PUBLIC ADVISORY: Public Safety Advisory for the National Police Service During the Exercise of the Right to Assembly and Public Protest.
-
by
Comms Team - No Comments on PUBLIC ADVISORY: Public Safety Advisory for the National Police Service During the Exercise of the Right to Assembly and Public Protest.
Comms TeamThe National Police Service bears the primary responsibility of facilitating peaceful assemblies for Kenyans exercising their constitutional rights. Since 25 June 2024, the courts have also pronounced themselves on what is acceptable police conduct during the exercise of people’s right to peaceful assembly. Officers and their commanders will be individually liable for violating international human rights standards, the Constitution and Kenyan law.
We remind the National Police Service of the following seven guidelines that must guide their conduct when executing duties during the exercise of citizens’ rights to assembly and public protest.
Facilitation of Peaceful Protests
The National Police Services must support and protect the right to protest per Article 37 of the Constitution.
Protest notifications are for the coordination of public safety and do not constitute permission.
Command Responsibility
Commanders and senior officers must issue lawful orders and ensure those under their command respect human rights.
Commanders can be held criminally liable for unlawful actions by officers under their command.
Use of Force: De-escalation and Proportionality
The use of lethal and less-lethal force must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Commanders are advised not to violate court orders related to the deployment of plainclothes officers who disguise their faces with masks and without visible name tags and badge numbers.
Officers must use care when using force in residential areas, near schools, or medical facilities.
Officers must refrain from the use of tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets or live ammunition against peaceful protesters.
Protection of Neutral Parties
Health workers and journalists must be protected and allowed safe passage and protection.
Handling Violent Individuals
Police must distinguish between violent criminals and peaceful protesters as they carry out arrests. Peaceful protesters should not be arrested.
Rights of Arrested Persons
If arrested, individuals must be informed of their rights and the charges against them. They must be allowed legal representation, offered the option of bond or bail and presented to court within 24 hours.
Oversight and Accountability
All deaths in police custody must be immediately reported to IPOA using the toll-free number 1559.
Police must cooperate with IPOA and KNCHR in investigations and hand over all relevant evidence, including weapons, ballistics, crime scenes, and forensic evidence.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
Relevant constitutional, legal and regulatory provisions
- 1. Constitution of Kenya Articles 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37
- 2. National Police Service Act
- 3. Police Standing Orders
Relevant high court rulings
- 1. Judiciary of Kenya Constitutional Petition HCJR/E082/2024 holding the Inspector General personally liable for atrocities committed by junior officers under his command.
- 2. Judiciary of Kenya Constitutional Petition E373 of 2024 prohibiting the use of police officers in disguise
- 3. Judiciary of Kenya Constitutional Petition E009 of 2024 prohibiting the use of excessive force
EMERGENCY HOTLINES
THE FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS IN KENYA (FIDA-KENYA): 0800 720 501 (TOLL FREE)
LAW SOCIETY OF KENYA (LSK): 0800720434 (TOLL FREE)
DEFENDERS COALITION: 0716200100
INDEPENDENT MEDICO-LEGAL UNIT (IMLU): 0706162795 OR 0800721401 (TOLL FREE)
KENYA NATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS (KNCHR): 08007260627 (TOLL FREE)
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL KENYA: 0759464346
CIVIC FREEDOMS FORUM: 07283033864
KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (KHRC): 0728606583
EMERGENCY MEDICAL DURING PROTESTS: 0739567483
