Events Calendar
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January 2012 |
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GUARD YOUR TAXES - SUPPORT A SINGLE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION! |
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) calls the attention of the public, MPs and other stakeholders to Article 59 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 that establishes the Kenya National Human Rights and Equality Commission (KNHREC). Article 59 (3) gives every person the right to complain to KNHREC on violations, denials, infringements or threats to their human rights or fundamental freedoms. This right covers ALL persons regardless of gender, race, disability, religion or belief, age or such other status. Women, men, children, persons with disabilities, minorities, communities, professional groups etc are protected from discrimination under this provision. A single human rights commission or multiple commissions?KNCHR is concerned that the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet are attempting to use Article 59 (4) of the Constitution to create multiple commissions. The public and Parliament have not been given alternative of a single commission as envisaged under Article 59 (4) has not been. In the spirit of devolving services to the grassroots, it is easier and more cost-effective to devolve “one-stop” arrangements for each county instead of several commissions each independently running offices in the 47 counties. International reporting recognizes only one human rights body per country. Reports to Treaty Bodies and advisories to government will be more comprehensive and credible if they are housed in one institution with a broad human rights mandate. With a unified institution, there will be no confusion on which commission deals with what. Way forward?KNCHR is persuaded that it is in the best interests of equity, equality and non-discrimination that gender issues be addressed under one commission. Key human rights stakeholders and international human rights bodies favour the setting up of KNHREC as one commission. Gender issues must not be marginalised or lost in the unified KNHREC. The Commission must be structured in such a way that acknowledges the importance of gender and all the other Article 27 protected equality and non-discrimination grounds. KNHREC should have four divisions: the Human Rights Division; the Equality Division (with units covering gender issues, disability issues, children’s issues, minority groups, and marginalised communities); the Administrative Justice Division; and the Finance and Human Resources Division. We, therefore, call upon Parliament to exercise its legislative function by rejecting the Bills which the Ministry of Justice has tabled in the House. The draft unified KNHREC draft legislation prepared following extensive consultations with stakeholders should form the basis for Parliament to legislate on this matter. GUARD YOUR TAXES. VOTE FOR A ‘ONE-STOP’ HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. |
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EXPERIENCES FROM UHURU PARK ON THE PROMULGATION DAY |
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Thousands of Kenyans thronged the famous Uhuru Park and braved the chilly morning weather to witness the birth of the second republic at the promulgation of the New Constitution. An overwhelming feeling covered the grounds as Kenyans from all walks of life met to re-write history. The institutional reforms we all hope will be achieved must be strongly defended. We must not forget that we are not going to enjoy the fruits of a new Constitution without resistance by the lords of impunity. |
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KNCHR Briefs UNCHR Representative on the Situation of IDPs in Kenya |
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On Wednesday 3rd March 2010, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Department of The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights hosted Dr. Walter Kaelin, the Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, and briefed him on the current human rights situation of IDPs in the country. |
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KNCHR launches its Strategic Plan for the period 2009-2013 |
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In line with the government planning cycle, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has developed its Strategic Plan for the period 2009-2013. The plan was officially launched on 28th January 2010 at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. To see the Strategic Plan click on Downloads section.Read more ... |
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The rise of violent crime in Kenya over the past few years has heightened the sense of insecurity among citizens to levels unknown just a decade ago. Reports indicate that in 2007, the country had around 100,000 illegal firearms… Read more |
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Administration and Access to Justice |
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) hosted the biggest event of the world’s National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). The 9th NHRIs Conference, whose theme was Administration and Access to Justice, was held in Nairobi from October 21-24, 2008. Read more |
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KNCHR nominated to first Human Rights and Business Working Group |
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The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has recently been nominated to represent the African region on the new Working Group on Business and Human Rights of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC). |
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KNCHR Report on Post-2007 Election Violence in Kenya |
On the Brink of the Precipice: A Human Rights Account of Kenya's Post 2007 Election is a report on the findings conducted by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the country's National Human Rights Institution with statutory mandate to protect and promote human rights of all individuals living in Kenya . Read More... |
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KNCHR Position on formation of Special Tribunal for Post 2007 Election Violence |
The National Commission wants a local Special Tribunal to try the perpetrators of Post 2007 Election Violence, as opposed to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Commission has also sent an advisory brief to parliament on proposed changes to the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill that will seek to establish an effective Tribunal in the Kenyan constitution. Read more |
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KNCHR Latest Report on Extrajudicial Execution and Disappearances |
The report entitled "The Cry of Blood" is an account of alleged executions and disappearances of persons suspected to be Mungiki adherents by the Kenya Police since July 2007. Read more |
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Domesticating convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: Key considerations for Kenya |
Commissioner Lawrence Mute sheds light on deliberations that key stakeholders in the Kenyan Chapter including human rights organizations, civil societies and learning institutions, need to incorporate in the implementation of international convention on the rights of person with disabilities (ICRPD) which the country ratified on 19th May 2008. Read More... |
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The Amnesty Debate: KNCHR Position |
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The issue of whether to grant amnesty to perpetrators of violence in post election crisis in Kenya has elicited a heated debate in the last few months. The KNCHR, has released its position on the issue. Read More..... |
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KNCHR for the Establishment of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission |
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The KNCHR now supports the setting up of a Truth Commission in light of the post election crisis in Kenya. Read more |
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