Al Amin Kimathi c AP

The Ugandan police arrested two Kenyan human rights defenders, Mr Al-Amin Kimathi and Mr Mbugua Mureithi on 15 September 2010 in Entebbe.

Further Information

Al-Amin Kimathi is Executive Coordinator of Muslims Human Rights Forum (MHRF), and has been at the forefront in exposing and documenting human rights violations, arbitrary detention and unlawful renditions in the context of counter-terrorism operations in the East and Horn of Africa. Mbugua Mureithi is a human rights lawyer and represents families of Kenyan suspects transferred to Uganda on allegations of involvement in the 11 July terrorist bombings in Kampala.

Al-Amin Kimathi and Mbugua Mureithi were arrested at the Entebbe International Airport on 15 September 2010. They were travelling to Kampala for the court hearing of Kenyan suspects arrested in connection with the terrorist bombings that killed 70 people in Kampala on 11 July 2010, scheduled for 16 September. The two human rights defenders were transferred to the Rapid Response Unit headquarters in Kireka, a suburb of Kampala, where they are reportedly still being held. According to the information received, they have not had access to a lawyer. Police sources told Front Line that Al-Amin Kimathi and Mbugua Mureithi were being held for investigation as they are alleged to have contacts with Al-Shabaab operatives in Kampala.

Front Line expresses its deep concern at the arrest of Al-Amin Kimathi and Mbugua Mureithi. Both of them have been very critical of counter terrorism policies and operations in the region. Mbugua Mureithi had already travelled to Kampala in the previous weeks to attend the trial of the Kenyan suspects. Their sudden arrest appears to be linked to their work, respectively as human rights lawyer and in denouncing and documenting unlawful practices by the authorities in counter terrorism operations. Front Line is also concerned that they are being held at the Rapid Response Unit headquarters in Kireka, where there have been numerous reports of ill treatment and torture.