From UN Human Rights spokesperson Liz Throssell Location Geneva We welcome today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Uganda to declare unconstitutional the practice of trying civilians in military courts. We urge the relevant authorities to comply promptly with the Supreme Court’s ruling and immediately transfer any such ongoing and pending trials which warrant further proceedings under international law to civilian courts of competent jurisdiction. Alternatively, proceedings should be quashed and any civilians detained under the authority of the military courts released. In addition, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces Act (UPDF), under which civilians have been tried before court martials, should be further amended to align with relevant provisions of the Ugandan constitution and international human rights law, in order to ensure compliance with international standards of due process and fair trial. For more information and media requests, please contact: In Geneva Ravina Shamdasani - + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org Tag and share Twitter @UNHumanRights Facebook unitednationshumanrights Instagram @unitednationshumanrights