Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the people of Kenya in Global Day of Action

Hundreds of Amnesty International supporters across the globe – including the UK – will join in solidarity with the people in Kenya in an international Day of Action on Wednesday 27 February.

More than 1,000 people have died as a result of the violence that erupted following December’s disputed presidential elections, and thousands of others have suffered gross human rights abuses in politically-motivated and ethnic attacks.

While recent attention has been directed to the negotiating table between the two opposing party leaders – President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga – Amnesty International believes that the commitment to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses to justice during the elections has been sidelined.

Amnesty International UK Director, Kate Allen said:
“Since the start of the attacks Amnesty International has received reports of unlawful killings, violence against Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights and girls, people being mutilated before being left for dead, and death threats against prominent human rights activists.

“Those abuses should not go unpunished: the perpetrators must be brought to justice – regardless of whether they belong to government armed forces or not.

“We want the people of Kenya to know that the world has not forgotten about the terrible atrocities that have gone on in their country. This is why Amnesty supporters – not only here in the UK but around the world – are looking forward to taking part in this global day of action.”

In the UK, Amnesty International members will conduct a small demonstration outside the Kenyan Embassy between 5pm and 7pm to call on Kenya’s government to protect its citizens from politically motivated attacks and communal violence and displacement and to avoid excessive use of force.