Message-ID: <2.2.32.19961212174319.006c5c44@postoffice2.mail.cornell.edu> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 1996 12:43:19 -0500 From: Gustavo Gutierrez <mailto:cgg2@CORNELL.EDU> Subject: KOIGI Urgent Action, rights report available To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
For additional information contact mailto:khri@cornell.edu>News from Amnesty International and African Rights <mailto:afrights@gn.apc.org>
>Thanks for your world-wide support! Spread the word. We are making a
>difference! -Mike for KHRI
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D >African Rights (London) has just released a new 267-page book from
>documenting abuses of human rights in Kenya entitled "Kenya: Shadow
>Justice." Contact <mailto:afrights@gn.apc.org> for a brief summary or how to order
>the report. (Warning: Graphic descriptions of torture included.)
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D >/* Written 6:52 PM Dec 9, 1996 by mailto:rmitchel@amnesty.org.uk (UK)*/
>/* ---------- "AI EX191/96 KENYA POCs" ---------- */
>EXTERNAL AI Index: AFR 32/16/96 9 December 1996
>
>EXTRA 191/96 Health Concern / Prisoners of conscience
>
>KENYA Koigi wa WAMWERE, aged 47, human rights activist,
> former political prisoner, former member of
> parliament, journalist
> Charles Kuria WAMWERE, former political prisoner
> G.G. Njuguna NGENGI, councillor for Molo, farmer
>
>Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the health of
>prisoner of conscience Koigi wa Wamwere, who was sentenced with the
>two other men above to four years' imprisonment and six strokes of
>the cane in October 1995.
>
>On 4 November 1996, Koigi wa Wamwere was taken to a private hospital
>for a series of tests, including an electro-cardiogram (ECG) because
>of a heart abnormality. His cardiologist has expressed concern at
>this problem and has urged that Koigi wa Wamwere be released on bail
>in order that he may travel to South Africa or Europe for medical
>treatment which is not available in Kenya. A hearing for his bail
>application took place before Chief Justice Cockar at the Kenya High
>Court on 9 December, at which Koigi wa Wamwere's lawyers were
>appealing against the decision to deny him bail. The matter is due
>to be considered in court again on 13 December.
>
>Since being admitted to hospital Koigi wa Wamwere has been chained
>to the bed and guarded for 24 hours a day by about 20 prison guards,
>at least three times the number normally on duty. At least three
>guards are present even when he is being examined by the doctors.
>Under Kenyan law, doctors have the right to examine their patients
>in the presence, but not the hearing, of prison warders. The large
>number of guards has put pressure on the hospital and there is
>concern that this level of intimidation is being used to discourage
>private hospitals from agreeing to admit prisoners for medical
>treatment. The level of security is causing Koigi wa Wamwere
>considerable stress. His relatives have very limited access to him
>since his admission to hospital.
>
>The other two political prisoners who were sentenced with Koigi wa
>Wamwere - Charles Kuria Wamwere and G.G. Njuguna Ngengi - were both
>prescribed special diets for medical reasons by senior doctors at
>Nairobi hospital following investigations during October 1996. The
>diets include recommendations that they receive eggs, fish, chicken,
>milk, brown bread and tea. These have reportedly not been fulfilled
>by the prison authorities and the two men are currently on partial
>hunger-strike in protest.
>
>BACKGROUND INFORMATION
>
>Koigi wa Wamwere, his brother Charles Kuria Wamwere, and a local
>councillor G.G. Njuguna Ngengi, were charged with attempted robbery
>with violence following an alleged raid on Bahati police station
>near Nakuru in November 1993. Amnesty International believes that
>their arrest and sentencing to prison terms with corporal punishment
>is part of an increasingly violent pattern of harassment and
>intimidation of human rights activists, opposition figures and
>journalists. Shortly before his arrest Koigi wa Wamwere had formed
>a human rights organization, the National Democratic Human Rights
>Organization (NDEHURIO), which had been attempting to investigate
>and report on incidents of political violence in the Rift Valley and
>other parts of Kenya. Government involvement has been alleged in
>the ethnic-based violence which had killed over 1,500 people and
>displaced more than 300,000 since it began in December 1991.
>Conditions are harsh in many prisons in Kenya, amounting to cruel,
>inhuman or degrading treatment. During 1996 there were reports of
>the deaths of scores of prisoners, the majority as a result of
>infectious diseases due to severe overcrowding and shortages of
>food, clean water and basic medication.
>
>RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send
>telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail letters in English or your
>own language:
>
>- calling for the immediate release of Koigi wa Wamwere as a
>prisoner of conscience and urging that he be permitted to leave the
>country to receive vital medical treatment which is not available
>in Kenya;
>
>- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Charles
>Kuria Wamwere and G.G. Njuguna Ngengi as prisoners of conscience;
>
>- expressing concern that Charles Kuria Wamwere and G.G. Njuguna
>Ngengi are reportedly not receiving the diets prescribed by senior
>doctors at Nairobi hospital and requesting that these be provided
>without delay;
>
>Note: 12 December is a national holiday in Kenya to celebrate
>Independence. In the past President Moi has released prisoners on
>this day.
>
>APPEALS TO:
>
>President Daniel arap Moi [Salutation: Your Excellency]
>Office of the President
>PO Box 30501, Nairobi, Kenya
>Telegrams: President Moi, Nairobi, Kenya
>Telexes: 22003 FOREIGN ROB / 22796 FOREIGN RB
>Faxes: + 254 2 337340 (if no tone, please try later)
>
>Mr Amos Wako [Salutation: Dear Attorney General]
>Attorney General
>Office of the Attorney General
>PO Box 40112, Nairobi, Kenya
>Telegrams: Attorney General Wako, Sheria, Kenya
>Faxes: + 254 2 211 082
>
>Chief Justice Abdul Majid Cockar [Salutation: Dear Chief Justice]
>Law Courts
>Nairobi, Kenya
>Telegrams: Chief Justice Cockar, Law Courts, Nairobi, Kenya
>Faxes: +254 2 333449 (c/o Registrar's Office)
>
>PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency Mr
>Mwanyengela Ngali, High Commission of Kenya, 45 Portland Place,
>London W1 Fax: 0171 323 6717
>
>AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
>
>Caleb Atemi
>Assistant News Editor
>Daily Nation
>POB 8117
>Nairobi, Kenya
>
>PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after
>17 December 1996.
>
>+-----------------------------------------------------------+
>+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
>+ the UA scheme in general, please contact: +
>+ Ray Mitchell +
>+ Amnesty International UK Section +
>+ 99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue +
>+ London EC1R 4RE email: mailto:rmitchel@amnesty.org.uk +
>+-----------------------------------------------------------+
>
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