Theme:
Citizens’ security and Access to Justice: Perspectives, Processes, Institutions and the Poor

Publication Date September 15th 2004

The East African Journal of Human Rights and Democracy [ISSN1686-900X] is a multidisciplinary quarterly Journal published by the East African Human Rights Institute. It is based in Nairobi. The Journal is founded on the need to establish and build a new vision of human development for Eastern Africa through broad programs on the promotion and consolidation of human rights, and democratic values and conflict management. It is intended to engage all the actors in governance and development in local and regional dialogue on a range of issues related to the securing a bright future for human security and development in Eastern Africa.

The overriding objective of the Journal is to facilitate in generation, dissemination and sharing of knowledge and information on human rights, governance and democracy and other civic virtues in Eastern African as the most enduring basis for promoting human security, social justice and development.

Invitation

The Editorial committee of the Journal is inviting papers on the theme: Citizens’ security and Access to Justice: Perspectives, Processes, Institutions and the Poor

Papers to be included in this issue will present an incisive discussion of the social, cultural, economic and political imperatives, attitudes and institutions for promoting citizens’ security and access to justice in Eastern Africa. This edition of the journal strive to generate systematic reviews and debate on the institutions, legal and other processes that facilitate or impede peoples participation, engagement and confidence in the systems intended to promote their security, access to justice and rights. In a way this edition of the journal will address the issues relating to improvements in the performance of justice systems, the extent to which prevailing emphasis on law reform will enhance this access and how and what new ideas can we inculcate in order to reach the poor and excluded.

In many ways, this issue of the Journal will attempt to identify, follow and understand the various societal changes, collective trajectories and normative issues, constitutional and institutional reforms meant to proffer citizens their rights to security, human rights and well being. Furthermore, papers for this issue will delve into themes relating to; alternative forms of accessing justice and especially for the poor and marginalized people in East Africa and the Great Lakes region, averting crime and addressing local and regional dimensions of security.

Specifically, this issue of the Journal will try to answer the following questions:

• What models and institutions are appropriate for enhancing poor people’s access to justice and human rights in the Eastern Africa?
• What role can the East African Court of Justice, the African Court for Human and Peoples Rights and other Institutions play in human rights and democratic development?
• How can democratic development be made beneficial to the poor and especially in guaranteeing and realizing their rights and welfare?
• What alternative institutions and procedures exist for proffering access to justice and human rights for the poor in Eastern Africa
• How can we augment citizen’s security and promote sustainable livelihoods for the people and communities affected by conflict.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the Journal will strive to:

• Propose a framework for a justice systems that is legitimate, efficient, predictable and accountable,
• Contribute to the quality of ongoing debates on the process of consolidating democracy, securing rights and accessing justice in the region;
• Facilitate in-depth discussions and understanding of the inter-linkages between citizens security and the justice systems in Eastern Africa;
• Deliberate on the obstacles and opportunities for citizens security, livelihoods and social protection,
• Address issues surrounding the politics of institutional choices and design for democratic development, human rights and justice
• Examine the efficacy of the alternative routes to justice: truth and reconciliation, “Gacaca system in Rwanda, community courts and tribunals, small claims court, amnesties etc

Themes

The Journal will only consider papers that have not been published elsewhere or are not being considered by other Journals. Papers should address any or a combination of the following themes:

• Practical and theoretical issues in judicial reforms, democratization and access to justice in Eastern Africa
• Institutional and constitutional changes and the possibility of consolidating access to justice and citizen security in East Africa
• Cultural impediments to accessing rights and justice
• Civil society, citizen participation and access to justice and human rights
• [Regional] Media and the democratization process and promotion of human rights in Eastern Africa
• Transitional Justice and collective memory: Human Rights abuses, economic crimes, ethnic clashes, genocide[s] and civil wars etc what routes to justice?
• Retribution, truth and reconciliation commissions: lessons from experience in East Africa; Rwanda and Burundi
• Case studies on the themes and other relevant topics

Abstracts and Papers

The Journal accepts papers on a continuous basis. Abstracts and/or expression of interest should be addressed to the Deputy Editor. All papers must be received at least a month before intended date of publication. Due to limitations in space, priority will be given to submissions received early.

Papers intended for Publication in this issue Vol. 2 No3 2004 must be submitted by Tuesday September 15 2004. Papers received after this date will only be considered for future editions of the journal.

Books and Book Reviews

The Journal will devote at least 25 pages to the book features and book reviews. New books and book review of no more than 2000 words on human rights, democracy, conflicts management and related subjects on Eastern Africa or ay other area of interest to the Journal should be sent to the book reviews Editor through the same address. It is advisable that those interested in reviewing new book contact the Editor before embarking on the review.

Contacts for Submission and Subscriptions:

Mr. Atunga Atuti O.J.
Executive Director
The East African Human Rights Institute
Ambassador Court, Suite A6
Milimani Rd.
P. O Box 11391, 00100
Nairobi
Email: eafricajournal@email.com

Mr. George M. Kegoro
Law Society of Kenya
Professional Centre
Parliament Road
P. O. Box 72219, 00200
Nairobi
Email: george.kegoro@lsk.or.ke

Donald Deya
CEO East Africa Law Society
Ngorongoro Wing, 2nd Floor
Arusha International Conference centre
P.O. Box 6240
Arusha Tanzania
Email: eals@habari.co.tz