Thursday October 10, 2024
Delegates gather at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva during a session on February 26, 2024, discussing global human rights issues. Kenya's recent election to the council for the 2025-2027 term has sparked controversy amid accusations of human rights violations by civil society groups. Janine Schmitz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images
NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Kenya's successful bid for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2025-2027 term has ignited considerable opposition from civil society groups, who accuse the government of widespread human rights abuses. The election took place during the UN General Assembly vote, where Kenya secured a seat alongside 17 other countries.
While Kenyan officials see the election as part of its plan to enhance its global standing in human rights governance, the decision has been met with significant criticism from local and international human rights groups. These organizations argue that Kenya's record under President William Ruto's administration is marred by abuses, making the country unfit to serve on the council.
A coalition of civil society groups led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) has been vocal in opposing Kenya's candidacy. In an open letter sent to the UN and African Union (AU), the coalition detailed its concerns, citing widespread human rights abuses, including police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and abductions.
"Kenyans continue to face gross and systemic human rights violations under President Ruto's administration," the letter stated. "The Kenyan police remain the state's primary agents of repression, with a long history of violently suppressing dissent and independent institutions."
The groups said the violent suppression of protests against the 2024 Finance Bill, where security forces killed at least 60 people. They also pointed to the abductions of 65 individuals and the unlawful detention of over 1,400 peaceful demonstrators, including university students and striking workers, as evidence of the government's continued abuses.
Protesters shout at police as they demonstrate in the Kibera district of Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, March 20, 2023. Hundreds of opposition supporters took to the streets in protests against the results of the last election and the rising cost of living, demanding the resignation of the president./ AP Photo/Ben Curtis.
In addition to human rights abuses, the coalition also criticized the government's economic policies, which they claim have deepened inequality and disproportionately harmed vulnerable populations. The controversial Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and a flawed university funding model were among the policies singled out for exacerbating social disparities.
The groups further noted the government's failure to implement the two-thirds gender rule, as required by Kenya's constitution. They pointed to discriminatory practices in state appointments and development programs, which they claim are based on ethnicity and political affiliations.
While Kenya has secured its seat on the UNHRC, civil society groups call for international oversight of its human rights practices. They argue that Kenya's election undermines the council's mandate and sets a dangerous precedent for human rights accountability.
"Electing Kenya to the UN Human Rights Council weakens the credibility of the council and hinders its ability to hold violators accountable," the letter argued. "We call on the UN and the African Union to hold Kenya to account and ensure that victims of state violence receive justice."
The groups have urged the AU to reconsider its support for Kenya's election, advocating for regional mechanisms such as the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) to investigate abuses and prevent future violations.
UN Elects 18 New Members to Human Rights Council The UN General Assembly has elected 18 new members to the 47-member Human Rights Council for the 2025-2027 term. The elected countries include Benin, Bolivia, Colombia, Cyprus, Czechia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Iceland, Kenya, Marshall Islands, Mexico, North Macedonia, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand. Their three-year terms will begin on January 1, 2025, as they replace outgoing members such as Argentina, India, and Somalia, some of whom are ineligible for re-election due to serving two consecutive terms. The Geneva-based council is tasked with promoting and protecting human rights globally, with its membership divided regionally to ensure balanced geographical representation. |