End criminalisation of activists, says continental rights coalition

Activists addressing the press following the arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi outside Pangani police station, Nairobi on July 20, 2025. /LEAH MUKANGAI

A coalition of African human rights organisations and activists has called for an immediate end to what it describes as the criminalisation of human rights defenders in Kenya.

The coalition, comprising more than 60 prominent civil society entities and activists from across the continent, condemned what they termed “Kenya’s growing authoritarianism” and “the weaponisation of the justice system to stifle dissent.”

In a joint statement, the coalition decried “the wave of arbitrary arrests and trumped-up charges” being used to target peaceful protesters, civil society leaders and youth.

They pointed to the recent high-profile arrest of activist Boniface Mwangi, who they said was detained just a day after filing a case at the East African Court of Justice against the governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The coalition alleged that Mwangi’s arrest, as well as a raid on his office, “took place without valid court orders,” signalling “a blatant disregard for due process.”

“Peaceful assemblies are now routinely met with excessive force, false terrorism charges, and draconian bail terms designed to punish rather than deliver justice.”

They revealed that dozens of young Kenyans remain in detention, with many reportedly facing “fabricated charges, including terrorism and money laundering.”

The coalition accused the government of orchestrating “a broad crackdown that targets not only protesters but also civil society institutions, opposition leaders and even school children.”

Among the coalition’s key demands is “a complete halt to the misuse of anti-terror laws against civilians exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.”

They demanded that “the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions immediately cease approving politically motivated prosecutions,” particularly those involving terrorism allegations against human rights defenders.

“The ODPP must uphold its constitutional mandate to prosecute independently and in the interest of justice,” the coalition stated.

The coalition also called on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) "to actively safeguard judicial independence and prevent the courts from becoming complicit in illegal detentions and unjustified prosecutions.”

They urged the Judiciary to resist political pressure, reject irregular warrants and unreasonable bail terms, and hold any judicial officers abetting state oppression accountable.

Furthermore, they demanded “the immediate withdrawal of all politically motivated charges against human rights defenders and the unconditional release of those wrongfully detained.”

The coalition warned that the vilification of peaceful protest as terrorism is a dangerous trend that undermines both Kenya’s constitutional order and international human rights norms.

The statement also pointed to “worrying cross-border repression,” highlighting incidents of abductions and deportations of opposition figures and activists across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The rights defenders accused the government of breaching its constitutional obligations and international treaties by abetting illegal renditions.

Describing the Kenyan situation “a continental emergency,” the coalition emphasised that the erosion of civil liberties in Kenya threatens the broader democratic gains achieved across Africa.

They demanded transparency and accountability from Kenyan authorities and urged immediate action to protect fundamental freedoms.

"The targeting of human rights defenders must end, and justice must prevail,” they said.