Amnesty International Urges Human Rights Focus During Dutch Royal…

Amnesty International Kenya is urging the focus on human rights in discussions during the upcoming state visit of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima from March 18 to 20, 2025. This call is made in light of recent violent crackdowns on protests in Kenya. The organization emphasizes that economic interests should not overshadow the commitment to human rights during these diplomatic relations.

Amnesty International Kenya has called for the prioritization of human rights within diplomatic discussions between Kenya and the Netherlands. This appeal comes as His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Máxima are scheduled to visit Kenya from March 18 to 20, 2025, to enhance bilateral relations.

Irungu Houghton, the director of Amnesty International’s Kenyan section, stressed the importance of addressing human rights abuses during the royal visit. He stated that this is a crucial moment to tackle violations and ensure accountability, especially following a series of violent crackdowns on peaceful protests in Kenya.

Houghton highlighted the recent violence, citing that police actions have resulted in over 60 deaths during the past nine months, alongside more than 80 abductions of activists, predominantly young people. He emphasized the urgency for both Dutch ministers and the Royal Couple to place a strong focus on human rights during their engagements.

Amnesty International has urged the Kenyan and Dutch governments to publicly commit to improving human rights conditions in Kenya during the visit. Houghton reiterated that economic, military, and other interests should never compromise the priority of human rights.

This upcoming state visit marks the first by the Dutch royal family since President William Ruto’s invitation and is a testament to the established good relations and cooperation between the two nations. The Netherlands aims to explore new partnerships with Kenya, emphasizing their strong economic ties and collaborative efforts within international organizations to promote democracy and the rule of law.

Amnesty International’s call for prioritizing human rights during the forthcoming royal visit from the Netherlands underscores the importance of accountability in diplomatic relations. Both countries are urged to commit to improving human rights conditions amidst ongoing violence and human rights violations in Kenya. The visit further aims to strengthen the established partnerships and cooperative efforts in global governance.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke