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Human Rights Law Clinic 2013-2014 - University of Bristol · University of Bristol Human Rights Law...
Transcript of Human Rights Law Clinic 2013-2014 - University of Bristol · University of Bristol Human Rights Law...
Edited by Richard Costidell (Director) and Eleanor Healy-Birt (Assistant Director)
With the assistance of Professor Rachel Murray and Dr Elina Steinerte
University of Bristol
Human Rights Law Clinic 2013-2014
Report on
Constitutional
Law in
Transitional States
Eleanor Healy-Birt and Jahan Meeran
Contents
1. Brief: .............................................................................................................. 1
2. Summary of Research .................................................................................. 2
3. Table of Cases Brought Under Article 22 of Kenyan Constitution 2010 6
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1. Brief:
To investigate in what circumstances national courts in transitional states and
common law countries have held new constitutional rights apply retrospectively.
To find arguments in support of claiming rights under the Kenyan 2010 constitution
for cases on post-election violence that occurred in 2007/08.
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2. Summary of Research
1. The 2010 Kenyan Constitution was found “[not to be] retrospective in its
application” by D.S. Majanja sitting on the High Court in Nairobi in the case of
Republic v Public Service Commission of Kenya ex parte James Nene Gachoka
(Kenya)1 (see point 10 of the judgment).
Furthermore, there are no provisions which expressly or impliedly point to the
retroactive application of the 2010 Constitution.
2. The current Kenyan approach to retroactivity follows the common law presumption
that legislation is not retroactive. (per D.S. Majanja in Overseas Private Investment
Corporation & 2 Others v Attorney General (Kenya)2)
i. The common law presumes that an enactment is not intended to have retrospective
effect.
ii. It is for the legislature to decide whether a law should apply retrospectively. The
court’s role is to ascertain the intention behind the legislation.3
iii. To ascertain the legislature’s intent, the court is guided by the rules of
construction. These include the following:
a. if the legislation affects substantive rights it will not be construed to have
retrospective operation unless a clear intention to that effect is
manifested; and
b. if the legislation affects procedure only, prima facie it operates
retrospectively unless there is a good reason to the contrary.4
iv. ‘A rule of construction is not definitive and is only one of the factors to which
regard must be had in order to ascertain [the intention behind the legislation].’5
v. The court’s role is also to consider whether the purpose or effect of legislation is
such that it infringes on fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. This
gives rise to the following principles:
a. With regards to non-criminal legislation it is a general rule that ‘all
statutes other than those which are merely declaratory or which relate
only to matters of procedure or evidence are prima facie prospective, and
retrospective is not to be given to them unless, by express words or
1 High Court at Nairobi, Miscellaneous Application 516 of 2005 [2013] eKLR.
2 High Court at Nairobi, Petition319 of 2012 [2013] eKLR.
3 Municipality of Mombasa v Nyali Limited[1963] E.A. 371 per J.A. Newbold, reiterated in Orengo v Moi & 12
Others (No. 3) (2008) 1 KLR EP 715. 4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
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necessary implication, it appears that this was the intention of the
legislature. (Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition Vol. 44 at p.570)’6
b. A retroactive law is not unconstitutional unless it:
i. is in the nature of a bill of attainder;
ii. impairs the obligation under contracts;
iii. divests vested rights; or
iv. is constitutionally forbidden.7
vi. That being said, if the legislation provides for retrospective operation, courts ‘will
not impugn it solely on the basis that the same appears unfair or depicts a ‘lack of
wisdom,’ or applies retrospectively.’8
3. There are some possible common law exceptions to the presumption that laws are not
retroactive in application.
