Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (KPTJ)Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice (KPTJ), an independent umbrella body of Kenyan civil society organizations wish to express our strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) process on Kenya as we await the decision of the ICC Pre –Trial Chamber following the confirmation of charges hearings.
In the wake of the disputed 2007 elections, Kenya was rocked by widespread violence involving inconceivable atrocities. Over one thousand Kenyans were killed and many more injured. Over two thousand women were raped and subjected to sexual violence, in many cases by members of the very police force that should have protected them. Kenyans in the hundreds of thousands, were displaced from their homes and lost their property. Four years on, many remain displaced, condemned to living in deplorable conditions. Further, throughout the various stages of the ICC process, victims, survivors and witnesses of post election violence have died, disappeared and/or live in constant fear due to threats against their lives and those of their loved ones as perpetrators and orchestrators of the violence have sought to suppress evidence incriminating them. We wish to urge Kenyans, the media and politicians alike to remember that this process is about the victims, both living and dead, and the survivors of brutal crimes such as rape. Unfortunately, public debate continues to focus on the fates of the main suspects, rather than the victims. This must change.
The State, in a clear dereliction of its duty, has failed to hold to account the perpetrators of the post?election violence. This triggered the intervention of the ICC and the leveling of charges against six suspects who have since undergone confirmation of charges hearings whose outcome we now await.
We note that the Court’s decision, whatever the outcome, will be an important step forward in ensuring justice for victims of the monstrous crimes that occurred during the 2007 and 2008 post?election period. We as KPTJ will accept the ruling of the ICC whether the charges are confirmed or not. We point out that all parties will be free to appeal the decision if they so wish, and that is their right, which we support. In addition the Chamber is free to call for additional evidence on any issue…
About Author
