Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NAIROBI276
2008-01-25 09:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS - GENDER-BASED
how-toVZCZCXRO0945 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHNR #0276 0250915 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 250915Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4426 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 5737 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 5061 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2575 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 1845 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2605 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2539 RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000276
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS - GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE (C-CN8-00128)
UNCLAS NAIROBI 000276
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS - GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE (C-CN8-00128)
1. As in all situations where law and order breaks down,
there has been an increase in violence of all sorts,
including rape. The Nairobi Women's Hospital Rape Center
(NWHRC) reports a nearly 100% increase in the number of women
coming in for care since the outbreak of violence in late
December, compared with the same period last year. In the
majority of these cases women have been gang-raped. NWHRC
also reported an increase in the number of sodomy cases they
are seeing, including sodomy performed on young girls and
men. There is little doubt that the actual number of rapes is
much higher than reported: many women do not report sexual
violence or go for treatment due to the security situation or
fear of stigmatization.
2. The Kenya Red Cross Society and other groups working in
camps housing displaced people note that most residents are
afraid to report or discuss sexual violence because they fear
reprisals from the rapists. Camp workers doubt that women
would be willing to report acts of rape to outsiders,
including UN and NGO workers. Camp workers also report
increasing harassment of women by state security forces (who
provide security at camps) and growing concern about young
women selling sex for food and other resources. There is a
continued fear among women of being raped by other camp
residents.
3. Some human rights NGOs have begun investigating sexual
violence in the post-election crisis, but warned that it is
too early to tell whether women were being targeted on the
basis of ethnicity. Other NGOs claim that rape in and outside
the camps is sanctioned by the leaders of militia groups
moving around the countryside. These men are well-know to
local residents and attempts are being made to persuade them
to discontinue rape as a means of intimidation and punishment.
4. Post will continue to report about gender-based violence
as more information becomes available.
RANNEBERGER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PGOV PHUM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS - GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE (C-CN8-00128)
1. As in all situations where law and order breaks down,
there has been an increase in violence of all sorts,
including rape. The Nairobi Women's Hospital Rape Center
(NWHRC) reports a nearly 100% increase in the number of women
coming in for care since the outbreak of violence in late
December, compared with the same period last year. In the
majority of these cases women have been gang-raped. NWHRC
also reported an increase in the number of sodomy cases they
are seeing, including sodomy performed on young girls and
men. There is little doubt that the actual number of rapes is
much higher than reported: many women do not report sexual
violence or go for treatment due to the security situation or
fear of stigmatization.
2. The Kenya Red Cross Society and other groups working in
camps housing displaced people note that most residents are
afraid to report or discuss sexual violence because they fear
reprisals from the rapists. Camp workers doubt that women
would be willing to report acts of rape to outsiders,
including UN and NGO workers. Camp workers also report
increasing harassment of women by state security forces (who
provide security at camps) and growing concern about young
women selling sex for food and other resources. There is a
continued fear among women of being raped by other camp
residents.
3. Some human rights NGOs have begun investigating sexual
violence in the post-election crisis, but warned that it is
too early to tell whether women were being targeted on the
basis of ethnicity. Other NGOs claim that rape in and outside
the camps is sanctioned by the leaders of militia groups
moving around the countryside. These men are well-know to
local residents and attempts are being made to persuade them
to discontinue rape as a means of intimidation and punishment.
4. Post will continue to report about gender-based violence
as more information becomes available.
RANNEBERGER