Public Interest Acts. In Harrison v Hammersmith and Fulham LBC (England),9
Brandon LJ analysed the case of Remon v City of London Real Property Co Ltd
(England)10
which concerned a 1920 act relating to overholding tenants. He implicitly
suggested that the 1920 Act was able to be applied retroactively because it was
remedial. In Statutory Interpretation: A Code, F. Bennion construed Brandon LJ’s
comments as creating a public interest exception.11
However, the existence of such an
exception has been criticised from a legal and practical perspective in Salembier’s
Understanding Retroactivity. First, Brandon LJ’s suggestions (and/or Bennion’s
interpretation of those suggestions) may not have been correct. In Remon the court
arguably rebutted the presumption against retroactivity by understanding the “clear
intention of the Legislature” rather than analysing the 1920 Act as falling within a
public interest exception.12
Second, case-law equally supports the proposition of there
being no public interest exception (see Angus v Sun Alliance Insurance Co
(Canada)13
, Thiessen v Manitoba Public Insurance Corp (Canada),14
MacKenzie v
British Columbia (Commissioner of Teachers’ Pensions) (Canada)15
). Third, in
many jurisdictions, all statutes are considered remedial or in the public interest and
thus an exception could easily become the rule. Fourth, remedial legislation is likely
6 Samuel Kamau Macharia and Another v Kenya Commercial Bank Ltd and 2 Others, (Kenya) SCK,
Application No. 2 of 2011[2012] eKLR reiterated in Overseas Private Investment Corporation & 2 Others v
Attorney General (Kenya) High Court at Nairobi, Petition 319 of 2012 [2013] eKLR. 7 Ibid.
8 per D.S. Majanja in Overseas Private Investment Corporation & 2 Others v Attorney General (Kenya) High
Court at Nairobi, Petition319 of 2012 [2013] eKLR. 9 [1981] 1 W.L.R. 650.
10 [1921] 1 KB 49.
11 See F. Bennion, Statutory Interpretation: A Code (London: Butterworths, 2nd edn, 1992), p 217.
12 [1921] 1 KB 49.
13 [1988] 2 S.C.R. 256.
14 1999 4710 (MB CA).
15 (1992) 94 DLR (4th) 532 (BCCA).
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to be beneficial and not detrimental to individuals’ rights thus removing the necessity
of a public interest exception.16
Legislation imposing a penalty where the aim is not to punish but to protect the
public. In Brosseau v Alberta Securities Commission (Canada)17
the Supreme Court
confirmed the statutory power of the securities commission to prohibit persons from
trading in securities at a time before the commission obtained its powers.
Nonetheless, this kind of legislation has often been viewed as incompatible with the
rule of law. For example, where the state increases the penalty for a crime after a
convicted person has committed that crime, the convicted person is usually entitled to
the lesser sentence. This is a constitutional imperative in:
- Hong Kong (Bill of Rights Ordinance (Cap 383), Art 12(1)). Applied in A
Solicitor v Law Society of Hong Kong & Secretary for Justice (Intervener)
(Hong Kong).18
- Canada (Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s 11)
- USA (US Constitution, Art 9(3)) Interpreted as applicable to criminal sanctions in
Calder v Bull (USA).19
At international level:
- ICCPR Art 15(1)
- ECHR Art 7(1)
In Kenya, where legislation affects substantive rights, it will not be construed to have
retrospective operation unless a clear intention to that effect is manifested.20
Conclusion: the above exceptions are controversial and difficult to establish. It is
therefore unlikely they will apply in our case.
4. The presumption may also be rebutted.
If legislation explicitly or impliedly provides it should be applied retroactively. E.g.
War Damages Act 1965 (UK). This is followed in Kenyan law: “if the legislation
provides for retrospective operation, courts “will not impugn it solely on the basis that
the same appears unfair or depicts a ‘lack of wisdom,’ or applies retrospectively.”
(See point 6 at ‘2.’ above)
16
See Salembier, J. Paul,. (2003). Understanding Retroactivity: When the Past Just Ain’t What it Used to
be. Hong Kong Law Journal. 99 (33), p.29. 17
[1989] 1 S.C.R. 301. 18
(2003) 6 HKCFAR 570. 19
(1798) 3 Dallas (US) 386. 20
Municipality of Mombasa v Nyali Limited (Kenya) [1963] E.A. 371 per J.A. Newbold.
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Common law innovations in the light of developments in social attitudes. R v R
(England)21
– finding a man guilty of raping his wife before any case-law existed,
making this unlawful. This is not a retroactive application of legislation, but of
jurisprudence.
5. Transitional justice prosecutions hold people to account either under domestic law in
force at the time of the event, or under international law.
