A lack of trust in Uganda's judicial system
and a backlog in its courts likely is fueling an apparent rise in
violent mob justice, a human rights commission says in calling for a
study.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) reports an "unprecedented" jump in anecdotes about mob justice, so it seeks hard data about its incidence and a thorough investigation into its causes. It seeks definitive answers.
Mob justice leads to serious violations of human rights, says Katebalirwe Irumba, a commissioner.
"It is against our constitution and against the laws of this country, especially as it denies the victims of mob justice the opportunity to be taken [through] the due process of law and to be heard," Irumba says.
For instance, at Namuwongo fish market in the capital city of Kampala, vendors laugh and haggle with customers as they scale and chop fresh tilapia. The scene is peaceful enough, but Andrew Wafula, who sells fish, knows this is not always the case.
"Every Tuesday, that is a market day, and people sell things there. Thieves always come, and if they come they steal small things," Wafula says.
An accusation of theft sends the whole market into a murderous rage. Wafula says venders and others will chase a suspect and, "if we catch him, we have to hit him to death. That's the way we do it."
What's driving mob violence?
No one knows the exact reason for the reported rise in violence, although Irumba speculates that youth unemployment and frustration are probable factors.
Wafula gives another reason: a widespread lack of confidence in a justice system that can easily be bought off by a suspect with a little cash to spare.
If a suspect "has his people who have some money, they pay something, very little," Wafula says. "Then they say, 'Instead of taking him to the prison, let's set him free.' If he reaches the hands of police, he will not be punished."
Gerald Abila, a lawyer who works with the poor, says most Ugandans do not see the formal justice system as a realistic way to solve their problems.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) reports an "unprecedented" jump in anecdotes about mob justice, so it seeks hard data about its incidence and a thorough investigation into its causes. It seeks definitive answers.
Mob justice leads to serious violations of human rights, says Katebalirwe Irumba, a commissioner.
"It is against our constitution and against the laws of this country, especially as it denies the victims of mob justice the opportunity to be taken [through] the due process of law and to be heard," Irumba says.
For instance, at Namuwongo fish market in the capital city of Kampala, vendors laugh and haggle with customers as they scale and chop fresh tilapia. The scene is peaceful enough, but Andrew Wafula, who sells fish, knows this is not always the case.
"Every Tuesday, that is a market day, and people sell things there. Thieves always come, and if they come they steal small things," Wafula says.
An accusation of theft sends the whole market into a murderous rage. Wafula says venders and others will chase a suspect and, "if we catch him, we have to hit him to death. That's the way we do it."
What's driving mob violence?
No one knows the exact reason for the reported rise in violence, although Irumba speculates that youth unemployment and frustration are probable factors.
Wafula gives another reason: a widespread lack of confidence in a justice system that can easily be bought off by a suspect with a little cash to spare.
If a suspect "has his people who have some money, they pay something, very little," Wafula says. "Then they say, 'Instead of taking him to the prison, let's set him free.' If he reaches the hands of police, he will not be punished."
Gerald Abila, a lawyer who works with the poor, says most Ugandans do not see the formal justice system as a realistic way to solve their problems.
No comments:
Post a Comment