ICC conducts outreach workshop with people with disabilities in Teso sub-region, north eastern Uganda

ICC-CPI-20090204-PR388

The International Criminal Court today held a workshop with 50 leaders representing persons with disabilities in the Teso sub-region, north eastern Uganda. The meeting marked the beginning of a pilot outreach phase meant to prepare wider-reaching outreach mechanisms for the people with disabilities in the communities most affected by the conflict in northern Uganda.

The workshop, organised in partnership with relevant district unions for persons with disabilities, was attended by leaders from Amuria, Bukedea, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Kumi and Soroti districts. They included representatives of persons with hearing and visual impairment, as well as those with physical challenges. Whereas the Court had already targeted a series of different groups in the war affected communities, this is the first time the Court is broadening its outreach efforts to include people with disabilities in order to strengthen the information sharing process of the Court.

Outreach officials from the Public Information and Documentation Section in Kampala made brief presentations about the ICC and its mandate; they provided latest updates concerning the situations in northern Uganda, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Dafur (Sudan). On their part, the participants analysed the outreach materials used for the workshop and made recommendations to ensure more user-friendly interactions between their members and the Court in future.

Through discussion groups, participants elaborated possible mechanisms of increasing awareness about the current activities of the Court in Uganda and other situations under investigation. They recommended the provision of audio-visual materials, key Court documents to be Brailed and using SMS text messages to share information about the ICC.

Participants expressed gratitude to the Outreach team for identifying and reaching out to leaders of the people with disabilities. They promised to support the Court’s efforts to share information with their members at the grassroots. They also applauded the efforts of Outreach for providing a sign language facilitator who translated the discussions to participants with hearing impairments.

In his closing remarks, Hon. Ameet Ahmad Odeke, a representative of persons with disabilities on the Soroti district council, encouraged all participants to provide the information to members of their groups as accurately as possible.

For further information, please contact Ms Maria Mabinty Kamara, Field Outreach Coordinator for Uganda on Tel: +256 772 700655 or Email: maria.kamara@icc-cpi.int