Message-ID: <199603121856.NAA21419@postoffice2.mail.cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 13:55:49 -0500 From: "The Kenya Human Rights Initiative by way of Gustavo Gutierrez Subject: Spend 3 minutes, Send 3 letters, FREE 3 INNOCENT MEN! To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
* PLEASE circulate to all relevant lists! Freedom is at hand with your help! *
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In the next ten days, if you spend 3 minutes to send (or Fax!) 3 letters,
you will be part of a worldwide "window if opportunity" to FREE 3 INNOCENT
MEN! Below please find three draft letters with additional email, postal &
fax addresses regarding the case of Koigi wa Wamwere. On March 21-22 there
will be a long postponed Kenya "donor club" Consultative Group (CG) meeting
in Paris, to review future aid commitments to Kenya. It is our hope that
any aid from any nation will be contingent on clear and specific evidence
of progress toward an open democracy including freedom for political
prisoners Koigi wa Wamwere and Charles Kuria Wamwere and G.G. Njuguna
Ngengi.
The "Koigi Three" are "Prisoners of Conscience" as determined by
Amnesty International and over a dozen international legal and human rights
missions who observed the lower court trial. If you have the motivation, we
are including addresses for more than three letters, since pressure placed
on *Moi*, the donor delegates, and US leaders will *all* assist in the
efforts for full freedom for Kenya. (The 2nd & 3rd letters have *email
addresses* to use right away!) The Kenyan government is looking for a sure
way to convince the donor nations that it is sincere in its' commitment to
positive progress in the political arena. If one thousand letters flood the
fax machines, email files and postal boxes of these key players *before
March 21st*, we believe Koigi can be free *before* the CG meeting begins!
So spread the word!
Waiting Frees No One.
Thanks for you support! If *you* were in prison unjustly, you'd wish
someone would send 3 letters for you. Matumaini! ("Hope!") As Koigi has
said in a letter from prison, "We *also* shall overcome." -Mike
Koplinka-Loehr for KHRI
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Letter # 1:
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President Daniel arap Moi, Office of the President
P.O. Box 30510, Nairobi, Kenya *Fax #'s 011-254-2-337340 or 339173 or 721515*
Your Excellency, March __, 1996
Before the upcoming Consultative Group meeting of the "Paris Club" donor
group to Kenya on March 21-22, I urge you to show your commitment to an
open and vibrant democracy by freeing Koigi wa Wamwere and his
co-defendants. Their continued detention as "Prisoners of Conscience"
(cited by Amnesty International and over a dozen independant legal
observers of the lower court trial) is a stark example to donors of the
lack of progress in Kenya's political life. A stable political climate with
open governance structures is a critical foundation for economic progress
and further international investment.
I applaud the appointment of a new Secretary General to the East African
Community earlier this month, the recent attempts to clean up corruption
with the arrest of over two dozen officials at the port authority, and the
publishing in the Kenyan press of the new Policy Framework Paper. This
shows a commitment to accountability and transparency in the economic
sphere that is heartening.
Yet conversations and news reports from donor representatives reveal that
considerable concern remains over human rights violations and the lack of
any visible progress toward democtratization goals announced at the 1994 CG
meeting. On this score, the case of Koigi wa Wamwere stands out for all
donors as a "litmus test" of your governments' compliance with past pledges
to donors regarding political, human rights and governance reforms.
In anticipation of the upcoming Consultative Group meetings where all
factors will be reviewed before new aid pledges are made, I urge you to
commute the sentences of Kiogi wa Wamwere, Charles Kuria Wamwere, and G.G.
