Kenya/ICC

Rights group asks ICC to investigate election violence

Article published on the 2008-08-08 Latest update 2008-08-08 16:35 TU

Protests in Nairobi, 31 December 2007
(Photo: Reuters)

Kenya's state-run human rights watchdog today released a report urging the International Criminal Court to investigate ministers and MPs over deadly post-election violence that left at least 1,500 dead earlier this year. Violence erupted after elections last December, which then opposition candidate and pre-poll frontrunner Raila Odinga said were rigged by incumbent Mwai Kibaki.

The dispute ignited violent protests which were crushed by police and soon led to ethnically-driven clashes and a cycle of revenge killings, mainly in Nairobi and the western Rift Valley region that left hundreds dead and 350,000 displaced.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it has drawn up a list of some 200 key personalities including politicians, security officers and the clergy who should be investigated.

 "In Kenya we have not domesticated the Rome Statute. That means that our criminal justice system does not recognise crimes against humanity. What we are recommending is for the ICC to open an investigation," Commission Chairperson Florence Jaoko said.