Speaker Rebecca Kadaga with Dr. Uchenna Emelonye

The new Country Director, United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCR) Dr. Uchenna Emelonye has offered free assistance to parliament to provide intervention in laws so as they meet Human rights standards. This was revealed to the Speaker of the Parliament Rebecca Kadaga during a meeting with Dr. Emelonye  at parliament.

Dr. Emelonye expressed interest in working with Parliament, especially in areas of Human Rights, and cited legislations like the Anti- Terrorism Bill and the recent NGO Bill as areas of interest, noting that there is a presumption that MPs  have passed laws that violate human rights.

The Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga, in her response informed the Country Director that Parliament had a Committee on Human Rights and they had developed a checklist to be used in assessing Bills that are presented before Parliament. Kadaga said that it could be good for other parliamentary committees to consult the Human Rights committee and use Human rights checklists when scrutinizing bills so as they act in public interest.

The Speaker also informed the director OHCR that the Attorney General should be in position to send OHCR the Bills for advice before they are passed. Kadaga  further  advised the  director to send the agreements to the legislature and judiciary which are being signed between government and such organizations, instead of dealing with the executive only.

Dr. Emelonye pledged to work hand in hand with the government and requested that the Speaker opens her office to them at all times.