Subject to the provisions of the 1995 Uganda constitution, Article 24 states that, “No person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.
As a member of the United Nations and a signatory to international human rights conventions, Uganda provides a framework within which fundamental and other human rights can be protected and promoted in the country.
Human Rights are fundamental freedoms, liberties and privileges given by God to all human beings by virtue of being human.
They are not given by states or any authority of the state; states only facilitate and enhance the smooth flow of promotion and protection of these rights to its citizens or residents irrespective of their sex, age, ethnicity, social and economic status, religious and political affiliation, etc.
In most African states, the population is always misled that human rights are state given because of ignorance and inadequate civic education.
Politicians are always afraid of informed masses, and therefore try to limit and hijack this cause to achieve or suit their interests. They press or deny their opponents citizenship rights as well as social and economic rights to hinder their progress.
They always pretend to embrace democracy- the fountain of good governance but in real sense, curtail it by denying the population the most fundamental rights and freedoms to achieve it.
If freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of association, freedom to assemble, demonstrate and petition peacefully for the right cause are blocked and left in the hands of the state authority, then what democracy are we talking about?
The UN Charter of Human Rights recognizes these rights, but unfortunately leaves their observation and protection to member states.
What is happening in the Middle East and northern Africa is an expression of desperateness. People are tied of tyranny and despotic rule; the rule of people by one man and his/her tribesman or cliques, which has intensified the level of poverty, unemployment and worst of all, insanity among the population.
Promotion and protection of ethnicity, nepotism and encouragement of corruption are among the concerns of the people, and these must be tackled very fast.
What happened in Rwanda, Bosnia and Albania should never be repeated anywhere on planet earth. Change of political and governance strategies by leaders to suit the interests of their population is the solution to what happened in Tunisia, Egypt and now Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, etc.
It is also true under democracy that, all powers and authority of government and it’s organs are derived from the people who must consent to be governed in accordance to their will.
However, no person shall be allowed to prejudice the fundamental rights and freedoms of others while enjoying his/ her rights.
This is a universally accepted liberitarian principle that guides and helps to control freedoms and liberty of individuals in relation to others.
It is supposed to foster and ensure justice, peaceful co-existence and harmony among the population. That’s why the state and other institutions come in to help highlight and protect the rights of the marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged people in their amidst.
The Author is a Pan Africanist and Researcher
Email: yousum2001@yahoo.com
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