EALA assembly meets albino representatives and receives proposed draft bill of rights
BUJUMBURA, Burundi, May 27, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Members of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) led By Hon. Mwinyi, Ali Hassan Abdallah on Tuesday 26, May 2009 presented a contribution worth USD 700 towards the Burundi Albino Association that was represented by its President Mr. Kazungu Kassim.
The Members of EALA had earlier on Friday 22,May 2009 at the Burundi National Assembly met and held open house discussions with representatives of the Burundi Albino Association who presented to the house the current and common challenges that they face as Albino Citizens in East Africa. The Albino representatives stressed their plight in relation to the rising killings and deaths recorded related to Albinos who are thought to have magical powers, more specifically in Burundi, Tanzania and Kenya where the trend is becoming a major concern for the region. The Albino representatives stressed the need for the EAC to consult more with civil society organizations defending the rights of EAC Citizens and the rights of the disabled in particular, in order to examine the situation and develop more options for deeper cooperation at the regional level.
The Albino representatives further noted that though considerable progress had been made on human rights issues in the EAC region the current Killings and hostility portrayed towards the Albino community shows that the region is still a long way from achieving full respect for human rights in the EAC Partner States. The Albinos however praised President Kikwete of Tanzania’s efforts in trying to contain the killings and encouraged other EAC Partner States to follow suit.
The Meeting with the Albino Community also provided a prelude for the presentation of a proposed draft Bill of Rights for the EAC by Kituo cha katiba from Uganda. The Bill of Rights was drafted with a view of strengthening the EAC Cooperation and ensuring adherence to the principle of good governance as set out under the treaty establishing the EAC Community including adherence to the principles of democracy, rule of Law, accountability, transparency, social justice, equal opportunities, gender equality as well as promotion and protection of human and peoples rights. According to the proposed draft Bill of Rights the above principles and specifically the common East African human rights regime shall foster peace, unity, democracy, social justice, progress and development.
According to the proposed draft East African Bill of Rights, Rights and Freedoms are grouped as follows:
1. Dignity or “Primary” rights – these are those rights that protect the individual as a human being, which is a precondition of his/her protection in the context of his/her relationship with society or with other persons. They would include the right to life; personal liberty; protection of privacy; prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment; prohibition of slavery, servitude and forced labour, trafficking of persons and prohibition of the mass expulsion of non-citizens.
2. Freedoms – these are fundamental freedoms, whether individual or collective, which guarantee each person a line of protection within society. Some can be invoked against public authorities and some against private individuals. They include freedom of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of association; freedom of expression; the right to marry and found a family; the right to property and the right to education.
3. Equality rights – the beneficiaries are usually specific groups of individuals and will include equality before the law and non-discrimination; the rights of minorities; the rights of children; affirmative action, the rights of women and the rights of persons with disabilities.
4. Social rights or “Obligation rights” – their implementation implies State action and/or a political choice involving the legislative body. These include the right to health; the right to education; rights of internally displaced persons and refugees; the right to a clean environment; the rights of workers, the right to housing; and the right to culture
5. Citizen’s rights – these are the traditional political rights which have been transposed to fit the reality of the East African Community. They would include freedom of movement and of residence; the right to participation, incorporating the right to vote, the right to contest as an independent candidate and citizenship.
6. Justice rights or “Guarantee rights” – ensure fundamental protection for individuals against public authorities’ repressive powers. These include the principle of legality and proportionality; the right against double jeopardy, the presumption of innocence and access to justice.
Also in attendance during the meeting with the EALA were Hon.Medi Kaggwa, Chairperson, Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mr.Aliro Omara, Director Human Rights Center Uganda and Mr. Glas Awounda, Human Rights Officer, Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Kenneth Madete, Ag.Clerk EALA, Nduru Patricia Musingura, Senior Human Rights Officer, Edith Kibalama, Executive Director Kituo cha Katiba, Uganda, Amicet Bangirinama, Vice President Burundi Albino Association and Moise Nkengurutse, Secretary General Albino Sans Frontiere.
The Second EALA Assembly is focused on working towards meaningful coordination and consultation with the civil society organizations and to take into account its recommendations in order to initiate discussions on possible new policies at the regional level for better protection of the rights of the citizens of East Africa and the protection of the lives of minority groups in particular.
Background
Kituo Cha Katiba was established in 1997 with the mission of promoting constitution making and democratic governance in the East African region. KCK provides a mechanism and neutral forum for activists, academicians and politicians to engage in dialogue, self-reflection and critical debate over a wide variety of issues that are of critical contemporary relevance. The ultimate aim of the organization is to promote the active participation of civil society in good governance and to inculcate a culture of constitutionalism where the constitution is a living document that reflects the aspirations and needs of the common people. KCK is governed by a Board whose members come from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zanzibar, and most recently Rwanda and Burundi. Its Secretariat is in Kampala, Uganda.
SOURCE
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)
