nairobi and then have each elected member of Parliament address their constituents calling for peace and reconciliation. This should be followed by each party address followers in their constituencies calling for peace and reconciliation. this approach will cool down tempers fats and allow citizens to begin sharing ideas on how to move forward.

God Save Kenya!!

The UN here in New York on the situation in Kenya

Got this in my email. Please share with other Kenyan forums. Thanks.ChifuSPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN KENYA4 January 2008A group of 14 United Nations human rights experts (whose names appearbelow the text) issued the following statement on the situation inKenya today:"Following and in line with the statement made by the HighCommissioner for Human Rights on 31 December 2007, we wish to expressour deep concern at the events that have occurred in Kenya in the lastdays following contested election results. We are especiallydistressed by the tragic loss of human lives, the numerous casualtiesand destruction of property and infrastructure.We

also express our great concern at the humanitarian crisis resultingfrom ongoing violence, in particular massive displacement affectingespecially the populations in the Rift Valley, which threatensenjoyment of the right to food, health, housing and education in areasaffected by the violence, particularly among the poorest. We areconcerned at reports of gang rapes associated with the upsurge inviolence and the devastating impact on victims including thelikelihood of HIV infection.We express our strong condemnation of the extreme violence that tookplace in the western town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when dozens ofcivilians, including children and women, were killed after a mob setfire to a church where they had taken sanctuary. In this regard, weare profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatredand the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups inKenya. In the light

of historical precedents in the region, westrongly appeal to the Kenyan authorities, as well as political,ethnic and religious leaders, to put an end to what may become thedynamics of inter-ethnic killings, while also calling upon theinternational community, including the United Nations SecurityCouncil, to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard.Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by allegations regarding thelimitations imposed on the right to freedom of expression, inparticular a specific ban prohibiting live coverage of events in Kenya.While we recognize the prerogative and duty of the Kenyan authoritiesto maintain public order, we are, however, alarmed by reportedinstances of use of excessive force by Kenyan security forces againstdemonstrators and other civilians. In this respect, we would like toremind the Kenyan authorities of their international human rightsobligations that

require that they discharge their duties in strictcompliance with established international legal norms and standards.We also call on all parties involved to actively work towards apeaceful and rapid solution to end the violence in Kenya. We urge theincumbent Kenyan authorities to take all necessary steps and measuresto bring an end to the present situation, including by addressingappropriately questions raised with regard to the latest electionresults. We also call upon the leaders of political parties to showrestraint and control over their followers and supporters.We deplore and condemn the current situation of violence in Kenya andits grave consequences on the population and will continue to followclosely the situation in the country in light of the legal commitmentsand obligations binding on Kenya under international human rights law."The associated experts are: Doudou Diène, Special

Rapporteur oncontemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia andrelated intolerance; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur onextrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Leandro Despouy,Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; YakinErtürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes andconsequences; Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyoneto the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; AsmaJahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; WalterKälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights ofinternally displaced persons; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur onadequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standardof living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; GayMcDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues; Vernor MuñozVillalobos, Special

Rapporteur on the right to education; ManfredNowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment; Scheinin, Special Rapporteuron the promotion and protection of human rights while counteringterrorism; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; and JeanZiegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.__________For use of the information media; not an official recor--- End forwarded message ------ End forwarded message ---

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January 4, 2008

Thank you Chifu for this posting.

In terms of freedom of association and expression, Both All political parties should be given opportunity to address their followers starting with a national meetings in Nairobi and then have each elected member of Parliament address their constituents calling for peace and reconciliation. This should be followed by each party address followers in their constituencies calling for peace and reconciliation. this approach will cool down tempers fats and allow citizens to begin sharing ideas on how to move forward.

God Save Kenya!!

