EALA and the regional civil society fraternity have agreed to collaborate for the betterment of human rights standards in the region. The areas of co-operation span across information dissemination, scale-up of promotion and protection of human rights, enhanced monitoring and linking up with citizens to share best practices.
This sums up recommendations of the ‘Roundtable on Strengthening the Implementation of Human Rights Standards in the EAC region: The Role of the East African Legislative Assembly’ held in Arusha recently.
At the one-day roundtable held on Friday, May 27, 2011, participants called for vigilance and regular scrutiny of the environment to ensure the rule of law and the promotion and protection of human rights in the region was adhered to in order to strengthen democracies.
The roundtable which was opened by the EAC Secretary General, Dr. Richard Sezibera, was attended by representatives of the civil society from the region under the aegis of the East African Civil Society Organizations Forum (EACSOF), Members of EALA (Committee on Legal, Rules and Privileges) and EAC officials.
In his remarks, Dr. Sezibera reiterated EAC’s commitment to protecting and promoting human rights adding that it remained a major priority area for the region. “Human rights concerns have therefore constituted the philosophical underpinning of the EAC integration and development process. The requirements of inclusiveness and empowerment across all sectors and sections of the human society have been the ingredients of the EAC programme” Dr.Sezibera noted.
The EAC Secretary General said human rights issues were not only cross cutting in the EAC programme but also that the issues were best managed and handled in the context of the regional co-operation framework.
He acknowledged the fact that - the establishment of the Common Market last year gave priority to human rights issues. “We acknowledge that deepening integration must be anchored on a firm foundation of the rule of law and respect for human rights. We have therefore moved human rights to the front banner” Dr. Sezibera said.
The EAC Secretary General committed to placing emphasis on social security, solidarity and development in order to pursue regional projects in the management of cross-cutting social concerns towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Speaker of EALA, the Rt. Hon. Abdirahin Abdi, termed respect for Human Rights as one of the fundamental principles of the Community that enabled the attainment of the objectives of the Community. “Adherence to the principles of good governance including respect for human rights is not only a fundamental and operating principle of the Community, but also a basic requirement for membership within the bloc” he said. In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Hon. Gervais Akhaabi, EALA MP, the Hon Speaker noted EALA’s commitment towards continued legislation and working closely with various organizations and institutions on matters pertaining to human rights.
”This will entail strengthening of existing legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for the recognition, promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights in accordance with our mandate”, he added.
“I am happy to note that this particular Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges has sought leave of the House to introduce among other Bills, the EAC Bill on Human Rights and the EAC Members’ Elections Bill. It is hoped the Bills shall sail through the various stages in the House and become law” the Speaker said.
”There is also need for enhancement of the jurisdiction of the East African Court of Justice to deal with issues of human rights. EALA and the Partner States’ parliaments in collaboration with the civil society should bring pressure to bear on the Community to operationalise Article 27 of the Treaty” he added.
A panel discussion on ‘Strengthening the Interplay between East Africa Legislative Assembly and National Assemblies/ Parliaments in the East African Community: Challenges and Opportunities to enhancing human rights protection in Partner States’ was held. The paper was presented by the Principal International Relations Officer at EAC, Ms. Isabelle Waffubwa.
The topic on ‘Scrutiny, Monitoring and Oversight of States Implementation of Human Rights obligations: The role of civil society in supporting EALA and National Assemblies’ was presented by Mr. Nzovu Job Ruzage, Executive Director of the Human Rights First Rwanda Association.
The roundtable also saw the launch of a new publication by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). The publication titled: ‘Human Rights and Parliaments: Handbook for Members and Staff’ by the Speaker of EALA. He hailed the EAC for “tightening the screws” in ensuring human rights is and continues to remain a priority.
”Each Partner State has ratified various international, regional and sub- regional instruments that protect and promote economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights of its people. The Treaty succinctly talks of adherence to the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. My appeal is that we self-police and ensure total adherence to the instruments”, the Speaker noted.
The book authored by the IBAHRI with support from The Westminster Consortium (TWC) is a compilation of reports stemming from several workshops of the IBAHRI. With a number of case studies in the EAC region and beyond, the valuable handbook gives practical guidance about how Members of Parliament can perform their crucial role in ensuring the legislature upholds the rule of law and human rights.
-End-
For more Information, contact: Bobi Odiko, Senior Public Relations Officer; East African Legislative Assembly; Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945, +254-733-718036; Email: bodiko@eachq.org | Web: https://www.eala.org | Arusha, Tanzania
