European Union Orders for the Immediate Release of Ugandans Held Incommunicado

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The delegation for the European Union has ordered the immediate release of the many Ugandans that continue to be held by the authorities incommunicado

In a statement issued by the delegation on Monday, February 8, concerning the violation of human rights and torture, the European Union noted that it was high time the relevant authorities took urgent action against human rights and a comprehensive investigation to be done into the reported abuses

Those who are being held incommunicado should be immediately released or brought before justice and those who violate the laws of Uganda should be held accountable and personally liable for their actions,” the statement reads in part. Including, the events of 18 /19 of November 2020.

The Union notes that while some actions have already been taken against some perpetrators there was still a long way to go especially amongst the security forces.

This they say continues to be reflected by the significant number of torture reports by the other stakeholders.

These among others include arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearance, and harassment as well as attacks on human rights defenders and opposition members which they say was a violation of Uganda’s national legislation, regional and international commitments as well as specific presidential guidelines.

The EU reveals that the statement was made following the recently concluded Universal Periodic Review (UPR) where the Uganda human rights commission and several stakeholders pointed out the persistence in torture and human rights violations.

The statement includes support from among others the diplomatic missions of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, and Germany.

Opposition leaders such as the president of the National Unity Platform party (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi alias BobiWine has welcomed the move however noting that releasing statements alone only came at the expense of Ugandans with continued actions of torture increasing day by day specifically because of the funding to the security sector in Uganda thus support the torture of the rest of Ugandans.

We appreciate the European Union for this statement condemning torture and other violation. We call on the countries within the EU to take more firm action against the regime which uses torture and enforced disappearances for control. A lot has been said, yet the situation gets worse,” BobiWine tweeted.

Other Ugandans also noted that this like the many statements will remain ink on paper unless the Union decides to act.

Thank you our development partners for standing with us by issuing various statements. We continue to await actions after the statement. Funding and other forms of support to security forces implicated in violation of human rights undermine the solidarity exhibited through statements,” Patrick Kanyomozi tweeted.

On the issues of acting, however, the Union has continued to issue sanctions and penalties for the members who violate human rights and has at many times seen the perpetrators being arrested and charged in the international criminal court over the violation of human rights in their countries.

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