Ugandan MPs meet PAP committee on JUSTICE and HUMAN RIGHTS

A visiting delegation of Members of Parliament of Uganda has met the Pan African Parliament Committee on Justice and Human Rights and discussed human rights concerns in Uganda and across the continent.
The Ugandan delegation of the recently created Committee on Human Rights led by its Vice Chairperson, Hon. Safia Nalule is visiting the Pan African Parliament in Midrand, South Africa between October 12 – 18, 2012.

“We are here to learn how to track human rights concerns, how to report on them and what form the report should take,” said Hon. Nalule during the meeting held Monday, October 15, 2012.

In addition, the Ugandan members sought to find out how to monitor government compliance with national and international human rights instruments to which the country is party to; how to follow up on government periodic reports to international human rights bodies; and how the PAP Committee deals with national human rights institutions.

The Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Hon. Onyango Kakoba (Uganda) briefed the delegation about the structures of the African Union (AU) in general and the Pan African Parliament, one of the organs of the AU, in particular, as well as the mandate of the Committee.

The PAP Committee on Justice and Human Rights is mandated with assisting national parliaments in harmonizing laws of member states in relation to human rights.
“We have the challenge in ensuring compliance considering that PAP is not yet a legislative body. Our recommendations or resolutions are sent to the African Union Commission, which may or may not implement them,” he said.
He said that PAP has decided to work with national parliaments on the ratification and domestication of signed international protocols and instruments. He said that the Committee has interacted with the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, and civil society organizations involved in the area of human rights.

Hon. Kakoba said that the Committee is scheduled to start a campaign on freedom of expression across the continent in May next year, following their preparatory seminar held in Johannesburg, South Africa in August this year.

The Ugandan delegation comprises Hon. Safia Nalule (NRM), Hon. Rosemary Sseninde (NRM), Hon. Reagan Okumu (FDC) and Hon. Kenneth Lubogo (Ind.).

The Committee of Human Rights of Parliament of Uganda is mandated to track and report on human rights concerns in all business handled by Parliament, monitor government compliance with national and international human rights instruments to which Uganda is party and follow up on government periodic reports to international human rights monitoring bodies; examine the recommendations in the reports of the Uganda Human Rights Commission and ensure that government is held accountable; inquire into any matter relating to human rights in Uganda.