UHRC has unearthed many delayed trials
Oct 07, 2009
EDITOR—The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) would like to respond to the letter by Benjamin Mayanja entitled “UHRC should be impartial†published on September 19.
EDITOR—The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) would like to respond to the letter by Benjamin Mayanja entitled “UHRC should be impartial†published on September 19.
While the UHRC appreciates the concerns raised by the writer, we wish to make some clarifications to him and to the general public. The position of the UHRC on the recent riots in general and on the freedom of the media in particular, is contained in a statement issued and published in Bukedde and New vision on September 16 and 17, respectively.
Whereas the UHRC noted that the freedom of the media is a fundamental right in any society, it observed that on the other hand, as was the case in some instances, the media can be used as a tool for promoting hatred, inciting the public and worsening an already bad situation. The UHRC subsequently called upon the media to exercise this freedom in a responsible manner, which promotes peace and unity among Ugandans.
On the writer’s concern that the UHRC should also call for expeditious trial for many other suspects who are still in jail due to delayed justice just as it called for the trial of suspected rioters, the public and indeed the writer ought to remember that one of our major functions is to carry out periodic visits to prisons and other places of detention to assess the condition of inmates and draw the attention of concerned agencies.
The UHRC has through its routine function of inspecting places of detention all over the country unearthed a number of cases of suspects whose trials have been delayed. It has used its periodic, annual and other reports as well as meetings with the relevant actors, to raise the matter and made calls for the expeditious trial of such suspects.
In addition, the UHRC has on a number of occasions called for the observance of the right to a fair and speedy trial as contained in Article 28(1) of the Constitution and the observance of the 48- hour rule within which a suspect should be produced in court.
Such calls have been made by UHRC through various media statements; press conferences and periodic and annual reports. They have also been made at meetings with the relevant departments such as the Police, prisons and the army.
Florence Munyirwa
Public Affairs Manager
UHRC
While the UHRC appreciates the concerns raised by the writer, we wish to make some clarifications to him and to the general public. The position of the UHRC on the recent riots in general and on the freedom of the media in particular, is contained in a statement issued and published in Bukedde and New vision on September 16 and 17, respectively.
Whereas the UHRC noted that the freedom of the media is a fundamental right in any society, it observed that on the other hand, as was the case in some instances, the media can be used as a tool for promoting hatred, inciting the public and worsening an already bad situation. The UHRC subsequently called upon the media to exercise this freedom in a responsible manner, which promotes peace and unity among Ugandans.
On the writer’s concern that the UHRC should also call for expeditious trial for many other suspects who are still in jail due to delayed justice just as it called for the trial of suspected rioters, the public and indeed the writer ought to remember that one of our major functions is to carry out periodic visits to prisons and other places of detention to assess the condition of inmates and draw the attention of concerned agencies.
The UHRC has through its routine function of inspecting places of detention all over the country unearthed a number of cases of suspects whose trials have been delayed. It has used its periodic, annual and other reports as well as meetings with the relevant actors, to raise the matter and made calls for the expeditious trial of such suspects.
In addition, the UHRC has on a number of occasions called for the observance of the right to a fair and speedy trial as contained in Article 28(1) of the Constitution and the observance of the 48- hour rule within which a suspect should be produced in court.
Such calls have been made by UHRC through various media statements; press conferences and periodic and annual reports. They have also been made at meetings with the relevant departments such as the Police, prisons and the army.
Florence Munyirwa
Public Affairs Manager
UHRC