NEWS FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Hello all,

Amnesty's Secretary-General concludes her high-level mission to Kenya today with the launch of a new report outlining the rights abuses faced by those living in Kenya's slums and informal settlements.

The report, entitled 'The Unseen Majority' is the first report in Amnesty's new Demand Dignity campaign, in which we’ll be campaigning for the rights of those living in poverty whose basic rights are denied, such as the right to adequate housing, clean water or appropriate health care.

In and around Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, about two million people live in slums. In Kibera – Africa’s largest informal settlement – for example, residents have very limited access to a sewerage system and so in flat parts of the area, the smell of human waste is always present because sewage gathers and stagnates there.

Clinics and schools are scarce in that area, and the lack of roads in the area means that it’s really difficult for people to access public transport.

The other real threat faced by people living in slums is the possibility that a bulldozer may come along in the middle of the night and destroy their homes.

In 2005, about 850 homes of residents in the Deep Sea Settlement were demolished by bulldozers. Residents weren’t given prior notice and it took place in the middle of the night. Since then the thousands of residents in this settlement live under that constant threat of another forcible eviction. Take action to help stop evictions here.

This past week week, Amnesty’s Irene Khan has met with senior figures in Kenya’s Government, including Prime Minister Raila Odinga to discuss these matters and express Amnesty’s concerns about the lack of basic rights for the people. You can follow her on Twitter to find out more about her thoughts.

Tomorrow Irene heads off to Zimbabwe for her first high-level mission in that country. There she hopes to meet with senior figures of the newly formed unity government where she will discuss the importance of ensuring that human rights are at the core of its agenda.

Again, you can follow her on Twitter while she’s out there. Otherwise, follow us at NewsfromAmnesty, as we’ll regularly update you on events as they progress.

Thanks all,

Eulette