Iron Fist Hurting Civilians - Onega
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The Monitor (Kampala)
December 15, 2002
Posted to the web December 16, 2002
Kefa Atibuni
Kampala
Operation Iron Fist has done more harm than good to civilians, the chairman
of Amnesty Commission said Friday.
"The reality is that the military option is not helping?. When the rebels
have been hit hard militarily, they turn their anger on civilians, committing
all sorts of atrocities," Justice P.K.K. Onega told a workshop of Uganda
National Rescue Front (UNRFII) rebels at Arua Catholic Centre.
He said LRA rebels of Joseph Kony have caused more atrocities on the civilian
population than before the inception of "Operation Iron Fist."
Onega said the military approach couldn't solve the problems of rebellion in
the country.
"When an opponent is militarily suppressed and eventually crushed, he remains
bitter waiting for the nearest opportunity to rise up again," he said.
He said a peaceful settlement brings reconciliation. "The Amnesty Commission
is determined to fulfil its function of promoting dialogue and
reconciliation," he said.
Asked by the rebels why the Amnesty Law only covers the period from 1986 to
date, Onega said: "Unfortunately I haven't got the rationale, but we made a
recommendation to the government that amnesty should go as far back as 1962."
He said it is unfortunate that some people seem to benefit from the war in
the north.
"It is unfortunate, but it is true, that there are some people who benefit
from war situation. Those who supply foodstuff, hardware and other logistics
to the fighting factions would not want the war to end because they benefit
from it," he said.
The workshop, facilitated by Amnesty Commission, will lead to peace talks
between government and UNRFII rebels beginning tomorrow.