Njuguna Ngengi, releasing them immediately and unconditionally from
imprisonment in Nairobi. Pardoning Koigi and his co-defendants now would
send a strong message to the international donor community that Kenya is
serious about improving national conditions for a full and open democracy.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Address (Optional)
CC: Musalia Mudavadi, Minister of Finance; Micah Cheserem, Governor,
Central Bank of Kenya; Sally Kosgei, Perm Secretary, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Amos Wako, Attorney General
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CC addresses:
^^^^^^^^^^^^
*Musalia Mudavadi, Minister of Finance, PO Box 30007, Nairobi
Ph. 254-2-338111, 330077, or 219668, Fax: 254-2-222762 or 330426
*Micah Cheserem, Governor, Central Bank of Kenya, PO Box 60000
Nairobi, Ph. 254-2-226431 or 330500, Fax: 254-2-340192
*Sally Kosgei, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Int'l
Cooperation, PO Box 30551, Nairobi ph. 254-2-334433, fax 335494 or 340535
* Mr. Amos Wako, Attorney General, PO Box 40112, Nairobi
Tel: 011-254-2-22746, Fax: 011-254-2-211082 or c/o 336499
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Letter # 2:
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Draft letter to US Africa Subcommittee of the International Relations Comm.:
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Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Chair, Africa Subcommittee
Room 2440 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Phone:202-225-3931
Fax: (202) 225-5620 * email: mailto:Roth08@hr.house.gov *
Dear Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, March __, 1996
I understand that Congressional Resolution No. 135, introduced by
Rep. John Porter and ten original co-sponsors on January 25th, will be
reviewed to the Africa subcommittee before it is reviewed by the full
International Relations Committee. I encourage you to co-sign this
resolution as chair of the subcommittee and take a strong lead on this
matter by giving timely and thorough attention to this significant
resolution addressing human rights and governance in Kenya.
In 1991, world wide donor aid to Kenya was suspended contingent
upon further evidence of progress toward goals including democratization.
Two days later the Kenyan government called for multi-party elections.
Clearly the Kenyan government listens when donors speak in a united voice.
Congressional Resolution No. 135 has the potential, timed as it is before
the next Kenya Consultative Group meeting, to significantly influence other
donor nations, and thus significantly influence policies of open governance
in Kenya.
Thus, I encourage you to co-sign this bill, calling hearings as
necessary, and move it though the Africa Subcommittee in as timely and
effective a manner as possible so it will be well positioned for a
successful vote of affirmation on the House floor. To do otherwise would be
contrary to our national interests and the principles of the founding of
our nation -- freedom, democracy and justice. I look forward to a reply at
your earliest convenience.
Respectfully,
Your name
(Address encouraged)
-------------------------------------------------------
Please send to other members of the Africa Subcommittee as well:
Toby Roth (R-WI) Ph: 202-225-5665, Fax: 202-225-0087
Sam Brownback (R-KS) Ph: 202-225-6601, Fax: 202-225-2983
David Funderburk (R-NC) Ph: 202-225-4531, Fax: 202-225-3191
Steve Chabot (R-OH) Ph: 202-225-2216, Fax: 202-225-3012
Mark Sanford (R-SC) Ph: 202-225-3176, Fax: 202-225-3407
Matt Salmon (R-AZ) Ph: 202-225-2635, Fax: 202-225-3405
Amory Houghton (R-NY) Ph:202-225-3161; Fax: 202-225-5574 -Original co-sponsor
Gary Ackerman (D-NY) Ph: 202-225-2601, Fax: 202-225-0351
Harry Johnston (D-FL) Ph: 202-225-3001, Fax: 202-225-8791
Eliot Engel (D-NY) Ph:202-225-2464; Fax: 202-225-5513 -Original co-sponsor
Donald Payne (D-NJ) Ph:202-225-3436; Fax: 202-225-4160 -Original co-sponsor
Alcee Hastings (D-FL) Ph:202-225-1313; Fax: 202-226-0690 -Original co-sponsor
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Letter # 3:
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====(draft letter to donor delegates to the March 21-22 Kenya CG mtg.)=====
(Note: easy to use email addresses:)
Mr. A. Pilegaard, European Union Rep., <mailto:Rita.RYAD-SCHROEYERS@DG8.cec.be>
Mr. Barrie Ireton, United Kingdom Rep., <mailto:afd0dlt.vs1@oda.gtnet.gov.uk>
Mr. Geert Aagaard Andersen, Rep. from Denmark, <mailto:annelise@inet.uni-c.dk>
Mr. Glenn Slocum, US Rep., <mailto:gslocum@usaid.gov>
Mr. Archie Book, Cnadian Rep., <mailto:archie_book@acdi-cida.gc.ca>
Dear (select a delegate name from list - see below also) March __, 1996
In your capacity as the delegation representative from ___(name of
nation)__ to the March 21-22 Kenya Consultative Group meeting in Paris, I
urge you to convey in the *strongest of possible terms* the international
concern regarding the lack of progress in the areas of democratization,
open governance and human rights in Kenya since the July 24, 1995 meeting.
