Civil society condemns A4C ban
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 7 APRIL 2012
Human rights groups have condemned the outlawing of Activists for Change (A4C) activities, saying the decision is deeply troubling and aimed at stifling the opposition. Human Rights Watch said Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act is incompatible with the respect for rights of assembly, speech and association and dangerous for peace and order in Uganda.
The A4C has been behind protests against rising commodity and fuel prices, rising inflation and corruption. The Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, on Wednesday invoked Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act and declared A4C an unlawful society, thus banning its coordinators from establishing or managing any society for at least two years.
Under the law, any person proved to be a member of A4C, will be jailed for seven years, while anyone who disseminates or publishes materials that support the causes of A4C will be jailed for three years.
The group has, however, vowed to defy the declaration.
The group has, however, vowed to defy the declaration.
The Uganda Law Society president, Mr James Sebugenyi, said government should seek dialogue with the Opposition. “To this end therefore, we call upon the government not to stifle the opposition, but to draw lessons from their criticism as a way of improving its plan for the nation. Dialogue is the best way to go, and a more peaceful means of reaching a consensus,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
ULS called on government to respect human rights and freedoms that are enshrine in the Constitution.
“Government must painstakingly find ways of balancing its responsibility to protect and uphold the rule of law vis-a-vis the need to respond to discontent generally by the economic hard times and general state of despondency,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
“Government must painstakingly find ways of balancing its responsibility to protect and uphold the rule of law vis-a-vis the need to respond to discontent generally by the economic hard times and general state of despondency,” Mr Sebugenyi said.
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