Recover Better – Stand up For Human Rights

Remarks by Kamau Ngugi – Executive Director, Defenders Coalition
10 Dec 2020.

International Human Day

Defenders Coalition works with individuals and organizations at the forefront of defending fundamental rights and freedoms

In Kenyan history, the footprints of human rights defenders are visible in every element of change that that has taken place for the good of our society. From the struggle from the york of colonialism to post independence struggle for multi-party democracy to equality and non discrimination that birthed the 2010 Constitution. We said no brutal enforcement of Covid 19 rules and HRDs sacrificed their own foods to serve the most needy in our society.

Often time, HRDs struggle and sacrifice for a just society is rewarded with teargas and tramped up charges that take too long to conclude.

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya believes that:

– To recover better requires Kenya to build and protect our institutions to carry out their mandate independently. Our development partners can work with us to build stronger human rights movement and accountability institutions
– Governments and the global community have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ‘recover better’, to transform economies and create more equitable societies that allow everyone to enjoy the full range of their human rights, without discrimination.

Ladies and gentlemen The advances in development of a COVID 19 vaccine should not demonstrate greed by richer nations and richer people to Hoard the vaccines for their people leaving behind vulnerable groups. The disease doesn’t discriminate. Lets Stand Up for the rights of least endowed
– Our Governments must focus on reducing inequalities by investing in the provision of quality public services tailored to local needs, such as health care, water and sanitation, education and care services, while ensuring access for all. We must do so by promoting full and meaningful participation of all people in decision-making and the democratic deliberation of policies to build social cohesion

– We must all of us safeguard and protect fundamental rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of association, assembly and the human right to information and expression

– We must commit to create an enabling environment for civil society organizations to operate freely and support social solidarity movements as vehicles for ongoing change and the reduction of inequalities.

– As the election year approaches the Governments must double efforts to foster peace promoting inclusive dialogues between social groups, political movements and recognizing the critical role that women play in peacebuilding at all levels.

– As Covid strikes lets remind the governments globally that Regulations passed to mitigate the devastation of Covid-19 must unite us to fight a common enemy- the virus – and not justification of rights abuses by security agents and creating COVID billionaires when those who speak up against such vices are criminalized.

To recover better we must mainstream human rights and push back on all aspects that threaten fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the constitution of Kenya 2010, and international treaties.

HRDs are central to all efforts of rebuilding of our beloved country. Their safety, security and wellbeing must be guaranteed