Transitional justice is defined as a response to systematic or widespread violations of
human rights. It seeks recognition for victims and to promote possibilities for peace,
reconciliation and democracy. (International Center for Transitional Justice)
Kenyan Constitution 2010, s 50(2) protects the right not be convicted for an act
committed at a time when it was not an offence in Kenya or a crime under
international law.
Of the African countries who have passed a new Constitution since 2000, none have
implemented transitional justice prosecutions under their new constitutions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo adopted its current constitution in 2006. Prior to
this, several amnesties had been granted, the latest in 2005. These did not provide an
amnesty for international crimes. However, few cases have been brought for breaches
of human rights.
Rwanda had a new constitution in 2003. Prior to this, it passed a Genocide Law in
1996 to try people who had committed crimes of genocide between 1990 and 1994.
This law did not create new offences and merely specified procedure for prosecutions.
6. There is no precedent for retroactively applying a constitution as part of transitional
justice.
21
[1992] 1 A.C. 599.
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3. Table of Cases Brought Under Article 22 of Kenyan Constitution
2010
In alphabetical order
Facts occurred on or after 27th
August 2010 (date of promulgation)
Facts occurred before 27th
August 2010 (date of promulgation)
Events and subsequent proceedings span transition period
Case Name Hyperlink
Adasim Agencies Limited v Kenya Revenue
Authority
Petition 349 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/86590
Alex Maliekhe Wafubwa v Elias Nambakha Wamita
Petition 7 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/88417
Amy Kagendo Mate v Prime Bank Limited Credit
Reference Bureau
Petition 17 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90844/
BA v Standard Group Limited
Constitutional Petition 48 of 2011
EXPRESS REJECTION OF RETORACTIVITY
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/79469
Beach Bay Holdings Ltd v Ratim Relators Limited
Petition 11 of 2011
(procedural objection only)
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/88878
Bidco Oil Refineries Limited v Attorney General
Petition 177 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/84324/
Bidco Oil Refineries Ltd v Attorney General
Petition 177 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/80427
Charles Okello Mwanda v Attorney Genera
Petition 95 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/79706
Consortium for the Empowerment & Development
of Marginalized Communities v Chairman the
Selection Panel for Appointment of Chairperson and
Commissioners to Kenya National Human Rights
Commission
Petition 385 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90311/
David Gitau Njau & 9 others v Attorney General
Petition 340 of 2012
DETERMINED UNDER PREVIOUS
CONSTITUTION
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91833/
Dennis Mogambi Mong’are v Attorney Generals
Petition 146 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/78498/
Duncan Otieno Waga v Attorney General
Cause 89 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/89485/ind
ex.php?id=3495
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EXPRESS REJECTION OF RETROACTIVITY
Duncan Otieno Waga v Attorney General
Petition 94 of 2011
EXPRESS REJECITON OF RETROACTIVITY
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/80433
Eddaj Wanjiru Mbiyu v Commissioner of Police
Petition 13 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/73967/
Erick Wambua Mailu v Republic
Miscellaneous Criminal Application 210 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/86740
Fadhila S Ali v National Housing Corporation
Environmental and Law Case 5 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/87122
Fatuma A Chamkono v District Commissioner
Petition 12 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/88373
Ferdinard Ndung’u Waititu v Independent Electoral
& Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
Election Petition 1 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/84144/
Frank Mulisa Makola v Felix G. Mbiuki
Election Petition 5 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/92760/
Godfrey Masaba v IEBC & 2 others
Petition 8 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90823/
Haithar Haji Abdi v Southdowns Developers Ltd
Petition 218 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/80429
John Githongo v Harun Mwau
Petition 44 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/79750
John Githinji Wang’ondu v Coffee Board of Keny
Petition 255 of 2011
EXPRESS REJECTION OF RETROACTIVITY
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/80121
John Kipng'eno Koech v Nakuru County Assembly
Petition 23 and 25 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91030/
John Wekesa Khaoya v Attorney General
Petition 60 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/86964
Joseph Mburu Kahiga & another v Kenatco Taxis
Limited & another
Petition 39 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/83726
Joshua Karianjahi Waiganjo v Attorney General
Petition 42 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/86487
JWI v Standard Group Limited
Petition 466 and 416 of 2013
EXPRESS REJECTION OF RETROACTIVITY
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/89895
Kapi Ltd v Pyrethrum Board of Kenya
Petition 54 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/89135
Kenya Data Network Limited v Kenya Reveue
