DOCSLIB.ORG

Slavery and Exploitation of Syrian Refugees in Lebanon

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

Struggling to survive: Slavery and exploitation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon 1 The Freedom Fund plays a critical role to [Slavery] is happening identify and invest in the most effective everywhere... front line efforts to end slavery and human Lebanese municipality official trafficking, bringing together a wide range of partners committed to this cause. Commissioned by the Freedom Fund, this report examines the manifestations I know a 12 year old girl of slavery and human trafficking among who has packed her toys Syrian refugees in Lebanon. It draws on in a bag because she has interviews with Syrian refugees in Lebanon, to work. She doesn’t want representatives from Lebanese and people in the camp to see international NGOs, Syrian organisations, UN bodies and Lebanese government her play with her toys and officials. The study, which was conducted think she is young and during January and February 2016, unfit to work. also reviews other recent research and Lebanese municipality official vulnerability assessments. 2 Contents 2 4 5 Executive summary Recommendations Syrian refugees in Lebanon: the growing risk of slavery and trafficking 7 10 12 Child labour Child marriage Sexual exploitation 14 16 21 Forced labour Factors contributing to Conclusion slavery and trafficking of Syrian refugees Acknowledgement We are grateful and humbled by the time and willingness that women, men and children showed in accepting to share their experience with us. We would also like to thank individuals and organisations working on the Syrian refugees crisis for taking time from their busy schedules to share their knowledge and analysis. Dr Katharine Jones Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University Contact: [email protected] Leena Ksaifi Independent Consultant and Director of The George Ksaifi Organization Contact: [email protected] Cover image © Tabitha Ross 1 Executive Summary Since it began in 2011, the conflict in Syria has crisis that has unfolded over the past five years. devastated the lives of millions of men, women and Given the extensive social, economic and children. Fearing violence and persecution, families historical ties between the countries, the Lebanese have fled their homes to seek safety in other countries government initially operated an ‘open door’ policy in the region and around the globe. Many crossed the for those fleeing the conflict. border into neighbouring Lebanon. Few would have expected to find themselves forced into slavery. Today, one in five people in Lebanon is a refugee from Syria. With more than 1.2 million refugees While there are a large number of organisations in living within its borders, no other country in the Lebanon providing services and support to Syrian world hosts more refugees on a per capita basis. refugees, including Palestinian Syrians, efforts to curb Such an influx has, however, placed significant the growing incidence of slavery and human trafficking stress on the country. are often uncoordinated, limited in their focus and do not always target those most at risk. As a consequence, the Lebanese government has taken steps to effectively close its borders and, This report sets out a pathway to deliver tangible in May 2015, instructed the Office of the United and lasting change. It examines the different ways Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in which slavery is occurring among Syrian refugees to stop registering new refugees from Syria. It in Lebanon and the multiple factors that combine to has established a sponsorship system to limit the force people into situations of slavery. Addressing numbers arriving from Syria and has imposed these risk factors will require the commitment stringent residency renewal regulations. This has left of a broad range of stakeholders, including the Syrian refugees open to detention and deportation Lebanese government, international governments, for entering, working and staying in Lebanon international organisations, NGOs and donors. without the correct paperwork. Lebanon, which borders Syria to the west, has been These policies have simply exacerbated an already at the front line in responding to the humanitarian dire humanitarian crisis for Syrian refugees, many The Beyond Association safety zone in Zahle. Image © The Freedom Fund. 2 of whom live in abject poverty. With no opportunity Despite highly sensational media coverage, we did not to work legally, and with children unable to go find any evidence of organ trafficking. Further, despite to school, refugees are forced into desperate several high profile arrests by Lebanese authorities, situations to simply survive. our study did not find evidence of the facilitation of Syrian refugees across the border into Lebanon for the Syrian refugees often find themselves working in purpose of exploitation. hard, dangerous or exploitative jobs for little or no money. However, with the ever-present risk of Slavery and human trafficking should never be detection and deportation, families are increasingly condoned or accepted as ‘the norm’. However, sending their children out to work, as they can unless we act decisively, this is the grave risk facing pass more freely through the security check points Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Without significant and operated by Lebanese authorities. determined intervention, the situation will only worsen. Our study found that slavery of Syrian refugees This report provides a set of targeted and integrated in Lebanon is a rapidly growing concern, which recommendations to counter slavery and human manifests in the following ways: trafficking of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. • Child labour has increased significantly in Lebanon The starting point is to ensure that Syrians fleeing since the start of the conflict in Syria. One leading conflict and persecution are properly recognised in NGO estimated that between 60 and 70 percent Lebanon as refugees, that they can legally work and of Syrian refugee children are working, with child their children can go to school. It is also vital that labour rates even higher in the Bekaa Valley. There tackling slavery and human trafficking is a shared is strong demand among Lebanese employers for priority among every organisation with a responsibility child workers and many are pressed into the worst to assist Syrian refugees in the country. forms of child labour. • Syrian refugee girls are increasingly forced into early There is a paucity of data currently being collected to marriages, especially in Bekaa Valley, Akkar (north document slavery and trafficking of Syrian refugees Lebanon). While the family’s decision is commonly in Lebanon. It is imperative that we improve data made to secure the girl’s economic future, there is collection systems so that reliable information is a genuine risk that entering a marriage at such a available to guide the development of effective vulnerable age could result in slavery. interventions. • Evidence strongly suggests that ‘survival sex’ and sexual exploitation is a growing issue for Syrian By taking concerted steps to address the factors that and Palestinian Syrian female refugees. Women can contribute to slavery and human trafficking, Lebanon be forced or coerced into prostitution or providing will be better placed to manage the prolonged ‘sexual favours’ to order to provide food and shelter humanitarian crisis. It will also develop institutions, for their families. laws and policies that are more closely aligned with • Forced labour is increasingly common as Syrian international human rights standards. This will deliver refugees become more desperate, so much so that benefits for everyone within its borders and make it an it may even constitute the ‘new norm’. With surging example to other countries responding to the current prices for food and rent, coupled with the heavy refugee crisis. costs associated with residency renewals, refugee families can quickly fall into debt. This leaves them even more vulnerable to exploitation. 3 Recommendations To the Lebanese government To the Lebanese government, international governments, international organisations 1. and donors Ratify the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and develop an asylum system compatible 5. with international law. As an interim step, introduce and Include tackling slavery and all its manifestations implement a two-year temporary protection scheme as a strategic objective in the 2017-2020 Lebanon for all Syrian refugees, including Palestinian Syrian Crisis Response Plan and mainstream awareness and refugees, to be co-managed by UNHCR and UNWRA, response to forced labour into their programming. with financial support from the international community. The scheme should allow Syrian refugees to work and To international donors their children to access primary education, and allow UNHCR and UNWRA to restart registering refugees. 6. Support the establishment and running of a Slavery 2. Data Monitoring Centre. The Centre should: Support the urgent adoption by the Lebanese Parliament a. Continuously collate evidence from Lebanese and of the draft Bill presented to it by the Lebanese National international NGOs, international organisations Women’s Commission, which introduces a requirement and the media on slavery and trafficking cases, for a civil judge to approve a marriage of a minor in in particular child labour, child marriage, sexual addition to a religious tribunal. slavery and forced labour. b. Work with those organisations that already collate 3. vulnerability assessment
Recommended publications
  • Section 29 of the Internal Security Act

