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{
    "id": 509444,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/509444/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 185,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Ababu",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 108,
        "legal_name": "Ababu Tawfiq Pius Namwamba",
        "slug": "ababu-namwamba"
    },
    "content": "Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the ICCPR is the foundation of our Bill or Rights. Indeed, if you look at the ICCPR in its fullness, in terms of its letter and spirit, you will see the inspiration behind the Bill of Rights. Therefore, when we see the Government behaving in a manner that amounts to rolling back the gains that Kenyans have fought, sweat, died or lost ribs for; rights of civil society to organize, mobilize, fundraise and undertake their programmes in the best interest of this country; when legislation being brought to this House whose ultimate implication would amount to constricting the space allowed for the media; both by the ICCPR and the Constitution, we wonder loudly whether, indeed, the Government is committed to implementing fully the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Let me conclude by cautioning my colleagues from the Jubilee side; who I have utmost respect for. We should be careful when we purport to support measures that may ultimately come back to haunt us in the fullness of time. To illustrate that, allow me to read the following words, a statement written by Martin Niemoller, 1946, at the conclusion of the holocaust in German. Niemoller wrote and said. I quote him:- “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak – Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out- Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me- and there was no one left to speak for me.” We may sit back here and say “Because I am on the Government side, I am not affected. Whether the media is run out of time, I am not affected. Whether the civil society is hounded out of its operations---” But in the fullness of time, you will come to appreciate the dangers of rolling back any of the provisions of the Bill of Rights and all protections guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Therefore, I do not support this Report from His Excellency the President, but I do express serious reservations in terms of how fully the Government is committed to fulfilling its obligations under this Covenant. Thank you, hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker."
}