Joint Civil Society Statement on the Arrest and Arbitrary Detention of Ugandan Human Rights Defenders

We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations and individuals are deeply concerned with the reports of the arrest of lawyers Nicholas Opiyo, Herbert Dakasi, Esomu Obure, Anthony Odur and human rights officer, Hamid Tenywa on 22 December 2020. Eyewitnesses report that Mr. Opiyo and the others were handcuffed before being speedily driven off in an unmarked van with tinted windows. Since their arrest, they have been detained with no access to their lawyers, family members or colleagues.

The manner in which they were arrested was tantamount to an abduction, which combined with their ongoing incommunicado detention, is a violation of recognized due process rights under national, regional and international law.

The Uganda Police Force has since confirmed that Mr. Opiyo was arrested by a Joint Task Team of Security and Financial Intelligence Authority, on allegations of money laundering and related malicious acts. The Uganda Law Society has since confirmed that together with the others, Mr. Opiyo is detained at the police Special Investigations Division in Kireka, a town in central Uganda. The authorities, however, continue to deny them access to their legal representatives and to inform the public on the nature of allegations against the others.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, guarantee at a minimum, all arrested persons fundamental due process rights, including the rights to be immediately informed of the reason of the arrest; immediate access to a legal practitioner of one’s choice and the right to be promptly produced before a court of law.The ongoing incommunicado detention of the above-named individuals is thus a violation of Uganda’s regional and international human rights obligations.

The arrests of Mr. Opiyo and his colleagues come at a time when several organizations including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights have raised concerns over the pre-election environment in Uganda, which has been characterized by increased restrictions on civic space. This has included arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force and restrictions on the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly, association and expression.

Most recently, the Financial Intelligence Authority ordered the freezing of bank accounts held by several non- government organizations, accusing them of financing terrorism. These acts amount to intimidation and delegitimization of non-governmental organizations, particularly those working on human rights and promoting good governance.

We remind the government of Uganda of the important role of civil society organizations in contributing to and sustaining a robust democracy. In particular, lawyers play a crucial role in protecting the human rights of vulnerable groups, holding governments accountable and ensuring respect for rule of law.

The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers are clear in that “[g]overnments shall ensure that lawyers are able to perform all their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference”. Furthermore, “[l]awyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief and association… and to take part in matters of public discussion concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights”.

In light of the above, we call on the government of Uganda to:

  1.  immediately and unconditionally release Nicholas Opiyo, Herbert Dakasi, Simon PeterEsomu, Anthony Odur and Tenywa Hamid.
  2. ensure full due process rights to Nicholas Opiyo, Herbert Dakasi, Esomu Obure,Anthony Odur and Tenywa Hamid, including immediate access to their lawyers and family and the reasons for their arrest.
  3.  refrain from the arbitrary detention of citizens in retaliation for exercising their fundamental civil and political rights.
  4. refrain from illegitimately targeting non-governmental organizations through the misuse of the legislation such as Uganda’s anti- money laundering laws.

Signatories

Organisations

African Judges and Jurists Forum

HURISA

Human Rights Defenders Solidarity Network – HRDSNET UGANDA LTD

Youth Forum for Social Justice

Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa (CIDH)

Chapter One Foundation Zambia

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights

Center for Alternatives to Development (CEALDES) – Colombia

African Defenders ( Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network)

Defenders Protection Initiative

Panos Institute Southern Africa

Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa

Individuals

Abdul Noormohamed

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

Martin Masiga

Arnold Tsunga

Mamukeleni Tsunga

Washington Katema

Itai Mafara

Constance Mukarati

Dr. Rose Nakayi

Nikiwe Kaunda

Kaajal Ramjathan- Keogh

Alice Mogwe

Mooya Nyaundi

Linda Kasonde

Roland Ebole

Vusimuzi Sifile

Muzi Masuku