The Role of Justice in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
The violation of human rights of many people particularly in the developing countries has continued unabated as a result of lack of or inadequate justice meted out to the perpetrators. This situation of lack of/inadequate justice has undoubtedly helped to fuel lots of conflicts in Africa since the perpetrators know they can do anything and get away with it.

While some people may advocate for truth and reconciliation commissions for the resolution of serious long-term human rights violations, these commissions tend to be very lenient with the perpetrators in the name of ‘promoting peace’. I believe strongly, that justice is an integral part of any reconciliation process.

Justice does not only bring hope to the victims but relieves the perpetrator from a serious burden that could potentially be some sort of life imprisonment without parole. When justice is applied correctly and fairly, the final result (often long term) is a ‘lighter’ heart for both the victims and perpetrators.

The establishment of courts mainly concerned with human rights issues in all the continents just goes a long way to elucidate the important and necessity of justice in the promotion and protection of human rights. Through these courts lots of violators of human rights have been summoned and brought to book such as Milosovic and his allies of the former Yugoslavia and Charles Taylor of Liberia. Also, many have escaped this ‘dragnet’ such as the former president Chad (Habrie), the leader of the LRA of Uganda (Joseph Kone) and some perpetrators of the Rwanda genocide. I believe it is just a matter of time better these fellows answer to their alleged human rights violations in a court of law. My last word is that, justice is an integral part in the promotion and protection of human rights and at no time should it be sacrificed for something; be it peace or reconciliation. Justice is the only weapon the poor, underprivileged and often abused victims have. Trading with justice will be like trading with survival. To live this dream we have to be the surrogate voices for the victims of these heinous crimes. CHI Primus C