International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI)

The August VoiceMail is out!
We celebrate the International Indigenous Peoples Day from Asia to Africa! Read our solidarity statement supporting indigenous rights activists in the Philippines and take a look back with us through the various global, national and community initiatives together with our indigenous grantee partners.

Happy reading! https://mailchi.mp/voice.global/voicemail-62

La BoîteVoice du mois d'août est disponible!
Nous célébrons la Journée internationale des peuples autochtones de l'Asie à l'Afrique ! Lisez notre déclaration de solidarité avec les défenseurs des droits des populations autochtones aux Philippines et revenez avec nous sur les différentes initiatives mondiales, nationales et communautaires que nous avons menées avec nos partenaires autochtones.

Bonne lecture ! https://mailchi.mp/voice.global/boitevoice-32-aout-2023-peuples-autochtone

Cordillera Peoples Alliance Voice Cambodia Linking and Learning Apprenons les uns des autres Nederland en Afrika Hivos East Africa Hivos Hivos Southeast Asia AKMK Cambodia Indigenous People Alliance/សម្ព័ន្ធជនជាតិដើមភាគតិចកម្ពុជា Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Natural Justice Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines - PIKP Philippine Task Force for Indigenous Peoples' Rights - TFIP Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia-IKPA Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute - KCRI ACHA: Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance Sumba Integrated Development - SIDe Oxfam Novib Oxfam in Nigeria

Bridget Musungu encourages us to have the guts to step back and ! In this altruistic industry this is a much-needed challenge.

"Transitions and change are the only constants in life. We grow, we regress, and sometimes we plateau. But how do we measure progress and according to who, especially if one is involved in the non-profit sector, fighting against injustices?"

Read more here: https://africanfeminism.com/take-courage-step-back-and-rest/

Africans for the Horn of Africa Af4HA on Twitter “Join our tonight at 6:00 EAT, 1700 CAT as we stand in solidarity with - Amplifying citizen voices. https://t.co/7fKnBMSFgI”

Day 6 and there is still no ceasefire in

PLEASE and protect people




Read full statement here: http://refugee-rights.org/civilians-under-attack-in-sudan-a-robust-au-response-is-required/

CIVILIANS UNDER ATTACK IN SUDAN: A ROBUST AU RESPONSE REQUIRED

19 April 2023

“I believe the drafters of the Constitutive Act anticipated scenarios similar to the one obtaining in Sudan, when they coined article 4(h). Africans can not stand by and continue to watch atrocities being committed in Sudan without taking all necessary measures to stop them.”
Shuvai Nyoni, Executive Director, the African Leadership Centre (ALC)

On the 5th day since the outbreak of fighting in Sudan between two military protagonists, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), we as Africans for the Horn of Africa ( ) Initiative are deeply concerned that both the SAF and the RSF are employing unlawful means and methods of warfare, targeting Sudanese people and resulting in immense suffering. Over 200 civilian deaths and thousands of injuries have been reported so far, with most actors and reports from Sudanese indicating that this could be a significant underrepresentation of the true death toll and injuries.

There have been numerous reports on the deliberate targeting of civilians and destruction of civilian properties in the conduct of the hostilities, seriously undermining human rights and humanitarian law. RSF tactics have involved using civilians and their properties as shields, including evicting civilians at gunpoint and moving into their homes, to shield themselves from the attacks of SAF. Similarly, the SAF airstrikes are targeting civilians, their shelters and their properties, in densely populated areas, including civilian hospitals, which is resulting in death, severe injury and damage to civilian property and infrastructure. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate with the magnitude of human suffering rising by the day, as Sudanese lack access to basic essentials like food, water, electricity, and medical services. Reports also indicate that humanitarian agencies providing medical care have been attacked and medical supplies and equipment looted.

Both SAF and RSF have not abided by the two ceasefires they have committed to since the outbreak of the violence, making it difficult for humanitarian access, and for the enforcement of the response actions adopted by the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), as well as those of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations (UN).

We reiterate that this fighting, this war, is NOT a civil war! It is not a war initiated by the civilian population. It is NOT a war over objectives and desires of the Sudanese people, who through their various organically evolved methods and mechanisms such as the Resistance Committees, have repeatedly articulated their aspirations and desires, central of which has been the call for a democratic transition to civilian rule. These desires and aspirations have been repeatedly ignored by several interlocutors, leading to this unfortunate and terrible situation.

