June 15, 2006: GoU Should Engage Peace Talks as Opportunity to Protect Civilians
in: Uganda-CAN
by: Peter
As news surrounding potential peace talks in Juba has been unfolding, Uganda-CAN has been consulting with its international legal sources about the responsibilities of various stakeholders. An article in today's New Vision reports that the Government of Uganda (GoU) will not send a delegation to the peace talks. Uganda-CAN believes (if this news is accurate) that
this is a serious abrogation of the government's responsibility to protect its citizens and work toward regional security. The government has a duty, through its constitution and signing of the UN charter, to exhaust all opportunities to minimize and end violence against its people. The peace talks in Juba represent one such significant opportunity that could end the war in the north and improve regional security.
It is true that the GoU is a party to the Rome Statute. Yet, as a sovereign state, Uganda is the ultimate arbiter of how to manage its national security interests and defend against internal conflict. Article 53 of the Rome Statute specifically considers scenarios where insisting on prosecution should defer to the "interests of victims" or other "interests of justice," such as circumstances in which peace may be negotiated. This is one such case. Uganda-CAN urges the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders to put the needs of peace and protection for civilians in northern Uganda first.
It is true that the GoU is a party to the Rome Statute. Yet, as a sovereign state, Uganda is the ultimate arbiter of how to manage its national security interests and defend against internal conflict. Article 53 of the Rome Statute specifically considers scenarios where insisting on prosecution should defer to the "interests of victims" or other "interests of justice," such as circumstances in which peace may be negotiated. This is one such case. Uganda-CAN urges the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders to put the needs of peace and protection for civilians in northern Uganda first.
Comments
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