CONFIDENTIAL
KENYA
Report by British High Commission, Nairobi
Rating suggested by Post
2
Right No.
(i)
Only three persons are currently known to be imprisoned without trial: they are detained under the terms of a Detention Act which allows the President to impose indefinite terms of imprison- ment in the interests of national
security.
This number is small: but
because of suspicions that they have
been detained for political rather than security reasons, the rating cannot ignore their cases.
(ii)
Torture as such is not used.
Police
(iii)
(iv)
enquiries are however sometimes con- ducted with a degree of brutality. Capital punishment is on occasion imposed by law for robbery with violence.
There is no slavery as such: but in a few areas and cases there is suspicion of conditions of servitude inconsistent with the spirit of the International Covenant.
Radio and TV services are State- controlled but newspapers are inde- pendent. Although the Press is among the freest in Black Africa there are signs that it is coming under increasing pressure. Reporting, and personal freedom of speech (eg in Parliament), is free on most issues; but on major political issues affecting the President or the policies of the regime is inhibited by fear of reprisals detention on security grounds).
(eg
Comment by East African Dept
The rating seems harsh. We would suggest
2.
CONFIDENTIAL
2
1
4
/(v)
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