Transcript Law Enforcement Presentation Wamala Twaibu Uganda

Transition from law enforcement to
protecting the rights of People who
use drugs
The Aviator Hotel – South Africa
16th June 2016
Mr. Wamala Twaibu
Executive Director
Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN)
WHO IS UHRN?
Uganda Harm Reduction Network (UHRN) is a youth led drug
user initiative established in 2008 to respond to the drug use crisis
in Uganda
Since Inception UHRN has been advocating at a national platform
for health and policy programs that promote good practices and
supportive environment for the implementation and expansion of
harm reduction programs for people who use and Inject drugs in
Uganda.
UHRN through its programming has committed its self to raise
awareness and promote effective access to quality prevention,
treatment, care and support services for people who use and inject
drugs (PWUIDs), living with and affected by HIV, TB, Hepatitis
and other related health issues.
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Current Situation in Uganda- Law
Enforcement Officials
 Treat Drug users as criminals
 Antinarcotic Law 2015 in place but not yet gazetted
 War on drugs
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Transition from Law enforcement official to
protecting PWIUDs rights
Conduct of Law enforcement officials
 Harassment of PWIUDs is rampant
 Violation of human rights (More Especially PWIUDs)
 Frequent arrests of Drug Users from their hotspots
 Money extortions from the arrested Drug Users
 No right to fair hearing when PWIUDs are taken to court
 Framing of cases against the PWIUDs on capital offense
 Fabricating evidence against the arrested PWIUDs
 Selling of drugs to the community after seizing them from drug
traffickers
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Transition from Law enforcement official to
protecting PWIUDs rights
Why transition?
 Fight for the rights of PWIUDs
 Advocate for policy reforms
 Create awareness about drug issues to the country
 Engage and inform Law enforcement officers about the health
rights of PWIUDs
 Advocate for justice and equity for PWIUDs when arrested
 To fight social discrimination among the community
 To fight for recognition for a drug user as a responsible person
in the community other than being seen as a criminal
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Challenges faced by Drug Users at the hands
of Law enforcement officers
 Violence and police harassment of PWIUDs are barriers to effective
HIV/AIDS responses
 Un-conducive legal environment that focuses on criminality remaining
grossly weak and lacking on areas of awareness, rehabilitation or social reintegration, treatment as well as aftercare rather focussing on crime.
 Limited awareness on the harm reduction interventions and right based
approach
 The capacity to reform laws and policies that constrain HIV and AIDS
responses is wanting. (Antinarcotic Act 2015, HIV/AIDS prevention Act
2014)
 Social discrimination by the community is one of the leading causes for
drug users in accessing health services in Uganda.
 No access to medication of PWUIDs Under detention.
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Recommendations
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Involve Law Enforcement officers in networking meetings
Train Law enforcement officers in Harm reduction interventions and policy reforms
Introducing and extending Harm Reduction interventions in Prisons
Training PWIUDs to know and demand their rights
Involve Law enforcement officers in Advocacy campaigns
Engaging Law Enforcement officers in outreach activities
Dialoging with Law Enforcement Officers together with PWIUD.
Engaged Law enforcement officers in Various studies (“Drug use and their
Vulunability to HIV/AIDS” and on going study “Generation of information on
human rights implications of Antinarcotic Law 2015.)
 Train Law enforcement officers to recognize the rights of PWIUDs
 Build Capacity of Law enforcement officers to understand the developed policies and
guidelines to help operationalize PWID programs
 Build Capacity of Law enforcement officers to be partners in delivering services to
PWIUDs (Referrals and Linkages) – “Support Don’t Punish”
 Meaningful engagement of people who use drugs and Law enforcement officers in
policy formulation, planning and implementation.
 Training of Law enforcement officers to be supporters in implementing Harm
Reduction Interventions
THANK YOU
“Together we can be partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS”
‘SUPPORT DON’T PUNISH”