Authority
Petition 87 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90852/
Kenya Planters’ Cooperative Union v Kenya
Commercial Bank Limited
Petition 8 of 2014
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93900/
Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped v
Attorney General
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/86061
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Petition 115A of 2011
Kerosi Ondieki v Minister of State for Defence &
another
Petition 181 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/72890/
Kerosi Ondieki v Minister of State for Defence &
another
Petition 181 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/71033/
Khatija Ramtula Nur Mohamed v Minister for
Citizenship and Immigration
Constitutional Petition 38 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90521/
Kipsiwo Community Self Help Group v Attorney
General
E&L Petition 9 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91573/
Leisure Lodges Limited v Commissioner for Lands
Petition 21 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/84334
Leisure Lodges Limited v Commissioner for Lands
Petition 21 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/74229/
Major (Rtd) Ezra Imaana Kaibuta v Hon Attorney
General
Petition 13 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93213/
Mathatani Limited v Commissioner of Lands
Petition 262 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/92071/
Mathew Okwanda v Minister of Health and Medical
Services
Petition 94 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/88803
Micro & Small Enterprises Association of Kenya
Mombasa Branch v Mombasa County Government
Petition 3 of 2014
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/94712/
Mohammed Said v County Council Of Nandi
E&L Petition of 2013, formerly HCC Petition 5 of
2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/83961/ind
ex.php?id=28
Nairobi Law Monthly Company Limited v Kenya
Electricity Generating
Petition 278 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/88569/
Northern Nomadic Disabled Person's Organization v
Governor County Government of Garissa
Constitution
Petition 4 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93578/
Parbat Siyani Construction Ltd v Director of Public
Prosecution
Cause 1 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/85961
Pauline Muia Maingi v Attorney General
Petition 191 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91969/
PKA v MSA
Petition 236 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/78854
Professor Daniel N Mugendi V Kenyatta University
Constitutional Reference 142 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/80370
Protus Buliba Shikuku v Attorney General http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/78299/
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Constitutional Reference 3 of 2011
‘We have duly construed this provision and are
satisfied that the provision is plain and clear that
rights, duties and obligations subsisting against the
government survive the transition. On that account
we rule that the petitioner's petition is properly
before this court, save that the said rights are not to
be availed under the defunct provisions but under the
current constitutional 2010 prescriptions.’
Pz Cussons East Africa Limited v Kenya Revenue
Authority
Petition 309 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91825/
Republic v Amos Gichuhi Kimeria
Criminal Appeal 49 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/82140
Ricardo Epz International Company Ltd v Kenya
Revenue Authority
Petition 447 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/85695
Royal Media Services Ltd v Attorney General
Petition 557 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/93274/
Satrose Ayuma v Registered Trustees of the Kenya
Railways Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme
Petition 65 of 2010
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90359/
Sonia Kwamboka Rasugu v Sandalwood Hotel and
Resort Limited
Petition 156 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/89421/
Stanley Kilimo Kore v Edward Katama Ngeywa
Petition 139 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/83983
Stanley Mungathia Daudi v Hon Cyprian Kubai
Kiringo Member of Parliament Igembe Central
Constituency
Petition 5 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90654/
Stephen Saitoti Kapaiku v Cocacola Sabco Nairobi
Bottlers Limited
Petition 338 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/83667
Tito Alai Okumu v Commissioner of Customs
Petition 240 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/78731
Trusted Society of Human Rights Alliance v Nakuru
Water and Sanitation Services Company
Petition 5 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/92127/
Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta v Nairobi Star Publication
Limited
Petition 287 of 2012
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/87460
Velos Enterprises Ltd v Nairobi City County
Government
Petition 219 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/90244/
Walter Osapiri Barasa v Cabinet Secretary Ministry
of Interior and National Co-Ordination
Constitutional Petition 488 of 2013
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91668/
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Watts Institute of Professional Studies Ltd v
Commissioner of Police
Petition 310 of 2012S
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/91965/
Willis Evans Otieno v Law Society of Kenya
Petition 37 of 2011
http://kenyalaw.org/caselaw/cases/view/74604/