Tag Archives: TJ Policy

Participants during the workshop on accountability and reconciliation in Kampala

Workshop on Accountability and Reconciliation in Uganda: Juba Peace Talks

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Participants during the workshop on accountability and reconciliation in Kampala
Participants during the workshop on accountability and reconciliation in Kampala

This workshop follows the conclusion of the Final Peace Agreement (FPA) in Juba between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda (GoU). Mediated by the Government of Southern

Sudan (GoSS) under Chief mediator Dr.Riek Machar, the vice president of Southern Sudan, this remarkable agreement which begun two years ago was to be signed by LRA leader Joseph Kony on 10th April 2008. However, he did not sign as expected and instead sought clarifications on the specificities on the protocol of accountability and reconciliation as well as the disarmament, demobilization and re-integration agreements. In particular, the LRA leader Joseph Kony wanted to know more about the Acholi traditional justice system of mato oput, its linkage to the proposed special division of the High Court and other formal institutions in the agreements.

It was on the basis of this that His Highness Rwot David Onen Acana II, the Acholi Cultural leader, with the assistance of the Justice and Reconciliation Project (JRP), was tasked to lead a consultative process that would bring together like minded actors to deliberate in an attempt to provide clarity to the LRA leaders’ concerns. Therefore, on the 6th and 7th May 2008, a workshop was convened at the Fairway Hotel, Kampala.

The objective of the workshop was to clarify the procedural steps required for the implementation of the Agreement on Accountability. As a result, the workshop was to produce an explanatory note outlining procedures on key technical issues in the Agreement on Accountability and Reconciliation that was to be made immediately available to the LRA leadership.

In arriving at these, the conference organizers identified key themes to be discussed, and these included: (i) the role of investigations and self-disclosure; (ii) the criteria for allocation of individuals to the various proceedings; (iii) description of various accountability institutions (courts, traditional justice, and truth-telling mechanisms) and their jurisdictions; (iv) the relationship between the various accountability institutions, and, (v) the possible outcomes of the proceedings for individuals..

To access the report, click here.

Timeline of Past Events (2006-2007)

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The following is a timeline of past events from 2006-2007 that JRP organized and/or participated in:

2006

  • Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations
    February 1, 2006
    JRP presents at Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations, University of British Columbia.
  • ‘IDEALaw’ Conference
    February 10-11, 2006
    JRP presents to the IDEALaw Conference, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.
  • Northern Uganda Symposium Series
    March 2, 2006
    JRP is invited to participate in Northern Uganda Symposium Series, sponsored by the Human Rights Centre, University of California, Berkeley.
  • Workshop on Transitional Justice
    March 17-18, 2006
    JRP organized a workshop on transitional justice in Gulu, Uganda.
  • Liu Institute for Global Issues Seminar
    June 5, 2006
    JRP presents findings of its research in a seminar at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
  • Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium
    October 9, 2006
    JRP speaks on justice issues at the Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium in Washington, DC.
  • ‘The Various Faces of Justice’ Symposium
    November 11, 2006
    Michael Otim presents on traditional justice at the ‘The Various Faces of Justice’ symposium at the University of Tokyo, Japan.
  • ‘The Search for International Justice’ Screening
    November 15, 2006
    The film, ‘The Search for International Justice,’ by Judy Jackson aired at the Liu Institute, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Gerald Caplan, James Otto, and Honorable Betty Aol Ocan in Vancouver Canada.
  • ‘Advocacy, Peace and Justice in Northern Uganda’ Workshop
    November 16-17, 2006
    JRP organized a workshop on advocacy, peace and justice in northern Uganda at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
  • Consultative Workshop with Acholi Chiefs and Elders
    November 18, 2006
    JRP holds a consultative workshop with Acholi chiefs and elders on justice in Gulu, northern Uganda.
  • Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda
    December 1-2, 2006
    JRP participates in the ‘Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda’ event organized by Refugee Law Project in Kampala.
  • Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region
    December 3-5, 2006
    JRP participates in the ‘Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region’ event organized by Refugee Law Project and ATJRN in Kampala.
  • Amnesty Commission Training
    December 6, 2006
    JRP presents in the ‘Amnesty Commission Training on Information, Counseling and Referral’ on traditional justice in Gulu. Click here for the concept paper.

