Former Aboke girls read a statement during the 15th anniversary prayers
Yesterday, October 10th, JRP attended the Aboke commemoration prayers organized by St. Mary’s College Aboke and Concerned Parents Association. The prayers celebrated the triumph of love over evil 15 years after 139 secondary school girls were abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Today, all but 1 girl has been accounted for. The prayers were held at St. Mary’s and were attended by survivors of the abduction, their parents, members of civil society and the community. The theme for this year’s ceremony was “transcending beyond the past” and focused on reconciliation as an obligation towards transcending beyond the past.
We were impressed by the quality of the event in focusing on the resilience and strength of all affected, and not deviating into politics. We view this annual prayer as a model for other communities looking to commemorate events that took place during the conflict.
On September 27, 2011, JRP and ICTJ partnered to hold a one-day civil society dialogue on engendering transitional justice in Uganda. It focused on challenges and opportunities for a gender sensitive TJ program in Uganda, and participants developed a list of recommendations for the Government of Uganda and stakeholders. A report on the dialogue is forthcoming. The dialogue was held at Churchill Courts in Gulu and attended by over 30 participants from Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions.
JRP is highlighted on page 5 of the Transitional Justice Institute’s September newsletter in an article on the 2011 TJ Summer School. JRP’s Lindsay McClain received a competitive bursary to attend the course on public inquires from June 13-17, 2011. The full article is posted below. To access a PDF of the full newsletter, visit http://www.transitionaljustice.ulster.ac.uk/documents/NewsletterSEPT2011.f or click here.
Photos from the September 2011 edition of the TJI newsletter featuring JRP
The annual Summer School on Transitional Justice which incorporated two separate programmes: Gender, Conflict and Transition and The Use of Public Inquiries, took place at the Magee campus from 13 to 17 June 2011.
Now in its fourth year, the Summer School continues to attract participants from various conflict and post-conflict states around the world. Participants came from Austria, Bosnia and Herzigovina, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Uganda and US, in addition to representatives from various public bodies and NGOs in Northern Ireland.
The academic component of the programme was complemented by a full social pro-gramme providing the opportunity for participants to get to know a little about the local area – this in-cluded a walking tour of Derry city, a very popular tour to the North Coast, film screenings and a Summer School dinner.
The TJI was delighted to be able to offer bursaries to some participants through a competitive process: Megan Dersnah-Alexandra from the University of Toronto, Gorana Mlinarevic from the University of Sarajevo and Lindsay McClain from the Justice and Reconciliation Project in Uganda (pictured below, right).
The week long residential course provided a dynamic context for the exchange of views and ex-periences between academics, practitioners and students through a combination of interactive lectures, workshops and roundtable discussions on key aspects of transitional justice. Guest speakers on the Gen-der programme included: Dr Fidelma Ashe (UU); Professor Christine Bell (TJI); Claire Hackett (Falls Commu-nity Council); Sari Kouvo (International Center for Transitional Justice); Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (TJI); Dr Catherine O‘Rourke (TJI); Mrs Eilish Rooney (TJI), Ms Aisling Swaine (TJI). Speakers on the Inquiries pro-gramme included: Professor Bill Rolston (TJI); Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin (TJI); Professor Christine Bell (TJI); Professor Colm Campbell (TJI); Dr Louise Mallinder (TJI); Professor Phil Scraton (Queen‘s University Belfast); Dr Vicky Conway (Queen‘s University Belfast); Ms Marny Requa (Queen‘s University Belfast); Ms Colleen Smyth (TJI); Mr John Leckey (Senior Coroner for Northern Ireland); Mr Neil Garnham QC; and Ms Caroline Cross (Barrister).
To celebrate JRP becoming an independent NGO and to officially launch the new organisation, we hosted a ceremony and reception on July 23 at our offices in Gulu’s Senior Quarters. The event — which was attended by the Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Hon. Norbert Mao, members of the community, civil society and government representatives, cultural leaders, and many more– was lively and eventful. Bwola dancers from Ker Kwaro Acholi kicked off the event by performing Acholi traditional dances.
