KENYA: KCCB Criticizes the Parliament’s Decision to Pull out of ICC
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| CJPC Chairman, Archbishop Okoth |
Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) has criticized
the recent motion passed by parliament seeking Kenya’s withdrawal from the
International Criminal Court (ICC) and termed the decision as voting for
impunity.
Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) has criticized
the recent motion passed by parliament seeking Kenya’s withdrawal from the
International Criminal Court (ICC) and termed the decision as voting for
impunity.
In
their Press Release issued on 10th September, the Chairman of the
Commission, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth said that voting to withdraw Kenya from
the Rome statute would hinder the court’s ability to investigate crime in Kenya
now and in the future. Below is the full Statement:
their Press Release issued on 10th September, the Chairman of the
Commission, Archbishop Zacchaeus Okoth said that voting to withdraw Kenya from
the Rome statute would hinder the court’s ability to investigate crime in Kenya
now and in the future. Below is the full Statement:
PRESS RELEASE BY THE KENYA CONFERENCE OF
CATHOLIC BISHOPS – JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION
Voting
to pull out of ICC was a voting for impunity
to pull out of ICC was a voting for impunity
“When
Justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but terror to evil doers –
Proverbs 21:15″
Justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but terror to evil doers –
Proverbs 21:15″
We,
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Justice and Peace Commission, are
deeply concerned over recent happenings in the 11th Parliament of
the Republic of Kenya. We, wish to state as follows:
the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Justice and Peace Commission, are
deeply concerned over recent happenings in the 11th Parliament of
the Republic of Kenya. We, wish to state as follows:
1)
That the passing of the motion to
withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statutes was a vote for impunity, one that could
hamper the court’s ability to investigate crimes in Kenya now and in future.
One that strips the Kenyan people of one of the most important human rights
protections and sets the stage for crimes to be committed with impunity. It is
a dangerous move.
That the passing of the motion to
withdraw Kenya from the Rome Statutes was a vote for impunity, one that could
hamper the court’s ability to investigate crimes in Kenya now and in future.
One that strips the Kenyan people of one of the most important human rights
protections and sets the stage for crimes to be committed with impunity. It is
a dangerous move.
2)
That in the spirit of protection of
human rights and respect for the rule of law, the Kenyan parliament, the Senate
and the government should note that a ‘Guilty or not guilty’ verdict is all
that Kenya needs from the ICC, and that withdrawing from the Rome Statute
amounts to running away from our international commitments. Historically it is
on record and we remind our members of parliament, that the decision to go to
ICC as opposed to local tribunal was passed by the 10th Parliament.
That in the spirit of protection of
human rights and respect for the rule of law, the Kenyan parliament, the Senate
and the government should note that a ‘Guilty or not guilty’ verdict is all
that Kenya needs from the ICC, and that withdrawing from the Rome Statute
amounts to running away from our international commitments. Historically it is
on record and we remind our members of parliament, that the decision to go to
ICC as opposed to local tribunal was passed by the 10th Parliament.
3)
That withdrawing from the ICC will hurt
the reputation of Kenya as a nation that supports international human rights
and the rule of law. It also jeopardizes international relations and might
easily isolate the country from the rest of the world.
That withdrawing from the ICC will hurt
the reputation of Kenya as a nation that supports international human rights
and the rule of law. It also jeopardizes international relations and might
easily isolate the country from the rest of the world.
4)
That as promised in the elections
campaigns, the government must cooperate fully with the ICC to enable it ~
complete its processes. Members of parliament as law- makers ought to know that
a person is innocent until proved guilty. As earlier stated by the Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops, it is our duty to pray that the outcome of the
Ice process will be according to God’s will. Already the fears that the two
were going to be away at the same time have been resolved as per today’s
dailies.
That as promised in the elections
campaigns, the government must cooperate fully with the ICC to enable it ~
complete its processes. Members of parliament as law- makers ought to know that
a person is innocent until proved guilty. As earlier stated by the Kenya
Conference of Catholic Bishops, it is our duty to pray that the outcome of the
Ice process will be according to God’s will. Already the fears that the two
were going to be away at the same time have been resolved as per today’s
dailies.
5)
That the current 11th parliament has
already set a bad precedence in the recent past by moving a motion not to be
classified as state officers, and legislating on laws that have negative
impacts on the common Kenyan like the V AT Act 2013. As the Shepherds of the people
of God and the Church in Kenya, we call for an economy that is at the service
of the poor and strongly denounce an unjust economic order which has led to
disturbing levels of poverty.
That the current 11th parliament has
already set a bad precedence in the recent past by moving a motion not to be
classified as state officers, and legislating on laws that have negative
impacts on the common Kenyan like the V AT Act 2013. As the Shepherds of the people
of God and the Church in Kenya, we call for an economy that is at the service
of the poor and strongly denounce an unjust economic order which has led to
disturbing levels of poverty.
6)
Guided by the principles of common good,
rights and responsibility, good stewardship, the State ought to enact laws that
protect and promote human dignity, ensure that Kenyans have access to food
security, safe drinking water, basic health service, affordable education and
security (Conference’s Pastoral letter of 3rd May, 2(13). The action taken is
injuring mostly the common men and women who form the majority in Kenya who
cannot afford their essential needs.
Guided by the principles of common good,
rights and responsibility, good stewardship, the State ought to enact laws that
protect and promote human dignity, ensure that Kenyans have access to food
security, safe drinking water, basic health service, affordable education and
security (Conference’s Pastoral letter of 3rd May, 2(13). The action taken is
injuring mostly the common men and women who form the majority in Kenya who
cannot afford their essential needs.
We
urge our Members of Parliament to place the interests of the country ahead of
their own, and to desist from passing motions that would inflict grave harm on
the country’s present and future. God bless you all, and God Bless Kenya.
urge our Members of Parliament to place the interests of the country ahead of
their own, and to desist from passing motions that would inflict grave harm on
the country’s present and future. God bless you all, and God Bless Kenya.
Signed
by:
by:
Most
Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth
Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth
Chairman
KCCB
– CATHOLIC JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION
– CATHOLIC JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION
Dated:
10th September, 2013
10th September, 2013