    Section 29 of the Internal Security Act

    UCLA National Black Law Journal Title Detention and Torture without Trial: Section 29 of the Internal Security Act Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9n14b6wb Journal National Black Law Journal, 10(2) ISSN 0896-0194 Author Cassim, Mohamed Yusuf Publication Date 1987 Peer reviewed eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California COMMENT Detention and Torture Without Trial: Section 29 of the Internal Security Act Mohamed Yusuf Cassim* INTRODUCTION South Africa is a relatively sophisticated, fast developing young state, fac- ing the twin problems of a modem industrial revolution, and of the search for a just and practical modus vivendi for the various groups of people who make up her population. These problems are sharpened and complicated by the fact that virtually the entire world has become concerned about what happens in Southern Africa. The general thrust of world opinion has become increasingly critical of the policies presently pursued by the South African government and impatient for the changes which it sees as imperative and inevitable. The pace of change in the world, especially in the "dark continent" of Africa, has so quickened over the past few decades that, while at one level white South Af- rica appeared to have time on her side, it is now clear that under prevailing circumstances time is a precious and rapidly diminishing commodity. More- over, in this day, the problems of South Africa are unique. There is no easy answer for the South African situation-no ready blue print for success. No country in contemporary history has been confronted with quite the same situ- ation.
  • The Politics of Roman Memory in the Age of Justinian DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the D

