REPUBLIC OF KENYA: Ruto and Sang decision must not derail efforts to ensure justice for victims

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12 Apr 2016
[International Secretariat]
Region: REPUBLIC OF KENYA
Topic:

Today’s decision to drop charges against Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto and radio presenter Joshua Sang must not derail efforts to ensure justice for victims of the 2007/8 post-election violence, said Amnesty International. The two had faced charges of crimes against humanity.

In its decision, a Trial Chamber the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) declared the charges vacated. However, it held that the charges were dropped “without prejudice to the Prosecutor’s right to re-prosecute the case in the future.” The decision may also be the subject of an appeal by the Office of the Prosecutor.

“This decision could be seen as a major setback by thousands of victims who have waited so long for justice,” said Michelle Kagari, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

“However, this is not the end of the road for the victims.  In fact, victims should be able to seek justice for these crimes in the future as the accused have not been acquitted, and can be re-prosecuted for these charges either by the ICC or domestically,” said Michelle Kagari.
Amnesty International therefore calls for renewed efforts to ensure that those accused of crimes under international law during the post-election violence are brought to justice, including through fair trials in Kenya’s national courts. It also welcomes the recognition by Judge Oboe Esoji of the role that witness interference played in the case and calls for all responsible to be held accountable.

This is the first time the ICC has decided to vacate charges following the presentation of the Prosecution’s case, but it is not the first time cases have been dropped amid allegations of witness interference and non-cooperation by the state. Cases against four others charged with crimes against humanity in relation to the post-election violence in Kenya, including that of President Kenyatta, did not reach the trial stage.

The ICC should strengthen the quality and scope of its investigations, as well as victim and witness protection measures. International pressure should also be intensified against governments that obstruct or fail to cooperate with the ICC’s investigations. Individual states should also seek to apply universal jurisdiction to crimes against humanity cases in Kenya.

Background

The majority of the Trial Chamber held that the charges against the accused should be vacated and the accused should be discharged, without prejudice to the Prosecutor’s right to re-prosecute the case in the future. Judge Oboe-Esoju declared a mistrial due to witness interference and political meddling, while Judge Fremr found that there was no case to answer for the two accused. The majority agreed that this did not constitute an acquittal but only a vacation of the charges, without prejudice to the Prosecutor's right re-prosecute the case at a later time. Judge Carbuccio appended a dissenting opinion on the basis that there was sufficient evidence to proceed.

William Ruto was charged with the crimes against humanity of murder, deportation, persecution and forcible transfer of populations as an indirect co-perpetrator. Joshua Arap Sang was accused of having contributed to the above crimes.

The charges against them stem from the violence that occurred following the December 2007 presidential elections in which incumbent Mwai Kibaki was declared winner amid complaints by his rival Raila Odinga that the vote had been stolen.

The riots and clashes that followed Mwai Kibaki’s hurried inauguration led to more than 1,200 deaths and displaced more than 350,000 people from their homes.

5 April 2016
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

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