Today the 9th of May 2011, Women in Civil Society Uganda of which ACFODE is part of staged a march for justice and peace. This convened in cognizance of the unfolding and disturbing events resulting from the State and its law enforcement agencies’ response to citizen’s demands for government action to address the escalating food and fuel prices, high cost of living and growing poverty.
While the State has a duty of ensuring law and order, it’s also obliged to respect, promote, protect and fulfill the rights of its citizens as enshrined in the 1995 Constitution and other regional and international treaties to which Uganda is a signatory. In attempting to fulfill its obligations in the last few weeks, the state has instead used excessive force resulting in the infringement of some of the fundamental rights enshrined in Chapter 4 of the Constitution including the right to life, the freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of movement, right to access prompt, fair and timely justice and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment.
It’s against this background that the Women in Civil Society convened to register their deep concern and condemnation on the use of excessive force and subsequent escalating violence and to call upon the state to take critical measures to address the key issues/ concerns raised by the public.
They also added their voice to other sections of Uganda’s population in condemning the brutality and highhandedness exhibited by security agencies as the sought to quell demonstrations under the Walk to Work campaign. Placards with advocacy messages like ‘Respect Women’s bodies during arrest, For a country with out food, bullets can’t be bread, Women of Uganda want peace, Fuel prices must go’ down amongst others were held. Other women carried empty saucepans depicting the lack of food to cook/eat in their homes.
They called upon the State and its agencies to exercise restraint in fulfilling its duties and to desist from the use of live ammunition, indiscriminate physical assaults on civilians and the use of tear gas to quell demonstrations. This was during a press briefing that commenced after the March.
The government was also called upon to avert the national crisis by urgently addressing the social and economic issues raised by the public. Proactive policy measures to address the issues of food security, unemployment, health and education were demanded for.
A formal appeal to the Government and to the international community through the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders (UNSR) MS. Margaret Sekajja requesting for thorough, prompt and impartial investigations into human rights violation committed to different parties was submitted. Also present during this was the UN’s Country Representative Ms. Bridget. Both promised to take immediate actions raised and encouraged all present for continued affirmative actions like these until change was realized in the country.
Submitted By Sandra Nassali
Public Relations & Communications Officer
Action For Development
You are a human being. You have rights inherent in that reality. You have dignity and worth that exists prior to law. ~Lyn Beth Neylon
ReplyDeleteI would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. ~Barry Goldwater