London,23 Sept. -(ANA) - The Somali-based Islamist armed group al-Shabab’s blatant disregard for life in its attack on a Nairobi shopping centre on Saturday is a despicable affront to basic human rights, Amnesty International said.

“Amnesty International stands in solidarity with the people of Kenya in the wake of these callous and despicable attacks,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“Our thoughts and sympathy go out to all those affected by this violence. We welcome President Uhuru Kenyatta’s commitment to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to account.

“We urge the Kenyan authorities to ensure that the investigations are prompt, thorough, independent and impartial. Any suspects arrested should be brought to trial in line with international standards.”

Among those reportedly killed was the renowned Ghanaian poet and former diplomat, Dr. Kofi Awoonor. Amnesty International had campaigned on the poet’s politically motivated trial in the mid-1970s.

“This despicable tragedy touched on people not only in Kenya but much further afield – and the international community is in solidarity in the wake of the attack,” said Shetty.

Amnesty International has worked on the human rights situation in Kenya for more than four decades has an active national Section there. The organization is also due to open a regional office in Nairobi in the coming months.

According to the Kenya Red Cross, as of Monday at least 62 people had died and at least 175 had been injured after a group of 10 or more armed fighters stormed Nairobi’s Westgate shopping mall on Saturday.

The Somali Islamist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack, denouncing the Kenyan armed forces’ military intervention against the group within Somalia.

Many foreign nationals also died in the attack – Westgate mall is frequented by the elite of Kenyan society as well as many internationals in the country.
 
On Monday morning, the Kenyan defence forces continued a major military operation to free a number of hostages believed to be still inside Westgate. In a press conference this afternoon, the Interior Minister said that the security forces had gained control of all floors of the building and that most hostages had been rescued. -(ANA)

AB/ANA/ 23 September 2013 - - -