Condemn Kenyan authorities’ crackdown on Anti-Imperialism movement
International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and Confederation of Lawyers of Asia and the Pacific (COLAP) condemn Kenyan authorities’ crackdown on the Anti-Imperialism movement
An international conference organized by the World Anti-Imperialist Platform was taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, in May, 2026. Participants from local and foreign nations were preparing to join a protest against the continued presence and escalating aggression of French colonial influence in Africa. Against this peaceful gathering, Kenyan police launched a crackdown and carried out mass arrests of both local and foreign activists on May 12. A total of 19 international and local activists were arrested, including members of the Institution of People’s Constitution from South Korea, which is an IADL and COLAP affiliate organization. If deported to South Korea, they will face another repression under the National Security Law. NSL punishes broad activities that benefit the DPRK, such as the anti-imperialism movement.
After three days of detention, the five international activists, including an IPC colleague, were finally released with strong protests from local and international organizations.
The repressive actions of the Kenyan Ruto administration constitute a blatant violation of political rights and freedom of expression, as protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This crackdown should be strongly condemned as an act of repression designed to maintain neocolonial structures imposed upon the African continent. We express our solidarity with the struggling masses of Africa in their quest for total liberation from colonialism and imperialism.
We demand that the Kenyan authorities:
- Immediately and unconditionally release all remaining arrested activists.
- Immediately cease all police harassment and repression against activists and
progressive movements. - Respect the political rights of all participants attending anti-imperialist gatherings.
- Don’t deport them to their country where there is fear of persecution.
