Issues in Uganda’s human rights Essay

Assign workforcet query Paper investigate Topic Issues in Ugandas benevolent race the right waysAs a fe male-born Canadian, living in cardinal of the better countries of the world, take ease in the fact that as a person, suck consciously been able-bodied to usance my rights and freedoms by working, schooling or voting. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Constitution bear, 1985.) safeguards our rudimentary human creationsity rights. As Canadians, we feel protected in this way, exercising our rights with list out ofttimes thought, passing through our day and night without griping fear for our lives, or of the law. speculate for a moment waking up and the army has moved in, soldiers, police, trucks, tanks reign over the streets. All left-hand(a)-handed people, regardless of age atomic number 18 organism interpreted away, and secretly relocated for re-education? As a society or an single within, we would be serve wellless and vulnerable, should or sowhat form of organized brutality be thrust upon us. The western countries of the world place human rights, in lofty esteem. In stark contrast, woefully m whatso forever countries, Uganda in particular, ar continually in a desperate struggle for the advancement of human rights. (Ewins, 2011) The state smooth faces heavy criticism regarding the treatment and growth, or deficiency so in the ara of human rights. In particular, the specific malfeasance shown toward women, pincerren, homo familiars, and the disabled.Officially cognise as the Republic of Uganda, is a sovereign nation located in the continent of Africa, bordered by Kenya, Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Even though this body politic is only forty-six years old, since gaining independence from Great Britain, methods of twist and child labour still exist. Continually, in that location ar dealmingly insurmountable struggles (i.e. ar peacefulnesss, enslavement, sad laws, etc) (Middleton & M iller, 2008). Additionally, the LGBT (lesbian, lively, bisexual, transgender) and the rationally/physically ill in Uganda have virtually no security at all, and both male and female homosexual legal action or interaction is illegal. (Ewins, 2011)The Uganda valet de chambre Rights Commission, an agency established in 1995, still continues to struggle trying to put an end to the cruelty concerning the treatment of women, children, homosexuals, and the mentally ill. This sameagency is responsible for crimes against children, which is an down the stairslying problem that only exacerbates the military position for the advancement of human rights in Uganda. The practice of child abuse is considered exploitative, extremely unethical, and inhumane. Commonly, children atomic number 18 laboured for days on end, performing chores for superiors. Ugandan children argon trafficked within the country, as sanitary as to new(prenominal) countries as Canada, Egypt, the join Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for strained labour and commercial sexual exploitation. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) Karamojong women and children, an ethnic collection of herders living mainly in the northeast of Uganda, argon sold in cattle markets or by intermediaries and force into situations of domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, herding, and begging. umteen Ugandan security and establishment agencies, including Ugandas Rapid Response Unit, the police force, law-enforcement officials and the military, have been accused of torture. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) These agencies perse justifye opponents of the government, carry out abductions, disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture and act both independently, as well as interdependently with each other, and in cooperation with the Ugandan Police.Some of these inhumane acts of torture include kicking and beating, which is describe as kandoya a tying of the victims custody and feet butt joint the body and strung from the ceiling, and even el ectric shock by attaching wires to the male genitalia. Because these agencies operate through the Ugandan Police, not much stance has been taken by the government. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) Over the past twenty years, the rebel group LRA (Lords Resistance Army) has abducted to a greater extent than than 30,000 boys and girls as soldiers. Attacks against Ugandas Acholi people have declarationed in severe trauma to civilians from extreme violence and abduction. Girls are often forced to become sex slaves, and the UPDF (Uganda Peoples Defence Force) has recruited small poem of children into its forces, some as young as thirteen. (Mujuzi, 2011) not only are children cosmos treated as property with no rights protecting them, women likewise receive correspondent treatment.For m each decades, the Ugandan culture has make it slip away that women should treat men as higher class citizens, and respect their commands, as they are higher in value than women. Despite the substantial sparing an d social responsibilities of women in Ugandas umteen a(prenominal) traditional societies, women were taught to accede to the entreates of their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sometimes other men as well, and todemonstrate their subordination to men in al or so areas of public life. Customary law excessively prevails in the final result of split up in that child custody is typically awarded to the father. (Mujuzi, 2011) The physical all toldness of Ugandan women is sorryly protected. Violence against women is widespread some estimates read that more than