From: maina ndiritu

civil society have said they will appeal the consensus decision reached by the Assembly of State Parties (ASP) members, who allowed President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy, William Ruto, to be excused from their trials at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking to journalists in Netherlands, United Nations Special Rapportuer, Maina Kiai, civil society representatives, Ken Wafula and Njonjo Mue, said the decision by ASP meeting entrenched inequality and they must appeal the decision.

On her part, Ms Otieno said the decision by the ASP members to excuse Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto from trials will pose a great danger to ICC witnesses who many will recant their testimonies.

They said they will file an appeal at the ICC Appeals Chamber to see whether the decision can be reversed so that Uhuru and Ruto can attend their trials in person without sending their lawyers.

On Thursday, ASP members made an amendment of Rule 134 on Rules of Procedure and Evidence which now exempts Uhuru and Ruto from being present at trials and allows use of video link as a substitute for attending court.

This also means that Uhuru and Ruto can be represented in court by their lawyers without necessarily being required to be there in person.

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Why should we not all live in peace and harmony ? we look up the same stars , we are fellow passengers on the same planet and dwell beneath the same sky , what matters it along which road each individual endeavours to reach the ultimate truth ? the riddle of existence is too great that there should be only one road leading us to an answer *
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– QUINTUS AURELIUS SYMMACHUS-
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