DPP in bid to curb harassment of protesters

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji.

A group of civil society organisations has protested continued harassment of protesters by police in various parts of the country.

The group, which met Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji and Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai yesterday expressed concern that citizens' rights to assembly were violated. They called for an end to frequent harassment by police.

After the meeting, the DPP announced that they would form a joint committee to develop guidelines on the right to assembly.

Haji said the meeting discussed Article 37 of the Constitution, which deals with rights to peaceful assembly, demonstration and picketing.

The joint team will also review status of all cases where protesters have been arrested and prosecuted and advise the way forward.

The team will further review cases on petty offenders that are the most in courts and advise on how they should be handled.

Amnesty International, International Justice Mission, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Kenya Human Rights and Independent Medico Legal Unit attended the meeting.