A network of African civil society and international organizations today called upon African Union states to use the AU’s upcoming session about the International Criminal Court to promote the court’s ability to prosecute the world’s worst crimes fairly and effectively.

The Kenyan government should immediately stop the recruitment of Somalis in refugee camps to fight for an armed force in Somalia. Kenyan authorities have directly supported the drive, which has recruited hundreds of Somali men and boys in the sprawling Dadaab refugee camps as well as Kenyan citizens from nearby towns.

(New York, October 9, 2009) – The award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to US President Barack Obama should encourage him to apply his stated principles to both foreign and domestic human rights policy.

Bringing powerful politicians to justice is a tough task. But Kenya has learned the price of inaction - a pattern of political violence over decades. Now Parliament has a chance to stop the rot, hold violent politicians to account, and set an example for other countries struggling to make the law reach the most powerful people.

The Kenyan government has reneged on commitments to deliver justice for the victims of post-election violence. On July 30, 2009, the cabinet announced that, contrary to previous agreements, it would not establish a special tribunal, but would rely instead on a "reformed" national judicial system to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should emphasize human rights on her seven-nation trip to Africa.

United States President Barack Obama should use his visit to Ghana on July 10 and 11, 2009 to encourage its new president, John Atta Mills, to take a leadership position in Africa on issues of democracy and justice.

Kenyan security forces beat and tortured hundreds of civilians in several communities during an October 2008 disarmament operation in Kenya's northeastern Mandera districts. The Kenyan government should establish an independent inquiry without further delay to investigate and then prosecute those responsible.