2007

  • ‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ Conference
    F    ebruary 25-26, 2007
    JRP’s Erin Baines presents at the ‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ conference, University  of Winnipeg, on gender and justice.
  • ‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ Workshop
    March 7-9, 2007
    Erin Baines presents at the ‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ workshop, UBC on peace vs. justice.
  • Canadian Federation of University Women
    March 19, 2007
    Erin Baines presents to the Canadian Federation of University Women, Northern Vancouver, BC on gender and justice.
  • Youth Peace Actors Assembly
    April 11-13, 2007
    Lino Owor Ogora presents on traditional justice at the Youth Peace Actors Assembly, sponsored by the Foundation for Youth Transformation in Gulu, Uganda.
  • ‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations’ Meeting
    April 16-18, 2007
    Michael Otim presents at ‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations,’ hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the International Centre for Transitional Justice in Oslo, Norway.  Click here to read the presentation.
  • ‘Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ Conference
    May 13-15, 2007
    Boniface Ojok presents paper entitled, ‘Amnesty Radio in Northern Uganda: Rhetoric and Reality’ at Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ conference, held in Montréal.
  • Liu Institute for Global Issues Fundraiser
    May 30, 2007
    The Liu Institute for Global Issues holds a fundraiser to support war-affected young mothers in northern Uganda.
  • Towards a Common Understanding of Traditional, National, and International Justice Options: A Seminar for Agenda Item 3 (Accountability and Reconciliation) at Juba Peace Talks
    June 2, 2007
    JRP co-organized with ICTJ, and convened by Ker Kwaro Acholi, a seminar on Agenda Item 3 at the Juba Peace Talks in Juba, Sudan.
  • Truth-Telling and Verification Workshop With Local Stakeholders on ‘The Cooling of Hearts’
    June 15, 2007
    JRP held a verification workshop for our report ‘The Cooling of Hearts’ with stakeholders in Gulu before finalizing the document.
  • ‘Building a Future on Truth and Justice’ Conference
    June 25-27, 2007
    Michael Otim presents at Building a Future on Truth and Justice, a conference held in Nuremberg, Germany.
  • Lira Declaration on Agenda Item 3 of the Juba Peace Talks (Accountability and Reconciliation) by Cultural and Religious Leaders, Women and Youth from Madi, Teso, Lando and Acholi Sub-Regions
    August 11, 2007
    The Lira Declaration is the result of a consultation attended and signed by the leadership of traditional and religious institutions, including women and youth representatives in these institutions.
  • Northern Uganda CSO Declaration on Agenda Item Three of the Juba Peace Talks
    August 20-30, 2007
    Over 100 civil society organizations were involved in consultative meetings in the regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile to reach a common position on the ongoing consultations on Accountability and Reconciliation at the Juba Peace Talks.

Workshop on Transitional Justice

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The indictment of the top five rebel leaders has raised both fears and expectations, for how it might impact the Amnesty process, any future peace talks and possibly led to the capture and arrest of those deemed most responsible. In this context, questions and debate about the best way to pursue justice are extremely pressing in Uganda.

In order to begin to explore these questions in the context of northern Uganda, the Gulu District NGO Forum, International Center for Transitional Justice and Liu Institute for Global Issues convened a workshop among main stakeholders on March 17-18 at the GUSCO Peace Centre, Gulu. Participants included the Amnesty Commission (including its head, Justice Onega), the Ugandan Human Rights Commission (Commissioner Alero Omara), traditional leaders (including an opening by Rwot David Onen Acana II, Paramount Chief of the Acholi), religious leaders, NGO and civil society activists from across the country, women’s groups and youth leaders, academics from Gulu and Makarere, UN representatives (OHCHR and UNICEF), MPs, and others, including representatives from IDP camps in Kitgum, Pader and Gulu Districts.  Between 60 and 70 participants in total attended and momentum throughout the discussions was very high, with most sessions going over time.

Declaration by Northern Uganda Civil Society Organizations on Agenda Item 3 of the Juba Peace Talks (Accountability and Reconciliation): Acholi, Lango, Teso and West Nile Regions

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Between the 20-30 August 2007 CSOs working on peace, justice and reconciliation activities in Northern Uganda held four consultative meetings in the regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile to reach a common position on the ongoing consultations on accountability and reconciliation.

A draft committee consisting of three representatives from each sub-region met in Gulu from the 6-7 September 2007 to come up with a common position for CSOs in Northern Uganda.

It is from the proceedings of this meeting and based on regional consultations that we derive the contents of this memorandum, which we hereby declare as a common position for CSOs in Northern Uganda.

To access the declaration, click here.

Lira Declaration on Agenda Item 3 of the Juba Peace Talks (Accountability and Reconciliation) by Cultural and Religious Leaders, Women and Youth from Madi, Teso, Lango and Acholi Sub-Regions

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This declaration was signed by cultural and religious leaders in the sub-regions of West Nile (Madi), Teso, Lango and Acholi after the first anniversary of the Juba Peace Talks.

The declaration made several recommendations in the areas of truth, reparations, reconciliation and complementarity. Noteworthy is the call for traditional justice mechanisms to be used for justice and reconciliation.

