Uganda-CAN Decries Untimely HRW Statement on Peace Talks
Human Rights Watch has issued a statement criticizing the Ugandan government for considering amnesty for LRA rebel leadership indicted by the International Criminal Court. HRW writes, "Genuine initiatives aimed at ending the devastating armed conflict in northern Uganda are welcome, but amnesties for war crimes and crimes against humanity must not be on offer." "The LRA Five are accused of widespread sexual slavery, murder, and brutalization of children over two decades," said Richard Dicker, director of Human Rights Watch's International Justice Program. "Amnesty or similar measures can not be on the table when it comes to these kinds of crimes."
Uganda-CAN disagrees with this statement's timing and its priorities. Northern Uganda leaders have expressed full support for President Museveni's offer of amnesty, conveying that longer term issues of justice can be addressed after the cessation of active violence. The war has denied justice, in the broadest sense, to millions of Ugandans by depriving them of such basic rights as security, freedom of movement, cultural expression and livelihood opportunities for the last twenty years. Once those basic rights have been restored, the traditional, religious and political leaders of northern Uganda will help set the agenda for longer term restoration; in Acholi tradition, restorative justice is well respected and can be employed within the context of reintegrating former LRA rebels. The people caught in this war have made their voices clear: peace is the priority and the current historic talks should be engaged in full. Click here to read Uganda-CAN's full analysis of peace talks.
Uganda-CAN disagrees with this statement's timing and its priorities. Northern Uganda leaders have expressed full support for President Museveni's offer of amnesty, conveying that longer term issues of justice can be addressed after the cessation of active violence. The war has denied justice, in the broadest sense, to millions of Ugandans by depriving them of such basic rights as security, freedom of movement, cultural expression and livelihood opportunities for the last twenty years. Once those basic rights have been restored, the traditional, religious and political leaders of northern Uganda will help set the agenda for longer term restoration; in Acholi tradition, restorative justice is well respected and can be employed within the context of reintegrating former LRA rebels. The people caught in this war have made their voices clear: peace is the priority and the current historic talks should be engaged in full. Click here to read Uganda-CAN's full analysis of peace talks.