Af4HA reiterates that all possible action must be taken to convince the two armed groups to cease hostilities immediately. The two Generals, their foot soldiers and their militias must adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law in their conduct of hostilities. Their attacks should not be directed towards civilians, and they must take all precautions to protect Sudanese people against the effects of their attacks.

“For the last 10 years African Member States have committed to building ‘a stable and peaceful Africa’ and to making peace a reality for all our peoples and rid[ding] the continent of wars’. AU Member States must demonstrate a real commitment to this ideal by utilising their vast resources to bring the fighting in Sudan to an end.”
Don Deya, CEO Pan African Lawyers Union

We call for an intensification of the response by the African Union and other actors to the conflict, to a level that is commensurate with the violations and violence against the Sudanese people, so as to prevent and mitigate further harm to civilians. We believe the African Union has a robust set of tools that can still be deployed to respond to the elevated crisis in Sudan. We therefore urge the African Union and its Member States to:

 Immediately convene an emergency meeting of the PSC at the level of the Heads of States and Government to consider amongst other options, the use of the African Standby Force (ASF), so as to prevent further atrocities, and breathe life into the purpose of Article 4(h) of the AU Constitutive Act;

 Immediately utilise the good offices of the African Union Chair, H.E. Azali Assoumani of the Republic of Comoros, to take an active role in ameliorating the situation in Sudan, and mobilising all the necessary mechanisms and resources for a robust response;

 To consider serious sanctions and other deterrent measures against the individuals responsible for the deliberate and unnecessary destruction of civilian properties, using civilians as shields and deliberately causing the death and injury of Sudanese people;

 Publicly name and shame external actors known to be supporting parties to the conflict through the supply of arms, ammunition and other implements of war, and enabling the continuation of the armed actors’ intransigence and conflict;

 To seriously consider and include the demands of the Sudanese people, on the resolution to the ongoing conflict.

For further information please contact Achieng Akena at [email protected] or Dismas Nkunda [email protected]

About the Africans for the Horn Initiative ()
Africans for the Horn of Africa (Af4HA) Initiative is a solidarity platform established to amplify, citizen action and voice in the response and resolution of the crises that increasingly plague the Horn of Africa. Given the regional dimension of most conflicts in the Horn of Africa, it is important that Africans in the Horn of Africa unite and engage collaboratively, in engaging and articulating the necessary policy recommendations and action with governments, national, regional and international organisations striving for peace, security and good governance in Africa. The Initiative was born out of recognition of the need to facilitate and strengthen engagement by Africans in ongoing processes seeking to address conflicts and governance challenges in the Horn of Africa region. The Initiative is led by four non-governmental African organisations: the African Leadership Centre (ALC), Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA), the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) and the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU).

THE AFRICAN UNION MUST ACT NOW TO AVOID FURTHER LOSS OF LIFE IN SUDAN

15 February 2023

“60 years into Africa’s unity, the African Union cannot afford to sit back and watch conflict harm and affect the lives of Africans again and again. Silencing the guns and taking decisive action against autocracy, to protect African lives must be the clarion call for 21st Century Pan Africanism.” Achieng Akena, Executive Director International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI)

We, Africans for the Horn of Africa (Af4HA) Initiative are gravely concerned about the developing situation in Sudan. Since the outbreak of conflict between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023, has already claimed more than 50 Sudanese lives and seen several thousands injured. The two generals who lead the two factions, Gen Abdul Fattah Al Burhan and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (alias Hemedti) usurped the will of the Sudanese people by toppling a transitional government that was working on moving the country from autocracy to a democratic government following civilian protests in 2019. This latest conflict between the two armed factions does not represent the will of the people, who continue to put their lives at risk in calling for a return to democratic civilian rule.

The African Union must take immediate action to secure a cessation of hostilities, protect Sudanese civilians and find a permanent resolution to the long drawn out conflict. Failure to do so demonstrates serious disregard for the AU Constitutive Act and the Peace and Security Protocol which proffer a responsibility on the AU to do so.

