Amnesty International calls for human rights focus during Dutch State visit to Kenya

Kenyan police officers arrest some activists in front of the Office of the President as families, activists and civil society representatives gather to present a list of people who disappeared during demonstrations against government proposed tax hikes in Nairobi on September 24, 2024. [AFP]

Amnesty International has called on Dutch and Kenyan authorities to prioritize human rights during the upcoming Dutch state visit to Kenya.

The visit, set to strengthen bilateral relations, follows a period of heightened concern over human rights violations in Kenya.

Over the past nine months, Kenyan police have been accused of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators, resulting in over 60 deaths. Additionally, masked agents have reportedly abducted more than 80 activists, many of them young Kenyans, with incidents of torture continuing unchecked.

It is for this reason that Amnesty International is urging the visiting Dutch ministers and the Royal Couple to ensure human rights are central to diplomatic discussions.

Adding that economic, military, and other interests must not come at the expense of justice and accountability.

Irungu Houghton, Amnesty International Kenya's Section Director, called on both governments to publicly outline how they plan to address the ongoing violations and improve Kenya's human rights situation.