Sunday 14 April 2013

A PROJECT ON DEMYSTIFYING HUMAN RIGHTS



 
I. SUMMARY
The Late United States President James Madison once said that, “The most popular democracies empower their citizens to acquire information.  Such well informed citizens are easier to govern as they understand the issues at stake,” Demystifying Human Rights (DEHURI) will in essence empower the school going children/students and other members of the civil society to better internalize Human Rights and civic obligations; that is to create awareness more so that Uganda is dotted with Human Rights abuses; and learning from the abuses to safeguard others’ rights and how to seek redress in case of abuse, this is against the background that Human Rights are the cornerstone of human life and without them, there can be no meaningful human existence.  A One Day Stakeholders’ Workshop on issues pertinent to Human Rights will be organized as the basis for the innovation of a Two Hour Video Narration on ‘Understanding Human Rights & Redress’ to be made after writing a Manuscript out of the issues that shall be brought out by the Workshop Participants on the subject of Human Rights and why these ought to be safeguarded and how to address abuse; at the same time, an easy to read Booklet on ‘Exploring Human Rights’ shall be published. 

A Master Video shall be made from the Human Rights Narration Shot; then DVDs shall be cut to be shown to schools which will be in partnership with us.  This will be by use of a TV Screen.  The innovation shall see the introduction of School Human Rights Clubs.  Copies of DVDs and the published Booklet shall be availed for sale to those schools which will not be part of the project, Bookshops and organizations.  The project is to make partnerships with schools (Primary & Secondary) which shall see the starting of School Human Rights Clubs in Wakiso district such that children/students after listening to the narration shall be expected to start the said clubs, and the initial assignment shall be to make a write up during their school holiday regarding their experience of Human Rights abuses in their villages.  The write – ups shall be collected from the children/students at the beginning of a new term.  We at the project office shall read through all the essays of the children/students and the best ones shall be rewarded.  A ‘Schools’ Human Rights Magazine’ shall be published to reflect on the Human Rights Abuses Club members will have come across.
                       
II. BACKGROUND
1)     Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) the Constitutionally Established Body by Act of Uganda Parliament has in the numerous reports published clearly given the picture of Human Rights in the country.  The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), under Article 52 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995, is mandated to investigate at its own initiative or on a complaint made by any person or group of persons, against the violation of any human right.  In performance of its functions, Article 53 (1) stipulates that the Commission shall have the powers of a Court to issue summons, to question any person in respect of any subject matter under investigation before the Commission, to require any person to disclose any information within his or her knowledge relevant to any investigation and to commit persons for contempt of its orders.

2)     It is true that the reports clearly show that Human Rights abuses are many as reflected in the reported cases as well as findings by the Commission itself.  The Commission clearly depicts the role of the Organs of the Government of Uganda in Human Rights abuses.  It is important to note Uganda Government’s role (NRM Party) in the abuse which is manifested in rigging of elections; denying the right to demonstration; limiting freedom of association; use of force to enforce Government decisions which are not popular; which issues among others are to be addressed.  The Uganda Human Rights Commission, 10th Annual Report has information on abuses as reflected in the tables below:

                               I.      Comparison of Complaints and Lodgments Registered with the Commission in 2006 and 2007 at Various Offices:-

Regional Office
No. of Complaints Registered in 2006
No. of Lodgments Registered in 2006
No. of Complaints Registered in 2007
No. of Lodgments Registered in 2007
Central
327
21
183
16
Gulu
114
33
102
13
Soroti
255
31
262
00
Moroto
105
72
61
52
Jinja
181
34
133
23
Mbarara
144
618
99
447
Fort Portal
96
15
84
03
Total
1,222
824
924
554

                             II.      Trends in the Nature of Complaints Registered in 2007 and 2007:-

Violations /Abuses
Total 2006
Total 2007
1. Child Maintenance/Neglect
313
256
2. Freedom from Torture or Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 
320
254
3. Right to Property
172
160
4. Right to Personal Liberty
141
147
5. Right to Education
82
74
6. Right to Fair Hearing & Speedy Trial
65
51
7. Right to Life
49
28
8. Workers’ Rights
48
27
9. Privacy
2
4
10. Non Discrimination
6
8
11. Right to a Healthy and Clean Environment
4
6
12. Freedom of Expression and Assembly
1
1
13. Freedom of Worship
1
3
14. Right to Shelter
3

15. Fair Treatment in Administrative Decisions

8
16. Right to a Family
1

17. Right to Health
2

18. Economic
4

19. Others
18
37
Total
1,222
1,074

3)     The trends in the nature of Human Rights Violations have been consistent over the years.  Violations of Children’s Rights and the Freedom from Torture, Cruel Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment are the highest, followed by the Violations of the Right to Property and Liberty.      

4)     Therefore there is all the evidence that Human Rights abuses are real and a strategy which makes children/students and members of the civil society understand Human Rights and why they are important to be upheld in society is rightly placed.  When children/students and other members of the civil society have ample information on Human rights, they are bound to make educated and safe choices on Human rights and a host of other vices that are a shame to their country – Uganda.     

5)     The press in Uganda both the print and electronic media constantly report cases of Human Rights Abuses and reaction by the aggrieved parties which is either out of ignorance of the law and or possible consequences in case of prosecution.  Against that background, it is of utmost importance to be sure that people are educated about Human Rights and positive reaction in case of abuse.  

6)     The appreciation of Human Rights lies in the ability to change people’s attitudes and instill a culture of protection and promotion of these rights from the individual’s standpoint. 

III. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
                               I.      To hold a One Day Workshop of Stakeholders in Human Rights so that we can appreciate the scope of human rights for eventual production of a Human Rights Video Narration and a Booklet on Human Rights.
                             II.      To disseminate Human Rights information by use of DVDs and publish a Human Rights Booklet for primary and secondary schools and other publics as well as enhance the formation of School Human Rights Clubs.
                           III.      To follow up the Operations of School Human Rights Clubs and make a School Human Rights Clubs’ Magazine from Club Members’ Submissions.

IV. PROJECT ACTIVITIES
There are 5 Activities under which the project implementation will be done.  These are:-
  1. Organizing of a One day Workshop for stakeholders in Human Rights.
  2. Make a Manuscript out of the Workshop Presentations.
  3. Get a Video Recording and Human Rights Booklet published.
  4. Reach out to sampled primary and secondary schools to show the video on DVD and the introduction of School Human Rights Clubs while selling DVDs and Human Rights Booklets to various publics  
  5. Follow up work of School Clubs formed and make Awards as well as publish a Magazine of the School Clubs.


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