The Panel of Experts on Compensation of Victims of Human Rights Violations has refuted claims that payments to victims of demonstrations and public protests have stalled.
In a statement, the Panel Chairperson Makau Mutua said assertions that the programme had stopped or was no longer compensating victims were false and misleading.
“The Panel has compensated victims and continues to do so. Suggestions that the process has stalled, ceased or is nonexistent are inaccurate and malicious,” he stated.
Additionally, the panel announced that it will periodically publish and gazette the names of beneficiaries who have received compensation.
The Panel further revealed that it shall publish and gazette the list of all the beneficiaries at periodic intervals.
Mutua on the other hand maintained that compensation is ongoing and that the number of claims submitted has continued to rise as public confidence in the process grows.
According to him, each application is subjected to thorough verification and authentication before payment is approved to ensure only eligible beneficiaries receive compensation.
According to the panel, the verification process is a safeguard against fraud rather than an indication of delays.
In addition to the gazetted lists, a final comprehensive list of all beneficiaries will be released once the compensation programme is concluded.
Publication of beneficiaries’ names will only be done with their consent in compliance with the Data Protection Act.
The panel further encouraged eligible victims who have yet to submit claims to come forward, saying the programme will continue until all verified victims have been compensated.
