Publications

This submission to the UN Human Rights Committee, authored by REDRESS is collaboration with other civil society organisations, outlines key concerns in relation to Kenya’s adherence to the prohibition of torture. This submission may be used by the Committee to frame the list of questions Kenya should address in its upcoming report to the Committee. We highlight the need for Kenya to adopt the Prevention of Torture Bill, which includes a comprehensive definition of torture in line with the UN Convention against Torture, and renders all acts of torture punishable by appropriate penalties. Kenya must also be encouraged effectively investigate the 2007-2008 post-election violence, and address the ongoing impunity of perpetrators by removing domestic obstacles preventing victims from obtaining justice and reparation.

In these comments, Amnesty International, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), the Enough Project, Human Rights Watch, South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms (SSANSA) and REDRESS highlight several key concerns regarding the draft National Security Service Bill of 8 October 2014 of South Sudan. The Bill was originally tabled before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) in May 2014. The third reading took place on 8 October 2014. While some positive changes were incorporated into the Bill, the organisations remain concerned that it would give the NSS broad powers, without sufficient oversight and safeguards against abuse. Therefore, they call on members of parliament to vote against the Bill during the final reading and to make further amendments to bring it in line with South Sudan’s Constitution and with regional and international human rights obligations.

This brief, prepared by REDRESS and the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), outlines the main concerns of the organisations in relation to Sudan's implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

In this briefing paper, the Uganda Victims Foundation identifies the categories of victims, types of interim support needed, processes necessary to meet the reparative needs and proposed time frames that the government policy should target for interim reparations. UVF is mindful that the government has to mobilise resources if it is to meet these interim needs, however it must be recognised that the categories of victims listed herein have lived in inhuman and degrading circumstances from the time of their victimisation until today and hence there is a clear need for urgent intervention. We hope that this Briefing Paper may constitute a useful point of departure to discuss and implement interim measures and thus assist the many victims of the conflict in Uganda.

REDRESS and the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) have brought to the attention of the UN Human Rights Committee the "serious, ongoing human rights crisis" in Sudan, marked by widespread and ongoing human rights violations. In a report submitted to the Committee, which will be reviewing Sudan's human rights record on 8 and 9 July 2014, the organisations document the continued use of stoning, amputation and whipping in Sudan in violation of Sudan’s human rights obligations. They also draw attention to the killings and torture of hundreds of students, activists, journalists and human rights defenders by the intelligence and security forces, and the gross violations being carried out in armed conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.  

The Project for Criminal Law Reform (www.pclrs.com), a joint initiative by REDRESS and the Sudanese Human Rights Monitor, has identified a series of shortcomings in Sudan’s legal system, particularly in respect of Sudan’s international human rights obligations, and advocated reforms over the last seven years. This Compilation of Advocacy Briefings, which covers four briefings published in the period May 2013 to January 2014, highlights a number of key areas of concern:  torture, immunities as a barrier to justice and the right to protest. In addition, it draws together the multiple recommendations made by regional and international human rights bodies.    

In this letter addressed to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa, REDRESS and other human rights groups that provide medical, psychological or legal assistance to victims of torture or ill-treatment discuss how to further strengthen the rights of victims of torture and ill-treatment in Africa, including through the adoption of a General Comment on part III of the Robben Island Guidelines. They also outline the work of their  Pan-African Right to Reparation Initiative.