Template: letter to the press

Dear [sir/madam]

RE: Striving for Justice and Peace in Kenya

[I/We] [am/are] writing to kindly request your support for the push for justice and peace in Kenya.

Kenyans for Justice is a non-partisan, UK-based group of Kenyans and friends of Kenya that feel a great injustice was done to Kenyans during the flawed presidential election of December 2007. The irregularities witnessed during the tallying of presidential results meant that the results of the presidential election were rigged at worst and uncertain at best. Kenyans were subsequently denied the right to protest, to exercise their freedom of speech and the free and independent media was silenced. We believe that sustainable peace and stability in Kenya cannot be restored unless these and other related injustices are corrected. We do not endorse any specific candidate or party.

The UK media and press can play a major role in helping the Kenyan people achieve justice and ultimately peace. By highlighting the injustices committed there – from electoral fraud, police violence to organised violence – the media can keep the world and ultimately decision-makers informed. We request informed and in depth coverage of the issues and not mere generalizations of the issues in Kenya as merely tribal or African. Misinformation, silence and indifference on the matter by the West will only mean it is swept under the carpet only to recur again in future.

Our goals are to ensure that:
- The correct winner of the 2007 presidential elections is ascertained by an independent body or persons such as the UN;
- Electoral and constitutional changes are made to avoid a repeat of the irregularities and mistakes seen during the 2007 presidential election;
- The restoration of the rights of Kenyans to free speech, the right to protest and free and independent media;
- The arrest and imprisonment of perpetrators of violence against innocent victims including police shooting at unarmed protesters and vigilante groups targeting specific ethnic groups;
- There is support for efforts for enhancement of peace and harmony between the different communities in Kenya and a push for quicker resettlement of those displaced by the violence.

Yours Sincerely,
[name]


Kenyans for Justice
http://kenyansforjustice.blogspot.com
kenyans4justice@gmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9937101338