| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
Kenya: KHRI Draft Letter to Donors
Date distributed (ymd): 960318
The Consultative Group of "donor countries" will be meeting to discuss future aid commitments to Kenya in Paris on March 21- 22. The Kenya Human Rights Initiative (KHRI), based at Cornell University, is suggesting letters demanding that "aid from any nation will be contingent on clear and specific evidence of progress toward an open democracy including freedom for political prisoners Koigi wa Wamwere and Charles Kuria Wamwere and G. G. Njuguna Ngengi.
KHRI has suggested draft letters to Kenyan President Moi, to the Africa Subcommittee in the U.S. House of Representives, and to donor delegates in Paris. For texts of the first two letters please contact KHRI at the address below. Their suggested draft letter to Paris Club delegations follows below:
Suggested Draft letter to donor delegates to the March 21-22 Kenya Consultative Group meeting
(Note: easy to use email addresses:) Mr. A. Pilegaard, European Union Rep., <Rita.RYAD-SCHROEYERS@DG8.cec.be>; Mr. Barrie Ireton, United Kingdom Rep.; <afd0dlt.vs1@oda.gtnet.gov.uk>; Mr. Geert Aagaard Andersen, Rep. from Denmark, <annelise@inet.uni-c.dk>; Mr. Glenn Slocum, US Rep., <gslocum@usaid.gov>; Mr. Archie Book, Canadian Rep., <archie_book@acdi-cida.gc.ca>
March (__), 1996
Dear (select a delegate name from list - see below also)
In your capacity as the delegation representative from ___(name of nation)__ to the March 21-22 Kenya Consultative Group meeting in Paris, I urge you to convey in the *strongest of possible terms* the international concern regarding the lack of progress in the areas of democratization, open governance and human rights in Kenya since the July 24, 1995 meeting. In particular I feel that the unjust sentencing on October 2, 1995 of Koigi wa Wamwere, Charles Kuria Wamwere, and C. G. Njuguna Ngengi to four years in prison and six "strokes" (lashes with a cane) is a powerful example of the lack of sincerity by the Kenyan government in implementing democratic processes such as a multiparty system, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. The appeal for these three political prisoners was lodged on December 7, 1995, listing 48 grounds of procedural injustices from the lower court trial. As a result of the divergence of policies of the Kenyan government from essential principles of a truly open democratic society, *any future aid* must be reconsidered until specific benchmarks of progress such as justice in this case are in evidence.
Mr. Wamwere is a former member of the Kenyan Parliament who is well known for promoting freedom, human rights and democratic reform in Kenya. Mr. Wamwere has been imprisoned four times before and has been held for long periods without trial. In this latest incident, the police contend that Mr. Wamwere raided a police station for weapons.
Amnesty International and other respected legal and human rights organizations maintain that the lower court charges were fabricated and politically motivated. They conclude that Mr. Wamwere and his co-defendants are being imprisoned solely on the basis of their non-violent actions and beliefs as free citizens of Kenya.
If Kenya is to continue making progress towards a multiparty democracy, then it must be held accountable for providing a just legal system for its citizens, including evidence of legal benchmarks such as independence of the judiciary, equitably applied due process, and access to legal representation. Ensuring that Mr. Wamwere and his co-defendants are accorded impartial justice and that their fundamental human rights are respected will help to open the door to increased democratization, including political and economic reform for their country.
Most Kenya observers agree on the significance of this case -- that Koigi and his co-defendants have come to represent the democracy movement and civil rights on trial in Kenya. The link between the outcome of justice in this case and international confidence in future democratic, political and economic reforms is indisputable. As the New York Times editorialized on Sunday January 31, 1996, "Past pressure from aid donors has yielded salutary results." I urge you to use conditions on aid once again to pressure Kenya toward internationally accepted standards of justice and an open democracy.
