ICJ condemns detention of 5 Kenyans in Uganda

ICJ condemns detention of 5 Kenyans in Uganda

The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) has strongly condemned the re-arrest, and arbitrary detention of five Kenyans, acquitted and set free yesterday, by the Uganda High Court.

According to ICJ Kenya Executive Director Samuel Mohochi the commission considers these acts unnecessary, illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

Mohochi has noted that, the five (Mohammed Hamid Suleiman, Suleiman Mbuthia, Omar Awadh Omar, Abubakar Batem-yeto, and Dr. Ismail Kalule) had been in detention since 2010, and were acquitted by the Court on the 26th of May this year for lack of evidence in the 2010 Kampala Bombing case.

“ICJ Kenya therefore demands that Ugandan government immediately release Muhammad Hamid Suleiman, Suleiman Mbuthia, Omar Awadh Omar, Abubaker Batemyeto and Dr. Ismail Kalule. If they are to be charged, then it should be for a legitimate criminal offence and they should be accorded due process, in compliance with Ugandan law and international law. ICJ Kenya further demands, that the Kenyan High Commission visits the Kenyans in custody in Jinja, facilitates their immediate release, and in particular, secures their safe passage and return back to Kenya to enable them reunite with their families and resume their normal lives,” read the statement sent to the media.

He has further asked the Ugandan government, to uphold the rights of all persons, under the Ugandan constitution, and respects its obligations under international law, and immediately release, the 5 Kenyans.

“ICJ Kenya’s mission is to protect and promote the human rights, justice and the rule of law. Therefore as Jurists, we cannot stand idle while the human rights are trampled upon. It is crucial that the Ugandan government upholds the rights of all persons under the Ugandan constitution and respects its obligations under international law,” read the signed statement.

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uganda Kenyans ICJ Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurist

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