Human rights defenders condemn arrest of activist during #Africans4Sudan protest

The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Kenya (NCHRD-K) has condemned the arrest of two Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) on Wednesday.

The two, Davis Malombe and Julius Kamau, who were taking in a peaceful demonstration #IAmTheSudanRevolution in solidarity with the people of Sudan were held at Central Police Station as their colleagues sought their release.

The NCHRD has called on the Inspector General of Police to unconditionally release the arrested human rights defenders.

“The constitution of Kenya Article 37 clearly encourages the Rights and fundamental freedoms of assembly, and demonstration,” said NCHRD in a statement.

They have further asked the attorney general to do an advisory to the government departments to uphold human rights and especially the Right to Freedom of Assembly.

The organization has accused the police for disregard of notifications to demonstrate.

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“On 14th June 2019, HRDs had notified the OCS central police station about the demonstration and requested for security. The arrest comes barely two months after the arrest of Kenyan Activist Beatrice Waithera on 30th April 2019 while participating in an anti-corruption protest in Nairobi,” said Kamau Ngugi the executive director of NCHRDK.

NCHRD-K has also raised concern with the threats to curtail the freedom of association by the various government officials including through legislation.

This is the second time the police officers have teargassed the Peace4Sudan protestors in Nairobi streets with claim that they did not get permit to hold such gatherings.

The activists together with Sudan nationals were protesting to call to an end the mass atrocities being committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Transitional Military Council (TMC).

They further urged the government of Kenya to publicly declare their stand on the situation in Sudan.

“In the last one month, the people of Sudan have been subjected to brutal crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, sexual violence for both women and men, media and internet shutdown amongst others,” said Mr Ngugi.

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“Human Rights Defenders and the public drawn from the most African and West African countries have come together to form the #Africans4Sudan movement to help lobby the governments and African and International Bodies to exert pressure on the Sudanese military to ensure a civilian led transitional authority established,” he added.