in Arusha
By Cosmas Pahalah
Two organs of the East African Community seem to be disagreeing on recent proposals to have suspects of Kenya’s post election violence tried in Arusha.
While the proposal was unanimously passed by members of the East African Legislative Assembly during their last week’s sessions, the other organ, the East African Law Society is opposing the idea.
The parliamentarians advised that the four Kenyan suspects, among them top ministers, who are facing charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague should have their cases transferred to Tanzania and be tried at the Arusha-based, East African Court of Justice.
While the proposal was unanimously passed by members of the East African Legislative Assembly during their last week’s sessions, the other organ, the East African Law Society is opposing the idea.
The parliamentarians advised that the four Kenyan suspects, among them top ministers, who are facing charges at the International Criminal Court in The Hague should have their cases transferred to Tanzania and be tried at the Arusha-based, East African Court of Justice.
The East African Court of Justice has neither the capacity nor expertise and the EACJ does not have jurisdiction as per the community treaty to entertain international criminal matters,” the EALS President, Dr Wilbert Kapinga pointed out in an official statement
his follows the East African Legislative Assembly resolution that the East African Community Council of Ministers should immediately embark on the process of requesting the transfer of proceedings for the accused four suspects in the respect to the 2007 Kenyan post election violence from the International Criminal Court and instituting them in the East African Court of Justice.”
his follows the East African Legislative Assembly resolution that the East African Community Council of Ministers should immediately embark on the process of requesting the transfer of proceedings for the accused four suspects in the respect to the 2007 Kenyan post election violence from the International Criminal Court and instituting them in the East African Court of Justice.”
“It is on the basis that the acts complained of are contraventions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community at its …. Session held in Nairobi, Kenya on the 26th April, 2012, the East Africa Law Society has petitioned The Chairperson of the East African Community Heads of States Summit, The Hon. Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, The Chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers, and the Secretary General of the East African Community urging caution on the implementation of the said resolution.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already named a three-judge bench to hear Kenya's two post-election violence cases at The Hague.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II in January this year confirmed charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Journalist Joshua Sang.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already named a three-judge bench to hear Kenya's two post-election violence cases at The Hague.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber II in January this year confirmed charges against Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and Journalist Joshua Sang.
In the statement dated 30th April, 2012, the East Africa Law Society reminded the East African Community organs that the East African Court of Justice has neither the capacity, expertise nor jurisdiction to entertain international criminal matters; and neither does the Rome statute provide an avenue for States or Intergovernmental Organizations to request for relocation of cases (after the confirmation of charges).
The East Africa Law Society also called into question the practicability of the Resolution in the face of the latest draft East African Community Protocol on extending the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice in which all the East African Community partner states have agreed to exclude any reference to Human Rights Jurisdiction for the court; and yet International Criminal jurisdiction is inextricably intertwined with human rights.
If the partner states however, are adamant that they want to relocate the cases to the East African Court of Justice, the East Africa Law Society insisted that they must ensure a total review and restructuring of the Court to grant it the envisaged Criminal Jurisdiction, capacitate it to effectively undertake the investigative and prosecutorial functions inherent in Criminal Matters, and ensure that the process of appointment of judges is transparent, participatory and competitive.
Arumeru MP commits himself to advance sports
By Cosmas Pahalah
The Member of Parliament for Arumeru East Mr. Joshua Nasari has donated sh 500,000/= towards Amiri Cup in which a winner will be given a goat as a ‘trophy’ to take home.
Nassari, who took the MP seat recently with Chadema ticket, urged youth to take sports seriously as it is a source of employment both within and outside the country.
Nassari made the call recently at the opening of the ongoing Amiri Cup tournament in Arumeru District being held at Patandi in Tengeru bringing together 10 teams in Arumeru District.
By Cosmas Pahalah
The Member of Parliament for Arumeru East Mr. Joshua Nasari has donated sh 500,000/= towards Amiri Cup in which a winner will be given a goat as a ‘trophy’ to take home.
Nassari, who took the MP seat recently with Chadema ticket, urged youth to take sports seriously as it is a source of employment both within and outside the country.
Nassari made the call recently at the opening of the ongoing Amiri Cup tournament in Arumeru District being held at Patandi in Tengeru bringing together 10 teams in Arumeru District.
. Joshua Nasari
He said a goat is very negligible to attract serious talents adding that he wants the district to produce the best players in football game.
He urged the leadership of Arumeru District Football Association to organise regular meets starting from the grass root level.
The coordinator of the tournament Mr. Amiri Kiungai listed the participating teams as follows: Patandi, Chaki A, African soka, Sokoni, Vipaji, Chaki B, Makisoro, Videsi, Solenyi and Makumira.
He said the winner will get a goat that cost about 200,000/= and other prices to be dished out are best team award, best referee, best player and best goal-keeper awards.
He thanked the member of parliament for his contribution and urged other politicians to follow suit in order to persuade other youth to take part in the game.
Kiungai also thanked other stakeholders who made monetary and other contributions towards the organisation of the competition in which at least sh 542,000/= was raised.
He urged the leadership of Arumeru District Football Association to organise regular meets starting from the grass root level.
The coordinator of the tournament Mr. Amiri Kiungai listed the participating teams as follows: Patandi, Chaki A, African soka, Sokoni, Vipaji, Chaki B, Makisoro, Videsi, Solenyi and Makumira.
He said the winner will get a goat that cost about 200,000/= and other prices to be dished out are best team award, best referee, best player and best goal-keeper awards.
He thanked the member of parliament for his contribution and urged other politicians to follow suit in order to persuade other youth to take part in the game.
Kiungai also thanked other stakeholders who made monetary and other contributions towards the organisation of the competition in which at least sh 542,000/= was raised.
No comments:
Post a Comment