Nach einer Recherche in unserer Länderdokumentation und im Internet können wir Ihnen zu oben genannter Fragestellung Materialien zur Verfügung stellen, die unter anderem folgende Informationen enthalten:

 

In seinem Bericht “Concerns Regarding Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Uganda” vom 17. Mai 2005 hält die Menschenrechtsorganisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) fest, dass Oppositionelle in Uganda häufig, bedroht, festgenommen, inhaftiert und gefoltert worden seien. Hiervon besonders betroffen seien Personen, die Kiiza Besigye während der Präsidentschaftswahl 2001 unterstützt hätten und später eine politische Gruppierung namens Reform Agenda gebildet hätten. Im Jahr 2004 habe sich die Reform Agenda mit anderen politischen Gruppierungen zusammengeschlossen und sei nun als die politische Partei FDC registriert:

“Political opponents have frequently been threatened, arrested, detained, ill-treated and tortured. Particularly targeted are those who supported Kiiza Besigye in the 2001 presidential election, and who subsequently formed a political group called Reform Agenda. Besigye was President Museveni’s strongest opponent in that election and fled the country in 2001 after harassment. In 2004 Reform Agenda merged with other groups to form what is now a registered political party, the FDC.” (HRW, 17. Mai 2005, S. 6-7)

Gemäß einem älteren Bericht von Human Rights Watch (HRW) würden die meisten Opfer von illegalen Inhaftierungen und Folterungen die ihnen zugefügte Behandlung auf politische Unterdrückungsmaßnahmen zurückführen. Die Betroffenen hätten berichtet, dass Sicherheits­kräfte oder Angehörige des Militärs sie vergangener oder aktueller Oppositionsaktivitäten beschuldigt hätten, ihnen vorgeworfen hätten, Mitglieder oder UnterstützerInnen von Rebellen­gruppen zu sein oder sie des Hochverrats oder des Terrorismus beschuldigt hätten.

Eine inoffizielle Erhebung im Kigo-Gefängnis in der Nähe von Kampala, wo sog. „politische“ Fälle inhaftiert seien, habe im Juni 2003 ergeben, dass 90 Prozent der Inhaftierten bzw. Gefangenen während ihrer Festnahme von Angehörigen des Militärs bzw. der Sicherheitskräfte gefoltert worden seien:

“Most victims of illegal detention and torture attribute their treatment to political suppression, reporting that security or military agents accused them of past or current political opposition, insurrection or support for rebel groups, treason or terrorism, or of knowing persons involved in such activities. Others report they were accused of having engaged in or witnessed criminal activity such as murder or robbery, while some link their abuse to personal disputes and vendettas by officials.” (HRW, 29. März 2004, S.4)

“An informal survey at Kigo Prison near Kampala, where “political” cases are held, indicated in June 2003 that 90 percent of detainees/prisoners had been tortured during their prior detention by state military and security agencies.” (HRW, 29. März 2004, S.4)

Für detaillierte Informationen zu Folterungen von Angehörigen unterschiedlicher Oppositionsparteien möchten wir Sie auf den gesamten oben zitierten, bereits etwas älteren Bericht von Human Rights Watch „State of Pain: Torture in Uganda“ vom 29. März 2004 hinweisen (HRW, 29. März 2004).

 

In seinem Bericht Freedom in the World vom Juni 2007 hält Freedom House (FH) fest, dass die

NGO Foundation for Human Rights Initiative in einem Bericht aus dem Jahr 2006 festgestellt habe, dass die Violent Crime Crack Unit der ugandischen Polizei Folter anwende und zu diesem Zweck sogenannte „safe houses“ betreibe.

Auch habe es - wie in den vorangegangenen Jahren Folter vor allem durch Sicherheitskräfte geben und zwar ungeachtet der Beteuerungen von Regierungsseite, dass Folter auf institutioneller Ebene nicht stillschweigend geduldet werde:

“A 2006 report by the NGO Foundation for Human Rights Initiative identified the police Violent Crime Crack Unit as engaging in torture and maintaining safe houses for that purpose.” (FH, Juni 2007, Abschnitt: Political Rights and Civil Liberties)

“Torture by security forces, especially at the local level, has continued despite the government’s assurance that it is not condoned on an institutional level.” (FH, Juni 2007, Abschnitt: Political Rights and Civil Liberties)

Amnesty International (AI) zeigt in seinem Jahresbericht 2007 vom 23. Mai 2007 auf, dass es Berichte von Folterungen von Häftlingen durch Sicherheitskräfte und den Staatssicherheits-dienst gegeben habe. Diesen Berichten zufolge seien „safe houses“ verwendet worden, in denen Verdächtige gefangen gehalten und gefoltert worden seien. Einige der 22 Männer, die zusammen mit Dr Kizza Besigye des Hochverrates angeklagt seien, hätten am 1. November wegen Folter und Misshandlungen in der Haft Klage gegen die Behörden erhoben. Am 4. Mai sei Berichten zufolge der Geschäftsmann Abdu Smugenyi, in einem „safe house“ mittels Elektroschocks zu Tode gefoltert worden: Dem Häftlich sei vorgeworfen worden, Mitglied einer bewaffneten Gruppierung zu sein, die in der Demokratischen Republik Kongo operiere.

“There were reports of torture of detainees by police forces and the state security services, who reportedly used "safe houses" where suspects were detained and tortured for days at a time. Some of the 22 men accused of treason with Dr Kizza Besigye filed a suit on 1 November against the authorities for torture and ill-treatment while in detention. On 4 May, Abdu Smugenyi, a businessman, was reportedly tortured to death by electrocution in a "safe house" in Kampala. He had been arrested in April near Kasese, western Uganda, and accused of involvement with an armed group operating in the DRC.” (AI, 23. Mai 2007, Abschnitt: Torture and ill-treatment)

Nähere Informationen zum Fall Besigye stellt Amnesty International (AI) in seinem Bericht „Der ewige Präsident“ vom April 2006 zur Verfügung:

„Im Präsidentschaftswahlkampf der letzten Monate zählten Gesichter und nicht Programme. Musevenis Herausforderer, sein ehemaliger Arzt, Minister und enger Vertrauter Dr. Kizza Besigye, war schon 2001 aus Enttäuschung über das politische System und aufgrund persönlicher Streitigkeiten mit Museveni als unabhängiger Kandidat angetreten. Nach gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen und Musevenis Wahlsieg war er ins Exil geflohen, kehrte aber im vergangenen Jahr zurück, um erneut als Spitzenkandidat der Opposition anzutreten. Kurz nach seiner Ankunft in Uganda wurde er verhaftet und wegen Verrats, Terrorismus, Waffenbesitzes und Vergewaltigung angeklagt. Man warf ihm vor, eine Rebellengruppe angeführt zu haben, die Angriffe auf Uganda geplant haben soll. Beweise für diese Vorwürfe wurden nie erbracht. Trotz eines richterlichen Beschlusses, Besigye und seine Mitangeklagten gegen Kaution wieder freizulassen, wurde er festgehalten und wenig später vor einem Militärtribunal angeklagt. James Ogoola, Vorsitzender des Obersten Gerichts, sprach von »einer groben Verletzung der Doppeldoktrin von Rechtsstaat und Unabhängigkeit der Justiz«. Proteste der Opposition ließ die Regierung anschließend brutal unterdrücken. Ein fairer Wahlkampf war auf dieser Grundlage kaum möglich.“ (AI, April 2006)

