Rights lobby backs truth commission
Kenya’s healing process could be bolstered with the formation of a truth, justice and reconciliation commission, the Government’s human rights watchdog said Thursday. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights warned politicians against dwelling so much on how to enter into a coalition government while jeopardising the need to address the underlying causes of the recent chaos that followed disputed presidential election results. The commission said the formation of the justice and reconciliation body was long overdue since its establishment was recommended about four years ago.
The commission said political leaders had for a long time defended structures and practices that had for years generated inequality and inter-ethnic fear. “We have lived in collective denial that there were serious structural fault-lines in Kenya’s make-up and this façade of national unity has regrettably been laid bare, resulting in gross violations of human rights,” the commission’s statement read by Hassan Omar Hassan said.
The commission supported the proposal by the mediation team led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan to have in place the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. Failure to heed to recommendations for the formation of such a commission in 2003 may have largely contributed to the escalation of problems, emboldened perpetrators of injustice leading to the current crisis, Mr Hassan said. “Kenya is in dire need for truth and justice as preconditions for reconciliation. We are therefore delighted that the negotiating team has agreed to the setting up of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, which we expect will contribute to the country’s healing and search for justice and accountability,” commissioners said in the statement.
The media conference at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi was also addressed by commissioners Winnie Lichuma and secretary Mburu Gitu. The commission gave various recommendations as prerequisites for the proposed commission; no amnesty for those involved in international crime, widest possible consultation before its formulation and broad mandate to avoid any accusations. Other recommendations were that selection of members to the commission should involve people of high morals and integrity and the commission be given powers to recommend prosecution.
The commission should provide national catharsis and healing, a forum for moral reconstruction, promote national reconciliation and reconstruction, novel platform for justice, restoration and retribution and boost international reconciliation.
Daily Nation
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