Kenyan women's campaign for justice

antrim | crime and justice | event notice Wednesday May 25, 2005 12:27 by hamish arrowsmith - Tools For Solidarity tools.belfast at virgin dot net unit 1b1, edenderry ind est, 326 crumlin Rd, Belfast 028 90747473

JUSTICE FOR KENYAN WOMEN

On Thursday 26th May at 1pm we are aiming to highlight the plight of Kenyan women and children who have been subjected to rape and sexual abuse at the hands of British soldiers over the last 30 years. We will be outside the BBC on Ormeau Ave at 1pm today, where passers-by will have the opportunity to sign a petition to demonstrate their support for this campaign.

PRESS RELEASE

JUSTICE FOR KENYAN WOMEN

On Thursday 26th May at 1pm we are aiming to highlight the plight of Kenyan women and children who have been subjected to rape and sexual abuse at the hands of British soldiers over the last 30 years. We will be outside the BBC on Ormeau Ave at 1pm today, where passers-by will have the opportunity to sign a petition to demonstrate their support for this campaign.

We support this campaign for justice and recognise that war, militarization and sexual abuse of women and children go hand-in-hand. According to Paula Hanratty, Project Manager of the Nexus Institute for the survivors of sexual abuse:

"Nexus Institute welcomes this campaign to highlight the sexual abuse and rape of women and children in Kenya. Women and children are particularly vulnerable in areas of conflict. There are many examples across the globe, including Northern Ireland, of sexual assaults where state or paramilitary forces are involved. This adds to feelings of powerlessness and distress that survivors of sexual abuse or rape experience. We hope that this issue will be taken seriously and support and protection be offered to those who are vulnerable in communities around the world."

There are currently 2,000 cases of alleged rape which have not been adequately addressed by either the Kenyan government, who passed conduct of the investigation onto the Royal Military Police, nor the British authorities, who claim that only a handful of the cases are credible. We object strongly to the use of a British military institution to investigate this matter and urgently request an independent enquiry. If, hypothetically, African soldiers stationed in Northern Ireland had raped local women, would the people of Northern Ireland be satisfied with an African government making the investigation?

Quote from a survivor

"I saw the men coming and I started running away but then they started emerging from the bush," "I tried to scream and cry but there was no one to help me. When they got hold of me, five men raped me. That's all I remember."

Recalled by Walebutunui (source: Women’s Electronic News)

Yesterday (25th May) was recognised throughout the world as African Liberation Day. This event will commemorate this occasion. We had planned to do the event yesterday but postponed due to bad weather conditions.

Note to picture editor: There will be banners and people wearing gags symbolising how rape victims are silenced.

For further information: ph 028 90747473

This action is organised by Tools For Solidarity and Belfast Food Not Bombs, with support from the Nexus Institute and members of the local African community.