Second Nairobi Workshop on Investigating and Prosecuting Crimes Against Humanity
On 19–20 February 2015, the Wayamo Foundation hosted the second two-day interagency training workshop on Crimes Against Humanity for Kenya’s Criminal Investigations Division and the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions. The aim of the workshop was to build on the knowledge gained during the first workshop on crimes against humanity held in November 2014 and to test it in exercises and role plays. At the workshop, prosecutors and investigators worked on investigating and building complex cases, interviewing witnesses, working up the chain of command, chain of custody and collaboration with neighbouring countries. The Crimes Against Humanities Workshop included presentations from: Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), The Hague Justice Isaac Lenaola, Judge at Kenya’s High Court, Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone Akingbolahan Adeniran, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Legal Matters, Attorney General’s Chambers, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Adejoké Babington-Ashaye, former International Criminal Court investigator Aimée Comrie, Adviser to the Special Representative and Co‐ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Vienna, Austria Click here for photos (by Kris Kotarski, Wayamo Foundation)
Second Kisumu Forum on Accountability and Justice
Following the announcement by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya of his intention to establish an International and Organised Crimes Division of the Kenyan High Court, there has been varied discussion as to what form this division will take, and questions have arisen as to its jurisdiction, independence and nature. The Wayamo Foundation organised a forum for law students and leading members of the legal community from Kisumu to discuss the IOCD and how to improve access to justice in the community. This was Wayamo’s second forum in Kisumu, after another community forum held in October 2014 for leading civil society groups. Master of Ceremonies: Joseph Roberts-Mensah, Africa Director, Wayamo Foundation Speakers: Bobby Mkangi, Independent Legal Consultant Richard Onsongo, Chairman, West Kenya Law Society Lynette Omollo, Lecturer, University of Nairobi Mokaya Orina, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Lecturer at Moi University All photos by Kris Kotarski, Wayamo.
Second Nakuru Forum on Accountability and Justice
Following the announcement by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya of his intention to establish an International and Organised Crimes Division of the Kenyan High Court, there has been varied discussion as to what form this division will take, and questions have arisen as to its jurisdiction, independence and nature. The Wayamo Foundation organised a forum with leading members of the legal community from Nakuru to discuss the IOCD and how to improve access to justice in the community. This was Wayamo’s second forum in Nakuru, after another community forum held in August 2014 for leading civil society groups. Master of Ceremonies: Joseph Roberts-Mensah, Africa Director, Wayamo Foundation Speakers: Bernard Kipkoech, Lawyer at Gordon Ogola, Kipkoech & Company Advocates Masese Kemunche, Programs Manager, Center for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance (CEDGG) Nakuru Bobby Mkangi, Independent Legal Consultant Mokaya Orina, Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Lecturer at Moi University All photos by Kris Kotarski, Wayamo.
Mombasa Forum on Accountability and Justice
25 November 2014. Following the announcement by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya of his intention to establish an International and Organised Crimes Division of the Kenyan High Court, there has been varied discussion as to what form this division will take, and questions have arisen as to its jurisdiction, independence and nature. The Wayamo Foundation organised a forum with community leaders from Mombasa to discuss the IOCD and how to improve access to justice in the community. Master of Ceremonies: Joseph Roberts-Mensah, Africa Director, Wayamo Foundation Speakers: Dr. Sarah M. Kinyanjui, Coordinator, University of Nairobi, School of Law, Mombasa Campus Jared Magolo, Criminal Lawyer, J.O Magolo & Co. Advocates Bobby Mkangi, Independent Legal Consultant Alexander M. Muteti, Principal State Counsel, Directorate of Public Prosecutions All photos by Mark Kersten, Wayamo.
Nairobi Workshop on Crimes Against Humanity
On 20-22 November, the Wayamo Foundation hosted an interagency training workshop for Kenya’s Criminal Investigations Division and the office of the Department of Public Prosecutions. The workshop, which featured a representative of the Nigerian Attorney General‘s Chambers in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and a former International Criminal Court investigator, focused on investigating and building complex cases, working up the chain of command, chain of custody and collaboration with neighbouring countries. Topics covered at the workshop included: An Introduction to Crimes against Humanity An In-depth Look at the Elements of Crimes against Humanity Phases in the Investigation of Crimes against Humanity When Does a Crime Become a Crime against Humanity? Modes of Liability under the International Crimes Act The Role of Prosecution in the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity Planning an Investigation in a Joint Team Linking High-Level Suspects to Crimes against Humanity Basic Evidential Issues at Trial The Statement-Taking Process Click here for photos (by Kris Kotarski, Wayamo)
Nairobi Public Debate on International and Organised Crimes Divisions in Africa and the Balkans
On 24 November 2014, the Wayamo Foundation hosted a panel discussion on the struggle for justice and security in Kenya at Strathmore University in Nairobi. The debate, moderated by Dr. Mark Kersten from the London School of Economics and Political Science featured both Kenyan and international panellists including: • David Re, Trial Chamber President of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and former international judge of the War Crimes Chamber of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo • Kirsten Ainley, Assistant Professor of International Relations and Director of the Centre for International Studies, London School of Economics • Christopher Gitari, International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Nairobi • Eric Kibet, Lecturer, Riara Law School, Nairobi The panel discussion was open to the general public and moderator Mark Kersten invited the audience to ask questions and make comments throughout the debate. BACKGROUND A Complementarity Turn? There is little debate about the fact that justice is best served locally. This is where the evidence has to be gathered, where witnesses must be contacted and, most importantly, where the affected communities live. Yet there is also a widespread recognition that not all crimes and violations of human rights can be prosecuted domestically. This is particularly so
