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Uganda UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani urges president to reject bill allowing trials of civilians in military courts
UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani today urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to reject a bill that was recently endorsed by parliament allowing trials of civilians in military courts.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed on 20 May and now awaits presidential signature to become law, among others broadens the jurisdiction of military courts, authorising them to try a wide range of offences against civilians.
“We urge the President of Uganda to reject the regressive bill passed in parliament that allows trials of civilians in military courts, for a wide range of offences.
The trial of civilians by military courts is in principle incompatible with international human rights law. It raises serious problems in relation to equitable, impartial and independent administration of justice. Such trials are only permissible in exceptional cases and subject to strict requirements.
Parliament’s endorsement of the regressive proposals comes in the lead up to elections early next year, and alongside a troubling rise in arrests and abductions, harassment and intimidation, as well as torture and other ill-treatment of members of the political opposition,” she stated.
ENDS
For more information and media requests, please contact:
Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org
Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org
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STORY: Uganda: UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani urges president to reject bill allowing trials of civilians in military courts
TRT: 00:56
SOURCE: UNTV/OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: English/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
DATELINE: 04 April 2025 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
- Exterior shots : Palais Wilson, headquarters of OHCHR
- SOUNDBITE (English)—Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): “We urge the President of Uganda to reject the regressive bill passed in parliament that allows trials of civilians in military courts, for a wide range of offences.
The trial of civilians by military courts is in principle incompatible with international human rights law. It raises serious problems in relation to equitable, impartial and independent administration of justice. Such trials are only permissible in exceptional cases and subject to strict requirements.
Parliament’s endorsement of the regressive proposals comes in the lead up to elections early next year, and alongside a troubling rise in arrests and abductions, harassment and intimidation, as well as torture and other ill-treatment of members of the political opposition.”
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