In sum, I respectfully request that your delegation consider highlighting the Koigi wa Wamwere case as an indicator, a "litmus test", a barometer of broader democratization reforms that must *continue to improve* for donor aid to continue. Thank you for considering this request. If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Gratefully,
Name & address
--------------------------
Head of Delegations to the March 21-22, 1996 Kenya Donor Nation "Consultative Group" Meeting
- updated March 10, 1996 by KHRI -
Austria: Mr. Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Ministry of Finance, Vienna, Austria Fax: 43-15-139860
Belgium: Mr. Sonja Gerlo, Administrator General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rue de Brederode, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel (32-2) 50 06 235 Fax (32-2) 50 06 585 (Also Mr. Baert Misseeuw, Eastern Africa Desk, same Ph. & Fax) Mr. J.P. Arnoldi, Auditor General, Ministry of Finance, Brussels, Belgium, Fax (32-2) 23 37 083
Canada: Mr. Archie Book, Director of Operations, East Africa Program, Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), 200 Promenade du Portage 10th Floor, Hull, Quebec KIAOG4, Canada Tel (819) 994-6204 Fax (819) 953-9453 e-mail: archie_book@acdi-cida.gc.ca Ms. Carolyn Macaskie, VP for Africa & Mid-East, (CIDA) Hull, Quebec KIAOG4, Canada, Fax (819) 994-6174
China: Director, World Bank Dep't, Ministry of Finance ,Beijing China, Fax (86) 1 8511062
Denmark: Mr. Geert Aagaard Andersen, Head of East & West Africa Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DANIDA), Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel(45-33) 92-03-78 Fax (45-33) 92-09-64 or (45-31) 540533, email: annelise@inet.uni-c.dk
Finland: Mr. Juhani Toivonen, Director, Division for Africa, Department for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FINNIDA) Katajanokanlaituri 3, SF 00161 Helsinki, Finland, Tel (358-0) 13 41 62 35 Fax: (358-0) 13 41 62 93 Ms. Heidi Pihantie, Dir., Min. of Foreign Affairs, Helsinki, Finland Fax: (358-0) 13 41 62 93
France: Mssr. Christophe Marchand, Ministere de L'Economie et des Finances, Paris France Fax: (33-1) 4004-27-16 Mrs. Sophie Aubert, Ministere de Foreign Affairs, Sub-Direction of African Affairs, Central Africa, Bureau 285, 37 Quai d'Orfay, 75007 Paris Cedex 12, France Tel(33-1) 4317-48-08, Fax: (33-1) 4317-49-88 (Also: Mrs. Catherine Trenque, Ministere de Economie, 139 Rue de Bercy, 755752 Paris Cedex 12, France Tel(33-1) 44 87 73 44, Fax: (33-1) 40 04 27 16 )
Germany: Dr. Friedrich Newmann-Damerau, Head East Africa Division, Bunderministerium fur Wirtschaftliche Zusammeenarbeit (BMZ), Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 114-116, D53 Bonn 1, Germany, Tel(49-228) 53 73 22 Fax(49-228) 53 52 40 or 5353695
Ireland: Ms. Margaret Hennessy, Ass't. Secretary, Dep't of Foreign Affairs, Dublin Ireland, Fax: 35-31-671-7149
Italy: Minister Alessio Carissimo, Coordinator for Sub Saharan Africa, Directorate General for Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Piazzale La Farnesina, 1, 00194 Roma, Italy, Tel (39-6)32 36 196 Fax (39-6)32 35 982
Japan: Mr Atsuo Nishihara, Exec. Dir. for Japan, The World Bank, Washington, D.C., USA, Fax: (202) 522-1581 Mr. Osamu Shiozaki, Minister, Embassy of Japan in Kenya, 15F ICEA Bldg., Kenyatta Ave., PO Box 60202, Nairobi, Kenya Tel (254) 2-3329558, Fax (254) 2-216530 (Also: Mr. Takeshi Kurihara, Second Sec'y, Japanese Embassy in Paris, 7 Avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris France, Ph: 33-1-488-6244)
The Netherlands: Mr. Koos Richelle, Dir. Gen. Int'l. Coop., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, Netherlands, Fax: (31-70) 348 6607 Mrs. W. A. van Aardenne, Senior Project Officer, Central and East Africa Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bezuidenhoutseweg #67, P.O. Box 20061, 2500 EB The Hague, The Netherlands, Tel (31-70)34 85 173 Fax (31-70) 348 6607 (Also: Netherlands Embassy, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC, 20016)
