The United Nations (UN) experts have asked acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to lift the ban on NASA demonstartions in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Monday, the experts stated that the ban should be lifted without delay.
UN also asked the Kenyan government to end police brutality during demonstrations adding that security forces should prioritise dialogue and non-violent responses to violence.
“It is precisely when political tensions are high that governments should do their utmost to let people express their grievances and to protect their rights. Participants in peaceful protests are exercising and defending their legitimate right to voice their demands and express dissent,” the experts noted.
“Even before this ban was imposed, we were witnessing a pattern of police brutality and excessive use of force against protesters, as well as consistent harassment of judges and threats to civil society,” they added.
[caption caption="NASA supporters demonstrating"]
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The experts highlighted the incident where 27 University of Nairobi (UoN) students were injured when anti-police reportedly clobbered, robbed and threatened them with sexual violence.
They further cited an incident where police officers teargassed nursery school children in Nyalenda, Kisumu county injuring at least three of them.
The officials called for an independent and thorough investigation into all allegations of police brutality.
Last week, Matiang'i banned all demonstrations in the Central Business Districts of Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa.
The CS explained that the ban was aimed at protecting Kenyans and their property.
[caption caption="GSU officcers throw tear gas inside university of Nairobi"]
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