Auch Human Rights Watch (HRW) berichtet in seinem Jahresbericht vom Jänner 2007, dass die ugandischen Sicherheitskräfte sowie das Militär weiterhin „safe houses“ (unbewilligte geheime Haftanstalten) sowie verstärkt auch Einrichtungen der zivilen Polizei verwenden würden, um Personen , die unter dem Verdacht stünden Rebellen oder Dissidenten zu sein, zu inhaftieren und zu foltern. Auch Human Rights Watch (HRW) berichtet von dem oben bereits erwähnten Tod durch Folterung des Geschäftsmannes Abdu Semugenyi:

“Ugandan security and military forces continue to use “safe houses,” unauthorized secret detention centers, and, increasingly, civilian police facilities to detain and torture suspected rebels and dissidents. In April 2006, after being accused of being associated with the rebel group Allied Democratic Forces, was detained in a “safe house” maintained by the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force in an upscale neighborhood of Kampala. Other individuals detained in the “safe house,” some of whom were also tortured, witnessed Semugenyi’s torture and one reported that Semugenyi was electrocuted to death on May 4, 2006. Although the authorities first denied holding Semugenyi, they later claimed in press reports that he was killed while trying to escape. His body has not been recovered by his family.”

Vorfälle außergerichtlicher Tötungen werden im Jahresbericht zur Menschenrechtslage in Uganda  des US Department of State (USDOS) zu Uganda vom 6. März 2007 dokumentiert. Die Regierung von Uganda oder ihre Vertreter hätten keine politisch motivierten Tötungen begangen. Jedoch hätten Sicherheitskräfte während des Berichtsjahres zahlreiche außer­gerichtliche Tötungen (bei Festnehmen aber auch in Haft) begangen und seien für Todesfälle durch Folter verantwortlich gewesen. Auch Soldaten der UPDF seien für Tötungen verantwortlich gewesen: [1]

“Section 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: 

a.       Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life 

The government or its agents did not commit any politically motivated killings; however, security forces committed numerous unlawful killings during the year and were responsible for deaths as a result of torture. 

On August 20, special police constables in Arua District opened fire in a disco and killed Pater Alida and Kennedy Amaru, both primary school pupils. Media reports stated that Amos O'Bani, acting area subcounty chief, had ordered the police to fire on the dancers for violating a by law prohibiting night clubs in the area. Constables Osua Biazo, Tom Candia, and David Ezaruku were subsequently arrested for murder; the case was ongoing at year's end. 

UPDF soldiers were responsible for killings. On May 9, Ekemu Ocen and Odong Chamali, UPDF soldiers based in Kasese District, killed four civilians and three armed soldiers in Kiteso village. On May 24, Ocen and Chamali were arrested while trying to escape to the DRC. On May 31, a court martial sitting in Kasese started public hearings in which the two soldiers were charged with murder. On August 31, the court martial found Ocan guilty of murder and sentenced him to death. The case against Chamali, who was charged with two counts of robbery, was ongoing at years's end. 

On June 2, UPDF soldiers from the Pabwo detachment in Gulu District killed Wilfred Kinyera and Joel Oryem after they were arrested. In August Michael Abonga, Kinyera's brother, filed a petition with the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Tribunal against three soldiers for allegedly murdering Kinyera and Oryem. The UPDF arrested the three suspects, whose trial at the fourth division court martial was ongoing at year's end.

On May 24, UPDF soldiers in Gulu District killed a civilian identified as Dola in the Awach IDP camp. The UPDF claimed that Dola was a drug addict who was killed trying to enter the camp at night without identifying himself to the guards. No further action was taken by year's end. 

During the year the fifth division court martial charged Alex Okullo, a member of the Local Defense Unit (LDU) militia in Kitgum District, in the March 2005 killing of two civilians. Okullo was released on bail; his case was transferred to the High Court in Gulu and was pending at year's end. 

