19th June 2019
Nairobi, Kenya
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Kenya (NCHRD-K) strongly condemns the arrest of two Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), Davis Malombe and Julius Kamau, who were taking part in a peaceful demonstration, (#IAmTheSudanRevolution) in solidarity with the people of Sudan, calling an end to the mass atrocities being committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Transitional Military Council (TMC) .The constitution of Kenya Article 37 clearly encourages the Rights and fundamental freedoms of assembly, and demonstration.
In the last one month, the people of Sudan have been subjected to brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, sexual violence for both women and men, media and internet shutdown amongst others. Human Rights Defenders and the public drawn from the most African and West African countries have come together to form the #Africans4Sudan movement to help lobby the governments and African and International Bodies to exert pressure on the Sudanese military to ensure a civilian led transitional authority established.
NCHRD-K is concerned with the growing disregard of notifications to demonstrate, by security agents in the country. On 14th June 2019, HRDs had notified the OCS central police station about the demonstration and requested for security. The arrest comes barely two months after the arrest of Kenyan Activist Beatrice Waithera on 30th April 2019 while participating in an anti-corruption protest in Nairobi. NCHRD-K is also concerned with the threats to curtail the freedom of association by the various government officials including through legislation.
We therefore call for:
Signed
Kamau Ngugi,
Executive Director, National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Kenya
For more information or to arrange for interviews contact |Francis Ndegwa| francis@hrdcoalition.org| 0721443397 | Communications Officer at NCHRD-K