[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)

                         HUMAN RIGHTS IN KENYA

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to call 
the attention of my colleagues to the serious dangers that exist for 
human rights today in Kenya. I particularly express my concern about 
the death threats being made against Paul Muite, a distinguished human 
rights attorney in that country.
  Mr. Muite is a native of Kenya who has been an outspoken critic of 
the hundreds of extrajudicial killings that have taken place in Kenya 
since 2006, and he has sought an investigation by the International 
Criminal Court of these killings.
  The threats against him have escalated in recent weeks. This week, I 
learned that someone had thrust an AK-47 in Mr. Muite's face.
  I urge the Government of Kenya to give high priority to this alarming 
situation, and to take all necessary steps to protect the safety of Mr. 
Muite and others struggling to defend the fundamental human rights of 
the people of Kenya. The world is watching and I hope my colleagues in 
the Senate will join in calling attention to this basic issue.

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