Challenges of national human rights institutions in monitoring international conventions on human rights: case study of Uganda Human Rights Commision.

Abstract

This study interrogates the challenges Uganda Human Rights Commission faces in monitoring Uganda’s compliance with its human rights treaty obligations. Since Uganda is a state party to international human rights conventions such as: the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (ICRMW), and convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (CRPD), it is required to ensure compliance it the treaty provisions therein. These conventions have got international monitoring bodies that oversee and monitor their implementation by states parties. However, at the national level, there are also national institutions that have been established to do the same. This study was therefore conducted to identify the challenges UHRC faces in carrying out this monitory role.

The research methodology for this study was dominantly qualitative involving various methods like in-depth interviews conducted on one to one basis which provides room for further probing, structured questionnaires and analyzing of available literature although to a small extent, quantitative methods were used.

The study identified non-implementation of UHRC recommendation as the most overarching challenge. Others included inadequate funding, wide mandate, and inadequate powers among others. It therefore proposes that the state should ensure implementation of UHRC recommendations which is aimed at ensuring that the people freely enjoy their human rights.