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Nairobi, 25 April 2023 – Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) and Amnesty International Kenya are deeply concerned about the recent incidents of deaths associated with the religious cult in Shakahola Village, Kilifi.
We jointly and strongly condemn any group or organization engaging in harmful practices that endanger the lives of its members and society as a whole. It is unacceptable for any religious belief or practice to result in the loss of human life. We urge the Kenya government to take swift and appropriate action to protect all citizens from the dangers of religious cults and to hold leaders accountable for any deaths or human rights violations emanating from the cults. We also call upon the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities related to cults that may endanger the lives of others.
It is important to recognize that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right under the Kenya Constitution 2010, but this right should never be used to justify actions that endanger or harm individuals. We encourage religious leaders and organizations to promote and uphold human rights, including the right to life, and to work towards building a world where all people can practice their beliefs without fear of harm or persecution.
The failure of the state to operationalize and implement the National Coroners Service Act continues to hamper its attempts to keep Kenyans safe. In this case, as indeed the case of the multiple deaths and bodies found floating down the Yala River over a year ago, the absence of an independent and well-funded forensic agency, multi-disciplinary forensic specialists and a missing and deceased persons database continue to hamper the state’s efforts to investigate and prosecute mass crimes of this nature.
We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and will continue to advocate for the effective protection of human rights and the prevention of deaths associated with religious cults and other criminal enterprises.
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Irũngũ Houghton
Amnesty International Kenya Section Executive
Director
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Omar Elmawi
Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI)
Executive Director
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For more information, contact Mathias T. Kinyoda: 0723 424 802, Email: [email protected]
Background notes on religious cults and human rights violations
The religious cult led by Paul Nthenge Mackenzie is currently under investigation and linked to the massacre of more than 70 people after he allegedly instructed his followers to starve to death. According to the media, approximately 112 people have been reported missing in Shakahola Kilifi with their disappearance linked to the cult. Among the exhumed by police, bodies of children were discovered.
Religious cults have been known to commit human rights violations, including but not limited to:
- Coercive recruitment: Cults often use deceptive and manipulative tactics to recruit new members, including isolating them from their families and friends, making false promises, and using mind control techniques to make them more susceptible to indoctrination.
- Control and abuse: Once someone is a member of a cult, they may be subject to psychological, emotional, and even physical abuse, as cult leaders exert control over their followers.
- Forced labour: Cults may require their members to perform unpaid or underpaid labour, often for long hours, with no time off, and under harsh conditions.
- Denial of medical care: Some cults may prohibit or discourage their members from seeking medical care, resulting in preventable illnesses or even death.
- Sexual abuse: Cult leaders may use their positions of authority to sexually exploit their followers, including minors, and may even engage in rituals that involve sexual abuse or exploitation.
- Mass suicides: In some instances, cult members have been coerced or encouraged to commit mass suicides, often as part of the cult’s apocalyptic beliefs. The most well-known example of this is the Jonestown Massacre in 1978, where over 900 members of the Peoples Temple cult died in a mass suicide in Guyana.
- Denial of medical care: Some cults prohibit or discourage their members from seeking medical care, even in life-threatening situations. This can result in preventable deaths from illnesses or injuries that could have been treated.
- Extreme ascetic practices: Some cults may require their members to engage in extreme ascetic practices, such as prolonged fasting, sleep deprivation, or self-flagellation. These practices can result in physical harm or even death.
- Human sacrifices: Although rare, there have been instances of cults engaging in human sacrifices, usually as part of their religious beliefs or rituals. This is a clear violation of human rights and is considered a serious crime in most countries.
These human rights violations are illegal and unethical. Governments have a responsibility to protect individuals from such abuses and hold cult leaders accountable for their actions. It is important to distinguish between legitimate religious practices and those that involve human rights violations and to ensure that individuals are not coerced or forced into engaging in practices that put their lives at risk.
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