Human Rights defenders in Kenya get through lots of challenges while undertaking their mandates since they are subjected to overwhelming restrictions.

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This was disclosed by the Ambassador of Netherlands to Kenya, Joost Reintjes, who said the defenders needed state protection to attain democracy and the national, rule of law.

“The current legislation on human rights defenders promotes protection of rights and organizations, institutions and individuals who champion them, there is therefore no need to interfere with the law to promote suppression of such groups of people," said Reintjes.

Reintjes, who spoke to our reporter, argued that Civil Society Organizations engaged in fighting for, and promoting human rights in the country played a vital role in ensuring empowered citizens alongside putting their leaders on check hence need to be protected and supported.

He said there was need to support and give them space as currently enshrined in the constitution on Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

These sentiments were echoed by Kamau Ngugi, Executive Director, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders (NCHRD-K) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Freedoms of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, Maina Kiai, who both led over 120 Human Rights defenders and organizations in opposing proposed amendments to various security and public order-related laws.

The duo maintained the amendments were targeted at getting rid of Civil Society Organizations and suppressing and silencing the media in a bid of continual corruption among those in leaderships.

“The internationally respected legislations on human rights must be respected by all and excessive powers not given to those in leadership, power must be balanced,” said Ngugi.

Kiai however called on those engaged in human rights without principles and passion to quit for alternatives arguing human rights was about the poor, weak, minority and marginalized in the society.

The ambassador said Netherlands Government would continue supporting Kenyan organizations and individuals engaged in agitating for rights of less privileged in the society.