Press release February 22, 2015
Kenyan Court Nullifies Parts of ‘Security Laws Act’
in response to the ruling by Kenya’s High Court finding unconstitutional eight sections of the Security Laws Act, Freedom House issued the following statement:
Washington
In response to the ruling by Kenya’s High Court finding unconstitutional eight sections of the Security Laws Act, Freedom House issued the following statement:
“The High Court’s ruling is major victory for the rule of law in Kenya.” said Vukasin Petrovic, regional director for Africa. “The judiciary has demonstrated its commitment to protect the rights guaranteed in Kenya’s constitution, which is particularly important in a country experiencing an alarming erosion of democracy. Most important, the ruling makes clear that governments should not use security as a pretense for limiting the fundamental freedoms of its citizens.
Background:
President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Security Laws (Amendment) Act into law in December 2014. The political opposition party, Cord, and the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights subsequently filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of several sections in the High Court. An initial court review halted the implementation of those sections pending a ruling on their constitutionality, issued today.
Kenya is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Partly Free in Freedom of the Press 2014, and Free in Freedom on the Net 2014.