http://www.eastandard.net/hm_news/news.php?articleid=16201
Amnesty faults Terrorism Bill By Evelyn Kwamboka and Allan Kisia Amnesty International is concerned that the Suppression of Terrorism Bill will encourage a double standard system of justice in the country. In a memorandum to the Government yesterday, Amnesty International said the proposed Bill would provide a legal framework for arbitrary arrests, illegal detention, searches and a flawed judicial process. Amnesty International's East Africa researcher, Ms Sheila Keetharuth, said they were particularly concerned with the proposed legislation's incompatibility with international human rights standards. "The creation of a distinct system of arrests, detention and prosecution of terrorism suspects may violate the right of all people to be equal before the courts," she said. The Bill, which was published last year, has now been shelved pending presentation of a revised version to Parliament. The Suppression of Terrorism Bill was withdrawn following public outcry that it infringed on human rights and targeted Muslims as a group. The Attorney General's Office announced in September 2004 that a new version of the Bill, taking into account comments received from various parties, would be presented to Parliament in 2005. The human rights watchdog is particularly concerned by the excessive powers given to the police to arrest, and the denial of the right to legal representation during interrogation. Meanwhile, the organisation termed the arrest of suspects over the bombing of Paradise Hotel in Kikambala as unlawful and arbitrary. Amnesty International told the Government to take immediate action to halt human rights violations against suspects detained during the recent "anti-terrorism" operations in Coast Province. In a report on the impact of "anti-terrorism" operations on human rights in Kenya released yesterday, Amnesty International said in many cases, no reasons for arrests were provided. Keetharuth said those interviewed said foreign agents interrogated them without Kenyan police officers. "Officials at the US Embassy in Nairobi rejected claims that US security agents were involved in the interrogation of suspects," she said. Those arrested were forced to undergo lengthy interrogations without advising them of their rights or allowing them legal representation. Reading the report's recommendations, Amnesty International Netherlands regional police force deputy commissioner, Mr Cees Hinoriks, said the Government should ensure all prisoners and detainees are treated humanely in accordance with international standards. At the same time, the organisation yesterday joined institutions against the shoot-to-kill order given to the police by the Government. Hinoriks said the Government had contravened the United Nations international laws by issuing the order on Monday. "The order will undermine democracy in Kenya," he said. While on a tour of Nairobi, Internal Security minister John Michuki told the police to shoot anybody wielding an illegal firearm. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Give underprivileged students the materials they need to learn. Bring education to life by funding a specific classroom project. http://us.click.yahoo.com/FHLuJD/_WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