Sweden: Mrs. Marina Persson, International Development Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rosenbaud 4, P.O. Box 16121, S-10323 Stockholm, Sweden, Tel (46-8) 40 55 636 Fax (46-8) 723 1176 (Also: Ambassador Lars-Goran Engfeldt, Embassy of Sweden, Nairobi, Kenya Tel (254-2) 229 042 or 229 043)
Switzerland: Mr. Rolf Gerber, Deputy Head of Africa Section, Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs, 3003 Berne, Switzerland, Tel (41-31) 3240822 Fax (41-31) 324-0966 email:
United Kingdom: Mr. Barrie Ireton, Undersecretary, African Division, Overseas Development Administration (ODA), King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH, Great Brittain, Tel (44171) 917-0468/0583 Fax (44171) 917-0652 email: afd0dlt.vs1@oda.gnet.gov.uk (Also: Peter Landymore, P.O. Box 30465, Bruce House, Standard Street, Nairobi, Kenya, 254-2-335944 non-office hours 254-2-335955-9, Fax: 254-2-340260)
United States: Mr. Glenn Slocum, Dir., Office of East African Affairs, Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), room 2733A New State Building, 320 21st St., N.W. Washington, D.C., 20523-0073, Tel(202) 647-8242 Fax (202) 647-9805, email: gslocum@usaid.gov
African Development Bank (AFDB): Mr. C.I. Fall, Director, Country Programs Department, 01 B.P. 1387, Abidjan 01, Ivory Coast, Tel (225) 204-444; 320-711; 325-010 Fax 225-216545
Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA): Mr. Ahmed Al-Wardi, Director General, (BADEA), Khartoum, Sudan Republic, Fax: 970-22248
European Union: Mr. Giovanni Livi, Director of East Africa, (EU), Brussels, Belgium, Fax (32-2)299 287 Mr. Asger Pilegaard, Head of East Africa Division, Rue de la Loi 200, B-1049 Brussels, Belgium, Tel (32-2) 299-1111; Fax (32-2)299 2871 email: rita.ryad-schroeyers@dg8.cec.be
European Investment Bank (EIB): Ms. Jaqueline Noel, Division Chief, (EIB), Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Fax: 35-2-43-7704
World Bank: Mr. David White, Directorate for Operations, Konrad Adenauer 100, L-2950 Luxembourg, Tel 352-43791, Fax 352-4379-7276
International Fund for Africultural Development (IFAD): Mr. Mohiuddin Alamgir, Dir., (IFAD), Rome, Italy, Fax (39-6)50 43 463 Mr. Edward Heinemann, Project Controller, Africa II Division, Project Management Department, Via del Serafico 107, 00142 Rome, Italy, Tel (39-6) 54 59 23 98 Fax (39-6)50 43 463 or 51 91 702
International Finance Corporation (IFC): Mr. Udayan Wagle, Manager, Division 1, Washington DC, USA, Fax (202)676-9704
International Monetary Fund (IMF): Mr. Hiroyuki Hino, Assistant Dir., Washington DC, USA, Fax (202)623-4131
OPEC Fund for International Development: Mr. Said Aissi, Assistant Director General, Vienna Austria Fax: 43 1 513 9238
Organization For Economic Cooperation and Development: Mr. James H. Michel, Devel. Aid Committee, Paris France Fax: (33-1) 45 24 8500 Mr. George Hansen, Principal Administrator, Aid Policies Review Division, 2 Rue Andrei-Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16 France, Tel(33-1) 45 24 90 47 Fax: (33-1) 45 24 16 23
The Saudi Fund For Development: H.E. Shiek Mohammad Al-Sugair, Economist, Technical Department, P.O. Box 1887, 1144 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tel (966-1) 464-0292, Fax (966-1) 464-7450
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Ms. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Asst. Administrator, UNDP NY, NY, Fax (212) 906-5423
Mr. Eric Kashambuzi, Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP, 1 UN Plaza, N.Y., N.Y. 10017, Tel (212) 906-5920, Fax (212) 906-5830 or 5423 (Also: Mr. Fredrick Lyons, UNDP, P.O. Box 30218, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel (254-2)-213749, Fax (254-2) 331897)
------------------------------------------------------------
The Kenya Human Rights Initiative (Ph. & Fax:607-255-9985) khri@cornell.edu G18 Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA FREE KOIGI! "Make Injustice Visible" -Mahatma Gandhi
Our internet Home page address is: http://www.cornell.edu/Alumni/koigi.html
************************************************************
Message-Id: <199603190300.TAA11613@igc3.igc.apc.org> From: "APIC" <apic@igc.apc.org> Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 21:58:38 -0500 Subject: Kenya: KHRI Draft Letter to Donors
Editor: aadinar@sas.upenn.edu