    The Politics of Roman Memory in the Age of Justinian DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the D

    The Politics of Roman Memory in the Age of Justinian DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Marion Woodrow Kruse, III Graduate Program in Greek and Latin The Ohio State University 2015 Dissertation Committee: Anthony Kaldellis, Advisor; Benjamin Acosta-Hughes; Nathan Rosenstein Copyright by Marion Woodrow Kruse, III 2015 ABSTRACT This dissertation explores the use of Roman historical memory from the late fifth century through the middle of the sixth century AD. The collapse of Roman government in the western Roman empire in the late fifth century inspired a crisis of identity and political messaging in the eastern Roman empire of the same period. I argue that the Romans of the eastern empire, in particular those who lived in Constantinople and worked in or around the imperial administration, responded to the challenge posed by the loss of Rome by rewriting the history of the Roman empire. The new historical narratives that arose during this period were initially concerned with Roman identity and fixated on urban space (in particular the cities of Rome and Constantinople) and Roman mythistory. By the sixth century, however, the debate over Roman history had begun to infuse all levels of Roman political discourse and became a major component of the emperor Justinian’s imperial messaging and propaganda, especially in his Novels. The imperial history proposed by the Novels was aggressivley challenged by other writers of the period, creating a clear historical and political conflict over the role and import of Roman history as a model or justification for Roman politics in the sixth century.
  • When a Temporary State of Emergency Becomes Permanent France As a Case Study AUTHOR Jane Kilpatrick

    When a Temporary State of Emergency Becomes Permanent France As a Case Study AUTHOR Jane Kilpatrick

    NOVEMBER 2020 When a Temporary State of Emergency becomes Permanent France as a Case Study AUTHOR Jane Kilpatrick EDITORS Waqas Tufail, Niamh Ní Bhriain DESIGN Karen Paalman COVER PHOTO Wesley Marçal on Unsplash Published by Transnational Institute - www.tni.org Amsterdam, November 2020 Disclaimer: The content of this report represents the views of the Transnational Institute and the named authors and is their sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains. Contents of the report may be quoted or reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided that the source of information is properly cited. TNI would appreciate receiving a copy or link of the text in which this document is used or cited. Please note that for some images the copyright may lie elsewhere and copyright conditions of those images are those pertaining to the copyright terms of the original source. https://www.tni.org/copyright Table of Contents Introduction 4 States of emergency 5 How is this provided for by law? 5 Which rights are absolute and cannot be derogated from? 5 Process: what steps need to be put in place when derogating from IHRL? 6 States of emergency in practice 6 Permanent States of Emergency and counter-terrorism 7 France 8 Before the November 2015 State of Emergency 8 Legislative changes in France 9 Impacts on fundamental rights 11 Freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly 12 The behaviour of police 14 Issues of necessity, proportionality, and
  • Immigration's Future: Closing the Door on the American Dream?

    Immigration's Future: Closing the Door on the American Dream?

