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KNCHR and Human Rights Defenders work (HRD’s)

Human rights defenders (HRDs) play a key role in the protection of human rights in democratic societies. From their name, they defend rights because in a society polarized by either individual or collective interests, there are those who will often feel oppressed or sidelined from societal participation yet have no voice. The defenders voice is safe refuge.As a national Human Rights Institution, KNCHR then speaks for ‘mwananchi’ through engaging different players in the field of human rights from government, private sector, non - governmental institutions to ensure adherence to set human rights standard and principles.

Human Rights Defenders

WHO IS A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER (HRD)?

A human rights defender is a champion of rights. It is you through your daily acts of service, standing for the respect of guaranteed provisions in the constitution and other laws. You also become a human rights defender when you respect the rights of others as you demand for yours to be respected. HRDs are defined as those individuals, groups and organs of society that promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. They seek the promotion of civil and political rights as well as the promotion, protection and realization of economic, social and cultural rights. 

He or she is; You, the Citizen, A doctor and other medical practitioners Police and other security agents. She/he is media practitioner, a Lawyer and other judiciary employees. He/She is a president and all other elected leaders’, Religious leaders, Students, Pupils, Children…The list is endless. Everyone has the capacity to be a human rights defender.

The rights that defenders seek to protect and promote include the right to life, right to food, Right to, right to the highest attainable standard of health, right to adequate housing, right to a name and a nationality, right to education, freedom of movement, freedom from non-discrimination among others. The majority of human rights defenders’ work at the local or national level, supporting respect for human rights within their own communities and within the Country.
Activity Videos

BUSIA HRD Documentary

LAUNCH OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER EU REPORT

LAUNCH OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER EU REPORT

Mathare Human Rights Defenders Clinic

Mathare Human Rights Defenders Clinic

vetting of the National police service

Members of the public carefully follow a presentation on the vetting of the National police service

HRDs in a community session in Kwale

HRDs in a community session in Kwale

HRDs during the exposure visit

HRDs during the exposure visit on a training session on documenting Human Rights Violations

Kiscol clients listening attentively to Court Proceedings

Kiscol clients listening attentively to Court Proceedings

Section of the HRDS listening attentivley during the Exposure Visit in Busia

Section of the HRDS listening attentivley  during the Exposure Visit in Busia

KNCHR Vice Chair Commissioner George Morara addressing the stakeholders meeting on vetting of the members of National Police service

KNCHR Vice Chair Commissioner George Morara addressing the stakeholders meeting on vetting of the members of National Police service

Strategies And Activities
Training of Human Rights Defenders

Human Rights Defenders (HRD’s) are an integral constituency for the work of the Commission. However, KNCHR’s observation is that many times HRD’s lack the capacity to undertake advocacy and other work. Furthermore, most HRDs, in their activism, demonstrated  lack of understanding of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Most HRDs lack sufficient training or understanding of relevant legislation

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Training of Law Enforcement Agencies & Community Media

There exists a misunderstanding between HRD’s and law enforcers leading to the occasional victimization of HRD’s. Consequently, the work of HRD’s is derailed due to the unnecessary conflict between them and the law enforcers. This leads to loss of confidence on both the law enforcers and HRD’s therefore trivializing important human rights issues.

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Community Sensitization

There is constant misunderstanding between HRD’s and members of the public which breeds conflict. This could be attributed to lack of awareness among the public on the role of HRD’s (including who they are). In some cases, members of the public have perpetrated human rights violations against HRD’s (such as supporting wrongful prosecution through false testimony or committing assault).

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HRD News

Justice for Lawyer Mukhtar Dahir

  • 15 November 2019
  • Author: Mitchel Omondi
  • Number of views: 1656
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Justice for Lawyer Mukhtar Dahir
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Strengthening the Work of Grassroot Human Rights Defenders

  • 15 July 2019
  • Author: Evaline Waweru
  • Number of views: 1834
  • 0 Comments
Strengthening the Work of Grassroot Human Rights Defenders
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