18/07/2023
THE AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REACTS TO PLANNED MASS PROTESTS IN KENYA
The right to protest is protected under International Human Rights law by provisions enshrined in various International and regional treaties guaranteeing each of these distinct yet mutually reinforcing rights. The Amnesty international warns Kenyan Government against militarizing police to engage with protestors by Deployment of armed Police officers to suppress protests and supplying the police with equipment like armoured Vehicles , Guns and assult weapons and sound Cannons . The Police should be trained in de-escalation , Mediation and Keeping the People Safe .
The Government of Kenya should not try to justify this disproportionate escalation in the use of force by painting protesters as a threat to public safety, but in truth, these tactics are ultimately a way to intimidate people into silence.
Law enforcement during Demonstrations needs to use equipment to PROTECT peaceful protesters and keep protests safe since People have a right to protest peacefully, and state has a duty to respect, facilitate and protect this right. This means they shouldn’t interfere with protests. If police try to stop or limit a protest, that intervention must be proportionate and necessary, that is , must do more good than harm and must be the least rights restricting option. However, in many cases, intervention from state authorities is what causes otherwise peaceful disruptions to become dangerous and Violent.
KOOME KOMA KABISA