Individuals at Risk

The International Day of Action for Kenya organized by Amnesty International on February 27, 2008, drew impressive support from activists all across the world carrying a message of hope and solidarity with the people of Kenya. Many hands reached for Kenya, in the spirit of international justice and communion.  Vigils and demonstrations protesting the grave human rights abuses were held in eleven countries, including Australia, Cote d'Ivoire, Canada, Germany, Mali, Mexico, Netherlands, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Uruguay.  Amnesty International Mexico organized a music event, with Uruguayan dancers and singers accompanying the protest. In Mali, around 200 activists marched to the Prime Minister's Office and handed him a petition calling for justice and reconciliation. In Côte d'Ivoire a candle vigil was held, and in Kampala 50 human rights defenders from Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya participated in a protest. In the United States, four cities held public vigils: Washington (DC), Los Angeles (CA), Denver (CO- the sister city of Kenya's capital, Nairobi), and Somerville (MA).

Online actions illustrated the borderless scope of the electronic community and the spirit of individual commitment to human rights and justice - over 5,000 people joined the Facebook Group and around 200 photos were uploaded to Flickr:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/reachoutforkenya
• http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8721569146.

Thank you to the many advocates who organized vigils, demonstrations, and other actions calling for the attention of the international community to the grave injustices taking place in Kenya.

On February 28, representatives of the Kenyan government and the opposition party signed a power-sharing agreement and promised immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis and to promote reconciliation, healing and restoration. However, the evidence of human rights abuses and violations gathered by Amnesty International demonstrates the necessity of ensuring that a human rights agenda is at the core of the current political negotiations, and that there is no impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations.

Human rights extend far beyond the domain of national responsibility - they are the common endeavor of people everywhere.  The very spirit of humanity assigns us the duty to stand up, not just for our own rights but, more importantly, for those of others.