East Africa human rights activists reaffirms collaboration to protect human rights, defend civic space and expose violations
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 17 – Human Rights defenders and civil society actors from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have raised an alarm over deteriorating state of human rights in East Africa noting that civil space ‘the oxygen of democracy ‘ is being suffocated through draconian laws, intimidation, surveillance and state of violence.
They highlighted enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings especially targeting youth, outspoken activists, whistle-blowers and critics of state agencies have been witnessed in recent months in Kenya.
In Uganda, the abduction and illegal detention of government critics, student leaders and members of the opposition have become normalized with dozens of young activists associated with the National Unity Platform (NUP) have gone missing or been found in torture Chambers after being seized in Broad daylight.
Activists and Opposition voices in Tanzania continue to operate in a climate of fear, with disappearences of scores of youths including Deusdedith Soka remain unresolved they add that that its a grim reminder that freedom of expression and assembly remain under siege.
“These violations are no isolated incidents, they are systemic patterns that point to the erosion of democratic institutions and the growing intolerance for dissent across the region “, they said.
In addition they stated that criminalization of political opposition is a dangerous trend taking root in all three countries with recent weeks a troubling spike in harrassments, arrests and persecution of opposition leaders have been witnessed often under the guise of public order or anti-terrorism laws.
“In Kenya Opposition leaders have been repeatedly summoned, harassed or detained for addressing public rallies or critizing government corruption, Uganda’s Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was once arrested on trumpled-up charges while youth leaders from NUP countinue to languish in jail without trial”, they added.
Tanzania’s opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been arrested for demanding reforms before election while in Kenya government critics countinue being attacked by those who operate clearly with protection of state security agencies.
“As human rights defenders, we demand immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners and detained opposition leaders, their persecution is not only unlawful but betrayal of the democratic ideals enshrined in our constitutions and international commitments”.
The activists from the three countries have reaffirm to collective resolve to work together to protect human rights, defend civil space and expose violations across the region.
Furthermore, they pledged to monitor and document all forms of human rights violations, Build a cross-boarder networks to support at-risk activists and victims of repression, hold government accountable through advocacy, litigation and regional mechanisms and amplify voices of victims.
“We call upon East African Community (EAC), African Union (AU) and broader International Community to take urgent action to protect civil space in our region”.
