We Say

Late next year, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will take place in Kampala, bringing the world's attention to Uganda, East Africa and the wider African region. Africa is hugely important for the Commonwealth, as well as the global community. Africa is the place where the Harare Declaration - which sets out the basic values that underpin the Commonwealth - was agreed. It is also where the Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat has begun its police training work. 17 of the members of the Commonwealth hail from Africa. In this issue of Commonwealth PoliceWatch, we take a look at some of the policing issues and opportunities in Africa.

Hot on the heels of the release of a series of publications on policing in East Africa by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, our feature article takes a look at the history and problems associated with the police forces of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The forces practice regime policing - a leftover from colonial days that has been exploited by independence governments to help shore up their own hold on power. This means that policing in East Africa is characterised by excessive use of force, corruption, abuse of due process and illegal arrest and detention. The countries of East Africa make claims to democracy - but these claims must be supported by the kind of accountable and transparent policing that is a hallmark of democratic governance. Further information on CHRI's East Africa research, as well as a roundup of a recent roundtable conference held in Arusha, Tanzania, that pulled together delegates from around East Africa, Africa and beyond, is provided in our Public Eye section.

We also bring you the story behind the recent sacking of the head of the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission. Human Rights Commissions have a vital role to play in police supervision and to see the independence and integrity of the Nigerian Commission battered by government interference marks a sad day for human rights, good governance and legitimate oversight.

There is good news in Africa too. The Ghanaian President has recently reappointed a police oversight body, the Police Council, after the previous Council lapsed with his earlier Presidential term. Ghana's police have not been able to operate effectively without the Council, which advises the President on policing matters. A piece in our Introspection section looks at the history and role of the Council, as well as why the Council lapsed and what it took to get the Council up and running again.

We also highlight the upcoming Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting, which is due to take place in Kampala next June. The meet is a fantastic opportunity for the region to get women and policing firmly on the Commonwealth agenda - particularly ahead of the CHOGM later in 2007. Policing is such a vital issue for the region - and we must all take advantage of the Commonwealth mechanisms that are available to increase the profile of issues, put pressure on governments and help smooth reform processes.

In addition, we bring all our regular features - policing news and developments around the Commonwealth, a look at policing control and governance issues and best practices and a run down on a police force - this issue we take a look at Kenya.

In the lead up to CHOGM 2007, Africa will be presented with more and more opportunities to make use of the Commonwealth and a global stage to push for change and reform. Better policing is key for the ongoing economic and democratic development of the region. We need to start work now to make sure that policing is a central agenda item in Kampala, and that real and quantifiable reform flows from CHOGM.

Feature Policing in East Africa East Africa's police make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Kenyan police officers are reported raiding the press and setting fire to piles of newspapers in the street, in response to an article that criticised the government. Ugandan police officers are photographed wearing black t-shirts and storming the High Court to prevent the bail of an opposition Presidential candidate during an election period. Tanzanian police officers are described torturing suspects to get confessions. Each incident is a concerning blow to the rights and freedoms of the communities of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but more importantly reveals the widespread illegitimate government interference, brutality and lack of accountability that are hallmarks of regime style policing - a style of policing that sits at odds with East Africa's claims to democracy. ...more

Women in Focus A stage for women - Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting Next year, the Commonwealth Heads of Government will meet in Kampala, Uganda, for their biannual meeting, known as CHOGM. CHOGM is a chance for government heads to direct the policy of the Commonwealth for the following two years. CHOGM is more than just one meeting, though. Around CHOGM, events such as the Commonwealth People's Forum, the Commonwealth Youth Forum and the Commonwealth Human Rights Forum allow civil society to meet, debate, discuss and influence the CHOGM process. One of the first meetings that will take place in the lead up to CHOGM is the Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting, which is set for Kampala, June 2006. The meeting is one of the first opportunities to guide and direct Commonwealth policy over the next few years, as well as influencing the heads of government meeting. ...more