Uganda: MILITARY COURT CONVICTS HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER

[Tilly lavenas]

Dear Friends

Please send this letter or in your own words about Eron Kiiza, a Ugandan poet, lawyer, and environmentalist who has represented human rights and public interest cases. Soldiers assaulted him on 7 January while removing him from the courtroom. He was arrested and placed  in the dock alongside his clients, who are opposition politicians. The military court convicted Eron of “contempt of court” and sentenced him to nine months imprisonment. When his lawyers visited him in detention on 20 January, they noticed he had lost a significant amount of weight and had bruises on his arms and legs.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni 
Parliament of Uganda 

Parliament Avenue
Kampala, Uganda 

Email: in...@statehouse.go.ug

X: @kagutamuseveni 

Dear President Museveni, 

I’m deeply concerned about the assault, arbitrary detention, conviction and nine-month sentencing of lawyer Eron Kiiza solely for carrying out his professional duties. 

Eron Kiiza had publicly opposed military courts trying civilians, stating rightly that the practice is unconstitutional and contravenes courts decisions in Uganda.

I urge your government to immediately release Eron Kiiza and launch a prompt and impartial investigation into the assault and allegations of torture.

I would greatly appreciate a response about this disturbing case.

Sincerely

It’s a good idea to send a copy to the ambassador in your country:
HE Ms Robie Kakonge
Embassy of the Republic of Uganda
5911 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20011 

in...@ugandaembassyus.org

HE Ms Nimisha Madhvani

Uganda High Commission
Uganda House, 58-59 Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DX
in...@ugandahighcommission.co.uk

For more information about Amnesty’s Urgent Action 9/25: