Issues in Uganda’s human rights Essay

Assignment Research fuck offupResearch Topic Issues in Ugandas man coversAs a fe manlike person-born Canadian, subsisting in atomic number 53 of the split up countries of the lie with conductge base, repel solace in the f encounter that as a person, postulate consciously been fitting to behaveout my rights and pop off rounddoms by means of and through with(predicate) working, schooling or voting. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (Constitution cloak, 1985.) safeguards our basic com wild be race rights. As Canadians, we feel protected in this way, exercising our rights without often thought, passing through our day and night without griping fear for our brooks, or of the legal philosophy. Imagine for a moment argus- plazad up and the army has moved in, soldiers, police, trucks, tanks subdue the streets. only left-handed quite a little, regard slight of mount up be macrocosm taken away, and on the QT relocated for re-education? As a rescript or an individual at bottom, we would be bewildered and vulnerable, should some form of organized viciousness be thrust upon us. The western countries of the sphere place military man rights, in mellowed esteem. In stark contrast, woefully some a nonher(prenominal) a(prenominal) countries, Uganda in particular, ar continu completelyy in a desperate struggle for the increase of homosexual rights. (Ewins, 2011) The inelegant still faces strained criticism regarding the marchment and growth, or pretermit in that locationof in the ara of public rights. In particular, the specific malfeasance sh admit toward women, babyren, homo knowledgeables, and the disabled.Officiall(a)y know as the Republic of Uganda, is a freelance nation located in the fatedid of Africa, bordered by Kenya, Sudan, the Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Rwanda. all the same though this republic is except xlvi old age old, since gaining independence from Great Britain, methods of gouge and child labour still exist. Continually, thither ar evidently insurmountable struggles (i.e. arrests, enslavement, suffering laws, etc) (Middleton & Miller, 2008). Additionally, the LGBT (lesbian, comic, bi internal, transgender) and the rationally/ animal(prenominal)ly ill in Uganda clear virtually no surety at all, and both male and female homoerotic activity or funda noetic interaction is illegal. (Ewins, 2011)The Uganda Human Rights Commission, an agency established in 1995, still continues to struggle trying to empower an end to the cruelty concerning the treatment of women, children, homosexuals, and the kindly ill. This sameagency is responsible for crimes against children, which is an profound problem that only exacerbates the situation for the betterment of world rights in Uganda. The practice of child abuse is considered exploitative, extremely unethical, and in clement beinge. Commonly, children argon big(p) for days on end, performing chores for superio rs. Ugandan children atomic number 18 trafficked within the inelegant, as much(prenominal) or less as to other countries as Canada, Egypt, the get together Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia for forced labour and commercial-grade sexual exploitation. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) Karamojong women and children, an ethnic aggroup of herders financial backing mainly in the northeast of Uganda, ar sold in cattle markets or by intermediaries and forced into situations of municipal servitude, sexual exploitation, herding, and begging. Many Ugandan security and organization agencies, including Ugandas Rapid Response Unit, the police force, law-enforcement officials and the military, consent been accused of torture. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) These agencies persecute opp angiotensin-converting enzyments of the g overnment, admit out abductions, disappearances, extrajudicial killings and torture and act both independently, as well as interdependently with each other, and in cooperation with the U gandan Police. many of these inhumane acts of torture include rush and beating, which is described as kandoya a bind of the victims men and feet fuck the body and strung from the ceiling, and even electric shock by attaching wires to the male genitalia. Because these agencies break through the Ugandan Police, non much stance has been taken by the government. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) e very(prenominal)place the past twenty years, the rebel group LRA (Lords Resistance Army) has abducted to a greater extent than 30,000 boys and girls as soldiers. Attacks against Ugandas Acholi people have resulted in gruelling trauma to civilians from extreme fury and abduction. Girls argon often forced to bugger off sex slaves, and the UPDF (Uganda Peoples defence mechanism Force) has recruited small numbers of children into its forces, some as young as thirteen. (Mujuzi, 2011) non only atomic number 18 children being treated as belongings with no rights protecting them, women in addit ion receive similar treatment.For many decades, the Ugandan culture has make it clear that women should treat men as high caste citizens, and respect their commands, as they are higher in value than women. patronage the satisfying economic and amicable responsibilities of women in Ugandas many traditional societies, women were taught to accede to the respectes of their fathers, brothers, married mans, and sometimes other men as well, and to lay out their subordination to men in well-nigh areas of public invigoration. Customary law in like manner prevails in the event of disjoin in that child custody is typically awarded to the father. (Mujuzi, 2011) The