VZCZCXRO4912
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHNR #0330 0301230
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301230Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4490
RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 9858
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 5754
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 5077
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2592
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 1861
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2622
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2556
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000330
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS: AMBASSADOR'S LETTER TO MINISTER
OF SECURITY ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
1. On January 30, the Ambassador sent the following letter to the
Minster of Internal Security and Minister of Foreign Affairs asking
for an investigation of threats against human rights activists.
Begin text.
Hon. George Saitoti
Minister of Internal Security
Hon. Moses Wetangula
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Dear Messrs. Ministers,
As you know, since the beginning of Kenya's post-election crisis, I
have consistently indicated the United States Government's strong
support for human rights and the rule of law. I have strongly
condemned incitement to violence as a means to political ends.
Many Kenyan civil society organizations share these concerns.
Leaders of several Kenyan civil society organizations and the Kenyan
National Commission for Human Rights have spoken out against alleged
violations of human rights that have occurred since the onset of
Kenya's current crisis; regardless of which side of the political
divide the alleged perpetrators come from.
It has come to my attention that several of these human rights
defenders have been subjected to threats and harassment, including
death threats. Organisations and individuals working to protect and
investigate human rights must be allowed to carry out their work
without being subject to threats or intimidation.
I hereby request that the appropriate authorities fully investigate
threats made against protectors of human rights and bring to justice
those responsible. I also request that you inform me what measures
are being taken to protect defenders of human rights.
I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Michael Ranneberger
United States Ambassador
End text.
RANNEBERGER