President William Ruto has been given an ultimatum ahead of the state visit by Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima, scheduled for March 18-20.
Amnesty International has urged both the Kenyan and Dutch governments to prioritize human rights during the visit, emphasizing that economic and diplomatic concerns should not overshadow this issue.
Irungu Houghton, the Director of Amnesty International Kenya, called on both sides to focus on human rights, urging that economic, military, and other interests should not take precedence over this critical matter.
“The Dutch ministers and the Royal Couple must seize this opportunity to center human rights in the diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Netherlands,” Houghton stated.
“We urge both governments to publicly commit to improving human rights in Kenya during the visit, ensuring that other interests do not undermine this priority.”
The royal visit comes amid rising concerns over a violent crackdown in Kenya. Amnesty International reports that security forces have used excessive force against protesters, resulting in over 60 deaths in the past nine months.
The organization also highlighted the abduction of over 80 activists, many of whom are young Kenyans, allegedly by masked agents.
Ruto and the Dutch royals have been urged to address ongoing allegations of torture and enforced disappearances.
Furthermore, both countries are expected to make public commitments to human rights improvements following the discussions.
“Amnesty International calls on both governments to place human rights at the heart of the visit, address the ongoing violations, and ensure accountability for victims of the recent violent crackdown,” the organization added.
In response to opposition to the visit, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi defended the partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands, noting that the European nation is one of Kenya’s top investors.
He dismissed claims that the visit had been influenced by social media opposition, stating, “Our relationship with the Netherlands is strong, and they will continue to be important investors in this country.”
Additionally, a petition urging the cancellation of the royal visit, signed by 22,400 individuals, was officially submitted to the Dutch Parliament on March 4.