half(prenominal) of the women in the country have suffered domestic violence at the hands of their cooperators.Domestic violence has wide social acceptance, even by women. Rape is very common in Uganda. In nearly half of sexual violence eccentrics, the victims husband or partner is the perpetrator reflecting a widely held belief that spousal rape is a husbands prerogative. (Ehiri, 2009) Many women were raped by rebel soldiers during the encounter in northern Uganda. Women of the Sabiny tribe are guinea piged to female genital mutilation. in that respect are no laws prohibiting the practice, but the local authorities have issued a decree denouncing the custom. (Kafumbe, 2010) In addition, in 2006, The World Health Organization (WHO) create results of a need on countrywide domestic violence and womens health in Uganda. In the choose, they found that 22% of adult women in the country bugger offd sexual violence, with 76% of men transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus virus with 82% chance of the women becoming pregnant. 70% of women and 60% of men agreed that wife beating was verticalifiable under genuine circumstances. ethically speaking, this makes the situation extremely uncomfortable. (Ehiri, 2009) An example one of which tin be seen as a step in the right direction is with regards towards pairing and divorce laws in Uganda.The proposed command, the Marriage and Divorce Bill, which was passed in March of 2011, recognizes cohabitation in terms of property rights, abolishes forced marriage, prohibits same sex marriage and allows women to divorce their husbands on grounds of cruelty. Ultimately, the Bill still condemns same sex marriage, however, gives women in marriage more freedom. While polygamy has been quite popular in Uganda, it has been decreasing all(prenominal) decade, with only 27% of men having more than one wife, as impertinent to 43% of males with more than one wife in 1988. (Kafumbe, 2010) The situation compared to decades ago, where polygamy was on the rise, is much less in existence. Granted, the government still has a wide array of issues to fix. For example, the period following the collapse of Idi Amins regime (which lasted from 19791986), was characterized by continued turmoil, violations of human rights, including the killing of innocent people, mismanagement ofthe economy, and guerrilla warfare, which is civilians contend members of the military.The army, led by General Tito Okello, overthrew chairwoman Obote in 1985. This gave the rebels of Yoweri Museveni, a former guerrilla leader, an advantage to take over government from Okello on January 26th, 1986. From 1986, however, with a innovative government headed by Museveni, Uganda started on the path to reconstruction and reformation with new promise of security, peace, and development. (Middleton & Miller, 2008) sensation issue that it is not showing any signs of improvement, applies to the gay citizens in Uganda. Homosexuality in all its forms is illegal. This includes sexual acts, and just being gay. The consequence for homosexuality deal put a Ugandan in prison for life. Prior to 2000, only male homosexuality was criminalized, so in 2000 under the Penal Code Amendment (Gender References) Act 2000, all references to any male was changed to any person so that lesbianism was criminalized as well. A new bill has been introduced into parliament, providi ng for harsher penalties for homosexuals, including the death penalty for repeat offenders. Ugandan citizens would be unavoidable to report any homosexual activity within twenty-four hours or face a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment, and Uganda would pass on extradition if Ugandan citizens were having same-sex relationships right(prenominal) the country. Gays and lesbians face discrimination and bedevilment at the hands of the media, police, teachers, and other groups.According to Jessica Stern of Human Rights Watch, For years, President Yoweri Musevenis government routinely threatens and vilifies lesbians and gays, and subjects sexual rights activists to harassment. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) There appear to be two geeks of harassment of the Ugandan LGBT community human rights violations against this community, as well as stroke to provide governmental and non-governmental services to this community. First, in Uganda, in that location is a immobile cultural abhorrence a nd complete deprivation of understanding of LGBT individuals. This is reflected in effortless actions throughout the country, from minor forms of harassment in clubs, restaurants, and on the streets, to more mortal forms of discrimination in terms of jobs and service distribution. Interviews with members of the LGBT community suggest that an openly gay individual go forth likely be excommunicated by his or her church, leave be neglected by his or her family and community, may be kicked out of school, will have difficulty finding andholding a job, and will be otherwise persecuted in all(prenominal)day life. Stories of people being maimed or killed because they are thought to be gay are a persistent, minute to minute reminder to the LGBT community to maintain loaded secrecy, often forcing people to engage in heterosexual relationships to give the photograph of being straight to the outside world. Much of this graphic symbol of cultural deviate and discrimination cannot be at tacked using current laws it can only be attacked through new laws creating positive rights enabling LGBT individuals to be free from this type of harassment and discrimination.(Hollander, 2009-10) Condemned by world leaders, some western governments threatened to detain financial aid. In the United States, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon has argued that, should the legislation become law, Uganda would be ineligible for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The global backlash to this bill has been significant. President Barack Obama recently denounced it as execrable and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton communicated her strongest concerns over the proposed legislation directly to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Resolutions have been introduced in the U.S. Congress condemning the proposed bill, barter on the Ugandan Parliament to reject it, and urging all governments to reject and repeal similar laws criminalizing homosexuality. Some countries have gone even further with Sweden has threatening to cut off all aid to Uganda should the bill become law. (Ewins, 2011) As well, the U.K. partnered up with BBC to film a docudrama on Ugandas treatment of homosexuals. It was shoot in Kampala and its surrounding slums, where they interviewed leaders in the anti-homosexual movement, as well as homosexuals who are out and living in fear. Radio DJ Scott Mills travels to Kampala where the death penalty could soon be introduced for being gay.This was aired in the U.K. on February 2011 before the Bill was killed. Mills, who is openly gay, finds out that the living situation in Kampala and around Uganda is incredibly stir and horrific. Those who are openly gay are disowned by their family and friends, and are forced to live in slums and outside the city so they can be somewhat protected. An effective way that the Ugandan people capture homosexuals is through their newspapers. The newspaper The Rolling Stone publishes photos of openly gay Uga ndans living in and around Kampala, asking citizens to call them or the police if they know where they are located. (Mills, 2011) If aperson gets caught, they are persecuted and thrown in jail for adultery. In the docudrama, we meet a lesbian named Stosh.When she was a teenager she was raped by a man to try and cure her of her lesbianism and as a result was infected with human immunodeficiency virus. To make matters worse, Pastor male person is part of the self styled national Coalition against Homosexuality and Sexual Abuse in Uganda and claims he was the setoff person in the country to come out openly against gays. Male believes that no one is born gay and that through counseling they can be cured of this affliction. (Mills, 2011) Exercising tolerance of ignorance can be quite a bitter pill to swallowAlthough the focus of most research in the media on Uganda has been surrounding women, children, and the LGBT community, often overlooked is the mistreatment of the ill, specifical ly those with mental disorders. A survey of the existing mental health scheme in Uganda was conducted using the WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems. (Fisher, 2010) In addition, 62 interviews and six focus groups were conducted with a broad range of mental health stakeholders at the national and district levels. Despite possessing a sketch on mental health insurance policy that is in line with umpteen internationalistic human rights standards, Ugandas mental health system inadequately promotes and protects, and frequently violates the human rights of people with mental disorders through physical and randy abuse. Qualitative interviews with a range of stakeholders revealed that patients had experienced various forms of direct human rights abuses within the mental health facilities and units in the country, particularly in psychiatric units in general hospitals.(Fisher, 2010) In discussions with the mental health service facilities, some(prenominal) a(prenomina l) stakeholders from different groups spoke about how it is fairly common for mental health professionals to infringe on the rights of patients. Numerous respondents, particularly mental health billing service users themselves, spoke about the stigma and verbal abuse patients experience from mental health professionals. As one service user lamented uncollectible to comment on psychiatrists, but when you are in hospital, kind of of calling you by name, they call you case, this case here, this mental case That is not a proper way to address people. Why do you call me case? I have a name. I am not a case and I have a right to be called my name. But because they have an attitude of labeling.You arebeing glum into an object by them. (Fisher, 2010) Many respondents also spoke about the poor food supply in the mental health units, which is never decent for everyone, and is often old or so bad you would not wish it upon anyone. Poor dietary supplies were seen as impacting especially ba dly those patients who are also physically ill (i.e. as HIV-positive patients). The patients are continuously secluded, sometimes they are beaten up, or starved as punishment, and sometimes they are left alone for hours with no one attending to them. This study was done in every mental institution in the country except for Butabika, which is cognise as the best mental establishment and is known for its good conditions. Although that does say there can be good and bad institutions, knowing there is only one with a positive rating in the whole country is beyond troublesome. (Bernstein & Okello, 2007) Briefly, a final problem, which falls under the comprehensive of human rights, is that of refugee status. In Uganda, refugee policy and programming is focused almost alone on providing apology and assistance to refugees residing in rural settlements.While international law allows refugees the right to freedom of movement and choice of