many people continue to be disabled or incapacitated by torture
The Chieftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU) are the leading offenders in this respect. These institutions have however changed their methods of torture turning instead to methods that leave no evidence such as causing knee injuries, according to the Chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. 


Personally I'm horrified when I hear or read about such testimonies. It is clear that Uganda is not respecting its Constitution in this respect. Article 24 says that "no person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."




----- Original Message ----- 
From: Elum Aniap Godfrey Ayoo 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Cc: Edward Mulindwa ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Sunday, February 01, 2004 9:40 AM
Subject: Fw: Netherlands Ambassador, Matthieu Peters_Speech


I have confirmed that the speech bellow was made at Kamucha (Kumsha) in Kamapala.  

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Elum Aniap Godfrey Ayoo 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Cc: [log in to unmask] ; Edward Mulindwa ; [log in to unmask] ; [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 11:50 PM
Subject: Fw: Netherlands Ambassador, Matthieu Peters_Speech



To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2004 11:15 PM
Subject: Netherlands Ambassador, Matthieu Peters_Speech




Speech by the Netherlands Ambassador, Matthieu Peters, at the occasion of the opening of the new office of the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (January 22nd 2004).


EMBARGO TILL JANUARY 22ND 2004, 5.00 P.M.


Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,


Sometimes I'm asked to do things which I would rather not do. To open a centre for rehabilitation and treatment of torture victims for example. I would like to think that there is no need for such a centre in a country like Uganda, but reading the newspapers tells me another story.

Ah, the newspapers you might say, they don't get their stories right. But unfortunately they do with respect to torture. The chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Margaret Sekaggya, told participants at the last Justice Law and Order Sector Review, which was held in December, that many people continue to be disabled or incapacitated by torture. 


The Chieftancy of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU) are the leading offenders in this respect. These institutions have however changed their methods of torture turning instead to methods that leave no evidence such as causing knee injuries, according to the Chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. 


Personally I'm horrified when I hear or read about such testimonies. It is clear that Uganda is not respecting its Constitution in this respect. Article 24 says that "no person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."


What to do about it? I think all of us here present can make a difference. Let me make some specific suggestions:



  1.. As Heads of Mission we've raised the issue of torture with the Minister of Internal Affairs, who is responsible for amongst others the security agencies, and we will continue to do so. Honourable Rugunda has promised to take action if concrete evidence is presented to him; 





  2.. The issue of human rights violation has been discussed at reviews of the Justice Law and Order Sector. The Uganda Police Force and Prisons Service have taken steps, like the setting-up of complaints desks and the recruitment of human rights officers. While this pro-active policy should be commended, more still needs to be done. It is necessary to follow-up on recommendations made by the Uganda Human Rights Commission and it is important to take swift and decisive disciplinary actions against officers responsible for torturing and maiming people; 



  3.. There are many complaints raised with the Uganda Human Rights Commission. It is a bold step to testify before the Commission. Torture victims expose institutions who wield a lot of power. But sometimes they do not find the commissioner who is supposed to hear their case and they have to come back, which is often not easy. In my view more attention could be paid to the organisation of those hearings and to clearing of the back log. But I also call upon the GoU, and more specifically to the Attorney General, that if compensation is awarded by the Commission, payment should be made immediately; 



  4.. My Danish colleague, Stig Barlyng, said last week at a seminar that Uganda faces suspension from the UN Convention against Torture if it fails to submit its initial report since it became a signatory to the Convention in 1988. Uganda's initial report is fifteen years overdue. No other state is further in arrears. Barlyng said also, and I agree, that the process of writing this report and gathering relevant information increases awareness of Uganda's obligations to prevent torture and rehabilitate victims of torture. I call upon Government of Uganda to submit this report by May; 



  5.. My staff receives information about the existence of safe houses. By nature safe houses keep changing, but apart from MP's, no one had access so far. In my view it is very important that the Uganda Human Rights Commission is granted access to these illegal detention centres. I call upon the government to close these 'so called' safe houses, and where suspects are kept in safe houses they should be handed over to the Police or Prisons Service. 


While a lot still needs to be improved, with regard to issues of torture, nevertheless there have been positive developments too. Preventive measures have been taken, investigations are taking place, compensation is awarded and the awareness about torture is increasing, also due to the reporting in the media and the activities of local human organisations. 


There was however one link missing in the whole chain and that was a centre where torture victims could be treated. In March last year a staff member of the Netherlands Embassy visited the office of ACTV, together with colleagues from the Irish Embassy. The office was there, but there were hardly any torture victims. Almost one year later a new office has been opened, new staff has been recruited, which was supported by Danida and the Netherlands Embassy, and many victims, even from Congo, have found their way to Kira Road.

Torture is a reality in Uganda and therefore I hope ACTV will be very successful in treatment and rehabilitation of torture victims and raising awareness about torture. However it is my sincere hope that in the long run there will be no more torture victims in Uganda and elsewhere, and that the office I'm opening today can be closed. 

I wish the staff and the board of ACTV all the best. Your work is highly appreciated by all of us here and don't hesitate to contact us in the near future. 


I hereby formally declare the new office of the African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims open. Thank you.

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