The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) must convene an emergency meeting at the soonest possible time to determine which of the AU’s vast assets to deploy, to diffuse the crisis.

We call on the AU to take decisive and appropriate action, bearing in mind that the two Generals continue to act with impunity, refusing to return the country to civilian rule and leading to the suspension of Sudan from the AU. To date, there is nothing in the behaviour of the actors that indicates willingness to abide by any agreement and plan to return to civilian rule. This cannot continue to be ignored by all stakeholders and guarantors of the peace process.

“The AU has a varied toolkit for responding to atrocity situations, in addition to its experiences in dealing with active hostilities. AU Member States must invest all their financial, diplomatic, political and influential resources in keeping Africans safe and well.” Dismas Nkunda, Executive Director, Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA)

We also urge the Member States of IGAD, within the principle of subsidiarity, to actively engage and impress upon on General Burhan and Hemedti in Sudan to immediately cease hostilities and continue with the process to return Sudan back to democratic governance. IGAD Member States should continue to be engaged in the process and act as guarantors and custodians of democratic rule in the country.

We note with grave concern, the knock on effect of instability and fighting in Sudan on neighbouring countries and other regions including the rest of the Horn, East and Central Africa and the Lake Chad Basin. The mix of volatility from active armed conflict, criminal networks, climate insecurity and political uncertainty in these countries and Sudan bode doom for civilians across several borders. The continent and the world are not prepared for such an eventuality. Decisive action must be taken now.

We call on the international community to focus their assets and resources on ensuring the cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians.

Given the fragility of the Horn of Africa region, it is critical that all actors remain seized of all the peace and security threats in the region, and apply robust whole-of-region approaches to peace and security interventions. A piecemeal approach on one conflict can allow other conflicts to simmer and escalate, and overwhelm the peace and security response machinery.
In the coming days Af4HA Initiative will convene wider discussions and consultations amongst African citizens regarding the situation in Sudan.

About Africans for the Horn of Africa (Af4HA) Initiative
Africans for the Horn of Africa (Af4HA) Initiative is a solidarity platform established to amplify, citizen action and voice in the response and resolution of the crises that increasingly plague the Horn of Africa. Given the regional dimension of most conflicts in the Horn of Africa, it is important that Africans in the Horn of Africa unite and engage collaboratively, in engaging and articulating the necessary policy recommendations and action with governments, national, regional and international organisations striving for peace, security and good governance in Africa.

The Initiative was born out of recognition of the need to facilitate and strengthen engagement by Africans in ongoing processes seeking to address conflicts and governance challenges in the Horn of Africa region. The Initiative is led by four non-governmental African organisations; Atrocities Watch Africa (AWA), Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the African Leadership Centre (ALC) and the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI).

For further information please contact Achieng Akena at [email protected] or Dismas Nkunda [email protected].

Our Executive Director
will be discussing & universal across & the role of in securing this right for

Join the Conversation with register here
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIuceiprT4pHtd-1mQBd5tMfcB_zgscLEuu

Thiik says "hope and patience are the weapons 4 any refugee who wants to see a bright future".

Whoever wherever whenever everyone has the right to seek safety






Space Project Ug

1. Can traditional indigenous justice and peace mechanisms enhance peace and peaceful coexistence amongst South Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda?
a. What are the existing traditional and indigenous justice and peace mechanisms within South Sudanese communities?
b. Given their interruption due to conflict and displacement, can these mechanisms still be utilised to provide justice and manage conflict within South Sudanese refugee communities?
c. How effective can these mechanisms be against the scale and magnitude of conflict triggers and root causes?

Day3 of our 5day training of Community Action Researchers for the project in Rhino refugee settlement about formal & informal justice for and with host communities.A community-based participatory research approach.

