With the passing into law of the new constitution, Kenya now has a comprehensive Bill of Rights that if implemented would elevate the status of Human Rights in the Country and facilitate a true democracy.
Under its Human Rights Protection programme, ICJ Kenya will :
- Monitor the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Kenya during the Universal Periodic Review, before Kenya’s next review in 2014
- Advocate for ratification of selected international human rights instruments
- Support litigation initiatives on the realization of economic and social rights
- Retain an educational approach with regard to enforcement of human rights
- Advocate and lobby for institutional reform that is inclusive of human rights.
- Putting Communities to Rights Project
The Human Rights Protection Programme combines ICJ Kenya’s outreach activities with legal aid. We are building the capacity of communities in six areas namely, Transmara, Laikipia, Meru, Kitui,Taita Taveta and Kwale.This is done through our network of nearly 360 paralegals. Our paralegals are trained to provide basic legal services and advice free of charge in their communities in order to facilitate the right to access to justice in the rural communities of Kenya.
Communities should be able to access both formal and informal dispute resolution methods as well as to take control of their lives through administrative or bureaucratic advocacy in relation to local legal problems. Most of these problems arise from high competition for land, not just within farming and pastoralist communities, but also against wildlife. Some have high conflict potential, so that increasingly, paralegals must sensitize communities to make choices that prevent and resolve conflict.
The following services are provided as stand alone initiatives as well as part of a multisectoral approach combined with services provided by other NGOs and groups.
- Enhancing Effectiveness & Oversight of Parliament
Through this project, ICJ Kenya seeks to support the reform process by ensuring the widest possible availability of information on crucial reform issues so as to stimulate an independent public discussion and informed choices. This project also aims to increase societal participation in the ongoing reform and constitutional implementation processes.
