A group of human rights agencies has demanded justice for victims of the anti-Finance Bill protests.
Amnesty International, Article 19, Defenders Coalition, Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), the Law Society of Kenya and Kenya Medical Association Wednesday called for justice for June 25 protesters.
They said the protest became a watershed moment, as it marked the first time demonstrators accessed Parliament, a bold assertion of their constitutional right to protest.
However, what unfolded, they say, was a grim display of state violence that left at least six dead and hundreds injured.
“The widespread brutality employed by Kenyan police has been documented in an extensive report by six prominent human rights organizations, including Amnesty International," the lobbyists said.
The human rights groups further claimed that witness accounts and analysis of more than 45 videos revealed that police used excessive force, including tear gas, batons, and live ammunition, in clear violation of international human rights standards.
“Such actions not only undermine the fundamental right to peaceful assembly but also pose a serious threat to the lives and safety of citizens,” they said at a press conference."
Additionally, they said their petition has garnered more than 12,000 signatures and calls for a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate these violations and ensure accountability.
“It is disheartening that, despite repeated attempts to engage with government agencies such as the Ministry of Interior and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, no feedback has been received."
The added that the lack of response is an indicator of a system unwilling to confront its failure.
“On that fateful day, the protesters—armed only with flags and whistles—were met with a barrage of police violence.”
Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, Irungu Houghton, said the police’s actions were unacceptable.
“The right to protest is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution, and instead of protecting these rights, police actions have raised serious questions about the state’s commitment to upholding human rights,” he said.
He added the targeting of medical personnel during the protests is particularly egregious
According to the reports, tear gas was fired into medical camps, obstructing the ability to provide care to the injured.
“Such actions highlight a profound disregard for the sanctity of medical assistance, which is protected under both national and international law,” they said.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, more than 300 individuals were unlawfully detained, with several still unaccounted for.
"This culture of silence and repression must be addressed, and the government must take immediate action to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for these violations."