The UN here in New York on the situation in Kenya

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Got this in my email. Please share with other Kenyan forums.

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Chifu

SPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN KENYA

4 January 2008

A group of 14 United Nations human rights experts (whose names appear

below the text) issued the following statement on the situation in

Kenya today:

" Following and in line with the statement made by the High

Commissioner for Human Rights on 31 December 2007, we wish to express

our deep concern at the events that have occurred in Kenya in the last

days following contested election results. We are especially

distressed by the tragic loss of human lives, the numerous casualties

and destruction of property and infrastructure.

We also express our great concern at the humanitarian crisis resulting

from ongoing violence, in particular massive displacement affecting

especially the populations in the Rift Valley, which threatens

enjoyment of the right to food, health, housing and education in areas

affected by the violence, particularly among the poorest. We are

concerned at reports of gang rapes associated with the upsurge in

violence and the devastating impact on victims including the

likelihood of HIV infection.

We express our strong condemnation of the extreme violence that took

place in the western town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when dozens of

civilians, including children and women, were killed after a mob set

fire to a church where they had taken sanctuary. In this regard, we

are profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatred

and the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups in

Kenya. In the light of historical precedents in the region, we

strongly appeal to the Kenyan authorities, as well as political,

ethnic and religious leaders, to put an end to what may become the

dynamics of inter-ethnic killings, while also calling upon the

international community, including the United Nations Security

Council, to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard.

Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by allegations regarding the

limitations imposed on the right to freedom of expression, in

particular a specific ban prohibiting live coverage of events in Kenya.

While we recognize the prerogative and duty of the Kenyan authorities

to maintain public order, we are, however, alarmed by reported

instances of use of excessive force by Kenyan security forces against

demonstrators and other civilians. In this respect, we would like to

remind the Kenyan authorities of their international human rights

obligations that require that they discharge their duties in strict

compliance with established international legal norms and standards.

We also call on all parties involved to actively work towards a

peaceful and rapid solution to end the violence in Kenya. We urge the

incumbent Kenyan authorities to take all necessary steps and measures

to bring an end to the present situation, including by addressing

appropriately questions raised with regard to the latest election

results. We also call upon the leaders of political parties to show

restraint and control over their followers and supporters.

We deplore and condemn the current situation of violence in Kenya and

its grave consequences on the population and will continue to follow

closely the situation in the country in light of the legal commitments

and obligations binding on Kenya under international human rights law. "

The associated experts are: Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on

contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and

related intolerance; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on

extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Leandro Despouy,

Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Yakin

Ertürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and

consequences; Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone

to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Asma

Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Walter

Kälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of

internally displaced persons; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on

adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard

of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; Gay

McDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues; Vernor Muñoz

Villalobos, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Manfred

Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or

degrading treatment or punishment; Scheinin, Special Rapporteur

on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering

terrorism; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation of

human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; and Jean

Ziegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

__________

For use of the information media; not an official recor

--- End forwarded message ---

--- End forwarded message ---

[Guest guest]

Got this in my email. Please share with other Kenyan forums.

Thanks.

Chifu

SPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE HOLDERS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY SITUATION IN KENYA

4 January 2008

A group of 14 United Nations human rights experts (whose names appear

below the text) issued the following statement on the situation in

Kenya today:

" Following and in line with the statement made by the High

Commissioner for Human Rights on 31 December 2007, we wish to express

our deep concern at the events that have occurred in Kenya in the last

days following contested election results. We are especially

distressed by the tragic loss of human lives, the numerous casualties

and destruction of property and infrastructure.

We also express our great concern at the humanitarian crisis resulting

from ongoing violence, in particular massive displacement affecting

especially the populations in the Rift Valley, which threatens

enjoyment of the right to food, health, housing and education in areas

affected by the violence, particularly among the poorest. We are

concerned at reports of gang rapes associated with the upsurge in

violence and the devastating impact on victims including the

likelihood of HIV infection.

We express our strong condemnation of the extreme violence that took

place in the western town of Eldoret on 1 January 2008, when dozens of

civilians, including children and women, were killed after a mob set

fire to a church where they had taken sanctuary. In this regard, we

are profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatred

and the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups in

Kenya. In the light of historical precedents in the region, we

strongly appeal to the Kenyan authorities, as well as political,

ethnic and religious leaders, to put an end to what may become the

dynamics of inter-ethnic killings, while also calling upon the

international community, including the United Nations Security

Council, to fulfil its responsibilities in this regard.

Furthermore, we are deeply concerned by allegations regarding the

limitations imposed on the right to freedom of expression, in

particular a specific ban prohibiting live coverage of events in Kenya.

While we recognize the prerogative and duty of the Kenyan authorities

to maintain public order, we are, however, alarmed by reported

instances of use of excessive force by Kenyan security forces against

demonstrators and other civilians. In this respect, we would like to

remind the Kenyan authorities of their international human rights

obligations that require that they discharge their duties in strict

compliance with established international legal norms and standards.

We also call on all parties involved to actively work towards a

peaceful and rapid solution to end the violence in Kenya. We urge the

incumbent Kenyan authorities to take all necessary steps and measures

to bring an end to the present situation, including by addressing

appropriately questions raised with regard to the latest election

results. We also call upon the leaders of political parties to show

restraint and control over their followers and supporters.

We deplore and condemn the current situation of violence in Kenya and

its grave consequences on the population and will continue to follow

closely the situation in the country in light of the legal commitments

and obligations binding on Kenya under international human rights law. "

The associated experts are: Doudou Diène, Special Rapporteur on

contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and

related intolerance; Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on

extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Leandro Despouy,

Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Yakin

Ertürk, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and

consequences; Hunt, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone

to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; Asma

Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Walter

Kälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of

internally displaced persons; Miloon Kothari, Special Rapporteur on

adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard

of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; Gay

McDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues; Vernor Muñoz

Villalobos, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Manfred

Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or

degrading treatment or punishment; Scheinin, Special Rapporteur

on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering

terrorism; Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special Rapporteur on the situation of

human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people; and Jean

Ziegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food.

__________

For use of the information media; not an official recor

--- End forwarded message ---

--- End forwarded message ---