Rights group calls Kenya on justice system flaws

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 29 (UPI) -- Kenyan security officials suspected of torturing refugees need to face justice according to international law, Human Rights Watch said.

A 68-page report alleges widespread abuse by Kenyan authorities. The report says police used excessive force on the refugee population of a Nairobi suburb after a November grenade attack left seven people dead.

A Kenyan court is expected "within weeks" to issue findings on an investigation into the legality of a refugee relocation plan. The rights group said that plan was used as justification for the attacks on refugees in the Nairobi suburb starting Nov. 19.

"International law requires Kenya to ensure that officers who tortured refugees ... are investigated and held to account," refugee researcher and lead author Gerry Simpson said in a statement.

Human Rights Watch last week said five people died and more than 20 others were injured when police allegedly opened fire on demonstrators in Kisumu, Kenya, in March.

March 30 rallies were organized by demonstrators upset with a decision by the Kenyan Supreme Court that upheld the election victory for President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto. Both men face charges at the International Criminal Court for crimes committed during 2007 election violence.