The UN here in New York on the situation in Kenya

Got this in my email. Please share with other Kenyan forums. Thanks.ChifuSPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN KENYA4 January 2008A group of 14 United Nations human rights experts (whose names appearbelow the text) issued the following statement on the situation inKenya today:"Following and in line with the statement made by the HighCommissioner for Human Rights on 31 December 2007, we wish to expressour deep concern at the events that have occurred in Kenya in the lastdays following contested election results. We are especiallydistressed by the tragic loss of human lives, the numerous casualtiesand destruction of property and infrastructure.We

also express our great concern at the humanitarian crisis resultingfrom ongoing violence, in particular massive displacement affectingespecially the populations in the Rift Valley, which threatensenjoyment of the right to food, health, housing and education in areasaffected by the violence, particularly among the poorest. We areconcerned at reports of gang rapes associated with the upsurge inviolence and the devastating impact on victims including thelikelihood of HIV infection.We express our strong condemnation of the extreme violence that tookplace in the western town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when dozens ofcivilians, including children and women, were killed after a mob setfire to a church where they had taken sanctuary. In this regard, weare profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatredand the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups inKenya. In the light

of historical precedents in the region, westrongly appeal to the Kenyan authorities, as well as political,ethnic and religious leaders, to put an end to what may become thedynamics of inter-ethnic killings, while also calling upon theinternational community, including the United Nations SecurityCouncil, to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard.Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by allegations regarding thelimitations imposed on the right to freedom of expression, inparticular a specific ban prohibiting live coverage of events in Kenya.While we recognize the prerogative and duty of the Kenyan authoritiesto maintain public order, we are, however, alarmed by reportedinstances of use of excessive force by Kenyan security forces againstdemonstrators and other civilians. In this respect, we would like toremind the Kenyan authorities of their international human rightsobligations that

require that they discharge their duties in strictcompliance with established international legal norms and standards.We also call on all parties involved to actively work towards apeaceful and rapid solution to end the violence in Kenya. We urge theincumbent Kenyan authorities to take all necessary steps and measuresto bring an end to the present situation, including by addressingappropriately questions raised with regard to the latest electionresults. We also call upon the leaders of political parties to showrestraint and control over their followers and supporters.We deplore and condemn the current situation of violence in Kenya andits grave consequences on the population and will continue to followclosely the situation in the country in light of the legal commitmentsand obligations binding on Kenya under international human rights law."The associated experts are: Doudou Diène, Special

Rapporteur oncontemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia andrelated intolerance; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur onextrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Leandro Despouy,Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; YakinErtürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes andconsequences; Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyoneto the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; AsmaJahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; WalterKälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights ofinternally displaced persons; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur onadequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standardof living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; GayMcDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues; Vernor MuñozVillalobos, Special

Rapporteur on the right to education; ManfredNowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment; Scheinin, Special Rapporteuron the promotion and protection of human rights while counteringterrorism; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; and JeanZiegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.__________For use of the information media; not an official recor--- End forwarded message ------ End forwarded message ---

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January 6, 2008

REPEAT ELECTION A WASTE OF TIME There have been messages of hope and good will for our people from all the corners of the earth.Every bit of goodwill message from all over the world is welcome at this dark hour in Kenya. It feels good to know that the world cares for Kenya and its people. . Everybody agrees what is happening in Kenya today was uncalled for and analysts have confimed that unless the matter is addressed urgently, it could lead to full scale civil war as has happened in other parts of Africa a result of bolched elections. Condemning so many citizens to death and sufferings does not justify any quest for power or Presidency and ODM and PNU leaders must equally take responsibility. However, rather than start blame games for ethnic problems and tentions which have

have been a time bomb since 1963, i think both parties should immediately promote peace and use politics to address their political problems by sharing power as hunger and extreme hunger for power is the cause of the the human suffering and anarchy we are experiencing in Kenya today. Looking at the loss of life and plunder that Kenya is today, one can conclude that Kibaki and Raila have lost it as they have been unable to stop the anarchy by constraining their supporters. Declaring Kibaki the winner wasnt the cause of mayhem. Infact riots began long before the results were announced . None of the sides were prepared for the results of losing an election What has happened could have taken place irregardless if which side was declared a winner. For this reason, having another election is a waste of time and resource and Kenyans

