Africa - Passion of the Present

Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category

International Justice: Taylor Trial Sets Positive Example

July 25th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The trial benefitted from a high-quality defense, sound handling of witnesses, and dynamic outreach to communities affected by the crimes. At the same time, Human Rights Watch’s analysis identified areas in which practice should be improved for future trials of the highest-level suspects before domestic, international, and hybrid war crimes tribunals.

(Brussels) – The trial of the former Liberian President Charles Taylor for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Sierra Leone’s armed conflict was a largely well-run proceeding, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

Posted in Africa, Charles Taylor, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Liberia, Press release, Sierra Leone, Special Court for Sierra Leone, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

Mali: Security Forces ‘Disappear’ 20, Torture Others

July 25th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Soldiers loyal to Mali’s coup leader have forcibly disappeared at least 20 soldiers allegedly linked to an April 30, 2012 counter-coup, and committed torture and other abuses against dozens of others. The security forces of Capt. Amadou Sanogo, who led the March 22 coup against President Amadou Toumani Touré, have also engaged in a campaign of intimidation against journalists, family members of detained soldiers, and others deemed a threat.

(Nairobi) – Soldiers loyal to Mali’s coup leader have forcibly disappeared at least 20 soldiers allegedly linked to an April 30, 2012 counter-coup, and committed torture and other abuses against dozens of others, Human Rights Watch said today. The security forces of Capt.

Posted in Africa, Mali, Press release | Comments Closed

Senegal: Agreement on Habré Court

July 24th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Senegal’s agreement on July 24, 2012, to establish a special court to try the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, if swiftly implemented, could mark a turning point in the long campaign to bring him to justice, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

(Dakar) – Senegal’s agreement on July 24, 2012, to establish a special court to try the former dictator of Chad, Hissène Habré, if swiftly implemented, could mark a turning point in the long campaign to bring him to justice, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

Posted in Africa, Chad, Habré, Hissène Habré, International court of justice, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Peace and Justice, Press release, Senegal, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

World Court: Important Victory for Habré Victims

July 20th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 20, 2012, that Senegal must prosecute “without further delay” or extradite Chad’s former dictator Hissène Habré is a great victory for his victims, a coalition of human rights groups said today. The ruling reinforces the obligation on all countries to bring to account people in their jurisdiction who are allegedly responsible for torture.

(Brussels) –The ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on July 20, 2012, that Senegal must prosecute “without further delay” or extradite Chad’s former dictator Hissène Habré is a great victory for his victims, a coalition of human rights groups said today.

Posted in Africa, Belgium, Chad, Habré, International court of justice, International Justice, Judicial Accountability, Press release, Senegal, War Crimes/Crimes Against Humanity | Comments Closed

Equatorial Guinea: UNESCO’s Shameful Award

July 16th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

UNESCO’s decision to issue a controversial prize sponsored by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea is disappointing and irresponsible, seven civil society groups said. A ceremony to award the prize is scheduled for July 17, 2012, in Paris. Obiang, in power for 33 years, leads a government known for corruption and repression.

(Paris) – UNESCO’s decision to issue a controversial prize sponsored by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea is disappointing and irresponsible, seven civil society groups said today. A ceremony to award the prize is scheduled for July 17, 2012, in Paris.

Posted in Africa, Business, Corruption, Equatorial Guinea, Global Initiatives, Press release | Comments Closed

AU: Don’t Endorse Sudan, Ethiopia for Rights Council

July 13th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

Foreign ministers of African Union (AU) member states should reconsider a decision that would allow Sudan and Ethiopia to gain uncontested seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a group of African and international civil society organizations said on July 11, 2012 in a letter.

(Geneva) – Foreign ministers of African Union (AU) member states should reconsider a decision that would allow Sudan and Ethiopia to gain uncontested seats on the United Nations Human Rights Council, a group of Africa

Posted in Africa, Ethiopia, HRC, Press release, Sudan, United Nations | Comments Closed

Ethiopia, Kenya: World Bank Approves Controversial Loan

July 13th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The World Bank undermined the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment with its approval on July 12, 2012, of a US$684 million loan. The loan is for a 1000-kilometer transmission line that would supply power to Kenya from Ethiopia’s controversial Gibe III dam.

(Washington, DC) – The World Bank undermined the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment with its approval on July 12, 2012, of a US$684 million loan, Human Rights Watch, Friends of Lake Turkana, Interna

Posted in Africa, Business, Environment, ESC Rights, Ethiopia, Gibe III dam, Kenya, Omo Valley, Press release, World Bank, World Bank, IMF | Comments Closed

Angola: IMF Should Insist on Audit

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should insist that Angola’s government explain how it spent more than US$41.8 billion in unaccounted oil revenues from 2007 to 2011, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)-Angola and the Revenue Watch Institute said in a letter to the IMF released today. The IMF’s Executive Board is scheduled to meet on July 11, 2012, in Washington, DC, to discuss Angola as part of an annual review of each of its member countries.

(Washington, DC) – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) should insist that Angola’s government explain how it spent more than US$41.8 billion in unaccounted oil revenues from 2007 to 2011, Human Rights Watch, Open Society Initiative of Southern Africa (OSISA)-Angola and the Revenue Watch Institute said in a letter to the IMF relea

Posted in Africa, Angola, Business, Extractive Industries, IMF, Press release, World Bank, IMF | Comments Closed

World Bank: Power Project Threatens Indigenous Peoples

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The World Bank should ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment are rigorously protected before funding a power transmission line connecting Kenya to a controversial dam in Ethiopia. The World Bank’s board of directors is scheduled to meet on July 12, 2012 to consider the project.

(Washington, DC) – The World Bank should ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment are rigorously protected before funding a power transmission line connecting Kenya to a controversial dam in Ethiopia, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim

Posted in Africa, Business, development, Environment, ESC Rights, Ethiopia, Global Initiatives, Press release, World Bank, World Bank, IMF | Comments Closed

Sudan: Torture, Abuse of Demonstrators

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Sudanese authorities should immediately stop the torture and ill-treatment of those detained following demonstrations since mid-June 2012, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today.

(Nairobi) – The Sudanese authorities should immediately stop the torture and ill-treatment of those detained following demonstrations since mid-June 2012, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said today.

Posted in Africa, Press release, Sudan | Comments Closed

African Union: Support International Justice

July 11th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

(Johannesburg) – The African Union should demonstrate support for justice for victims of grave international crimes at its summit meeting from July 9 to 16, 2012, African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa said in a letter

Posted in Africa, Habré, International Justice, Press release | Comments Closed

ICC: Congolese Rebel Leader Gets 14 Years

July 10th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The International Criminal Court’s sentencing on July 10, 2012, of Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in prison for recruiting and using child soldiers sends an important message about the gravity of this crime.

(Brussels) – The International Criminal Court’s sentencing on July 10, 2012, of Congolese rebel leader Thomas Lubanga to 14 years in prison for recruiting and using child soldiers sends an important message about the gravity of this crime.

Posted in Africa, Bosco Ntaganda, Child Soldiers, Democratic Republic of Congo, ICC, International Criminal Court, International Justice, Lubanga, Press release, The Lubanga Trial | Comments Closed

Central African Republic: LRA Attack Near Hunting Reserve

July 9th, 2012 | Author: Human Rights Watch

The Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), carried out attacks from June 21 to 25, 2012, near a remote hunting concession outside Bakouma, in the Central African Republic (CAR). The attackers killed at least two civilians and abducted at least 14 others. The attacks followed killings of 13 civilians in the same area in March.

(Nairobi) – The Ugandan rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), carried out attacks from June 21 to 25, 2012, near a remote hunting concession outside Bakouma, in the Central African Republic (CAR). The attackers killed at least two civilians and abducted at least 14 others.

Posted in Africa, Central African Republic, Joseph Kony - LRA, Press release | Comments Closed

Over 300,000 people speak out against Shell’s pollution in the Niger Delta

July 6th, 2012 | Author: Livewire - Amnesty International blogging for human rights

Marleen van Ruijven, Senior Policy Officer, Amnesty International Netherlands, and Vijay Rajendran, Chair of the Amnesty International Amsterdam Student Group

On 4 July, we visited the headquarters of Shell in The Hague together with three other student activists (Hans-Georg Eilenberger, Lisanne Peelen and Iris ten Teije) to present the company with a global petition signed [...]

Posted in activism, activist, Africa, ESC Rights, Niger Delta, Nigeria, petition, Pollution, Shell | Comments Closed

Plus de 300 000 personnes dénoncent la pollution de Shell dans le delta du Niger

July 6th, 2012 | Author: fbenard

Par Marleen van Ruijven, responsable des politiques d’Amnesty International Pays-Bas, et Vijay Rajendran, président de l’organisation étudiante Amnesty International Amsterdam

Le 4 juillet, nous nous sommes rendus au siège de Shell à La Haye avec trois autres militants étudiants (Hans-Georg Eilenberger, Lisanne Peelen et Iris ten Teije) pour présenter à la compagnie pétrolière une pétition [...]

Posted in activist, Africa, ESC Rights, Niger Delta | Comments Closed