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UN to probe human rights abuse
in Kenya
Story by SUNDAY NATION Correspondents
10. 02. 2008
The United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator Mr John Holmes has
termed as tragic the displacement of thousands of people from
their homes in the post-election violence.
Mr Holmes said some of the scenes were very worrying and said the
UN would probe human rights abuses.
“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has dispatched a team
on the ground to investigate and prepare a report on human rights
violations,” Mr Holmes said. He expressed hope that the Kofi
Annan-led mediation talks between President Kibaki’s PNU and Mr
Raila Odinga’s ODM would bear fruit and ensure peace and harmony
in the country.
He was speaking in Nakuru after visiting displaced people camping
at the Agricultural Society of Kenya showground and at Afraha
Stadium. The families at the Nakuru showground were displaced from
their homes in the North Rift region and parts of Molo, Kericho
and Kuresoi areas while those at Afraha Stadium were evicted from
estates in Nakuru town.
Mr Holmes, who was accompanied by Kenya Red Cross Society’s Nakuru
branch chairman Pascal Mbeche, expressed satisfaction with the
humanitarian assistance offered by the government, the Red Cross
and other agencies.
“The only way to end the suffering of people in the camp is to
stop the violence and hopefully the current negotiations led by
Kofi Annan will be successful,” he said.
“From what I have heard from the victims, they want to return to
their homes and the government should ensure their security,” he
added.
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