residence, Ugandan legislation restricts refugees residency to rural settlements, subjecting those who wish to live outside of settlements and in urban centers to severe restrictions. This study sheds visible light on the reasons refugees choose to reside in Kampala as opposed to rural settlements and the challenges they endure while attempting to give birth and support themselves. Research findings indicate that at all stages of exile, refugees in Uganda are put under pressure, either implicitly or explicitly, to relocate to settlements. The lack of progressive thinking and hence over-reliance on settlements as the mainstay of refugee fortress and assistance has hampered reforms of refugee policy and hindered the broader involvement of municipal authorities in responding to protection and assistance needs of refugees in urban areas. Research findings suggest that many refugees have talents, skills, and abilities, which would enable self-sufficiency in Kampala and other urban areas.However, these capabilities are currently under mined by a refugee regime which only promotes liberty in rural settlements. In an effort to enhance refugees overall human security and to support their own efforts to become independent and self-reliant, this paper asserts that refugee policy inUganda should be reformed to support refugees decisions to choose their own places of residence, instead of restricting them to rural settlements. (Bernstein & Okello, 2007)When first beginning my research on Uganda, I destinyed to focus specifically on the lack of rights for the LGBT community, yet there is a glaring human rights problem all throughout the country, especially including women, children and those with mental/physical ailments. While researching through my references, it is positive to note that human rights is a hot button content in Uganda, there is some progress albeit small. (Ewins, 2011) There is focus on the topic of human rights in Uganda and how it effects women, children, the mentally ill, and homosexuals. As a Can adian, I recognize and exercise my rights because I have all of them as a woman and a Canadian citizen.Often times, people seem to forget how fortunate they are to live in a first world country where they do not have to be afraid everywhere they look because of who they are. Dismally, many Ugandans have to exist that way with no escape in sight., as a significant amount of the state are poor and inefficient to flee to a safer place. Having always been interested in human rights in all countries and how they differ from Canadas laws, researching the human conditions in Uganda has been a abundant eye opener concerning the depth of despair. Although I am not gay myself, rights for LGBT members is one of things that I am very passionate about ever-changing around the world. My research will show what they have to go through on a daily basis as Ugandans and changes that have been made throughout the decades to improve on these rights, or make them harsher.With my research, I have deve loped the following research questions Creating the Anti-Homosexual Bill has received negative management from countries around the world including the United States and Sweden. How has the Ugandan government dealt with this image the rest of the world has about their country? In Uganda, if someone is homosexual, they will most likely be discriminated against. What acts of discrimination by the rest of the Ugandan population will put homosexuals in danger?Some forms of data that will be presented are primarily from observation anddocumentaries. Ideally, it would be more discriminatory to travel to Uganda and experience life there first hand, therefore many researchers document their work by recording it, so others can see exactly what they saw. Most of my references are in text form and come from either observation from the writers own perspective or research from other writers, which can be also known as unobtrusive research (Trochim, 2006), or more specifically, content analysis . (Chapter 10, textbook) All my research has been through the Concordia Database in the Sociology section. From that database, the oldest document used is from 2006, with an exception to the New Encyclopedia of Africa. (Middleton & Miller, 2008) which described various significant years in Ugandas fight for human rights in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Additionally, this specific topic is not one that I can do myself or ask people about while I am in Montreal.These observations are helpful for my research, as it is the easiest and most precise type of research. The work will be even more helpful if anyone can see it first hand rather than just reading text. The documental will show you more of an in-depth, depressing look at the lack of human rights in Uganda. The ethical issues I will be veneering are my own, since being aware of these issues, I feel obligated to help in some manner. I do not know anyone from Uganda that approach the brutality or human rights violations themselves, or someone who has studied human rights in Uganda. While not doing interviews myself, several of my references have taken certain documentaries when it comes to citing their research. One in particular, which I happened to find on YouTube, is a documentary done by BBC3 in the U.K titled The Worlds lash Place to Be Gay?. It is hosted by a British communicate DJ and openly gay Scott Mills, who traveled to Uganda where the death penalty is the extensive issue for homosexuals.He finds out what it is like to live in a society which persecutes people such as himself, and meets those who are leading the abominate campaign. In its favour, is