BRIEF: No Justice for Rape Survivors in Uganda

KAMPALA, Uganda – Amnesty International released a report yesterday accusing Uganda’s justice system of “tacitly condoning and protecting suspected perpetrators” of rape and other sexual abuses against women and girls in the north.  Most victims do not report crimes due to a fear of intimidation, hostility, and ridicule from the community, as well as state inaction in granting redress. 

Amnesty International says the northern area of Uganda has a “culture of impunity” surrounding rape cases.  “Many women and girls in northern Uganda suffer sexual and gender-based violence committed by state actors, including official authorities and military officers, and non-state actors within the family and community.”  While the government was commended for establishing a functional justice system, the report called for more action regarding violence against women. 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Ugandan justice ‘fails on rape’ – 30 November 2007

AFP – War ebbs but rape still rife in Uganda – 30 November 2007

AllAfrica.com – Uganda: Sexual Abuse Survivors in North Denied Justice – 30 November 2007

VOA News – Amnesty Accuses Northern Ugandan Authorities of Failing Women – 30 November 2007

Author: Impunity Watch Archive