Today, the Integrated Refugee Organization (IRO) was honored to join the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) and other partners today to commemorate the International Day Against the Death Penalty. This year’s event brought together human rights defenders, legal practitioners, academics, and civil society representatives to reaffirm our shared commitment to the abolition of the death penalty and the promotion of the right to life and human dignity for all.
The commemoration provided a vital platform for dialogue on the importance of justice reform, the protection of human rights, and the role of institutions in fostering a fair and humane criminal justice system. Participants reflected on Uganda’s progress and ongoing challenges in moving toward the global goal of ending capital punishment.
IRO extends special appreciation to Dr. Brian Kalenge from King Ceaser University, who served as the key speaker during the event. His insightful presentation shed light on the moral, legal, and social implications of the death penalty, and inspired participants to continue advocating for justice that upholds humanity above retribution.
Following the event, Dr. Kalenge paid a courtesy visit to the IRO’s Digital Resource Center at the Human Rights House in Nsambya, where he engaged with our team on the importance of education, legal empowerment, and digital resilience for human rights defenders living in exile. His visit was an encouragement to our continued work in supporting refugees, exiled HRDs, and journalists through capacity building and access to justice initiatives.
We take this moment to thank FHRI for organizing this important commemoration and to acknowledge all stakeholders, partners, and participants who continue to stand for human rights, dignity, and justice for all. Together, we reaffirm our collective voice:
No to the death penalty — Yes to life, justice, and human dignity.
