New commission must hold perpetrators of post-election violence to account

As the new Kenyan coalition government prepares to take office, Amnesty International today called on the new government to ensure that those responsible for the human rights abuses committed during the post-election violence are brought to justice.

Amnesty International said:

“This new chapter in Kenya’s political history must not be built on a foundation of impunity – but rather justice for the Kenyan people who suffered during this traumatic period. There can be no impunity for human rights violations.”

Amnesty International also called on the new government to guarantee that victims of human rights abuses will receive reparations, and that the thousands of internally displaced persons receive restitution and are able to return to their homes in safety as soon as possible or are resettled elsewhere.

Amnesty International said:

“Since the post-election violence, action by the Kenyan government to bring the perpetrators and organisers of violence to justice has been limited, at best.

“This must change now, if the new government is going to set the stage for a just future for all Kenyans.”

On 4 March, parties to the Kenyan mediation process reached an agreement on the establishment of a non-judicial commission of inquiry into the post-election violence and a Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC). According to the 4 March agreement, the TJRC “will inquire into human rights violations, including those committed by the state, groups or individuals ….between December 12, 1963 and February 28, 2008.”

Amnesty International said:

“In order to avoid extensive delays in justice for victims, as well as the deterioration of vital evidence, the Kenyan government must establish the proposed Commission of Inquiry into the post-election violence without further delay and ensure that it is independent and impartial.”