Defenders Coalition which is the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya is deeply concerned over the illegal arrest and detention of Amina Hussein Kullo, a Woman Human Rights Defenders who was arrested together with her 3 year old baby on the 10th of May 2023 and handed punitive bail terms of KES.1.5 Million or a bond of KES.2 Million.

Amina was assaulted, arrested and charged with 7 counts of trumped-up charges ranging from inciting violence, assaulting heavily armed male police officers and stealing 350 bags of cement from Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) offices. This was after community members in Korbesa protested against the forceful acquisition of community land and construction of NRT offices on unregistered community land without community engagement despite there being a petition challenging the acquisition of the community property at the Environment and Lands Court.

Other paralegals are also facing imminent threats of arrest from security agents who are in partnership with NRT and have been issued with summons to appear before the county commissioner office. The Defender’s Coalition is concerned over this atrocious violation of human rights in Merti and the threats and intimidation of Human Rights Defenders within the region and therefore calls for the following:

1. We call upon all Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Actors to raise awareness of the matter and demand for the immediate release of the WHRD Amina Hussein.
2. We call upon the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution to unconditionally drop the malicious and trumped-up charges against WHRD Amina Hussein.
3. We also call upon the security officials in Merti sub county, Isiolo, to follow the rule of law and protect the rights and freedoms of the citizens.
4. We call upon the Judiciary to dismiss the punitive bail terms of Kenya shillings 1.5 Million or bond of KES 2 Million and cease from being weaponized to intimidate the work of Human Rights Defenders.

Read more about the story here https://www.whispersnorth.com/defenders-coalition-calls-for-release-of-amina-hussein-following-clashes-with-nrt/

https://www.oaklandinstitute.org/latest-community-protest-nrt-violent-crackdown