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UN Officials Say Fair Elections Unlikely in Uganda

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - U.N. officials warn prevailing political conditions in Uganda
   are stacked against the likelihood of free and fair parliamentary and
   presidential elections later this week.
   The lead-up to Uganda's national elections has been marred by
   increasing violence, numerous human rights violations, and restrictions
   imposed on opposition candidates and supporters.

   Spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina
   Shamdasani says the deteriorating human rights situation in the country
   is likely to discourage people from voting. This, she says raises the
   prospect of continued unrest after the election.

   "Numerous human rights violations have been reported, including of the
   rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and participation,
   as well as arbitrary deprivation of life, arbitrary arrest and
   detention, and torture. '¦ Indeed, harassment, ill-treatment, arbitrary
   arrests and detention of opposition candidates and supporters have been
   worrying developments during the electoral campaign."she said.

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