ACHPR85: Situation must improve for women human rights defenders in Uganda – International Service for Human Rights

Report on the Status of Women Human Rights Defenders in Uganda and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

A joint oral statement delivered by the Women Human Rights Defenders Network of Uganda (WHRDN-U) to the African Commission has highlighted severe challenges faced by women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Uganda. The situation presents significant obstacles to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Systemic Attacks and the Erosion of SDG 16

The report details a pattern of state-led actions that directly undermine SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable institutions. The fundamental freedoms and protections enshrined in Target 16.10 are under threat.

• Criminalisation and Arbitrary Arrests: WHRDs are subjected to criminalisation for their legitimate work, including arbitrary arrests by authorities.
• State-Sponsored Harassment: Defenders, especially those supporting political prisoners, face widespread harassment, including surveillance, stalking, and death threats.
• Cyberattacks: Digital security is compromised through targeted cyberattacks, hindering the work of defenders.
• Shrinking Civic Space: The statement emphasized a general contraction of civic space and the restriction of fundamental freedoms, which is antithetical to the principles of SDG 16.

Gender-Based Persecution and Setbacks for SDG 5 and SDG 10

The challenges are acutely severe for defenders working on gender and sexuality, representing a direct assault on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The adoption of the Anti-Homosexuality Law has institutionalized discrimination, in direct opposition to Target 10.3 (ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome) and Target 5.1 (end all forms of discrimination against all women and girls).

• Targeting of LGBT+ Rights Defenders: Attacks are significantly worse for those advocating for LGBT+ rights and gender equality.
• Impact of Discriminatory Legislation: The Anti-Homosexuality Law, which includes the death penalty, has created a climate of extreme fear and persecution, severely impeding progress on equality and inclusion.

Impact on Diverse Defender Groups and Related SDGs

The repression affects a wide spectrum of human rights defenders, impacting progress across multiple development goals.

• Environmental and Land Defenders: The situation of these defenders is a key concern, creating risks for the achievement of environmental protections under SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Student, Youth, and Rural Defenders: The targeting of these groups curtails the participation of key demographics in civil society, affecting goals related to education and rural development.
• Psychological Toll: The report notes the significant psychological toll that consistent attacks take on defenders, undermining SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Recommendations for Alignment with the 2030 Agenda

To align with its commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, WHRDN-U and ISHR presented a series of recommendations to the African Commission, urging it to call upon the Ugandan Government to take the following actions:

1. Recognise the Role of WHRDs: Formally acknowledge the legitimate and crucial role of women human rights defenders in achieving a just and sustainable society, in line with SDG 5 and SDG 16.
2. Ensure Protection: Establish and implement effective mechanisms to ensure the physical and psychological protection of all defenders.
3. Cease Criminalisation: Refrain from criminalising the legitimate activities of human rights defenders and cease all forms of harassment and intimidation.
4. Safeguard Fundamental Freedoms: Uphold and protect the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, a cornerstone of SDG 16.
5. Adopt Protective Legislation: Pass the draft Bill on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders to create a robust legal framework for their work.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article’s central theme is the persecution of “women human rights defenders” (WHRDs) in Uganda. It explicitly mentions the challenges faced by those working on “gender equality” and the disproportionate attacks they endure, which directly undermines the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is extensively covered. The article details the failure of justice and state institutions to protect citizens, citing “arbitrary arrests,” “State-sponsored harassment,” the “shrinking of civic space,” and the “restriction of fundamental freedoms.” The call for the government to “ensure their protection” and “safeguard fundamental freedoms” points directly to the need for just, peaceful, and inclusive societies with accountable institutions.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article specifically notes that attacks are “even worse for defenders working on LGBT+ rights” and mentions the adoption of an “Anti-Homosexuality Law.” This highlights the persecution and inequality faced by a specific group based on their sexual orientation, which is a core concern of SDG 10, aiming to reduce inequalities within and among countries.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Targets under SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

  • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The criminalization and attacks against women human rights defenders represent a severe form of discrimination.
  • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article describes various forms of violence, including “death threats,” “surveillance,” “stalking,” and “psychological toll,” which these women face in their public roles.
  • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The call to adopt the “draft Bill on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders” is a direct reference to this target.

• Targets under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

  • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The mention of “death threats” and the use of the “death penalty” in the Anti-Homosexuality Law are directly relevant to this target.
  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The “arbitrary arrests” and “criminalisation” of legitimate activities by authorities demonstrate a breakdown of the rule of law.
  • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. The article’s description of the “shrinking of civic space” and “restriction of fundamental freedoms” directly relates to the failure to meet this target.

• Targets under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

  • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… other status. The targeting of defenders working on LGBT+ rights actively works against the political and social inclusion of this group.
  • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The “Anti-Homosexuality Law” is a clear example of a discriminatory law that this target aims to eliminate.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not cite specific quantitative data but implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for SDG 5

  • Existence of legal frameworks: The status of the “draft Bill on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders” (adopted or not) serves as a clear indicator for Target 5.c.
  • Number of reported incidents of violence: The frequency of “arbitrary arrests,” “cyberattacks,” “death threats,” and “harassment” against women human rights defenders can be tracked as an indicator for Target 5.2.

• Indicators for SDG 16

  • Number of verified cases of arbitrary detention: The mention of “arbitrary arrests” of human rights defenders is a direct link to Indicator 16.10.1, which tracks verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture of human rights advocates.
  • Restrictions on fundamental freedoms: The “shrinking of civic space” and “restriction of fundamental freedoms” can be measured through legislative reviews and reports from civil society organizations, relating to Indicator 16.10.2 on the adoption and implementation of guarantees for public access to information.

• Indicators for SDG 10

  • Existence of discriminatory laws: The presence of the “Anti-Homosexuality Law” is a direct indicator of discrimination. Its repeal would be a measure of progress towards Target 10.3.
  • Reported incidents of discrimination and violence: The number of attacks and harassment cases against defenders working on LGBT+ rights would serve as an indicator of the level of inequality and persecution faced by this community (Target 10.2).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: ishr.ch