Appendix B. Letter to the Kenyan Government, August 29, 2008August 29, 2008 Hon. George Saitoti Hon. Moses Wetangula Dear Minister Saitoti and Minister Wetangula: Human Rights Watch has long been concerned about Kenyas role in the detention and rendition of at least 85 men, women, and children to Somalia in January and February 2007. Human Rights Watchs March 22, 2007 letter detailing the then-available information about the rendition operation is attached for your convenience. We are writing now to follow up on that letter. We are particularly concerned about the whereabouts and well-being of the following men who have asserted Kenyan nationality, yet were rendered to Somalia nonetheless. Some are reportedly being detained by the Ethiopian military in Addis Adaba; the whereabouts of others are unknown.
We request that you provide us with any known information about these mens whereabouts. Specifically, we would like the following information about each of these men: (i) what steps has the Kenyan government taken to ensure his well-being and secure his return to Kenya?; (ii) has the Kenyan government requested consular access to him, and if so, was it granted, and when?; (iii) where is he being held, and on what grounds?; (iv) is his Kenyan nationality in doubt, and, if so, what has been done to review and assess the claim of Kenyan citizenship? We plan to produce a short report detailing the results of our investigation into the whereabouts and well-being of these men. We hope to hear back from you by no later than September 30, so that we can include your responses to our questions in that report. Thank you, Jennifer Daskal cc: Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of Kenya |