that it is a recent documentary, originally aired in February of 2011 on BBC. I have also located two other documentaries under my own independent online research, one entitled A World of mesh in which reporter Kevin Sites covers every major war zone in the world in one year, and another called Hope for Uganda, a documentary created by World Vision, a non-governmental organization. While these highlight how poorly a condition Uganda is in, there are definitelyethical issues that occur during filming. estimable issues include threats of violence open discrimination and hate. While I apparently cannot do anything to prevent it, it still remains extremely horrific and unethical. One has to come into contact with this venue of research to appreciate this line of study in a proper context.I have not required any approvals, as all of the research I have is not mine. The documentaries were approved by World Vision and BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). With regards to the rights of the Ugandans shown in the documentaries, they were presumption approval to show themselves on camera forwards. If they were not comfortable being on television, their faces would be blurred out. While filming The Worlds Worst Place to be Gay? in Kampala, the city was warned beforehand that there would be camera crews around. Given that all the storie s in the documents and in the films are quite painful, the risks were ever present. Some quotes remained anonymous, some were given with names. It took a great deal of courage for Ugandans to come forward with their hardships and their pain, however it sheds light on the primitive condition of human rights in their country.In conclusion, this topic was something I chose to study, due to the fact that this is a subject that greatly interests me, and that one day, might want to help to fight for this cause, or be compound with as a career. While I might not ever travel to Uganda or work in Africa, I can accompany those fights in Canada. It is certainly an area in which I desperately want to see change in the world equal rights at every level for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. Despite having some background knowledge on this issue, I have many more things to consume, and that is also again in support of my selection. Something I know a lot about is not as chal lenging or provoke to research. I somehow feel consciously and morally obliged to learn more about the violated and disenfranchised of this country. Lastly, there will be an examination of the human rights issues in Uganda, focusing on how children, women, and homosexuals are treated.The research covered many kingdoms and cities all over the country. I am hoping that because of this paper, the readers will learn more about the situation in Uganda and are motivate to get involved in a project such as this, and possibly compel them to do something to help. At the beginning of the course, deciding which subject I would focus this research paper on, and focusing it on something I want to see change and would want to make a fight in that situation. In the future, it is my hope that Ugandas human rights will be improving in the years and decades to come, with the determination, aid, and influence of other countries, apolitical outside agencies, as well as Ugandans learning to help each o ther. By doing so, people can make the world a better place, not just for today, but rather for the future, and proactively forever. In my future, there will always be a watchful, hopeful eye on Uganda.References1.) Cooper, S., Ssebunnya, J., Kigozi, F., Lund, C., & Flisher, A. (2010). Viewing Ugandas mental health system through a human rights lens. international Review Of Psychiatry, 22(6), 578-588. 2.) Kafumbe, A. (2010). Womens Rights to Property in Marriage, Divorce, and Widowhood in Uganda The Problematic Aspects. Human Rights Review, 11(2), 199-221. 3.) Miller C. J., John, M. Ed. (2008). Uganda. New Encyclopedia of Africa. Detroit Charles Scribners Sons. 119-127. 4.) Bernstein, J., & Okello, M. (2007). To Be or Not To Be Urban Refugees in Kampala. Refuge, 24(1), 46-56. 5.) Ewins, L. (2011). Gross Violation Why Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act threatens its trade benefits with the United States. Boston College internationalist & Comparative right Review, 34(1), 147-171. 6.) H ollander, M. (2009). Gay Rights in Uganda Seeking to Overturn Ugandas Anti-Sodomy Laws. Virginia Journal Of International Law, 50(1), 219-266. 7.) Mujuzi, J. (2011). Protecting Children From Those Who Are Supposed To Protect Them The Uganda Human Rights Commission And Childrens Right To Freedom From Torture. Journal Of Third World Studies, 28(1), 155-168. 8.) Clark-Kazak, C. R. (2010).The politics of protection aid, human rights discourse, and power relations in Kyaka II settlement, Uganda. Disasters, 34(1), 55-70 9.) Emusu, D., Ivankova, N., Jolly, P., Kirby, R., Foushee, H., Wabwire-Mangen, F., & Ehiri, J. (2009). Experience of sexual violence among women in HIV discordant unions after voluntary HIV counselling and testing a qualitative critical incident study in Uganda. AIDS Care, 21(11), 1363-1370 10.) Mills, S. (Producer) (2011). The worlds worst place to be gay? Web. Retrieved from http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=168gaNmaIFo 11.) Allyson, S. (Producer) (2007). Hope for Uganda W eb Retrieved from http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IGKnQRPF-I 12.) Trochim, William.Unobstrusive Measures. Research Methods Knowledgable Base. (2006) 1. Web. 4 Apr. 2012. . 13.) Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 15. (Constitution Act, April 17th 1985.)