US Rights Activists Petition Commission

Mar 09, 2001

THE US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) over the escalating election violence and irregularities in the presidential election.

By John Kakande THE US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has petitioned the Electoral Commission (EC) over the escalating election violence and irregularities in the presidential election. "HRW strongly urges you to make more vigorous representations to President Yoweri Museveni to put an end to the growing violence, or you will become implicated in the election irregularities," HRW Legal Counsel Binaifer Nowrojee said in a March 7 letter sent to the EC chairman, Hajji Aziz Kasujja. Commissioner Robert Kitariko confirmed yesterday that they had received the HRW's letter. He declined to comment about its contents, saying the members of the Commission had not yet discussed it. "The HRW, is extremely concerned about the escalating violence in the lead-up to Uganda's March 12 presidential elections. The growing violence, including the shooting of unarmed opposition supporters by the state security forces on March 3, 2001, is a serious development that warrants a stronger and more decisive intervention by the EC," HRW said. "We believe that a strong, public intervention by the EC this week condemning the intimidation, violence, and irregularities will send a strong statement that Ugandans want a free and fair election and may stem the escalating abuses," the group further said. Ends

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