[JURIST] Kenya should establish an independent tribunal [press release] to prosecute those believed to be responsible for the post-election violence in Kenya [JURIST report] in late 2007 and early 2008 instead of relying on its own judicial system, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] urged Monday. The HRW statement comes in response to last week's announcement [press release] by the Kenyan Cabinet [official website] that it will undertake judicial reforms [speech text] to keep the option of trying suspects in domestic courts open. The cabinet did not reach a firm decision, but said it is still weighing its options and pledged a "commitment to the rule of law." HRW called for an independent tribunal with international support and participation, saying:

The argument for a special tribunal has always been that the Kenyan judiciary lacks independence, and the necessary root-and-branch reforms of the entire justice system will take years. The idea that the existing judicial system can deal with the senior politicians and government officials who allegedly incited and organized the killing is an insult to the memory of those who lost their lives.