* Rights chief Pillay says force has sparked national crisis
* 8 killed, more than 250 hurt, and 580 arrested in unrest
* Decries "shocking" treatment of opposition leader Besigye
(Adds Besigye comment, para 5-9), context, 12)
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, May 1 (Reuters) - The top U.N. human rights official urged Uganda on Sunday to stop using "excessive force" against demonstrators, which she said had turned peaceful protests over food and fuel prices into a national crisis.
Eight people have been killed and more than 250 treated in Kampala's Mulago hospital for injuries during three weeks of unrest in the East African country, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said.
The treatment of opposition leader Kizza Besigye during his latest arrest was "shocking" and it was reported that he has not yet fully recovered his sight after being hit at point-blank range with pepper spray on Thursday, she said.
"The excessive use of force by security officers was plain to see in the television footage of the event. While I do not condone the violent rioting that followed, the Ugandan authorities must realise that their own actions have been the major factor in turning what were originally peaceful protests about escalating food and fuel prices into a national crisis," Pillay said in a statement.
Besigye, who flew to Kenya for treatment of the injuries, said he feared for his life.
"I know that my life is in danger without any doubt," Besigye said on a local TV station. He was shown addressing a news conference wearing dark glasses and a cast on his arm.
He is being treated for damage to his eyes from chemicals in the pepper spray and soft tissue injuries, the hospital said, adding that Besigye will spend the next four or five days there.
That means the opposition leader who lost to President Yoweri Museveni in a February election will miss a court appearance in Kampala, which is scheduled for Monday.Continued
* 8 killed, more than 250 hurt, and 580 arrested in unrest
* Decries "shocking" treatment of opposition leader Besigye
(Adds Besigye comment, para 5-9), context, 12)
By Stephanie Nebehay
GENEVA, May 1 (Reuters) - The top U.N. human rights official urged Uganda on Sunday to stop using "excessive force" against demonstrators, which she said had turned peaceful protests over food and fuel prices into a national crisis.
Eight people have been killed and more than 250 treated in Kampala's Mulago hospital for injuries during three weeks of unrest in the East African country, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said.
The treatment of opposition leader Kizza Besigye during his latest arrest was "shocking" and it was reported that he has not yet fully recovered his sight after being hit at point-blank range with pepper spray on Thursday, she said.
"The excessive use of force by security officers was plain to see in the television footage of the event. While I do not condone the violent rioting that followed, the Ugandan authorities must realise that their own actions have been the major factor in turning what were originally peaceful protests about escalating food and fuel prices into a national crisis," Pillay said in a statement.
Besigye, who flew to Kenya for treatment of the injuries, said he feared for his life.
"I know that my life is in danger without any doubt," Besigye said on a local TV station. He was shown addressing a news conference wearing dark glasses and a cast on his arm.
He is being treated for damage to his eyes from chemicals in the pepper spray and soft tissue injuries, the hospital said, adding that Besigye will spend the next four or five days there.
That means the opposition leader who lost to President Yoweri Museveni in a February election will miss a court appearance in Kampala, which is scheduled for Monday.Continued
No comments:
Post a Comment