“UN rights expert urges Kenya to protect four environmental defenders whose lives are under threat”

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, John H. Knox, is urging the Government of Kenya to take all necessary measures immediately to protect four environmental human rights defenders who have been assaulted, subjected to death threats, and forced into hiding since they filed a law suit against a lead smelter earlier this month.  

Two of their homes have been burned. All have been threatened with death. The twelve-year-old son of one of them was kidnapped earlier this week and held for three days before being released on the side of a road. All four are now living in hiding. “Phyllis Omido and the other members of the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action (CJGEA) are facing a life-or-death situation,” said Mr Knox.

“These human rights abuses undermine the ability of ordinary Kenyans to seek environmental protection without fear. It is vital that the Kenyan Government takes effective actions immediately to protect these environmental defenders from violence and harassment, that it investigates the actions and threats against them, and punishes those responsible,” Mr Knox stressed… “These four people are helping to lead the way to a healthier environment in Kenya,” Mr. Knox said. “They should not have to risk their lives in order to defend human rights and a healthy environment through peaceful and legitimate means."

Mr. Knox has communicated about this matter with the Government of Kenya jointly with other relevant Special Procedures mandate holders.