Amnesty opposes deferral of case in The Hague court

By ISAAC MESO

Amnesty International has urged the UN Security Council not to give in to pressure to defer President Uhuru Kenyatta’s trial at the International Criminal Court.

On the eve of the crucial vote, Tawanda  Hondora, Deputy Director of Law and Policy at Amnesty International said deferring the trials for a year will  set a dangerous  precedent for international justice, paving the way for future trials to be derailed to suit political interests

“The victims of the post-election violence in Kenya have waited long enough for justice. It would be a shame if Security Council members prioritised the personal interests of political leaders over those of victims of crimes against humanity,” he said.

Earlier this month, Rwanda, a Security Council member, circulated a draft resolution seeking the deferral, a proposal that is due to be put to vote today.

Hondora said the ICC had been properly adjudicated over and the trial had been managed as provided for under the Rome Statue and it would be in bad light for the Security Council to interfere and politicise the trials.

He further noted that African leaders displayed their commitment to international justice when they signed the Rome Treaty  and  they should not renege now by calling for a deferral.