In 2005 the fourth division court martial convicted UPDF Private Tony Eremo of the March 31, 2005 killing of high school student Francis Ocaya Okot. Eremo was charged by the fourth division Court martial and convicted of manslaughter. Upon appeal, Eremo's case was transferred to the High Court; the case was pending at year's end. In August 2005 UPDF Privates Lazarus Avil Kwasigwee and Johnson Asiimwe killed businessman Sam Abol in an alleged attempt to rob him. The fifth division court martial convicted the two soldiers of robbery only and they were serving their sentence in Lira Prison at year's end. 

On January 2, the fourth division court martial in Gulu sentenced UPDF Private Joel Lubangakene to death for the December 2005 killing of 18 year old Ojok Ojara in Lalogi IDP Camp in Gulu District. Lubangakene remained in prison at year's end. There were no developments in the December 2005 UPDF killings case of seven civilians during a protest of Ojara's murder. 

Special police constables Joel Adrama and Dickson Anguyo, who beat to death Zacharia Ocitia in June 2005, were awaiting trial at year's end. 

There were no developments in the August 2005 killing of suspected robbers Edson Sajabi, Charles Mworozi, and Benon Kankirihoby during a security force crackdown on criminals. 

During the year security forces committed killings during apprehension. For example, on April 24, police in Mbarara killed two suspected armed robbers who had staged an illegal roadblock at Nyamityobora forest on the Mbarara Masaka highway. There were no arrests made in the case by year's end. 

On April 16, Joseph Mugenyi and Muwanguwa Matayo, police constables at Wandegaya Police Station, were arrested for the April 15 killing of a suspected drug dealer in Mulago. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped charges against Mugenyi after findings by a DPP office investigation exonerated him. Matayo was initially released shortly after the arrest; however, the DPP investigation recommended that he be re-arrested for the killing. Matayo was on the run at year's end. 

Security forces were responsible for a number of deaths in custody, some due to torture. On May 4, Abdu Semugenyi, arrested in April on suspicion of being associated with the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, was tortured to death in military custody in Kololo, a Kampala suburb, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report. The UPDF denied that Semugenyi was tortured and stated that he escaped from his bodyguards and that his whereabouts were unknown. 

On August 5, police in Kampala killed Masensio Edema after he confessed his involvement in a July 31 bomb attack which resulted in two deaths and several injuries. On August 23, the police stated that Edema was killed while trying to escape police custody.” (USDOS, 6. März 2007, Abschnitt 1a)

Zur Verbreitung von Folter in Uganda stellt das US Department of State (USOS) in seinem Bericht zur Menschenrechtslage vom 6. März 2007 Folgendes fest:

Die ugandische Verfassung und Gesetzgebung würden Folter und andere grausame, inhumane oder erniedrigende Formen der Behandlung oder Bestrafung verbieten. Jedoch habe es glaubhafte Berichte gegeben, denen zufolge Sicherheitskräfte Verdächtige geschlagen und gefoltert hätten. Gefangene seien in Folge von Folter verstorben. Zu vielen dieser Fälle sei es in unregistrierten Haftanstalten, wo Geständnisse erpresst werden sollten, gekommen. Im Berichtsjahr habe die UHRC (Uganda Human Rights Commission) 246 Beschwerden wegen Folter erhalten.

Im Mai 2005 habe das UN Anti-Folter Komitee (UN Committee Against Torture, UNCAT) seine Besorgnis aufgrund der anhaltenden Foltervorwürfe in Uganda und der offensichtlichen Straffreiheit der TäterInnen zum Ausdruck gebracht. Berichte von Menschenrechts­organisa­tionen wie Human Rights Watch (HRW) und der Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) hätten Beispiele für Foltermethoden, die von den Sicherheitskräften verwendet würden angeführt – darunter Verprügelung, schwere Schläge und Schmerzen, die im Bereich der Genitalien zugeführt werden. Einheiten der Sicherheitskräfte, die an Folterungen beteiligt gewesen seine, seien die Polizei, die UPDF, Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) sowie die Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU). Gelegentlich hätten Folterungen auch zu Todesfällen geführt:

“b Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 

The constitution and law prohibit such practices; however, there were credible reports that security forces tortured and beat suspects. Detainees died as a result of torture. Many of these incidents occurred in unregistered detention facilities and were intended to force confessions. The UHRC received approximately 246 complaints of torture during the year. The UHRC and other human rights organizations conducted human rights training for the police and military throughout the year. 

