Chief Justice speaks out on suspects’ rights

The Chief Justice, Sam Rugege, has urged judges to uphold the judicial concept that gives the accused certain rights until proven guilty.

Monday, January 28, 2013

The Chief Justice, Sam Rugege, has urged judges to uphold the judicial concept that gives the accused certain rights until proven guilty.He made the remarks while opening a two-day training workshop for over 30 judges from Muhanga primary and intermediate courts on the application of international human rights law in national courts.The workshop was organised by the United Nations to help participants integrate clauses about  human rights in the cases they deal with. According to Rugege, the training would help judges understand their role in applying human rights in their rulings.The president of Muhanga Intermediate Court, Fabienne Kabagambe, said, "There is always an aspect of human rights in any case; including the right to defence, the right to presumption of innocence, freedom of speech, all provided for in the international human right clauses.”