Defender of human rights around the world, Amnesty International, has made known its reaction following the murder of Rebecca Cheptegei in Kenya.
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| “Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has been murdered” – Amnesty International. Photo: @amnesty |
Rebecca Cheptegei, Ugandan Olympic marathoner, was doused in petrol and set ablaze by her boyfriend in Kenya where she resides.
She was immediately taken to hospital, however, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday 5 September, 2024.
Amnesty international said, “This tragic death highlights the urgent need to address femicide in Kenya.”
The human rights defender added, “Violence against women is a major human rights violation.”
Cheptegei’s heartbroken mother said, her daughter was “a good and polite child”.
In its reaction, Amnesty International said: “According to media reports Rebecca was doused in petrol and set alight by a former partner, she died days later in hospital. This tragic death highlights the urgent need to address femicide in Kenya.
“We continue to press on the Kenyan Parliament to criminalise femicide as a stand-alone crime and campaign for the establishment of a femicide investigation unit.
“Violence against women is a major human rights violation. It is the responsibility of a state to protect women from gender-based violence – even domestic abuse behind closed doors.”
Rebecca Cheptegei represented Uganda, her country, at the recently concluded Olympic Games Paris 2024; it was her first ever Olympic appearance.
