UN blames govt for ‘walk-to-work’ violence
John Stephen Katende
9th May 2011: The United Nations human rights chief has urged Ugandan authorities to immediately halt the use of “excessive” force against opposition politicians and protesters, saying it was only fuelling the crisis which has already claimed eight lives and left hundreds injured.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay issued a statement in which she described the use of force as disproportionate and said they were impinging on the key freedoms of ordinary Ugandans. In particular, Ms. Pillay drew attention to the case of Kizza Besigye who has been arrested four times, shot in the hand and hit in the eyes with pepper spray at point-blank range.
“…The manner of Dr. Besigye’s arrest on Thursday [28th April] was shocking. The excessive use of force by security officers was plain to see in the television footage of the event. While I do not condone the violent rioting that followed, the Ugandan authorities must realize that their own actions have been the major factor in turning what were originally peaceful protests about escalating food and fuel prices into a national crisis”, the UN diplomat said.
The police and army have indiscriminately used live bullets, rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray against demonstrators since the ‘Walk to Work’ protests began on 11th April. The UN diplomat added that security operatives also adopted the same attack tactics “…against individuals not involved in the protests”.
According to Uganda Human Rights Commission, tear gas has also been fired into schools, health centres and homes. More than 250 people, including children and pregnant women, have been hospitalized because of tear gas inhalation or injuries caused by live ammunition, rubber bullets or severe beatings. Another 580 have been arrested across the country.
“…The intervention of the security forces has resulted in infringements of the rights to life, liberty and security of the person, as well as of the freedoms of association, assembly and expression. In addition, the manner and motivation of the arrests and criminal charges against Dr. Besigye and other opposition leaders raise particular concerns”, Ms. Pillay noted.
The Government has offered compensation to some of the victims of state violence but M.s Pillay stressed that “…the compensation must be proportionate to the damage suffered”. END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
