Uganda Human Rights Commission
Encyclopedia
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) serves to monitor and advance human rights
in Uganda
.
The UHRC is a body established under the 1995 Constitution Article 51 under the Bill of Rights found in Chapter four of the Constitution. It is based on the Paris Principles
which are the guidelines for the establishment of a national human rights institution. Its mandate is spelled out in Article 52 of the Constitution.
The Commission is composed of a Chairperson, currently Mr Med S.K Kaggwa, and not less than three other persons, appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. There are at this time seven commissioners. The Chairperson and Members of the Commission have to be persons of high moral character and proven integrity. They serve for a period of six years and are eligible for re-appointment.
(ICC), giving it enhanced access to the United Nations
human rights system. It is also a member of the Network of African NHRIs
(NANHRI).
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
.
The UHRC is a body established under the 1995 Constitution Article 51 under the Bill of Rights found in Chapter four of the Constitution. It is based on the Paris Principles
Paris Principles
The Paris Principles were defined at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Paris on 7-9 October 1991. They were adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Commission by Resolution 1992/54 of 1992, and by the UN General...
which are the guidelines for the establishment of a national human rights institution. Its mandate is spelled out in Article 52 of the Constitution.
The Commission is composed of a Chairperson, currently Mr Med S.K Kaggwa, and not less than three other persons, appointed by the President with the approval of Parliament. There are at this time seven commissioners. The Chairperson and Members of the Commission have to be persons of high moral character and proven integrity. They serve for a period of six years and are eligible for re-appointment.
International status
The UHRC is accredited with "A status" by the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights InstitutionsInternational Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions
The International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, sometimes shortened to the International Coordinating Committee , is a global network of national human rights institutions - administrative bodies set up to promote, protect and monitor human rights in a given country...
(ICC), giving it enhanced access to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
human rights system. It is also a member of the Network of African NHRIs
Network of African National Human Rights Institutions
The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions is one of four regional groupings within the global network, the International Co-ordinating Committee of NHRIs...
(NANHRI).