    Barry Law Review Volume 24 Article 2 Issue 1 Barry Law Review: Fall 2018 1-1-2019 Immigration's Future: Closing The oD or On The American Dream? Ritcy Canelon Follow this and additional works at: https://lawpublications.barry.edu/barrylrev Part of the Immigration Law Commons, International Law Commons, Jurisprudence Commons, Legislation Commons, and the Other Law Commons Recommended Citation Ritcy Canelon (2019) "Immigration's Future: Closing The oorD On The American Dream?," Barry Law Review: Vol. 24 : Iss. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://lawpublications.barry.edu/barrylrev/vol24/iss1/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons @ Barry Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Barry Law Review by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Barry Law. : Immigration's Future IMMIGRATION’S FUTURE: CLOSING THE DOOR ON THE AMERICAN DREAM? Ritcy Canelon* I. INTRODUCTION History repeats itself, sometimes with new characters, new scenarios, or new twists. Throughout its history, the world has continuously seen people flee in masses from tyranny, wars, and other devastations. In the United States, the first settlers were fleeing from the religious oppression from their native homes.1 We study his- tory to feign we’ve learned from our past while ignoring all the signs of its reoccur- rence. If we never learn from history, we are Bound to repeat it, and the progress for our future may be halted by not fixing the problems from our past. The history of human immigration is not one that should be ignored. As the
  • The Integration Outcomes of U.S. Refugees

    The Integration Outcomes of U.S. Refugees

    THE INTEGRATION OUTCOMES OF U.S. REFUGEES Successes and Challenges By Randy Capps and Kathleen Newland with Susan Fratzke, Susanna Groves, Gregory Auclair, Michael Fix, and Margie McHugh MPI NATIONAL CENTER ON IMMIGRANT INTEGRATION POLICY THE INTEGRATION OUTCOMES OF U.S. REFUGEES Successes and Challenges Randy Capps and Kathleen Newland with Susan Fratzke, Susanna Groves, Gregory Auclair, Michael Fix, and Margie McHugh June 2015 Acknowledgments This report was originally prepared to inform the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) roundtable “Mismatch: Meeting the Challenges of Refugee Resettlement,” held in Washington, DC in April 2014. The private meeting convened resettlement providers, federal and state-level government officials, and civil-society stakeholders for a candid conversation on the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. refugee resettlement program, and future directions for policy development and program expansion. The roundtable and this report were supported by a grant from the J. M. Kaplan Fund. Additional support was provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. © 2015 Migration Policy Institute. All Rights Reserved. Cover Design and Layout: Liz Heimann, MPI No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Migration Policy Institute. A full-text PDF of this document is available for free download from www.migrationpolicy.org. Information for reproducing excerpts from this report can be found at www.migrationpolicy.org/about/copyright-policy. Inquiries can also be directed to: Permissions Department, Migration Policy Institute, 1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036, or by contacting [email protected].
  • Security, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice: a Future Partnership Paper

    Security, Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice: a Future Partnership Paper

    Security, law enforcement and criminal justice A FUTURE PARTNERSHIP PAPER The United Kingdom wants to build a new, deep and special partnership with the European Union. This paper is part of a series setting out key issues which form part of the Government’s vision for that partnership, and which will explore how the UK and the EU, working together, can make this a reality. Each paper will reflect the engagement the Government has sought from external parties with expertise in these policy areas, and will draw on the very extensive work undertaken across Government since last year’s referendum. Taken together, these papers are an essential step towards building a new partnership to promote our shared interests and values. 1 Security, law enforcement and criminal justice: a future partnership paper Executive Summary 1. The UK and the EU face a range of shared threats to the security of their citizens and way of life. The UK and the EU have a shared interest in a secure neighbourhood and in the security of friends and allies around the world. This paper is part of a series being published that sets out key issues that form part of the Government’s vision for the UK’s future partnership with the EU. A paper was published on 12 September that focused on foreign policy, defence and security, and development. This paper builds on that, focusing on security, law enforcement and criminal justice. In order to tackle the threats faced, and work towards common objectives, it is vital that the UK and the EU maintain and strengthen their close collaboration in these areas after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
  • TRAFFICKING in PERSONS 2020 COUNTRY PROFILE North Africa and the Middle East Table of Contents − Algeria −

    TRAFFICKING in PERSONS 2020 COUNTRY PROFILE North Africa and the Middle East Table of Contents − Algeria −

