Appearance of innocence is just as important

Saturday, 02 April 2011 11:24 BY STAR EDITOR

There is no precedent for the events scheduled to take place mid-next week at the tranquil Dutch city, known as The Hague. In ordinary times, a serving head of the Kenyan civil service and leading politicians would only appear in a foreign city, not as distinguished foreigners, part of an official delegation attending a conference or some other such dignified role. But these are not ordinary times. And these men who we have come to know as The Ocampo Six, will be going to The Hague with the deepest reluctance, to start on a process of proving to the world that they are not guilty of crimes against humanity. This is a charge far more grave than that which a murderer or a rapist faces when hauled before Kenyans courts.
So admittedly the Ocampo Six having no precedent to guide them, must figure out how best to go about the ordeal that lies before them. Be that as it may, they do themselves no favours by overtly politicising their very first appearance before the International Criminal Court.
Throughout history, all the political figures who have managed to win public sympathy and succeeded in convincing observers that they were innocent men brought before an unjust tribunal, have done so by a quiet show of dignity.
To create a circus of public rallies ahead of the appearance before the ICC; and then to make plans for a “massive homecoming party” as has been reported; this is not the kind of thing which will convince the world that these men had nothing to do with the post-election violence, no matter what the decisions reached by the ICC judges may be.
The Ocampo Six would be well advised to focus on getting an acquittal, and to have no other plans at this time, other than proving their innocence.
Public rallies and homecoming parties will not aid their cause.