Lawyers representing the 22 Peoples Redemption Army (PRA) suspects have taken their case to the East African Court of Justice.
The group, which together with opposition leader, Kiiza Besigye is facing charges of treason and terrorism, has been locked up in jail for the past year despite being granted bail by the High Court.
Trial of the suspects before the General Court Martial kicked off last week after fresh charges of illegal possession of firearms was slapped on them.
But the advocates led by Sam Njuba, have filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of the suspects trial. They argue that the trial is in breach of the Constitution and a gross violation of the basic human rights of the 22 accused persons.
The Constitution provides that a government authority must stay all further action pending the judgment in Court, in case of a petition brought against it. One of the advocates David Mpanga explains
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The advocates have petitioned the East African Court, protesting the violation of a Regional Treaty assented to by the three East African Heads of State in 1999. Under the Regional Treaty, the three Heads of State committed themselves to abide by the rule of law, governance and democracy.
The Advocates want the Court to declare that the continued trial of the 22 suspects is in breach of the treaty.
Wandera Ogalo who is also on the Legal Team says they are suing the Secretary General of the East African Community for failing to ensure that the treaty is respected.
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The advocates have also appealed to the African Union, the European Union and United States Government and Commonwealth to put pressure on the Uganda Government to ensure that the actions of its organs do not violate the Constitution.
