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Ethiopia Workshop on transport, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights
2005-12-05
The Ethiopia National Forum for Rural Transport and Development (ENFRTD) organised a one day workshop on Transport, HIV/AIDS and Human Rights on 29th October 2005 in Mojo, south of Addis Ababa.
The primary objective of the workshop was to sensitise stakeholders on the rights of citizens to access and mobility, and the right to life as it relates to transport.
The workshop focused on the responsibilities and accountability of the national as well as regional and local governments in providing basic transport infrastructure, the duties and obligations of citizens in the context of constitutional and legal frameworks, moral and humanitarian norms and values and international human rights conventions. The challeges of transport availability, irregularity, management and affordability were discussed in relation to the violation of human rights. The issues faced by transport operators in realtion to HIV/AIDS were also thoroughly discussed.
The need to give attention and provide immediate help to those with an urgent need for transport services eg. traffic accident victims, critical patients, children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with disabilities, but who are unable to afford them, was discussed alongside a presentation.
Dr Abera A Gobeze, Medical Director of the Debub University and Board member of ENFRTD presented a paper on Transport and HIV/AIDs. Mr Atnafu Bogale, Consultant at law and advocate and Ato Ashenafi Tadesse, head of Mojo Justice Office presented papers on transport and human rights.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the formation of a Transport Committee to discuss and present suggestions to the relevant authorities for the improvement of Transport Services in relation to the prevention and control of the HIV/AIDs pandemic and with respect to Human Rights. The Committee will be established by the Mojo Justice Office and the ENFRTD. The workshop particpants also decided to formulate and disseminate a code of conduct for public and private transport operators to address transport, HIV/AIDS and human rights issues.
Workshop participants numbered over 70 and included; representatives of different government offices such as; the Ethiopian Transport Authority; the Ethiopian Road Authority; the Limu Woreda Administration; Mojo Town Administration; Limu Woreda (sub-district) Agriculture and Rural Development Office; Health Centers; Police; HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office; and from the private sector and NGOs such as; the Horse Cart Owners Association, mini buse and medium and long distance bus owners, CBOs, schools, enterprises and members of the ENFRTD.
For more information please contact Taye Berhanu tayeberhanu@hotmail.com