    GLOBAL REPORT ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 2020 COUNTRY PROFILE North Africa and the Middle East Table of Contents − Algeria − ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 − Bahrain − .................................................................................................................................................... 5 − Egypt − ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 − Iraq − ........................................................................................................................................................ 11 − Israel − ...................................................................................................................................................... 14 − Jordan − .................................................................................................................................................... 17 − The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia − ................................................................................................................ 18 − Kuwait − .................................................................................................................................................... 20 − Lebanon − ................................................................................................................................................
  • The Nepali Caste System and Culturally Competent Mental

    The Nepali Caste System and Culturally Competent Mental

    THE NEPALI CASTE SYSTEM AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT: EXPLORING STRATIFICATION, STRESS, AND INTEGRATION. A Dissertation Presented to The Graduate Faculty at The University of Akron In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Scott Swiatek May 2021 THE NEPALI CASTE SYSTEM AND CULTURALLY COMPETENT MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT: EXPLORING STRATIFICATION, STRESS, AND INTEGRATION. Scott Swiatek Dissertation Approved: Accepted: ___________________________ _____________________________ Advisor Department Chair Dr. Juan Xi Dr. Rebecca Erickson ___________________________ ______________________________ Committee Member Dean of the College Dr. Clare Stacey Dr. Mitchell S. Mckinney ___________________________ _____________________________ Committee Member Dean of the Graduate School Dr. Manacy Pai Dr. Marnie Saunders ___________________________ _____________________________ Committee Member Date Dr. Kathy Feltey ___________________________ Committee Member Dr. Marnie Watson ii ABSTRACT During the late 1990s, the Northern Bhutanese enacted policies marginalizing Bhutanese of Nepali Descent. Thousands of Bhutanese refugees were forcibly displaced to Nepal and established refugee camps where they lived for decades. While in the camps, refugees encountered traumatic life events, including torture, imprisonment, and sexual violence. Starting in 2008 and continuing for years. Bhutanese/Nepali refugees were resettled in the Akron area and encounter a new set of acculturation stressors related to finding employment, learning English, and reestablishing a new set of social networks. Older adults may cling to the Nepali caste system to cope with the unique stressors during the integration process. For over 100 years, people of Nepali descent subscribed to Muluki Ain, which codified discrimination against lower castes and mandated every individual be assigned a caste. Further, members of the ethnic and religious minority were often placed in the lower castes.
  • Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

    Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

    Responses to Information Requests - Immigration and Refugee Board of... https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=4... Responses to Information Requests - Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada India: Treatment of Dalits by society and authorities; availability of state protection (2016- January 2020) 1. Overview According to sources, the term Dalit means "'broken'" or "'oppressed'" (Dalit Solidarity n.d.a; MRG n.d.; Navsarjan Trust n.d.a). Sources indicate that this group was formerly referred to as "'untouchables'" (Dalit Solidarity n.d.a; MRG n.d.; Navsarjan Trust n.d.a). They are referred to officially as "Scheduled Castes" (India 13 July 2006, 1; MRG n.d.; Navsarjan Trust n.d.a). The Indian National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) identified that Scheduled Castes are communities that "were suffering from extreme social, educational and economic backwardness arising out of [the] age-old practice of untouchability" (India 13 July 2006, 1). The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) [1] indicates that the list of groups officially recognized as Scheduled Castes, which can be modified by the Parliament, varies from one state to another, and can even vary among districts within a state (CHRI 2018, 15). According to the 2011 Census of India [the most recent census (World Population Review [2019])], the Scheduled Castes represent 16.6 percent of the total Indian population, or 201,378,086 persons, of which 76.4 percent are in rural areas (India 2011). The census further indicates that the Scheduled Castes constitute 18.5 percent of the total rural population, and 12.6 percent of the total urban population in India (India 2011).
  • Title 9 Internal Security Division

    Title 9 Internal Security Division

    1970 TITLE 9 INTERNAL SECURITYManual DIVISION Attorneys' S. U. TITLE 9 INTERNAL SECURITY DIVISION CONTENTS Page Criminal Section ...........................•.•.•............•.•• 1 Procedure ..........•............................••..•.• 1 Investigation ......................•...........•••.• 1 Referral procedures ..........•..••..•...........••.• 2 Authorizing prosecution ..................•.........• 2 Fugitives ...........................•......•.......• 2 Statute of limitations ........................••••.•. 19703 Method of commencing action........................ 4 Publicity ................................•.••.....•• 4 Witnesses ......................................•... 4 Rule 20 transfers ...........•........•.............. 5 Pleas •......•...............•..•...............••.•• 5 Dismissals ...........................•.............• 5 Motions ...............................••.........•• 5 General ...........................•..•.•....... 5 Production of documents .............•.......•••• 6 Immunity...........................................Manual 7 Violations of specific criminal statutes..................... 9 Atomic Energy Act of 1954.......................... 9 Contempt of Congress ..........................•...• 10 Espionage .........................................• 12 False statements.................................... 14 Foreign assets control legislation ..................... 15 Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959. 15 Neutrality laws ...........................••.......• 16 Perjury ........................•........•.........•
  • Russian Law Enforcement and Internal Security Agencies

    Russian Law Enforcement and Internal Security Agencies

    September 14, 2020 Russian Law Enforcement and Internal Security Agencies Russia has an extensive internal security system, with Competition frequently leads to arrests and prosecutions, multiple, overlapping, and competitive security agencies often for real or imagined corruption allegations to undercut vying for bureaucratic, political, and economic influence. targeted organizations and senior leadership both Since Vladimir Putin assumed Russia’s leadership, these institutionally and politically. agencies have grown in both size and power, and they have become integral to the security and stability of the Russian Law Enforcement and Internal government. If Putin extends his rule beyond 2024, as is Security Agencies and Heads now legally permissible, these agencies could play a role in (as of September 2020) the leadership succession process and affect the ability of a transitional regime to quell domestic dissent. For Members Ministry of Interior (MVD): Vladimir Kolokoltsev of Congress, understanding the numerous internal security National Guard (Rosgvardiya, FSVNG): Viktor Zolotov agencies in Russia could be helpful in assessing the x Special Purpose Mobile Units (OMON) prospects of regime stability and dynamics of a transition x Special Rapid Response Detachment (SOBR) after Putin leaves office. In addition, Russian security agencies and their personnel have been targeted by U.S. x Interior Troops (VV) sanctions for cyberattacks and human rights abuses. x Kadyrovtsy Overview and Context Federal Security Service (FSB): Alexander Bortnikov
  • Human Rights and Structure of Police and Internal Security Forces in Uganda Nagujja Zam Zam

    Human Rights and Structure of Police and Internal Security Forces in Uganda Nagujja Zam Zam

    Third World Legal Studies Volume 14 The Governance of Internal Security Forces Article 6 in Sub-Saharan Africa 1-6-1997 Human Rights and Structure of Police and Internal Security Forces in Uganda Nagujja Zam Zam Follow this and additional works at: http://scholar.valpo.edu/twls Recommended Citation Zam Zam, Nagujja (1997) "Human Rights and Structure of Police and Internal Security Forces in Uganda," Third World Legal Studies: Vol. 14, Article 6. Available at: http://scholar.valpo.edu/twls/vol14/iss1/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Valparaiso University Law School at ValpoScholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Third World Legal Studies by an authorized administrator of ValpoScholar. For more information, please contact a ValpoScholar staff member at [email protected]. HUMAN RIGHTS AND STRUCTURE OF POLICE AND INTERNAL SECURITY FORCES IN UGANDA Nagujja Zam Zam I. BACKGROUND Uganda, like many African countries in the pre-colonial era, was a multiplicity of small kingdoms, chiefdoms and tribal societies. The primary interest of these peoples was subsistence. Criminal justice was maintained by kinship and the ultimate right to seek vengeance through the blood feud. There was a large degree of stability without a central authority, and in the 1870s a rudimentary criminal justice system existed. Punishment of breaches of peace was based on individual action rather than an established authority, except in the kingdoms of Buganda and Bunyoro-Kitara which had a more institutionalised set up. In the Buganda, each kingdom had its "army" for protection and expansion of the kingdom through tribal wars.