Amnesty International condemns Miguna lock-up
Amnesty International Kenya executive director Irungu Houghton at his Nairobi office on February 20, 2018. He says lawyer Miguna Miguna's rights are being violated by him being detained at JKIA despite a court order. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Irungu Houghton also condemned the police attack on journalists as they covered the Miguna saga at the JKIA.
- He said the continuous disregard for court orders and attacks on the media is steadily eroding the rule of law and weakening human rights safeguards in Kenya.
Amnesty International has criticised Kenyan authorities’ refusal to let lawyer Miguna Miguna into the country to participate in his case.
In a statement, Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director Irungu Houghton said: “The way Miguna was treated showed blatant disregard for his human rights, after the High Court ordered that he be allowed to re-enter the country.”
RIGHTS
He also condemned the police attack on journalists as they covered the Miguna saga at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Nairobi.
“The Kenyan Government must also respect and protect the right to freedom of expression and allow journalists to freely report on the case without harassment, intimidation or attacks,” Mr Houghton said.
The continuous disregard for court orders and attacks on the media, he added, is steadily eroding the rule of law and weakening human rights safeguards in Kenya.
“The authorities must reverse these concerning trends and ensure that Miguna Miguna is allowed to enter his own country and be present at his hearing,” he said.
“They must also launch a thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the unlawful use of force by the police to prevent journalists from doing their job.”