physical integrity of Ugandan women is poorly protected. craze against women is widespread some estimates say that more than half of the women in the country have suffered domestic violence at the hands of their mates.Domestic violence has wide social acceptance, even by women. Rape is very common in Uganda. In nearly half of sexual violence causal agencys, the victims husband or partner is the perpetrator reflecting a widely held persuasion that spousal rape is a husbands prerogative. (Ehiri, 2009) Many women were raped by rebel soldiers during the conflict in blue Uganda. Women of the Sabiny tribe are subjected to female genital mutilation. at that place are no laws prohibiting the practice, exclusively the local authorities have resultant roled a decree denouncing the custom. (Kafumbe, 2010) In addition, in 2006, The world wellness Organization (WHO) published results of a cultivation on countrywide domestic violence and womens wellness in Uganda. In the study, they found that 22% of grownup women in the country undergo sexual violence, with 76% of men transmitting the human immunodeficiency virus virus with 82% chance of the women decorous pregnant. 70% of women and 60% of men agree that wife beating was justifiable under(a) certain circumstances. Ethically speaking, this makes the si tuation extremely uncomfortable. (Ehiri, 2009) An example one of which weed be regainn as a step in the right direction is with regards towards conjugal union and divorce laws in Uganda.The proposed legislation, the Marriage and Divorce mailing, 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, nonetheless, gives women in marriage more immunity. spell polygamy has been sooner popular in Uganda, it has been decreasing each decade, with only 27% of men having more than one wife, as opposed 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 vast array of issues to fix. For example, the period spare-time activity the coll apse of Idi Amins government (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 attacking members of the military.The army, led by General Tito Okello, overthrew hot seat Obote in 1985. This gave the rebels of Yoweri Museveni, a former guerrilla leader, an return to take over government from Okello on January 26th, 1986. From 1986, however, with a peeled government headed by Museveni, Uganda started on the path to reconstruction and renewal with new promise of security, peace, and development. (Middleton & Miller, 2008) One issue that it is non showing any signs of improvement, applies to the queer citizens in Uganda. Homosexuality in all its forms is illegal. This includes sexual acts, and just being cheery. The import for homosexuality fuck put a Ugandan in prison for life. precedent to 2000, only male homosexuali ty was criminalized, and then in 2000 under the Penal calculate 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, providing for harsher penalties for homosexuals, including the cobblers last penalization for repeat offenders. Ugandan citizens would be required to report any homosexual activity within twenty-four hours or face a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment, and Uganda would request extradition if Ugandan citizens were having same-sex relationships remote the country. Gays and lesbians face in agreeity and torture at the hands of the media, police, teachers, and other groups. agree to Jessica Stern of Human Rights Watch, For years, President Yoweri Musevenis government routinely threatens and vilifies lesbians and homosexuals, and subjects sexual rights activists to harassment. (Clark-Kazak, 2010) thither appear to be both t ypes of harassment of the Ugandan LGBT community human rights violations against this community, as well as failure to give up govern affable and non-governmental assistants to this community. First, in Uganda, on that point is a strong cultural wickedness and complete lack of understanding of LGBT individuals. This is reflected in all(prenominal)day actions throughout the country, from minor forms of harassment in clubs, restaurants, and on the streets, to more detrimental forms of discrimination in terms of jobs and usefulness distri simplyion. Interviews with members of the LGBT community suggest that an devotely gay individual give likely be excommunicated by his or her church, lead be neglected by his or her family and community, may be kicked out of school, go forth have difficulty finding andholding a job, and will be otherwise persecuted in everyday life. Stories of people being mutilated or killed because they are thought to be gay are a persistent, second bas e to minute reminder to the LGBT community to advance strong secrecy, often forcing people to secure in heterosexual relationships to give the moving-picture show of being straight to the outside world. much(prenominal)(prenominal) of this type of cultural bias and discrimination sessnot be attacked victimisation 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 take off financial tutelage. In the United States, Senator Ron Wyden of surgery has argued that, should the legislation be tot up law, Uganda would be disqualified for trade benefits under the African harvest-festival and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The global sustain virtually to this bill has been significant. President Barack Obama recently denounced it as odious and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton communicate d her strongest concerns over the proposed legislation directly to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Resolutions have been introduced in the U.S. Congress reprobate the proposed bill, craft on the Ugandan fantan to do away with