Amnesty International has urged the Dutch Royal Couple to prioritize human rights discussions over other topics during their impending state visit to Kenya from March 18 to 20. Amidst rising concerns over human rights violations in Kenya, the organization calls for accountability and emphasizes the need to address recent abuses that followed protests in June 2024. The visit faces opposition from concerned Kenyan citizens and Dutch parliament members.
Amnesty International has reached out to the Dutch authorities prior to the Royal Couple’s visit to Kenya, advocating for a focus on human rights during bilateral discussions. In a statement issued on March 15, the organization underscored the urgency of addressing human rights abuses that have surfaced in Kenya recently, especially following protests in 2024.
The advocacy group’s request comes as a final attempt to influence the agenda after previous appeals to halt the visit were unsuccessful. Amnesty International urged that discussions should center around the serious violations occurring in Kenya and highlighted the need for accountability for victims of the recent violent crackdowns.
Since the protests of June 2024, human rights activists have intensified their efforts against forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, using these issues to campaign against the Royal Family’s visit. Many Kenyans have voiced their concerns by sending letters to Dutch officials and launching an online petition against the visit.
Amnesty Kenya Director Irungu Houghton emphasized the context of the violence that led to numerous casualties during peaceful protests. He called for the Royal Couple and accompanying ministers to prioritize human rights over other matters such as economic and military issues during their diplomatic engagement.
Houghton articulated that this visit serves as a crucial chance to address human rights concerns at the forefront of diplomacy between Kenya and the Netherlands. He further urged both nations to publicly commit to improving the human rights situation in Kenya during the visit.
The Royal Couple’s visit is scheduled from Tuesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 20, amidst rising scrutiny from various Dutch parliament members as reported by the newspaper Algemeen Dagblad on March 10.
In summary, Amnesty International’s call for the Dutch Royal Couple to focus on human rights during their upcoming visit to Kenya highlights the importance of accountability for recent violations. As public sentiments grow against the visit, the urgency for the Royal Couple and Dutch ministers to prioritize human rights over other diplomatic interests is paramount. Consequently, the upcoming visit presents a critical opportunity to address these pressing issues.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
