INTRODUCTION
As President Yoweri Museveni begins a new term in office and forms his new government following February 2011’s general elections, Amnesty International is calling on the President and his new government to place human rights at the top of their political agenda.
Although there has been some progress in the protection and promotion of human rights since the last elections in 2006, there remains a number of human rights issues which require concerted government attention and action. The inauguration of the new government provides a good opportunity to show that Uganda is fully committed to the protection and promotion of human rights.
Amnesty International urges the new government to commit itself to implement a clear agenda for human rights which includes the following nine points. It should:
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Uphold the right to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly.
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Ensure respect for human rights in counterterrorism measures.
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Ensure that action is taken to stop violence against women and girls.
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Ensure accountability for human rights violations by security and law-enforcement officials.
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Take action to eliminate discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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Ensure the protection of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
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Ensure accountability and the right to reparations for victims and survivors of the northern Uganda conflict.
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Commit to abolish the death penalty.
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Ensure full compliance with Uganda’s international and regional human rights obligations and commitments, as explicitly set out in the treaties it has ratified.