To access the declaration, click here.

Accountability and Reconciliation at the Juba Peace Talks: Beyond the Impasse, FN III

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As peace talks between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda proceed in Juba, many anticipate the forthcoming discussion of the third agenda item on Reconciliation and Accountability. The LRA leadership has repeatedly stated that no fighter will return home unless the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court withdraws indictments against four of the remaining five commanders still alive.

This paper suggests ways to move beyond the current impasse. It identifies a series of current justice and reconciliation alternatives available. By placing an emphasis on what can be discussed in the peace talks, it hopes to illustrate means of realizing both peace and justice.

To access the report, click here.

Community members participate in traditional justice ceremonies such as mato oput

Roco Wat I Acoli: Restoring Traditional Approaches to Justice and Reconciliation

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Community members participate in traditional justice ceremonies such as mato oput
Community members participate in traditional justice ceremonies such as mato oput

The 19 year conflict in northern Uganda has resulted in one of the world’s worst, most forgotten humanitarian crisis: 90 percent of the affected-population in Acholi is confined to internally displaced persons camps, dependant on food assistance. The civilian population is vulnerable to being abducted, beaten, maimed, tortured, raped, violated and murdered on a daily basis. Over 20,000 children have been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and forced into fighting and sexual slavery. Up to 40,000 children commute nightly to sleep in centres of town and avoid abduction. Victims and perpetrators are often the same person, and currently there is no system of accountability for those most responsible for the atrocities. Given the scale and scope of the crisis, it is not surprising that an intense debate on the most appropriate strategy to realize peace and justice has emerged.

When the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its intention to investigate the LRA in 2004, many local leaders in northern Uganda were opposed to the initiative. Traditional, religious and civil society leaders have argued that the ICC places ‘their’ children at greater risk, and threatens to further damage their cultural identity and beliefs. Traditional justice, based on restorative principles, is widely supported as a favorable alternative to the punitive approach of the Court. A number of advocates, therefore, argue the Court should cease its current investigation until local approaches are given an opportunity to work, or until peace is realized in the region. Despite this, very little is known about traditional justice in Acholi beyond its normative dimensions.

 This report, Roco Wat I Acoli, provides a much needed analysis of what traditional justice in northern Uganda is, how it is currently practiced and what value it could add. It documents existing practices of traditional justice in 16 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Northern Uganda. It further examines how some of these rituals have been adapted to promote the reintegration of former rebels. It does so in order to provide an initial assessment of whether or not traditional rituals and ceremonies could be further adapted in the context of the enduring 19-year old conflict.

 The findings suggest that the Acholi people continue to hold sophisticated cultural beliefs in the spirit world, which greatly shape their perceptions of truth, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. Nevertheless, traditional cultural practices and the role of Elders, Mego and Rwodi have been severely restricted by the conflict and circumstances of displacement. In the words of one Elder, ‘these children don’t know how to be Acholi’. Since their re-institutionalization in 2000, traditional leaders, through Ker Kwaro Acholi, have attempted to revitalize cultural rituals and practices, and to reach out to the population to encourage the safe reintegration of formerly abducted persons. Findings suggest that this initiative has had varying degrees of success on the ground, largely dependant upon the camp setting, leadership within the camp, as well as the individual circumstances the formerly abducted person (FAP) returns to, such as family life. Likewise, the approaches are often ad-hoc and lack coordination with other existing efforts, reflecting an institutional weakness of the organization.

 To access the report, click here

Human Security Update: Pursuing Peace and Justice: International and Local Initiatives

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The initiation of an investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Northern and Eastern Uganda has sparked intense debate on its impact on the prospects for peace in the region. On one side of the debate, it is argued that the Chief Prosecutor’s timing negatively impacts the efforts of Betty Bigombe, chief mediator between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), to re-initiate talks. The fear is that the LRA will have no incentive to dialogue with the Government if they face arrest and detention. Second, the investigation provides a disincentive for rebel commanders to come out under the provision of the Ugandan Amnesty Act (2000). Third, the investigation undermines the efforts of locally-based civil society groups to support the peaceful return and reintegration of combatants under the Amnesty. On the other side, the Chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo’s investigation has had a positive impact, facilitating prospects for realizing sustainable peace, primarily by drawing greater international attention to the conflict and pressuring conflicting parties to resolve it.

This Human Security Update examines the origins and evolution of the two sides of the debate on ‘peace vs. justice’ and attempts to bring them into conversation. Recent efforts to exchange information and views on this topic may provide an entry point for finding a balanced approach between international and local initiatives. Both approaches have relative merits and limitations. Neither are a stand-alone solution, but a well-planned, long-term, coordinated and transparent approach could stimulate both peace and justice in the region.

 To access the report, click here.