‘Ex-rebels charged for election violence’ in Ivory Coast
Ex-rebels who backed Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara are among 20 people charged with war crimes committed during post-election violence in 2010-2011, judicial sources say. Some of them, including two senior commanders, are now in the military. Until now, only those who supported the previous government have faced justice, prompting criticism from activists. More than […]
Security Crackdown launched in Tunisia After Gunman Kills 39
Tunisia has launched a crackdown on individuals described as extremists, hours after 39 people were killed in an attack in the coastal town of Sousse. A gunman disguised as a tourist opened fire at the Imperial Marhaba beach hotel with a weapon he had hidden in an umbrella on Friday. Witnesses of the attack said […]
Eritreans in Geneva Rally Against Human Rights Abuses
Thousands of Eritreans gather in Geneva to protest against alleged rights abuses in their home country. Diaspora Eritreans have demonstrated in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The rally on Friday is in support of a recently released UN report that detailed widespread rights abuses in Eritrea. Thousands of […]
SA Has Second Highest Gun-Related Deaths Worldwide
A recent shooting incident in the USA has once again highlighted a glaring gun control problem in the country – but closer to home, South Africa faces problems of its own. A study conducted by American medical professionals using data from the World Health organisation and Cambridge University’s Small Arms Survey, found the top countries […]
Grenade Attacks in Burundi Injures 11 Security Officials
Security officials in Burundi say 11 policemen have been injured in overnight grenade attacks in the capital Bujumbura. Blasts and gunfire were heard across the city during the simultaneous attacks on police posts and vehicles. The attacks took place in districts that have seen protests against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s intention to seek re-election. Since his […]
Video Exposes Police During Burundi Protests
Human Rights Watch today released a short video on police abuses during demonstrations that began on April 26, 2015, in the Burundian capital, Bujumbura. Burundian police have used excessive force against people protesting President Pierre Nkurunziza’s election bid for a third term. Police have shot at crowds indiscriminately and severely beaten demonstrators and detainees. Dozens […]
Women’s Rights ‘Underrated, Ignored, Trampled Upon’
Africa’s first women’s rights legal framework has the potential to benefit millions of women when governments not only ratify but also ensure its domestication in national laws, with accompanying resources for its implementation. In Africa, women’s rights have been underrated, ignored and trampled upon. The place of the African woman is often regarded as that […]
Lesotho Fights Against Gender Based Violence
Lesotho continues to fight against widespread gender based violence (GBV), and so this area of work remains a focal point at the Lesotho Gender Protocol@Work Summit which kicked off yesterday in Maseru at the Maseru Sun Hotel. Gender Links has just released the Gender Based Violence Indicators Study for Lesotho revealing the extent and prevalence […]
Burundi’s Potential Violence, Urges Resumption of Dialogue
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon remains concerned about the potential for escalating violence in Burundi and has reiterated his call for calm and restraint amid the African country’s simmering political tensions. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the United Nations chief urged the Burundian authorities “to abide by their international commitments with respect to human rights, […]
Egyptian authorities using sexual violence on ‘massive scale’
Egyptian security forces are using sexual violence against detainees on a massive scale, according to the International Federation for Human Rights. A report by the organisation suggests men, women and children are being abused “to eliminate public protest”. Many are subjected to virginity tests, rape and gang rape after arrest. Egypt’s Interior Ministry said it […]
