Kenya yet to ratify key human rights treaties and protocols

KNCHR Chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori. She said that Kenyans have witnessed violations of civil rights and fundamental freedoms since the August 8 polls.FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Kenya is yet to ratify several treaties and protocols, making it hard for the citizens to attain their rights and dignity.

Kenya is yet to ratify several treaties and protocols, making it hard for the citizens to attain their rights and dignity.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, KNCHR, Monday attributed the high number of cases of violations by institutions, politicians and security forces to the delay in ratification.

Commission chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori said that the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; The Protocol on the Statute of the African Court of Justice and Human Rights, The AU Convention on the Elimination of Mercenaries in Africa and five others need to be ratified in order to guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms.

Although the country has signed crucial human rights charters like the Banjul Charter and the Maputo Protocol, it had not made a declaration on the African Charter on the people and Human Rights on the establishment of an African court on human and people’s rights.

“The commission notes with concern that while Kenya has largely complied with its reporting obligations internationally, the State continues to lag behind in reporting under the African Human Rights System,” she said, adding Kenyans have witnessed violations of civil rights and fundamental freedoms since the August 8 polls.