AFRICA/KENYA - "The police are too brutal in applying coronavirus containment measures" denounce "Justice and Peace"

Monday, 30 March 2020 coronavirus   justice   peace   bishops  

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - "The actions by law enforcement officers yesterday across the Country especially in Mombasa are unacceptable. The brutal acts only adds more injury to the people who are already vulnerable, this further exposes the vast majority to the risk of spreading and contracting the virus, including security forces", reports the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) - Justice and Peace Commission in a press statement on government measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus.
"Justice and Peace" thanks the government "for all the measures it has taken which include; timely information to the public on preventive measures, closing of borders, making available isolation centres and the latest being the enforcement of curfew from dusk to dawn. But adds that it has learned "with disbelief, media reports of security officers’ brutality and harassment on members of the public in the enforcement of the Presidential directives". In particular "we witnessed with shock, as vulnerable members of the society such as women, children and also some critical actors such as journalists and food suppliers being equally harassed by security officers".
"We reiterate that Human dignity and sanctity of life is a value which must be upheld at all times. Let us be our Brothers’ and Sisters’ keeper and stand in solidarity with humanity as we strive to contain the spread of Covid-19", continues the statement sent to Fides.
"Coronavirus spread will only be defeated through collaboration and adherence to the required measures. Let us avoid blame games and concentrate more on what can enable us return to our daily routine in the shortest time possible. We continue praying that God may help us come out of this pandemic", concludes Justice and Peace. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 30/3/2020)


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