Over 20 families of persons who had disappeared

Cases

Relevant SG report

From Country

Country Geolocation

Latitude: -0.023559

Longitude: 37.906193

From Region

UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report

Individual's/organization's activity: disappeared in the context of a joint operation by the military and police known as “Okoa Maisha” against the Sabaot Land Defence Force in March and April 2008

Type of rights defended

Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?: No

Reported trigger of reprisal: engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms in Geneva

Engagement with UN body

Type of attempted engagement

Reprisal information: in early July 2013, police allegedly questioned the families about their engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms in Geneva, and compelled them to sign written statements, the contents of which they were not allowed to read. On 5 July 2013, a local NGO issued a press release calling for investigations into the reported harassment and for protection of the families. Subsequently, several members of the NGO were subjected to harassment by and threats from the police. Some of the military personnel who were allegedly responsible for the disappearances were reported to have been redeployed to the area, causing families of victims to feel intimidated. Following those events, at least 28 families reportedly left their houses for fear of reprisals.

Types of reprisals suffered

Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?: No

Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?: No

Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?: No

Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?: No