ABUJA: Establishment of the Protection Desk Uganda

EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK

Public Statement

8th November 2008

ABUJA: Establishment of the Protection Desk Uganda

The rights of human rights defenders continue to be grossly violated in the region of the East and Horn of Africa. It is to this effect that the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) in collaboration with Protection International (P.I) are proud to announce the establishment of a Protection Desk for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) based in Kampala, Uganda. A launch will be held today November 8, 2008 on the occasion of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs at the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights in Abuja, Nigeria. The Protection Desk Uganda (PDU) will serve the entire region of the East and Horn of Africa, i.e. Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Somaliland, Sudan including Southern Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The PDU was established with the aim of achieving a better protection and capacity of human rights defenders in their struggle against impunity and their efforts to support peace and social justice. The PDU will therefore contribute to the protection of Human Rights Defenders as key actors of the struggle against impunity for human rights abuses, the construction of a State of Law, to the democratisation processes, and the non violent transformation of conflicts in the region. It will furthermore seek to contribute to a situation where human rights defenders can work safely, and be recognized for their work in favour of all human rights. To achieve this, PDU will carry out the following activities:

• Training of human rights defenders working in the region in security management;
• Delivery of consultancy services on security issues for organizations and individuals in situations of emergency or particular needs;
• Research and publications of updated manuals on protection/security, psychosocial impact of political violence, witness protection and other issues relevant to the work of human rights defenders;
• Campaigns for policy change and legislation on national, regional and international level to achieve conformity with international mechanisms providing for the protection of human rights defenders;
• Establishment of an early warning system for human rights defenders at risk
• Promotion of International Observation of trials against human rights defenders

“Considering the volatility of the region, the Protection Desk is a timely intervention that will enable HRDs to obtain skills that allow them to improve their own security in the course of their work. Many lives have been lost, careers ended and work ceased due to defenders’ vulnerability. This initiative seeks to empower and strengthen human rights defenders in their dangerous and challenging work. EHAHRDP as the Secretariat of a local Network of human rights defenders is glad to host the PDU and to cooperate with Protection International which is known for its excellent expertise and experience in security management for many years. We are looking forward to a fruitful working relationship” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, Executive Director of EHAHRDP.

"Protection Desks are a PI concept of PI’s global strategy for the protection of HRDs They are a technical support to HRD organisations. Whenever possible PI tries to have the PD hosted by the local HRD Unit so as to work in partnership. PI is honored by the prospect of a partnership with EHAHRDP notably given this organisation’s wide representation across the region of the East and Horn of Africa and its solid expertise in the field of HRD protection. EHAHRDP is the expression of inter-organisational solidarity for HRD’s protection”, says Luis Enrique Eguren, Chairperson of PI.

Background

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network was founded in 2005 by human rights organizations working in the East and Horn of Africa and to date has a membership of 65 organisations from the sub regional countries of Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia (including Somaliland), Sudan and South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. EHAHRDP/Net seeks to maximize the protection of HRDs working in the sub-region and to enhance the awareness of human rights work through linkages with national, regional and international like-minded entities. Details about the organization and its work can be accessed at http://www.defenddefenders.org.

Protection International is an international non profit association formerly known as European Office of the Peace Brigades International. Its founders have over 25 year experience both in human rights work and in field protection of human rights defenders. Based in Brussels, Protection International aims to achieve the due legitimate and legal protection of human rights defenders. PI sets up Protection Desks in countries and regions where HRD face security problems and/or legal obstacles to their work.

PI runs the website http://www.protectionline.org, a one-stop website by/with/for human rights defenders and those seeking to contribute to their protection. Daily updates of information, documents, publications, testimonies, urgent actions and tools are designed to promote the protection of defenders.

For further information, please contact:

Hassan Shire Sheikh (EHAHRDP Executive Director): +256-772-753753 or hshire yorku.ca, executive defenddefenders.org

Marie Caraj (PI Research and training unit): + 32-260-944 07 or mcaraj protectioninternational.org

Nora Rehmer (EHAHRDP Programme Coordinator): +256-772-454756 or program defenddefenders.org