Taking these Rights Seriously: Civil Society Organisations’ Parallel Report to the Initial State Report of the Republic of Kenya on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights October 2008 Acknowledgements and strategies among African women’s NGOs through communications, networking, training and advocacy so This Report was compiled by Steve Ouma1 and John as to advance women’s development, equality and other Ambani,2 and reviewed by Dan Juma of the Kenya women’s human rights in Africa. FEMNET aims to Human Rights Commission following consultative strengthen the role and contribution of African NGOs meetings with the Coalition of Non-Governmental focusing on women’s development, equality and other Organizations (NGOs) on Economic, Social and Cultural human rights. Rights and Kenya Human Rights Network (K-Hurinet). (3) Eastern Africa Coalition on Economic, Social and Special thanks to various human rights practitioners who Cultural Rights (EACOR): EACOR is a coalition of provided technical expertise in the consultative meetings to ecumenical and other organisations in Eastern Africa in map out the agenda, review areas of focus and validate the the area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It is an draft report. These include Priscilla Kanyua (International association of likeminded organisations from Eritrea, Commission of Jurists), Kithure Kindiki (University of Nairobi) Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Odindo Opiata (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Burundi, Congo and Somalia. EACOR’s goal is to Centre), all of whom facilitated the initial meeting of 8th June, empower the ecumenical and other organisations to 2007. Others are Davinder Lamba (Mazingira Institute) and effectively pursue economic, social and cultural rights Joseph Schechla (Habitat International Coalition), supported within Eastern Africa through innovative interventions so by Rebecca Tanui (Building Eastern Africa Community that people living in poverty can realise their social, Network), Jacqueline Mugisha (Eastern Africa Coalition for economic and cultural rights. EACOR is also a member of Economic Social and Cultural Rights) and Dan Juma, who the Habitat International Coalition and its Housing and undertook a training of participating organizations on parallel Land Rights Network. reporting between the 16th - 20th July 2007. A further consultative meeting was facilitated by Steve Ouma and (4) Building Eastern Africa Community Network Davinder Lamba on 10th August 2007. We also acknowledge (BEACON): BEACON is a fellowship of churches, church the participation of Muthoni Wanyeki, Executive Director, related organisations, NGOs, individuals and other faith Kenya Human Rights Commission, for her leadership in the communities, established in 1996 to work for the holistic meeting between the Coalition and with the media on 22nd development of civil society in Eastern and Horn of Africa. November, 2007. Bether Kokach of EACOR facilitated the The purpose of BEACON is to build the capacity of typesetting and publication of the report. churches, church related organisations, NGOs and CBOs on policy advocacy, good governance, social and Finally, we are indebted to the Kenya Human Rights economic justice and peace in East and Horn of Africa. Commission for coordinating the process and all the participating organisations for their involvement in (5) International Commission of Jurists - Kenya formulation and final validation of the Report on 19th and Section (ICJ-K): ICJ Kenya is a membership, 20th June 2008. The organisations are: nongovernmental, nonpartisan and not-for-profit organisation. It is an autonomous Kenyan Chapter (1) Economic and Social Rights Centre (Hakijamii): (Section) of the International Commission of Jurists. It is The Economic and Social Rights Centre was formed in the oldest human rights organisation in Kenya and was 2005 specifically to strengthen the capacity of the formally registered in 1974 under the Societies Act with a marginalised communities to define and claim their vision of being the leader in securing observance of the economic and social rights. It is registered under the Non rule of law, human rights and democracy, for a just, free Governmental Organisations Coordination Act as an and equitable society. NGO. Hakijamii is a founding member of the International Network on Economic and Social Rights and has strong (6) Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC): KHRC partnership with several international organisations is a national NGO founded in 1992 with a mission to including Dignity International and Centre on Housing promote, protect and enhance enjoyment of all human Rights and Evictions (COHRE). rights for all. It has observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) (2) African Women’s Development and and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); and is Communications Network (FEMNET): FEMNET was a member of the International Federation of Human set up in 1988 to share information, experiences, ideas Rights (Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits Taking these Rights Seriously: Civil Society Organisations’ Parallel Report to the Initial State Report of the Republic of Kenya on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights/ PAGE 3 de l’Homme). The Commission is the 1998 winner of the disseminated to community levels by CEMIRIDE. MS International Award, 2003 winner of the Corporate CEMIRIDE has observer status with the African Conscience Award (bestowed by Social Accountability Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and is an International), and the 2005 winner of the Utetezi active member of various national, regional and (“Defender”) Award bestowed by the Kenya National international solidarity networks. Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). (10) Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (7) The Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance (COHRE): COHRE is an independent, non- (RHRA): Reproductive Health and Rights Alliance governmental, not-for-profit human rights organisation in (RHRA) (formerly Reproductive Health Steering the Netherlands with a series of global activities. COHRE Committee) was formed in response to the great need for is the leading international human rights organisation a coordinated national effort around sexual and campaigning for the protection of housing rights and the reproductive health and rights, with a focus on the right of prevention of forced evictions. access to safe abortion and reduced intimidation of health service providers. Its goal is to facilitate, through (11) Kenya Food Security Policy Advocacy Network advocacy, the creation of a legal, political and social (KeFoSPAN): KeFoSPAN was formed to advocate for environment that supports sexual and reproductive health the eradication of food insecurity in Kenya. Its work and rights, and safe abortion in Kenya. entails policy advocacy, capacity development and technical assistance. Through these mechanisms, the (8) Mazingira Institute: This is a non-profit organisation organisation hopes to achieve not only policy change, but working towards equitable development and citizen empowerment through education, trainings, environmental sustainability. Mazingira Institute is campaigns and the rights based approach to involved in information, communication and education development. activities. Its work is based on an interdisciplinary approach to the issues of human settlements and (12) Students Association for Legal Aid and Research environmental management, gender, health and (SALAR): SALAR is a non-profit students’ organisation environmental awareness, peace, cooperation and established at the University of Nairobi School of Law in environment. Through its publications, distance- 1999. Its principal objectives are: To promote and education programme, workshops and seminars, the undertake legal research as a key component of legal institute disseminates information on sustainable education; to provide free legal aid to persons who cannot development to primary schools, grassroots institutions afford to pay for the services of a lawyer; to provide and the population at large. Mazingira's work, which is community outreach services; to cultivate a public inter-disciplinary, comprises: research, information- interest lawyering spirit in law students; and to network communication, education and networking. Mazingira with NGOs, lawyers, and public and private sector Institute is a member of Anglophone Africa Focal Point of institutions with the aim of expanding the scope of social the Habitat International Coalition and its Housing and justice. Land Rights Network. (13) HIV/AIDS and Human Rights Project: This is a joint (9) Centre for Minority Rights and Development project between SALAR and the Human Rights (CEMIRIDE): CEMIRIDE is an advocacy organisation Development Initiative (HRDI), a Non-Governmental devoted to strengthening the capacities of minority and Organisation based in Pretoria in the Republic of South indigenous communities in Kenya and East Africa to Africa. The joint project is specifically referred to as the secure the respect, promotion and protection of their Regional Human Rights Law Clinic to increase Access to rights. Its vision is to create a society that recognises and Justice for Vulnerable Groups in Africa. It seeks to respects minorities and indigenous peoples’ rights in all promote access to justice for vulnerable people, in aspects of social, political and economic development particular,