Kenyans for Peace with Truth & Justice (KPTJ) board member Haron Ndubi (left) joins KHRC executive director George Kegoro and board member Maina Kiai at the human rights group’s offices at Gitanga Road, Nairobi, on Tuesday to protest its deregistration by NGO Coordination Board. PHOTO | KANYIRI WAHITO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
“The NGO Coordination Board’s decision must be seen for what it really is – a cynical attempt to discredit human rights organizations. This is an unlawful and an irresponsible move in this critical post-election period.
“This assault on human rights groups must be immediately halted. The Kenyan authorities must rein in the NGO Coordination Board, and not allow such grotesque witch-hunts to take place.”
Background
The NGO Coordination Board announced it was deregistering the KHRC on 14 August, accusing the organization of operating illegal bank accounts, failing to pay its taxes, employing foreigners without work permits, and making secret payments to its board members, one of whom is the director of Amnesty’s East Africa regional office.
On 15 August, it sent a separate letter to the Director of Criminal Investigations accusing AfriCoG of failing to register as an NGO, and asking him to close it down and arrest its directors and members.
Both organizations have been involved in election monitoring in recent weeks
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In 1961, British lawyer Peter Benenson was outraged when two Portuguese students were jailed just for raising a toast to freedom. He wrote an article in The Observer newspaper and launched a campaign that provoked an incredible response. Reprinted in newspapers across the world, his call to action sparked the idea that people everywhere can unite in solidarity for justice and freedom.
This inspiring moment didn’t just give birth to an extraordinary movement, it was the start of extraordinary social change.
Only when the last prisoner of conscience has been freed, when the last torture chamber has been closed, when the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a reality for the world’s people, will our work be done.
