HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION/TRAINING FOR CIVIL AND PUBLIC SERVICE Wilfred M Asiimwe
About UHRC and Mandate Established by the constitution 1995 and 1997 Act A status Has a mandate to protect and promote human rights in the country In protection has powers of a court To establish a continuing programme of research, education and information to enhance respect of human rights.
What has been done? Establishment of a directorate of human rights education to coordinate human rights training Establish close partnerships with different sectors in the promotion of human rights education/training
Human rights Education/training practices Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) Guidelines for Policy Makers and Local Governments Human rights training/education in schools Human rights training manual for Law enforcement - Uganda police Force and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces
HRBA guidelines The HRBA guidelines were developed as a tool for planners and implementers of government programs to enable them integrate human rights at all levels. They help in carrying out a human rights audit. The guidelines highlight the HRBA principles and present case scenarios and examples of how to mainstream human rights in planning. The practice addresses the goal of human rights awareness and entrenches human rights knowledge. It further contributes to human rights audit and is a tool for accountability as a principle of human based approach.
Human Rights training/education in schools Class room readers for primary school children UHRC works with school authorities to establish human rights clubs in schools. The clubs are joined by the children of different classes on voluntary basis. This gives them a platform to learn human rights and become agents of human rights promotion in schools and at home The goal is to inculcate a culture of human rights appreciation at an early age Inculcate a culture of appreciation of duties, responsibilities and obligations at an early age.
Human rights training/education and law enforcement The Human Rights Training Manuals for Uganda Police Force and Uganda Peoples defense Forces are comprehensive training tools aimed at inculcating a culture of human rights protection and promotion in these law enforcement agencies. Empower officers in these agencies to adequately know their rights and civic responsibilities Empower them to adequately know and respect human rights Empower them to respect and appreciate civilian authority Enable them to adequately contribute to development through the HRBAD
Achievements learning and working environment Appreciation of human rights Attention to rights based principles of attention to the vulnerable, rule of law, participation and accountability Entrenching the code of conduct effective administrative sanctions and rewards Promotion of ethics and integrity accountability professional standard units Institutional framework Directorates, desks and officers responsible (human rights champions in the law enforcement agencies)
Law enforcement cont d Trainer of trainers continuing human rights training and education Community policing working in and with communities to protect and fulfill human rights civil military relations ( strengthening)
Change in attitude Before Brutal/Insensitive Reactionally Punitive Now Human rights sensitive/respectful Proactive community policing crime prevention Correctional
Some challenges Reluctance to adopt the practices from some sections Some pockets of illiteracy Challenges to accessing the practices
Possible interventions Regular and further training by UHRC Adoption of diversified mechanisms/ methodologies including media (print and electronic), drama, translation
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