This document contains remarks by the following persons:
Remarks by Programme Coordinator, Mr. Ojok Boniface
Remarks by Board of Directors, Mr. Michael Otim, Chairman, JRP
Remarks by Guest of Honor, H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Ambassador of Norway
Remarks by Liu Institute for Global Issues, Dr. Erin Baines
Remarks Ms. Delis Palacios from the organization Adom in Choco, Colombia
Remarks by Mr. Leyner Palacios from the organization Cocomacia in Choco, Colombia
Remarks by Resident Judge, High Court of Gulu, Hon. Justice Remmy Kasule
Remarks by Guest of Honor, Norbert Mao, LC V Chairman, Gulu District
To celebrate JRP becoming an independent NGO and to officially launch the new organisation, we hosted a ceremony and reception on July 23 at our offices in Gulu’s Senior Quarters. The event — which was attended by the Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Hon. Norbert Mao, members of the community, civil society and government representatives, cultural leaders, and many more– was lively and eventful. Bwola dancers from Ker Kwaro Acholi kicked off the event by performing Acholi traditional dances. Brief remarks were made by:
Mr. Lino Ogora, Master of Ceremonies
Mr. Boniface Ojok, Programme Coordinator
Mr. Michael Otim, Board Chairman
H.E. Bjørg S. Leite, Ambassador of Norway, Guest of Honor
Mr. Geoffrey Okello, Gulu District NGO Forum
Dr. Erin Baines, Liu Institute for Global Issues
Delis Palacios, Adom in Quibdo, Chuco, Colombia
Leyner Palacios, Cocomacia in Quibdo, Chuco, Colombia
Hon. Justice Remmy Kasule, Resident Judge, High Court of Gulu
Hon. Santa Oketta, Gulu District Secretary for Community Development, Labor, Gender and Children
Hon. Norbert Mao, Gulu District LC V Chairman, Guest of Honor
Remarks from select speakers can be accessed here.
Further enriching the evening, a poem to remember our sisters who died in captivity and a statement on women’s justice was read by women from our partner project with the Liu Institute for Global Issues, Ododo wa. After reading the statement, the women’s group Rwot Lakica performed a drama on women’s justice.
The evening concluded with dinner and a reception and performances by northern artistes Jeff Korondo and Jahria Okwera from the initiative Music for Peace.
The event allowed us to celebrate our past accomplishments, whilst marking the start of this new era for the Project. We would like to thank everyone who attended for sharing the special day with us.
The following is a timeline of past events from 2006-2007 that JRP organized and/or participated in:
2006
Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations February 1, 2006 JRP presents at Centre for Research in Women’s Studies and Gender Relations, University of British Columbia.
‘IDEALaw’ Conference February 10-11, 2006 JRP presents to the IDEALaw Conference, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia.
Northern Uganda Symposium Series March 2, 2006 JRP is invited to participate in Northern Uganda Symposium Series, sponsored by the Human Rights Centre, University of California, Berkeley.
Workshop on Transitional Justice March 17-18, 2006 JRP organized a workshop on transitional justice in Gulu, Uganda.
Liu Institute for Global Issues Seminar June 5, 2006 JRP presents findings of its research in a seminar at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium October 9, 2006 JRP speaks on justice issues at the Uganda Lobby Day and Symposium in Washington, DC.
‘The Various Faces of Justice’ Symposium November 11, 2006 Michael Otim presents on traditional justice at the ‘The Various Faces of Justice’ symposium at the University of Tokyo, Japan.
‘The Search for International Justice’ Screening November 15, 2006 The film, ‘The Search for International Justice,’ by Judy Jackson aired at the Liu Institute, followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Gerald Caplan, James Otto, and Honorable Betty Aol Ocan in Vancouver Canada.
‘Advocacy, Peace and Justice in Northern Uganda’ Workshop November 16-17, 2006 JRP organized a workshop on advocacy, peace and justice in northern Uganda at the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
Consultative Workshop with Acholi Chiefs and Elders November 18, 2006 JRP holds a consultative workshop with Acholi chiefs and elders on justice in Gulu, northern Uganda.
Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda December 1-2, 2006 JRP participates in the ‘Beyond Juba: Building Consensus on a Sustainable Peace Process for Uganda’ event organized by Refugee Law Project in Kampala.
Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region December 3-5, 2006 JRP participates in the ‘Transitional Justice and Displacement in the Great Lakes Region’ event organized by Refugee Law Project and ATJRN in Kampala.
Amnesty Commission Training December 6, 2006 JRP presents in the ‘Amnesty Commission Training on Information, Counseling and Referral’ on traditional justice in Gulu. Click here for the concept paper.
2007
‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ Conference February 25-26, 2007 JRP’s Erin Baines presents at the ‘Human Rights and Social Justice’ conference, University of Winnipeg, on gender and justice.
‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ Workshop March 7-9, 2007 Erin Baines presents at the ‘Failed, Failing and Fragile States’ workshop, UBC on peace vs. justice.
Canadian Federation of University Women March 19, 2007 Erin Baines presents to the Canadian Federation of University Women, Northern Vancouver, BC on gender and justice.
Youth Peace Actors Assembly April 11-13, 2007 Lino Owor Ogora presents on traditional justice at the Youth Peace Actors Assembly, sponsored by the Foundation for Youth Transformation in Gulu, Uganda.
‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations’ Meeting April 16-18, 2007 Michael Otim presents at ‘Transitional Justice and Peace Negotiations,’ hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs and the International Centre for Transitional Justice in Oslo, Norway. Click here to read the presentation.
‘Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ Conference May 13-15, 2007 Boniface Ojok presents paper entitled, ‘Amnesty Radio in Northern Uganda: Rhetoric and Reality’ at Radio Wars: Breaking the Waves of Hate, Turning the Tide towards Peace’ conference, held in Montréal.
Liu Institute for Global Issues Fundraiser May 30, 2007 The Liu Institute for Global Issues holds a fundraiser to support war-affected young mothers in northern Uganda.
Towards a Common Understanding of Traditional, National, and International Justice Options: A Seminar for Agenda Item 3 (Accountability and Reconciliation) at Juba Peace Talks June 2, 2007 JRP co-organized with ICTJ, and convened by Ker Kwaro Acholi, a seminar on Agenda Item 3 at the Juba Peace Talks in Juba, Sudan.
Truth-Telling and Verification Workshop With Local Stakeholders on ‘The Cooling of Hearts’ June 15, 2007 JRP held a verification workshop for our report ‘The Cooling of Hearts’ with stakeholders in Gulu before finalizing the document.
‘Building a Future on Truth and Justice’ Conference June 25-27, 2007 Michael Otim presents at Building a Future on Truth and Justice, a conference held in Nuremberg, Germany.
Lira Declaration on Agenda Item 3 of the Juba Peace Talks (Accountability and Reconciliation) by Cultural and Religious Leaders, Women and Youth from Madi, Teso, Lando and Acholi Sub-Regions August 11, 2007 The Lira Declaration is the result of a consultation attended and signed by the leadership of traditional and religious institutions, including women and youth representatives in these institutions.
Northern Uganda CSO Declaration on Agenda Item Three of the Juba Peace Talks August 20-30, 2007 Over 100 civil society organizations were involved in consultative meetings in the regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, and West Nile to reach a common position on the ongoing consultations on Accountability and Reconciliation at the Juba Peace Talks.
The indictment of the top five rebel leaders has raised both fears and expectations, for how it might impact the Amnesty process, any future peace talks and possibly led to the capture and arrest of those deemed most responsible. In this context, questions and debate about the best way to pursue justice are extremely pressing in Uganda.
In order to begin to explore these questions in the context of northern Uganda, the Gulu District NGO Forum, International Center for Transitional Justice and Liu Institute for Global Issues convened a workshop among main stakeholders on March 17-18 at the GUSCO Peace Centre, Gulu. Participants included the Amnesty Commission (including its head, Justice Onega), the Ugandan Human Rights Commission (Commissioner Alero Omara), traditional leaders (including an opening by Rwot David Onen Acana II, Paramount Chief of the Acholi), religious leaders, NGO and civil society activists from across the country, women’s groups and youth leaders, academics from Gulu and Makarere, UN representatives (OHCHR and UNICEF), MPs, and others, including representatives from IDP camps in Kitgum, Pader and Gulu Districts. Between 60 and 70 participants in total attended and momentum throughout the discussions was very high, with most sessions going over time.
