ORAL STATEMENT
Humanists International
UN Human Rights Council, 60th session (8 September – 8 October 2025)
General Debate on Item 9: Follow Up and Implementation of the Durban Declaration
Speaker: Harrison Mumia
Thank you Mr President. I am delivering this statement on behalf of Atheists in Kenya Society and Humanists International.
The Durban Declaration urges nations to eradicate all forms of racial, religious, and ethnic discrimination both in law and practice.
Nevertheless, discrimination on the basis of religion or belief, along with religious privilege has hindered the advancement of freedom of religion or belief in Kenya.
Religious minorities frequently face unfair and discriminatory treatment.
Moreover, the promises of religious salvation made by some charismatic religious leaders have resulted in dozens of deaths in coastal parts of Kenya. We call on the Government of Kenya to revisit the Religious Organizations Bill which was not enacted in 2024, which was aimed at regulating religious organizations in Kenya.
We also encourage the government to promote interfaith dialogue as a way of fostering respect among diverse religious communities, as well as to uphold the rights and aspirations outlined in international treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Durban Declaration.
'The right to freedom of religion or belief in Kenya', Humanists International