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Dr Catherine Namakula anchoring Africa’s reparations agenda at the UN

30 January 2024 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Sonia Small

Dr Namakula read more — Dr Catherine Namakula was independently mandated by the Human Rights Council to advise its member states on the human rights situation, Africans, and people of African descent.

Dr Catherine Namakula, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law – who is passionate about the human rights of Africans and people of African descent, as well as reparations for Africa – believes in promoting these human rights on a global, regional, and domestic scale.

Dr Namakula is a member of the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. She also holds the position of Professor of Human Rights and Criminal Justice at the Global Humanistic University, Curacao. Additionally, she is a published scholar in public law and has served in various positions with expert bodies and organisations.

“I am independently mandated by the Human Rights Council to advise its member states on the human rights situation, Africans, and people of African descent. In executing that mandate, I was placed in a working group with four other members appointed from other regions of the United Nations,” says Dr Namakula.

Anchoring Africa’s reparations agenda

She has made notable scholarly contributions related to the inclusivity of people in criminal justice processes, promoting the parity of esteem for African languages, and ensuring effective interpretative performance. She is also a legal adviser and community leader among immigrant entities and associations in South Africa.

Notably, Dr Namakula played a significant role as the chairperson of the working group in the previous year, and now she is tasked with mapping out and anchoring Africa’s reparations agenda. “I am thankful that my department has supported the establishment of the Africa Reparations Hub. Part of the work is now being carried out here in South Africa, and we have built a robust team.”

She is not only focused on her own work, but also actively encourages others to take an interest in reparations work and the promotion of human rights for Africans and people of African descent. Dr Namakula says there is so much to be done, and the number of individuals actively engaged in this important work is limited.

Passion for the well-being of her people

According to her, the work is built on her background of a lifetime of capacity building, continued interest, and passion for the wellbeing of her people. She is operating in her space, which comes with a sense of fulfilment and renewed energy.

In line with Vision 130, Dr Namakula says the UFS Africa Reparations Hub is establishing the UFS as an academic leader in the movement.

“Our work is increasing the global visibility and impact of our institution. We are offering more from the formidable resource base of the institution, as much as bringing more at home.”

“I am grateful to the university for its international focus, which has positioned the institution and its staff to expound the horizon of their work and impact. This alone benefits all stakeholders,” she concludes.

News Archive

Regional Conference on Trafficking in Human Beings

2007-06-29

Trafficking in Human Beings:
National and International Perspectives

Date: 17th August 2007
Address: CR Swart Auditorium, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Every year thousands of children and adults become victims of trafficking and abuse in South Africa and throughout the southern African region. Victims are trafficked for a myriad of reasons: sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography; illegal labour, including child conscription; domestic servitude; illegal adoptions; body parts/organs; and forced marriages.

The Unit for Children’s Rights, Department of Criminal and Medical Law, University of the Free State (UFS), together with the Centre for Continuing Legal Education at UFS, will host a Regional Conference on Trafficking in Human Beings. The conference will bring together key role-players from the South African government as well as crucial international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region.

Trafficking in human beings, especially women and children, is a serious violation of the human rights of the victims, as well as an extremely profitable source of income to organized crime, and needs the attention and intervention of both governmental and non-governmental institutions in South Africa.

Speakers will include representatives from the United National Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Law Reform Commission, the Unit for Children’s Rights-UFS, and NGOs Molo Songololo and Terre Des Homes, that work with child trafficking victims in South Africa and around the world.

The media are invited to report on the conference, and interview speakers and presenters Attached find programme. For more info contact the following persons.

1. Beatri Kruger - 051 401 2108 / email: krugerh.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za
2. Susan Kreston - 051 401 9562 / email: krestons.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za
3. Elizabeth Snyman – 051 401 2268 / email: snymane.rd@mail.ufs.ac.za

Programme

Trafficking in human beings:
National & international perspectives

Presented by The Unit for Children’s Rights, Department Of Criminal & Medical Law , Faculty of Law, in Conjunction with The Centre for Continuing Legal Education, University of the Free State.

Funded through the Generosity of the United States Department of State

17 AUGUST, 2007 – CR SWART AUDITORIAM

8:00-8:30 Registration & Tea
8:30-8:45 Opening & Welcome
Prof. JJ Henning, Faculty of Law
8:45-9:40 Overview & Global Perspective
Prof. Susan Kreston - Unit for Children’s Rights, Faculty of Law-UFS

9:40-10:00 TEA

10:00-10:45 International Perspectives & the Role of Organized Crime in Trafficking
Wiesje Zikkenheiner, Associate Expert
United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, Pretoria
10:45-11:45 Identifying and Assisting Victims of Trafficking
Marija Nikolovska, Project Officer
International Organization for Migration, Pretoria

11:45-12:30 LUNCH

12:30-1:15 Prosecuting Trafficking Without Trafficking Laws
Adv. Nolwandle Qaba, Sexual Offences & Community Affairs Unit
National Prosecuting Authority, Pretoria
1:15-2:15 Recommendations for New Legislation in South Africa
Lowesa Stuurman - South African Law Reform Commission, Pretoria

2:15-2:30 TEA

2:30-2:50 The Role of Terre Des Homes in Fighting Trafficking in Children
Judith Mthombeni– Terre Des Homes, Pretoria
2:50-3:50 Trafficking in Children in South Africa – A Front Line Perspective
Patrick Solomon - Molo Songololo, Cape Town
3:50-4:00 Closing Remarks
Adv. Beatri Kruger
Department of Criminal & Medical Law - UFS

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