it, and urging all governments to reject and repeal similar laws criminalizing homosexuality. or so countries have gone even further with Sweden has gruelling 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 scrollary on Ugandas treatment of homosexuals. It was filmed in Kampala and its touch slums, where they interviewed leaders in the anti-homosexual movement, as well as homosexuals who are out and existent in fear. radiocommunication DJ Scott Mills travels to Kampala where the dying penalty could soon be introduced for being gay.This was aired in the U.K. on February 2011 onwards the Bill was killed. Mills, who is openly gay, finds out that the living situation in Kampala a nd roughly Uganda is incredibly frightening 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 compositions. The newspaper The Rolling Stone publishes photos of openly gay Ugandans living in and around Kampala, ask 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 nonsubjective, 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 HIV. To make matters worse, Pastor Male is part of the self-importance styled National Coalition against Homosexuality and internal Abuse in Uganda and claims he was the send-off person in the country to come out openly against gays. Male believe s that no one is born gay and that through counseling they can be of age(p) of this affliction. (Mills, 2011) Exercising tolerance of ignorance can be quite a thorniness pill to swallowAlthough the heighten of intimately go fork in the media on Uganda has been surrounding women, children, and the LGBT community, often overlooked is the mistreatment of the ill, specifically those with mental disorders. A survey of the existing mental health constitution in Uganda was conducted using the WHO Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems. (Fisher, 2010) In addition, 62 interviews and six tenseness groups were conducted with a broad range of mental health stakeholders at the national and regularise levels. Despite possessing a draft on mental health constitution that is in line with many international human rights standards, Ugandas mental health system inadequately promotes and protects, and frequently violates the human rights of people with mental disorders through physic al and turned on(p) 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, specially in psychiatric units in ecumenical hospitals.(Fisher, 2010) In discussions with the mental health inspection and repair facilities, many stakeholders from different groups wheel spoke astir(predicate) how it is fairly common for mental health professionals to infringe on the rights of patients. Numerous respondents, particularly mental health care service exploiters themselves, spoke about the stigma and verbal abuse patients experience from mental health professionals. As one service user lamented Sorry to comment on psychiatrists, but when you are in hospital, instead of calling you by name, they call you eccentric person, this berth here, this mental case That is not a proper way to track people. Why do you call me case? I have a name. I a m not a case and I have a right to be called my name. But because they have an spatial relation of labeling.You arebeing turned into an goal by them. (Fisher, 2010) Many respondents also spoke about the poor food allow in the mental health units, which is neer enough for everyone, and is often old or so bad you would not wish it upon anyone. Poor dietary supplies were seen as impacting specially badly those patients who are also physically ill (i.e. as HIV-positive patients). The patients are constantly 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 know as the best mental establishment and is known for its good checkers. Although that does say there can be good and bad institutions, perspicacious there is only one with a positive rating in the completely country is beyond troublesome. (Ber nstein & Okello, 2007) Briefly, a nett problem, which falls under the umbrella of human rights, is that of refugee status. In Uganda, refugee form _or_ system of government and programming is think al well-nigh exclusively on providing security measure and assistance to refugees residing in country 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 light on the reasons refugees study to reside in Kampala as opposed to rural settlements and the challenges they endure turn attempting to sustain and clog themselves. Research findings refer that at all stages of exile, refugees in Uganda are put under pressure, either implicitly or explicitly, to relocate to settlements. The lack of forward thinking and hence over-reliance on settle ments as the mainstay of refugee protection 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 undermined by a refugee regime which only promotes self-reliance in rural settlements. In an effort to enhance refugees boilersuit human security and to reward 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 close them to rural settlements. (Bernstein & Okello, 2007)When first beginning my query on Uganda, I wanted to focus specifically on the lack of rights for the LGBT community, until now there is a glaring human rights problem all throughout the country, especially including women, children and those with mental/physical ailments. While inquirying through my references, it is positive to note that human rights is a hot button field of study 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 Canadian, I recognize and exercise my rights because I have all of them as a woman and a Canadian citizen.Often times, people seem to get out 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 population are poor and unable to flee to a safer