Our 5-day training on community participation and action research methodologies in Rhino refugee settlement is ongoing. Day 2 of the community action researchers in the implementation of the KMF project that seeks to investigate, document and assess existing traditional indigenous community justice and peace mechanisms amongst South Sudanese refugees in Rhino, Palorinya and Palabek refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Day one of Community Action Researchers in the Rhino Refugee settlement. An intervention in the implementation of the SPACE project that seeks to reduce the gap in the access, delivery and uptake of justice by refugees and host communities

International Refugee Rights Initiative message on the Uganda Martyrs Day.
The Uganda martyrs are courageous men and boys well remembered and celebrated for their resilience, courage and strength to die for faith under the regime of Kabaka Mwanga because of taking on Christianity that seemed rebellious to his cultural practices. They stood firm amidst painful experiences of brutal massacres by Mukajanga.
Every year on 3rd June is characterized by Christian pilgrimage to Namugongo-the place where the massacre took place, in respect for the men and boys who sacrificed their lives for faith. This year’s theme is “Baptized and sent to witness Christ with love and hope”. International Refugee Rights Initiative stands to speak for those people in conflict and persecution, whose hopes are almost cut short due to unavoidable circumstances. These people have been forcefully displaced from their original places and sometimes disconnected from the love of their dear family members. On this Martyrs Day, we choose to remember the people in refugee settlements and celebrate them with love to bring their hopes to life again. We stand with the refugees, displaced and persecuted.
We celebrate those your loved ones who eventually lost their lives in the process of fleeing from the war danger zones, those who sacrificed their lives in defense against the attacks and those lives lost in cold blood. This is typical martyrdom. As the Uganda martyrs reunited with Christ in love and hope, IRRI gives itself to be the source of the hope and love that these surviving persons (refugees) can rely on, through promoting and protecting human rights in conflicts and displacement.

According to AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, 113 million Africans need urgent humanitarian assistance this year, including 48 million refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people. In a statement, the AU said 15 particularly hard-hit countries required urgent aid, with climate shocks and conflicts causing humanitarian needs to increase "exponentially". speaking at the AU Extraordinary humanitarian summit that took place in Malabo. The dedicated summit and a pledging conference, gathered around 20 African leaders and donors looking to raise funds. The main objectives of the two day-summit were to tackle the root cause of humanitarian crises on the continent and terrorism and unconstitutional government change which cause population displacement and insecurity. Read more https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/27/first-african-union-extraordinary-humanitarian-summit-opens-in-malabo/

First African Union extraordinary humanitarian summit opens in Malabo | Africanews During his inaugural speech AU chairperson and Senegalese president Macky Sall urged his counterparts to tackle the root causes of humanitarian crises on the continent. The dedicated summit and a pledging conference, gathered around 20 African leaders and donors looking to raise funds.

Still about the Palorinya Refugee settlement SPACE project. Our trainings are much more of sharing ideas, so engaging to allow full participation of both the trainers and the trainees. This yields a lot as there is much sharing of real life experience on matters of justice.

Stand with the refugees. They're human beings with ambitions to fulfill, dignity and lives to protect. It is never voluntary to become a refugee but rather circumstance causes such. Stand with them.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/unhcr_withrefugees-activity-6935528259270938624-r5D_?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency on LinkedIn: #WithRefugees | 27 comments Wherever they may come from, stand . 💙... 27 comments on LinkedIn

Meet The Extraordinary Women Peacekeepers Tackling Global Conflict.
In her article titled ‘the rise of women’, charlotte Bailey brings those women that have given in all their best towards peace building, to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts. It is such a difficult and dangerous work and brings a daunting degree of responsibility, but women like Comfort Ero-the newly appointed CEO and president of the International Crisis Group, Fawzia Koofi-one of four women in a 21-person team representing the government of Afghanistan in negotiations with the Taliban, and Njomo Omam Esther- the founder of The Southwest/Northwest Women’s Task Force, have resiliently pressed for urgent actions, found paths to peace at a time of immense global upheaval and never doubted the mission no matter the obstacles.
When women’s civil society movements are engaged in peace processes, there is a much higher chance an agreement will be reached and when women participate meaningfully in those processes, the chances of the agreement failing decreases by 35 per cent.
Amidst all challenges like having limited time for themselves and their families, physical and verbal assaults, life threats like kidnaps, these women have stuck on to both fight for peace and inspire the next generation. And to keep hope alive. https://www-vogue-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/women-peacekeepers/amp

IRRI is in the mid of the implementation process of the SPACE project, that intends to reduce gaps in the access, delivery and uptake of justice for refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda. Our team has done tremendous work conducting several trainings in refugee settlements of Palorinya, Palabek and Rhino. The impact can be felt.