In particular I feel that the unjust sentencing on October 2, 1995 of Koigi
wa Wamwere, Charles Kuria Wamwere, and C. G. Njuguna Ngengi to four years
in prison and six "strokes" (lashes with a cane) is a powerful example of
the lack of sincerity by the Kenyan government in implementing democratic
processes such as a multiparty system, freedom of speech, and freedom of
the press. The appeal for these three political prisoners was lodged on
December 7, 1995, listing 48 grounds of procedural injustices from the
lower court trial. As a result of the divergence of policies of the Kenyan
government from essential principles of a truly open democratic society,
*any future aid* must be reconsidered until specific benchmarks of progress
such as justice in this case are in evidence.
Mr. Wamwere is a former member of the Kenyan Parliament who is well known
for promoting freedom, human rights and democratic reform in Kenya. Mr.
Wamwere has been imprisoned four times before and has been held for long
periods without trial. In this latest incident, the police contend that
Mr. Wamwere raided a police station for weapons.
Amnesty International and other respected legal and human rights
organizations maintain that the lower court charges were fabricated and
politically motivated. They conclude that Mr. Wamwere and his co-defendants
are being imprisoned solely on the basis of their non-violent actions and
beliefs as free citizens of Kenya.
If Kenya is to continue making progress towards a multiparty democracy,
then it must be held accountable for providing a just legal system for its
citizens, including evidence of legal benchmarks such as independence of
the judiciary, equitably applied due process, and access to legal
representation. Ensuring that Mr. Wamwere and his co-defendants are
accorded impartial justice and that their fundamental human rights are
respected will help to open the door to increased democratization,
including political and economic reform for their country.
Most Kenya observers agree on the significance of this case -- that Koigi
and his co-defendants have come to represent the democracy movement and
civil rights on trial in Kenya. The link between the outcome of justice in
this case and international confidence in future democratic, political and
economic reforms is indisputable. As the New York Times editorialized on
Sunday January 31, 1996, "Past pressure from aid donors has yielded
salutary results." I urge you to use conditions on aid once again to
pressure Kenya toward internationally accepted standards of justice and an
open democracy.
In sum, I respectfully request that your delegation consider highlighting
the Koigi wa Wamwere case as an indicator, a "litmus test", a barometer of
broader
democratization reforms that must *continue to improve* for donor aid to
continue. Thank you for considering this request. If there are any further
questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Gratefully,
Name & address
--------------------------
Head of Delegations to the March 21-22, 1996 Kenya Donor Nation
"Consultative Group" Meeting - updated March 10, 1996 by KHRI -
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Austria
Mr. Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Ministry of Finance, Vienna, Austria
Fax: 43-15-139860
Belgium
Mr. Sonja Gerlo, Administrator General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rue de
Brederode, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel (32-2) 50 06 235 Fax (32-2) 50 06
585
(Also Mr. Baert Misseeuw, Eastern Africa Desk, same Ph. & Fax)
Mr. J.P. Arnoldi, Auditor General, Ministry of Finance, Brussels, Belgium,
Fax (32-2) 23 37 083
Canada
Mr. Archie Book, Director of Operations, East Africa Program, Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), 200 Promenade du Portage 10th
Floor, Hull, Quebec KIAOG4, Canada Tel (819) 994-6204 Fax (819) 953-9453
e-mail: mailto:archie_book@acdi-cida.gc.ca
Ms. Carolyn Macaskie, VP for Africa & Mid-East, (CIDA) Hull, Quebec KIAOG4,
Canada, Fax (819) 994-6174
China
Director, World Bank Dep't, Ministry of Finance ,Beijing China, Fax (86) 1
8511062
Denmark
Mr. Geert Aagaard Andersen, Head of East & West Africa Department, Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA), Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel(45-33) 92-03-78 Fax
(45-33) 92-09-64 or (45-31) 540533, email: mailto:annelise@inet.uni-c.dk
Finland
Mr. Juhani Toivonen, Director, Division for Africa, Department for
International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FINNIDA)
Katajanokanlaituri 3, SF 00161 Helsinki, Finland, Tel (358-0) 13 41 62 35
Fax: (358-0) 13 41 62 93
Ms. Heidi Pihantie, Dir., Min. of Foreign Affairs, Helsinki, Finland
Fax: (358-0) 13 41 62 93
France
Mssr. Christophe Marchand, Ministere de L'Economie et des Finances, Paris
France Fax: (33-1) 4004-27-16
Mrs. Sophie Aubert, Ministere de Foreign Affairs, Sub-Direction of African
Affairs, Central Africa, Bureau 285, 37 Quai d'Orfay, 75007 Paris Cedex 12,
France Tel(33-1) 4317-48-08, Fax: (33-1) 4317-49-88 (Also: Mrs. Catherine
Trenque, Ministere de Economie, 139 Rue de Bercy, 755752 Paris Cedex 12,
France Tel(33-1) 44 87 73 44, Fax: (33-1) 40 04 27 16 )
Germany
Dr. Friedrich Newmann-Damerau, Head East Africa Division, Bunderministerium
fur Wirtschaftliche Zusammeenarbeit (BMZ), Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 114-116,
D53 Bonn 1, Germany, Tel(49-228) 53 73 22 Fax(49-228) 53 52 40 or 5353695
Ireland
Ms. Margaret Hennessy, Ass't. Secretary, Dep't of Foreign Affairs, Dublin
Ireland, Fax: 35-31-671-7149
Italy
Minister Alessio Carissimo, Coordinator for Sub Saharan Africa, Directorate
General for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Piazzale
La Farnesina, 1, 00194 Roma, Italy, Tel (39-6)32 36 196 Fax (39-6)32 35 982
Japan
Mr Atsuo Nishihara, Exec. Dir. for Japan, The World Bank, Washington, D.C.,
USA, Fax: (202) 522-1581
Mr. Osamu Shiozaki, Minister, Embassy of Japan in Kenya, 15F ICEA Bldg.,
Kenyatta Ave., PO Box 60202, Nairobi, Kenya Tel (254) 2-3329558, Fax (254)
2-216530 (Also: Mr.
