The Kenyan government must take all appropriate steps to protect people in Kenya from ongoing human rights abuses caused by politically-motivated and ethnic attacks in the aftermath of December's disputed presidential elections.

Amnesty International today called on the Kenyan government to take all appropriate steps to protect people in Kenya from ongoing human rights abuses caused by politically-motivated and ethnic attacks in the aftermath of December's disputed presidential elections.

Amnesty International's Africa Programme Director Erwin van der Borght said:

'The government has an obligation to protect its citizens from politically-motivated and ethnic attacks - but in doing so must only use force that is both necessary and proportional.'

International standards on law enforcement stipulate that firearms should not be used except to defend people against an imminent threat of death or serious injury and only where less extreme means are insufficient.

Mr Van der Borght added:

'Kenyan politicians must not implicitly or explicitly encourage politically-motivated or ethnic violence. They should particularly avoid making any statements that may constitute or, in the current climate, be construed as advocating ethnic hatred or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, as such statements are prohibited by international human rights law.'

Politically-motivated and ethnic killings by armed gangs continue in several parts of Kenya. Most of the violence has targeted members of communities from which President Kibaki was perceived to have drawn his support, particularly members of the Kikuyu community.  

Recent cases of violence have been both spontaneous and organised, particularly in parts of the Rift Valley.

• Read more about the violence in Kenya

The Kenyan government must take all appropriate steps to protect people in Kenya from ongoing human rights abuses caused by politically-motivated and ethnic attacks in the aftermath of December's disputed presidential elections.

Amnesty International today called on the Kenyan government to take all appropriate steps to protect people in Kenya from ongoing human rights abuses caused by politically-motivated and ethnic attacks in the aftermath of December's disputed presidential elections.

Amnesty International's Africa Programme Director Erwin van der Borght said:

'The government has an obligation to protect its citizens from politically-motivated and ethnic attacks - but in doing so must only use force that is both necessary and proportional.'

International standards on law enforcement stipulate that firearms should not be used except to defend people against an imminent threat of death or serious injury and only where less extreme means are insufficient.

Mr Van der Borght added:

'Kenyan politicians must not implicitly or explicitly encourage politically-motivated or ethnic violence. They should particularly avoid making any statements that may constitute or, in the current climate, be construed as advocating ethnic hatred or incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, as such statements are prohibited by international human rights law.'

Politically-motivated and ethnic killings by armed gangs continue in several parts of Kenya. Most of the violence has targeted members of communities from which President Kibaki was perceived to have drawn his support, particularly members of the Kikuyu community.  

Recent cases of violence have been both spontaneous and organised, particularly in parts of the Rift Valley.

• Read more about the violence in Kenya