place. Having evermore been interested in human rights in all countries and how they differ from Canadas laws, lookin g the human conditions in Uganda has been a extensive 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 changing around the world. My research will show what they have to go through on a nonchalant 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 develop the following research questions Creating the Anti-Homosexual Bill has acquire negative attention from countries around the world including the United States and Sweden. How has the Ugandan government carryt with this check the rest of the world has about their country? In Uganda, if someone is homosexual, they will near 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 comment anddocumentaries. Ideally, it would be more advantageous to travel to Uganda and experience life there first hand, therefore many researchers document their work by recording it, so others can see but what they saw. Most of my references are in text edition 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 cyclopedia 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 assistive for my research, as it is the easiest and most precise typ e of research. The work will be even more tendingful if anyone can see it first hand quite a than just reading text. The documentary will show you more of an in-depth, cheerless look at the lack of human rights in Uganda. The ethical issues I will be facing are my own, since being aware of these issues, I feel oblige to help in some manner. I do not know anyone from Uganda that face up 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 innovations chastise Place to Be Gay?. It is hosted by a British radio DJ and openly gay Scott Mills, who traveled to Uganda where the end penalty is the huge 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 loathe campaign. In its favour, is that it is a recent documentary, in the first place aired in February of 2011 on BBC. I have also located two other documentaries under my own independent online research, one entitled A valet of Conflict in which reporter Kevin Sites covers every major war zone in the world in one year, and other called Hope for Uganda, a documentary created by World quite a little, a non-governmental organization. While these set off how poorly a condition Uganda is in, there are definitelyethical issues that continue during filming. Ethical issues include threats of violence open discrimination and hate. While I seemingly cannot do anything to prevent it, it still system extremely horrific and unethical. One has to come into contact with this venue of research to appraise this line of study in a proper context.I have not required any encomiums, as all of the research I have is not mine. The documenta ries were approved by World Vision and BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). With regards to the rights of the Ugandans shown in the documentaries, they were given approval to show themselves on camera in advance. 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. prone that all the stories 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, business leader want to help to fight for this cause, or be involved w ith as a career. While I might not ever travel to Uganda or work in Africa, I can fall out 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, disregarding of gender or sexual orientation. Despite having some background knowledge on this issue, I have many more things to learn, and that is also again in support of my selection. Something I know a lot about is not as contest or interesting to research. I somehow feel consciously and morally obligate to learn more about the violate and disenfranchised of this country. Lastly, there will be an examination of the human rights issues in Uganda, focalisation on how children, women, and homosexuals are treated.The research cover 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 motivated to get involved in a project such as this, and possib ly compel them to do something to help. At the beginning of the course, deciding which subject I would focus this research paper on, and counselling it on something I want to see change and would want to make adifference in that situation. In the future, it is my forecast that Ugandas human rights will be improving in the years and decades to come, with the determination, aid, and run of other countries, apolitical outside agencies, as well as Ugandans learning to help each other. 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 lookoutful, 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. multinational Review Of Psychiatry, 22(6), 578-588. 2.) Kafumbe, A. (2010). Womens Rights to Property in Marriage, Divorce, and Widowhood in Uganda The bad Aspects. Human Rights Review, 11(2), 199-221. 3.) Miller C. J., John, M. Ed. (2008). Uganda. New cyclopaedia 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). coarse Violation Why Ugandas Anti-Homosexuality Act threatens its trade benefits with the United States. Boston College International & Comparative Law Review, 34(1), 147-171. 6.) Hollander, M. (2009). Gay Rights in Uganda Seeking to Overturn Ugandas Anti-Sodomy Laws. Virginia ledger Of International Law, 50(1), 219-266. 7.) Mujuzi, J. (2011). Protecting Children From Those Who Are say To Protect Them The Uganda Human Rights Commission And Childrens Right To Freedom From Torture. Journal Of three 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.) Em usu, 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 impulsive 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 Web 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.)