Takeshi Kurihara, Second Sec'y, Japanese Embassy in Paris, 7 Avenue Hoche,
75008 Paris France, Ph: 33-1-488-6244)
The Netherlands
Mr. Koos Richelle, Dir. Gen. Int'l. Coop., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The
Hague, Netherlands, Fax: (31-70) 348 6607
Mrs. W. A. van Aardenne, Senior Project Officer, Central and East Africa
Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bezuidenhoutseweg #67, P.O. Box
20061, 2500 EB The Hague, The Netherlands, Tel (31-70)34 85 173 Fax (31-70)
348 6607 (Also: Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC, 20016)
Sweden
Mrs. Marina Persson, International Development Department, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, Rosenbaud 4, P.O. Box 16121, S-10323 Stockholm, Sweden,
Tel (46-8) 40 55 636 Fax (46-8) 723 1176 (Also: Ambassador Lars-Goran
Engfeldt, Embassy of Sweden, Nairobi, Kenya Tel (254-2) 229 042 or 229 043)
Switzerland
Mr. Rolf Gerber, Deputy Head of Africa Section, Federal Office
for Foreign Economic Affairs, 3003 Berne, Switzerland,
Tel (41-31) 3240822 Fax (41-31) 324-0966 email:
United Kingdom
Mr. Barrie Ireton, Undersecretary, African Division, Overseas Development
Administration (ODA), King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH, Great
Brittain, Tel (44171) 917-0468/0583 Fax (44171) 917-0652 email:
mailto:afd0dlt.vs1@oda.gnet.gov.uk (Also: Peter Landymore, P.O. Box 30465, Bruce
House, Standard Street, Nairobi, Kenya,
254-2-335944 non-office hours 254-2-335955-9, Fax: 254-2-340260)
United States
Mr. Glenn Slocum, Dir., Office of East African Affairs, Bureau for Africa, U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID), room 2733A New State Building,
320 21st St., N.W. Washington, D.C., 20523-0073, Tel(202) 647-8242 Fax
(202) 647-9805, email: mailto:gslocum@usaid.gov
African Development Bank (AFDB)
Mr. C.I. Fall, Director, Country Programs Department, 01 B.P. 1387,
Abidjan 01, Ivory Coast, Tel (225) 204-444; 320-711; 325-010 Fax 225-216545
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA)
Mr. Ahmed Al-Wardi, Director General, (BADEA), Khartoum, Sudan Republic,
Fax: 970-22248
European Union
Mr. Giovanni Livi, Director of East Africa, (EU), Brussels, Belgium, Fax
(32-2)299 287
Mr. Asger Pilegaard, Head of East Africa Division, Rue de la Loi 200,
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium, Tel (32-2) 299-1111; Fax (32-2)299 2871
email: mailto:rita.ryad-schroeyers@dg8.cec.be
European Investment Bank (EIB)
Ms. Jaqueline Noel, Division Chief, (EIB), Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Fax:
35-2-43-7704
World Bank
Mr. David White, Directorate for Operations, Konrad Adenauer 100,
L-2950 Luxembourg, Tel 352-43791, Fax 352-4379-7276
International Fund for Africultural Development (IFAD)
Mr. Mohiuddin Alamgir, Dir., (IFAD), Rome, Italy, Fax (39-6)50 43 463
Mr. Edward Heinemann, Project Controller, Africa II Division, Project
Management Department, Via del Serafico 107, 00142 Rome, Italy, Tel (39-6)
54 59 23 98 Fax (39-6)50 43 463 or 51 91 702
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Mr. Udayan Wagle, Manager, Division 1, Washington DC, USA, Fax (202)676-9704
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Mr. Hiroyuki Hino, Assistant Dir., Washington DC, USA, Fax (202)623-4131
OPEC Fund for International Development
Mr. Said Aissi, Assistant Director General, Vienna Austria Fax: 43 1 513 9238
Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development
Mr. James H. Michel, Devel. Aid Committee, Paris France Fax: (33-1) 45 24 8500
Mr. George Hansen, Principal Administrator, Aid Policies Review Division, 2
Rue Andrei-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16 France, Tel(33-1) 45 24 90 47 Fax:
(33-1) 45 24 16 23
The Saudi Fund For Development
H.E. Shiek Mohammad Al-Sugair, Economist, Technical Department, P.O. Box 1887,
1144 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tel (966-1) 464-0292, Fax (966-1) 464-7450
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Asst. Administrator, UNDP NY, NY, Fax (212) 906-5423
Mr. Eric Kashambuzi, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP, 1 UN Plaza, N.Y.,
N.Y. 10017, Tel (212) 906-5920, Fax (212) 906-5830 or 5423 (Also: Mr.
Fredrick Lyons, UNDP, P.O. Box 30218, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel (254-2)-213749,
Fax (254-2) 331897)
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The Kenya Human Rights Initiative (Ph. & Fax:607-255-9985)
mailto:khri@cornell.edu
G18 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
FREE KOIGI! "Make Injustice Visible" -Mahatma Gandhi
Our internet Home page address is: http://www.cornell.edu/Alumni/koigi.html
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