Security forces accused of rights abuse

NAIROBI (AP):

Kenyan security forces are responsible for a growing number of rights abuses, including beatings, rape and arbitrary detention, since Kenyan troops moved into Somalia late last year, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

The rights group said one of its researchers witnessed security forces on Wednesday rounding up and beating residents in Garissa, a city near the Somali border, in an open field within the enclosure of a military camp.

"When military officers can beat civilians in broad daylight without fearing repercussions, it's clear that impunity has become the norm," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Repeated promises by both the police and the military to stop these abuses and investigate have amounted to nothing."

Investigate allegations

Kenya's military spokesman, Major Emmanuel Chirchir, told the group that he did not have knowledge of any abuses but that the military would investigate the allegations. The national police spokesman did not answer a call seeking comment.

Human Rights Watch said that security forces have been behind rapes, beatings, lootings and arbitrary arrests of civilians, largely targeting Somali refugees and ethnic Somali Kenyan citizens.