As Dutch authorities prepare for the official state visit to Kenya this week to intensify bilateral Dutch-Kenya relations, Amnesty International calls on both authorities to place human rights at the heart of the visit, address human rights violations and commit to accountability for all victims following the recent brutal crackdown on human rights.
The Dutch state visit to Kenya takes place following violent attacks on peaceful demonstrations, with many protestors killed or injured by the authorities. Over the past nine months, police officers have used excessive force against protesters, which has led to the deaths of over 60. Masked agents have abducted more than 80 activists, many of them Kenyan youth. Abductions and torture continue to happen with impunity.
The three Dutch ministers and the Royal Couple must use this opportunity to place human rights at the centre of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Netherlands. Amnesty International urges both Kenyan and Dutch ministers to publicly outline during the visit how human rights in Kenya will improve. Economic, military and other interests must not be prioritised at the cost of human rights.
Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International Kenya Section Director