Arrest of human rights defender Mr John Abok on allegations of impersonation On 27 June 2013, human rights defender Mr John Abok was arrested and held in police custody over allegations of impersonation. John Abok is an active member of Bunge La Mwananchi, a Kenyan grassroots movement which fights social injustice, promotes accountable leadership at all levels, and advocates for police reform as a way of promoting security at the grassroots level. On the afternoon of 27 June 2013, John Abok was in Nairobi city centre area when he noticed some commotion. Three men were attempting to brutalise an individual they accused of being a conman. The human rights defender thought he could help avoid a scene of violence by talking to the group and after hearing the grievances of the three men, he convinced them to take the alleged conman to the nearby Nairobi Central Police station. John Abok volunteered to accompany the men. At the police station, police officers started recording a statement, but in an unexpected twist, they decided to turn against the human rights defender for his role in the matter. The police officers went on to accuse him of impersonating the police, and one of them reportedly lamented about “civil society members overstepping their mandate to the detriment of government.” Eventually, the rest of the group were told to leave the police station while the police proceeded to arrest John Abok and hold him in custody at the station. Some of his colleagues reported being denied access to him. On the morning of 28 June 2013, John Abok appeared before an anti-corruption magistrate at the Milimani Law Courts. The prosecution alleged that “John Abok, while in Nairobi city jointly with others not before the court, falsely presented himself to be a police officer and undertook to arrest Abdinasir.” The human rights defender was not given access to a lawyer, pleaded not guilty to the allegations and applied for bail. John Abok was released on 28 June 2013 after paying a bail of Ksh 50,000 (approximately $570 or EUR440). In the past, John Abok and others members of Bunge La Mwananchi have repeatedly faced police and judicial harassment as a result of their human rights activities. Front Line Defenders issued urgent appeals on Bunge La Mwananchi members on 16 May 2013, 30 October 2012, 16 September 2009, and 19 January 2009. Front Line Defenders is concerned that the unsubstantiated allegations being brought against John Abok are in retaliation for his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights. Front Line Defenders also believes that the ongoing campaign of intimidation against Bunge La Mwananchi members is related to their promotion of accountable leadership and police reform. Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Kenya to: 1. Immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against John Abok as it is believed they are solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights; 2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Kenya are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment. Frontline Defenders June 29,2013
Posted on: Sat, 29 Jun 2013 04:29:28 +0000
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