have better things to do with their lives after coming out to vote in big numbers only to be condemned to sufferings, death, lives disoriented and property damaged... We have already lost so much from a fledgling economy and in the countryside towns like Eldoret and Kisumu everything looks like Kenya is recovering from war .In any case Kenyans are seriously divided and having another election will just whip greater ethnic emotions and the experiences of the December election shows very bad precedent, that clearly no side will ever accept the results even if they are supervised by international bodies . Time for healing is what we need through a coalition government as we prepare for the next election after five years. Let both sides put those innovative campaign pledges on the table and we move Kenya forward. God Save Kenya. As we pray, may our leaders soften their stands and appreciate

that human lives are greater than any quest for power. Aaamen Karegwa Muchiri, NairobiAjuoga Alwar <jackajuoga@...> wrote: Thank you Chifu for this posting. In terms of freedom of association and expression, Both All political parties should be given opportunity to address their followers starting with a national meetings in Nairobi and then have each elected member of Parliament address their constituents calling for peace and reconciliation. This should be followed by each party address followers in their constituencies calling for peace and reconciliation. this approach will cool down tempers fats and allow citizens to begin sharing ideas on how to move forward. God Save Kenya!! The UN here in New York on the situation in Kenya Got this in my email. Please share with other Kenyan forums. Thanks.ChifuSPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN KENYA4 January 2008A group of 14 United Nations human rights experts (whose names appearbelow the text) issued the following statement on the situation inKenya today:"Following and in line with the statement made by the HighCommissioner for Human Rights on 31 December 2007, we wish to expressour deep concern at the events that have occurred in Kenya in the lastdays following contested election results. We are especiallydistressed by the

tragic loss of human lives, the numerous casualtiesand destruction of property and infrastructure.We also express our great concern at the humanitarian crisis resultingfrom ongoing violence, in particular massive displacement affectingespecially the populations in the Rift Valley, which threatensenjoyment of the right to food, health, housing and education in areasaffected by the violence, particularly among the poorest. We areconcerned at reports of gang rapes associated with the upsurge inviolence and the devastating impact on victims including thelikelihood of HIV infection.We express our strong condemnation of the extreme violence that tookplace in the western town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when dozens ofcivilians, including children and women, were killed after a mob setfire to a church where they had taken sanctuary. In this regard, weare profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial

hatredand the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups inKenya. In the light of historical precedents in the region, westrongly appeal to the Kenyan authorities, as well as political,ethnic and religious leaders, to put an end to what may become thedynamics of inter-ethnic killings, while also calling upon theinternational community, including the United Nations SecurityCouncil, to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard.Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by allegations regarding thelimitations imposed on the right to freedom of expression, inparticular a specific ban prohibiting live coverage of events in Kenya.While we recognize the prerogative and duty of the Kenyan authoritiesto maintain public order, we are, however, alarmed by reportedinstances of use of excessive force by Kenyan security forces againstdemonstrators and other civilians. In this respect, we would like toremind the

Kenyan authorities of their international human rightsobligations that require that they discharge their duties in strictcompliance with established international legal norms and standards.We also call on all parties involved to actively work towards apeaceful and rapid solution to end the violence in Kenya. We urge theincumbent Kenyan authorities to take all necessary steps and measuresto bring an end to the present situation, including by addressingappropriately questions raised with regard to the latest electionresults. We also call upon the leaders of political parties to showrestraint and control over their followers and supporters.We deplore and condemn the current situation of violence in Kenya andits grave consequences on the population and will continue to followclosely the situation in the country in light of the legal commitmentsand obligations binding on Kenya under international human rights

law."The associated experts are: Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur oncontemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia andrelated intolerance; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur onextrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Leandro Despouy,Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; YakinErtürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes andconsequences; Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyoneto the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; AsmaJahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; WalterKälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights ofinternally displaced persons; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur onadequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standardof living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; GayMcDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues;

Vernor MuñozVillalobos, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; ManfredNowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman ordegrading treatment or punishment; Scheinin, Special Rapporteuron the promotion and protection of human rights while counteringterrorism; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation ofhuman rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; and JeanZiegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.__________For use of the information media; not an official recor--- End forwarded message ------ End forwarded message --- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

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January 6, 2008