News
Kenya's ministers meet Hague official
Stephen Mudiari | NATION Internal Security minister George Saitoti (right) with ministers James Orengo, Otieno Kajwang’ and Amason Kingi, who are members of the cabinet committee, moments after addressing a past media briefing. The committee agreed on Tuesday to allow the International Criminal Court access to sensitive government documents in its investigations.
Posted Wednesday, September 1 2010 at 22:00
In Summary
- Sources say Cabinet to decide today whether the court can set up base in Nairobi to speed up investigations
A top team of International Criminal Court officials on Wednesday met with government leaders to explore the possibility of the court setting up base in Kenya.
Among the issues discussed was according ICC judges, prosecutors and other members of staff diplomatic status.
The Rome Statute, which established the court, provides for such status to allow the court to operate efficiently.
It is expected a decision will be made by Friday
A statement by International Criminal Court registrar Silvana Arbia after the meeting read: “I met with the Cabinet committee chaired by minister (George) Saitoti to discuss the operational and legal framework that is essential for the court to conduct its work in Kenya.”
The registry is one of the four organs of the ICC and it is responsible for the non-judicial aspects of administering and servicing the court.
It is a neutral organ of the court and provides support to victims, witnesses and the defence, where necessary.
Other organs are the presidency, the court’s divisions and the office of the prosecutor.
Ms Arbia is on a four-day visit as the court prepares to deal with Kenya’s post-election violence.
Prof Saitoti, who chairs the Cabinet committee on ICC affairs, briefed the media in the absence of Ms Arbia at Harambee House.
Said the minister: “We held fruitful discussions with Ms Arbia, the ICC registrar and her team and reviewed progress made in facilitating the ICC to carry out its mandate.”
Prof Saitoti said the government had handed over all documents that had been requested by the ICC and provided security to the investigators.
Cabinet colleagues James Orengo (Lands), Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration) and Amason Jeffa Kingi (Fisheries), who are also members of the sub-committee, attended the meeting.
Mr Orengo said Ms Arbia was pleased with the support from the government, adding the Kenya would comply with its obligations to The Hague.
“Kenya is dealing with matters relating to the ICC and we will comply. The registrar is very happy about it.”
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Submitted by rofiPosted September 03, 2010 07:56 AM
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Submitted by akamwithi1963
In realpolitik,a country's interests come first. Sudan has the energy resource that Kenya needs; Kenya's trade with her neighbors is greater than her trade with the Western and Eastern countries. Who complains when western countries do business with non-democratic and brutal oil producing countries that have have no regard for basic human rights for their citizens?
Posted September 03, 2010 04:22 AM -
Submitted by deno2g
Our leaders are crooks, but certainly aren't stupid. Pause and think about the intentions of having Bashir come to our turf and thereafter strongly advise him to adhere to the scheduled referendum plans. Kenya is a big brother in the East African region, and we can't always bend backwards for the West! Let's start looking at our country in a positive and progressive light, instead of through the eyes of the West that can't seem to applaud our prosperity... Hey remember the milestone we set last week? Let's keep celebrating!!
Posted September 03, 2010 04:17 AM -
Submitted by sok
@AfricanAmerican, There would be no need to arrest Bashir if we didn't invite him or did he invite himself? Funny Kenyans, wanting justice of papetrators of violence at home and defending the same in other countries.
Posted September 02, 2010 09:12 PM -
Submitted by AfricanAmerican
@CHAZZ95! We know! We all want justice, but peace comes first! Why should Kenya, the ambassador of peace in the situation, cause war by arresting a sitting president, and before their referendum no less? Use logic here! When there was a time when the UN could have helped, they didn't. They sat idly by. Now, do they wish start MORE war, really, because they know that such a move would start more violence at this point. All things in due time!
Posted September 02, 2010 06:41 PM
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Kenya should stop playing games with the likes of Bashir. That referendum will never take place. The first thing that is going to happen is that the North will dispute the boundaries and that will soon after be escalated to janjawid type strikes and you will never hear the end of it.