UHRC conference to brainstorm on strengthening access to justice for economic, social rights
This year’s annual conference by the Uganda Human Rights Commission will discuss ways of strengthening access to justice for economic, social and cultural rights.
Addressing journalists ahead of the conference, UHRC chairperson, Med Kaggwa said will be taking stock of access to just policies, laws and mechanism, and how they are impacting on access to justice for victims of economic, social and cultural rights.
“Over the years, discussions around access to justice have often focused on civil and political rights violations with less attention being paid to economic, social and cultural rights, even though both judicial and non -judicial remedies are equally relevant in the context of these rights,”Kaggwa said.
He noted that Uganda being a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, it has an obligation to ensure that citizens’ rights are protected and those whose have been violated must get effective remedy.
“Uganda has a robust legal framework whose provisions guarantee access to justice but there are also judicial and non-judicial institutions that are mandate to ensure access to justice but discussion on access to justice often focuses on criminal or political matters which is an injustice to some people suffering from other rights violations.”
According to the Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson, the 6th annual conference will discuss the efficiency and effectiveness of the different mechanisms and remedies available to victims of economic, social and cultural rights.
The panels according to organisers will be comprised of among others judges, academia, advocates, civil society, government officials and rights holders to brainstorm on strengthening access to justice.
