Kenya: Endorois win Major Victory for Indigenous Rights

WITNESS Blog — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:50:42 -0800

On this page, you'll find the blog posts and videos that tell the story of this precedent-setting ruling in Africa. Join us in celebrating this historic moment!

Nearly 40 years after they were evicted from their lands by the Kenyan government, the Endorois community have at last won their case for justice in front of the highest legal authority in Africa. On February 4 2010, the African Union (AU) endorsed an earlier ruling by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) that found the Kenyan government guilty of violating the human rights of the Endorois by evicting them from their lands to make room for a wildlife reserve in the 1970s. With the AU's endorsement, the Kenyan government is now legally obliged to compensate the Endorois and restitute their lands - a landmark victory for the Endorois and for Indigenous rights across Africa.

WITNESS partnered with Kenyan organization CEMIRIDE (Centre for Minority Rights Development) to produce a video that was presented as evidence for the case.

"As an African, this is truly a landmark moment..."

[by Bukeni Waruzi, WITNESS Africa Coordinator]

"For me, as an African activist, this is truly a landmark moment, for three key reasons:
1) it shows that the African Commission and the African Union are making sure the rules are applied and respected as stipulated in African conventions signed by African countries;
2) justice is alive and, despite disruptions caused by political violence and disorder, Africans can trust their justice system - and this decision strengthens it;
3) this decision has an impact not only on Kenyam but serves as a precedent for cases brought by minorities in other African jurisdictions." Continue reading »

A Long Walk to Victory for the Endorois

[A Thank You from WITNESS E.D. Yvette Alberdingk Thijm]

"...there are sweet moments where all that hard work, partnership, and passion results in a clear, undeniable and momentus victory that affects thousands of people. This is such a moment and we want to share it with you. We are simply overjoyed by this success - and honored to share it with the Endorois and CEMIRIDE - as well as fellow campaign partners Minority Rights Group International. Take a moment to watch the Endorois story, a video that we will now gladly edit to include a new ending..." Continue reading »

Evidentiary video for the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights

To view full size version click here

The African Commission accepted the Endorois' evidence that they have lived in the area surrounding Lake Bogoria since "time immemorial" and the lake was the center of their religion and culture, with their ancestors buried nearby. After being evicted from the fertile lands around the lake, the Endorois were forced to congregate on arid land, where many of their cattle died. This is the evidentiary video WITNESS and CEMIRIDE produced to bring the voices of the affected Endorois into the ACHPR courtroom.

Rightful Place: Endorois' Struggle for Justice