Participants keenly follow sessions during the rule of law forum at Hotel Torut [©Gurtong/ Peter Lokale]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole
TORIT, 25th April 2012 [Gurtong]
Under the theme “Towards a sustainable rule of law and access to justice for all’, the 40 members forum is expected to generate discussion on effectiveness of the rule of law sector in EES.
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)’s Rule of Law officer in the state Mrs. Lucia Jorani who is attached to the EES Ministry of Public Administration & Internal Affairs, the forum will identify areas of improvement while generate strategies and promote rule of law reforms in the state.
Under the chairmanship of the State Minister of Public Administration & Internal Affairs, Mr. Claudio Suleiman Liling, government institutions and traditional leaders as well as civil society groups, UN Agencies and NGOs working in the sector are involved in the ongoing forum.
Speaking while opening the round-table discussions, Mr. Suleiman appreciated the participants and urged them to cooperate by reporting issues witnessed in their respective institutions and even within the state in order to be addressed accordingly and collectively.
He urged the participants to freely report issues on human rights abuse. The minister clarified that the rule of law basically is defined as a legal practice of a set of laws into practices on day to day life by relevant Government institutions notably law enforcement institutions like police, prison, judiciary and even other forces like the national army.
Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Ms. Jorani informed the participants that the forum promotes human rights adherence and implementation saying their ultimate objective is to ensure nobody is victimized either sexually or denied his or her rights and freedom to enjoy.
During discussions the participants recommended more police officers to be recruited to help in the sector in order to reduce crimes.
At the same time, they noted that some of the trained police officers abuse their powers by threatening civilians whom they are expected to protect while others are accomplices in heinous crimes.
On 29th March 2012, a similar forum was held with 33 participants attending among them were 8 women drawn from various rule of law organizations.