I write to inform you that in the course of its 80th Session, the Committee considered on a preliminary basis, information submitted by a non-government organisation on allegations to the alleged forced evictions of the Samburu people from their traditional homeland by the police forces, on a preliminary basis, under its early warning and urgent action procedure. 

The Committee is concerned about information according to which some 3000 Samburu were forcefully evicted from Eland Downs between 2008 and 2010. Eland Downs has been the seasonal home of Sambaru since the 1980s. 

The Committee is particularly concerned about information according to which, reportedly took place on 23 November 2012, homes and possessions of Samburu were allegedly destroyed and their livestock confiscated, and that despite a Court Order to refrain attempts at eviction or harassment of Samburu, the police harassment continued and resulted in the death of three Samburu individuals. The Committee notes that the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people has raised similar issues in his report on his mission to Kenya in 2006. 

The Committee also requests the State party to provide information on the situation of Samburu people of Eland Downs, and on measures taken to promote and protect their rights, in particular the promotion of consultation with the Samburu community and their participation in decision-making processes on issues that affect them as well as the granting of adequate compensation for the alleged forced eviction of Samburu where relevant. 

In accordance with Article 9(1) of the Convention and article 65 of its Rules of Procedure, the Committee would be grateful to urgently receive information on all of the issues and concerns as outlines above, before 31 July 2012.