Amnesty wants ‘walk-to-work’ criminal charges dropped
By George Murumba
18th April 2011:- THE Ugandan authorities must drop all charges brought against opposition figures who were arrested in and around Kampala and charged with criminal offences on April 11th, Amnesty International has demanded.
The opposition politicians, activists, and their supporters were arrested during demonstrations calling for people to ‘walk-to-work’ in protest at runaway fuel and commodity price across the country. Most of the politicians were later released on bail but still face criminal charges.
Amnesty’s Researcher on Uganda Dr. Godfrey Odongo said, “…the stifling of this protest and the force used against the protesters is an outrageous affront to freedom of expression, made possible by Uganda’s unjust ban on public rallies. The Ugandan government must not use criminal charges against people engaged in peaceful protests…all those still in custody must be released”.
Among those arrested were Dr. Kizza Besigye, President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party President General Mr. Norbert Mao, and four newly elected opposition Members of Parliament affiliated to the FDC party. After hours of detention, the leaders were released on bail and face a range of charges including ‘inciting violence’ and ‘holding unlawful assemblies’.
Police used teargas to disperse peaceful protesters whom they accused of throwing stones at police officers. Since the conclusion of the February 18th 2011 general elections, the police have maintained a blanket ban on all forms of public assemblies and demonstrations on grounds of ensuring public security. Amnesty International is however concerned by that ban.
“…The disruption of peaceful protests and demonstrations and the ban on public rallies violates the right to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of peaceful assembly provided for under Uganda’s Constitution and international law -including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – to which Uganda is party”, said Dr. Odongo.
The police ban typically affects public demonstrations and rallies that appear to express dissent against the electoral process and current government policies. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