In May 2005 the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) noted its concern of continued allegations of torture in the country and the apparent impunity of its perpetrators. Reports from human rights organizations, including HRW and the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), cited examples of torture such as caning, severe beating, and inflicting pain to the genitals carried out by security forces in previous years. Security units involved in torture included the police, the UPDF, CMI, and the Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU); on occasion, such torture resulted in death (see section 1.a.). 

On May 4, Abdu Semugenyi, arrested in April on suspicion of being associated with the ADF rebels, died of injuries sustained during torture (see section 1.a.). 

On January 8, Sergeant Gilbert Odong, a UPDF soldier attached to Lawiye Adul detachment in Gulu District, used a burning jerry can to inflict injuries on the breasts of Patricia Atim. No action was taken against Odong by year's end. 

On February 10, 12 UPDF soldiers at a security check point in Nzaipi, Adjumani District, beat Juma Muwonge into unconsciousness. Muwonge was taken to Lacor Hospital for treatment. There were no arrests by year's end. 

A June report by the UHRC implicated the army in acts of torture against Karamojong during the ongoing disarmament exercise in the region (see section 1.g.). 

On August 13, police in Arua District beat Dr. Joram Ajeani, the country's former envoy to the DRC, during a security operation; Ajeani claimed he was attempting to defend youths arrested in a sweep of the Paradise night club in Arua town. On September 24, Ajeani filed a suit against the police for torture; the case was ongoing at year's end.” (USDOS, 6. März 2007, Abschnitt 1c)

Der Urgent Action 213/07 von Amnesty International (AI) ist zu entnehmen, dass die Polizei seit Anfang Juli 2007 in Kampala bei dem scheinbaren Versuch, die Stadt vor dem Common­wealth-Gipfel in Uganda von illegalen EinwanderInnen, BettlerInnen, psychisch Kranken und anderen „unerwünschten“ Personen zu „reinigen“, Verhaftungen vorgenommen und die Bevölkerung schikaniert hätte. Bei ähnlichen Verhaftungen durch die schnelle Eingreiftruppe der Polizei (Rapid Response Unit, RRU – früher als Violent Crime Crack Unit (VCCU) bekannt) sei es auch zu Folterungen der Häftlinge gekommen:

“Background Information  

Since the beginning of July 2007, Ugandan police have been arresting and harassing people supposedly engaged in criminal activities in Kampala, in an apparent attempt to clear the city of illegal immigrants, beggars, the mentally ill and other "undesirables" before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, due to be held in Kampala in November 25-27. Similar arrests by the RRU have involved torture of detainees. In mid-July 2007 police from the RRU arrested a refugee in central Kampala and accused him of stealing cars. The refugee was detained at the RRU headquarters in Kireka where he was severely beaten. When the police learned that Amnesty International was following developments in this case they took the refugee to a court in the outskirts of Kampala and charged him with being "idle" and "disorderly". The judge dismissed the case. 

The RRU, known until recently as the Violent Crimes Crack Unit, reports directly to the Inspector General of Police. It has been condemned by Amnesty International and the Uganda Human Rights Commission for numerous incidents of torture and prolonged and arbitrary detention of suspects.” (AI, 7. September 2007)

Diese Informationen beruhen auf einer zeitlich begrenzten Recherche in öffentlich zugänglichen Dokumenten, die ACCORD derzeit zur Verfügung stehen. Diese Antwort stellt keine Meinung zum Inhalt eines bestimmten Ansuchens um Asyl oder anderen internationalen Schutz dar. Wir empfehlen, die verwendeten Materialien zur Gänze durchzusehen.

Quellen: