U.S. And Ugandan Leaders Discuss Human Rights and Human Trafficking

GIG HARBOR, WA -- Representatives from the United States and the Republic of Uganda met this week to bring hope, justice, and direction to a country desiring to restore human rights to its people.

Former U.S. Attorney General, John Ashcroft, was the keynote speaker for the 2007 Restore International Forum on Justice, Human Trafficking and Human Rights in Kampala, Uganda. Mr. Ashcroft was joined by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, who addressed the attendees and fielded questions regarding action plans to tackle human rights and human trafficking issues of concern. Other distinguished presenters included former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice, Edward “Chip” Robertson, the Chief Justice of Uganda’s Supreme Court, Ben Odoki and the Principal Judge of Uganda’s High Court, James Ogoola.

Suffering from a 20-year civil war, the country of Uganda finds itself facing a number of human rights challenges. The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking 2006 report lists Uganda in Tier 2. This designation indicates “countries whose governments do not fully comply with the Act’s minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.” The report goes on to state that “Uganda is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation.” In response to this problem, a Gig Harbor-based organization called Restore International sought to make a difference. The justice focused organization in conjunction with the Judicial Studies Institute brought representatives from the U.S. and Uganda together for this two-day Forum to raise awareness of trafficking in persons and other human rights issues.

President and Founder of Restore International, Bob Goff, addressed the issue of child trafficking and prostitution. “We began Restore International with a passion to find audacious ways to bring justice to children and the poorest of the poor. We believe that God has given our generation the burden and the opportunity to make a difference on behalf of those who do not otherwise have a voice,” he emphatically stated. “Uganda has been blessed with a gifted and independent judiciary. We have worked very closely with the judiciary and it is our hope that we as a group of individuals will be able to move these issues to the forefront of thought and action as we advance forward in establishing a new sense of direction; a direction towards hope and peace; a direction towards the flourishing of human rights here in the great Republic of Uganda and extending into other countries throughout the world.”

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Bob Goff, call Crystal Clifton at 619-523-3300 or email at cclifton@restoreinternational.org.
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