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EHAHRD-NET Press Release: ACHPR should enhance human rights monitoring and reporting prior to elections |
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EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Press Release (12th May 2010) BANJUL: ACHPR should enhance human rights monitoring and reporting prior to elections The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) should enhance monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in countries undergoing elections the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) says in an intervention to the 47th Session of the Commission. In its intervention to the Commission today, EHAHRD-Net, focusing on Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda, highlights how the pre-electoral period in these countries is being marred by heightened attacks on civil and political rights. Based on a bi-annual report produced by EHAHRD-Net for the ACHPR, the intervention reveals how authorities in the region have made use of a range of measures to restrict key rights: from legislative developments aimed at thwarting the rights of civil society, the media and the political opposition, through methods of intimidation such as threats, increased surveillance and censorship of key actors, to more traditional and violent means of restrictions. According to EHAHRD-Net the Commission should therefore increase human rights monitoring and reporting on countries currently in a pre-electoral phase notably by calling on these countries to allow unimpeded access by ACHPR Special Procedures. It also stressed the need to pay particular attention to the situation of human rights defenders, particularly journalists and human rights activists, in these countries and to condemn clear violations of the rights of defenders. “Human rights defenders are often amongst the first victims of the clampdown on civil and political space and yet key actors in our region, including the ACHPR, are failing to give this clampdown the attention it requires. If immediate action is not taken to improving the reality facing human rights defenders, the likelihood of ensuring free and fair elections in our region will be greatly weakened. The Commission has a duty to act” says Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson of EHAHRD-Net. The intervention also stressed the need for the Commission to enhance its efforts on demanding accountability and supporting efforts to tackle impunity in the region, notably in Somalia and Kenya. For more information please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Hassan Shire Sheikh, Executive Director of EHAHRDP on + 256 772 753 753 or Ms Laetitia Bader, Human Rights Officer at EHAHRDP on + 256 775 141 756 or
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( for French speakers). |
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DECLARATION BY CIVIL SOCIETY PROMOTING THE RATIFICATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE |
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Over 30 civil society groups working on democracy and governance in Africa came together in Pretoria, South Africa, on 22-23 February 2010, to discuss strategies for the popularization, ratification, and implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, which was adopted by the African Union in January 2007. These groups discussed the significance of the Charter particulary now that the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government has been witnessed in Africa in recent years. The meeting also focused on civil society strategies for popularize the Charter among various stakeholders and identify targets for the ratification process. In addition to Ethiopia and Mauritania, two countries - Sierra Leone and Bukina Faso - recently ratified the Charter. During the meeting, it was announced by South Africa's Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms. Sue van der Merwe, that South African President Jacob Zuma recently signed the Charter and asked the Parliament to ratify. In order for the Charter to come to effect, at least 15 countries need to ratify. TheThe meeting was organized by IDASA and the African Democracy Forum (ADF). Please see the Declaration issued by the meeting participants. Also, read the speech delivered by South Africa Deputy Minister Ms. Sue van der Merwe. |
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CIVICUS concerned as Uganda replicates Ethiopia's authoritarian approach in the run up to the elections |
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CIVICUS has been following with alarm, the rapid slide of Uganda towards authoritarianism since last year in the run-up to the 2011 general elections. Many of the measures being adopted by the Ugandan government closely resemble those being implemented by the Ethiopian authorities who have brought civil society advocacy activities in the country to a virtual standstill as the May 23 elections approach. The motivation for the Ethiopian government’s actions stem from the role played by civil society groups in highlighting electoral malpractices in the contentious 2005 elections. At that time, civil society groups mobilised on a large scale to sensitise voters on key governance issues and also managed to document numerous irregularities committed by government agents and supporters before, during and after the elections. Since the beginning of this year, a number of human rights and media groups in Ethiopia have been forced to discontinue their work through both legal sanctions and threats of grave harm. Uganda is presently witnessing a spurt in restrictive legislation which has obvious parallels with the situation in Ethiopia. Drawing up of a restrictive media bill in January 2010, earnest implementation of prohibitive NGO regulations since last year and tabling of a draconian anti-homosexuality bill in parliament has raised serious concerns about the operating environment for civil society in Uganda. (READ MORE) |
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Les composantes du système démocratique au Congo Brazzaville, deux décennies après |
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For over 20 years, the Republic of Congo’s multiparty system has been unable to effectively promote and establish democracy in the nation. Politically, economically, and socially, the Congo suffers from the lack of an independent electoral commission, dire economic conditions, and the government’s inability to respond to the population’s exclamations for change. Lack of experience, lack of formation, and government manipulation impede organizations to play a constructive role in building democracy in the Congo. Civil society, in its early stages of growth, is kept down by the government and cannot gain strength to develop a platform to promote democratic change. Similarly, the press continues to be ruled by political corruption making it impossible to distinguish independent from government press. As for political parties and associations, most work as opportunistic, power-seeking structures that cannot establish solid formations to assume their roles in the promotion of democracy. Read the Report Depuis plus de 20 ans, le système multipartite de la République du Congo n’a pas été capable de promouvoir efficacement la démocratie dans la nation. Politiquement, économiquement, et socialement, le Congo souffre du manque d'une commission électorale indépendante, de grande pauvreté, et de l'incapacité du gouvernement à répondre aux exclamations de la population en proie à la misère. Le manque d'expérience, le manque de formation, et la manipulation de gouvernement empêchent les organisations de jouer un rôle constructif afin de promouvoir la démocratie au Congo. La société civile, dans les premières phases de sa croissance, est étouffée par le gouvernement et ne peut pas développer une plateforme pour favoriser une transition démocratique. Les medias sont sous l’emprise de la corruption gouvernementale rendant impossible la différenciation de la presse indépendante de celle du gouvernement. Quant aux parties et associations politiques, la plupart fonctionnent en tant que structures opportunistes en quête de pouvoir qui ne peuvent pas établir des formations solides pour assumer leurs rôles dans la promotion de la démocratie. Lirez le rapport |
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