March 29
Liberia: Boakai Making Mockery of War Crimes Court, Judge Dixon Alleges
New Dawn
Liberian Circuit Judge Blamo Dixon says President Joseph Nyumah Boakai is mocking the efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC). Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria - Firstnews Editor Released After Two Weeks in Military Custody [press release]
IFJ
According to local news reports, armed men arrived at Olatunji's residence a few minutes past 6:00 pm and forcefully took him away without any explanation. The journalists' wife,… Read more »
March 28
Africa: The Toxic Air We Breathe - Greenpeace Finds Hotspots in Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa
Greenpeace
"The ten largest NO2 point sources identified in Africa are all thermal power stations, with nine in South Africa owned by ESKOM and the tenth in Côte d'Ivoire". Read more »
Mali: Army, Wagner Group Atrocities Against Civilians
HRW
Investigations Needed Into Indiscriminate Drone Strikes, Summary Killings Read more »
Gambia: Govt in Consultation With NA to Uphold FGM Law
Foroyaa
According to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, the Government of the Gambia has been in consultation with the National Assembly to uphold the law prohibiting the… Read more »
Nigeria: Nigeria - ICC Must Not Dash the Hope of Survivors of Atrocities By the Military [press release]
AI London
In response to the statement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) following the conclusion of an official visit to Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, Director… Read more »
Eswatini: Eswatini Authorities Target Activist's Widow [press release]
HRW
Stop Harassment, Ensure Independent Investigation into Maseko's Killing Read more »
Tunisia: Tunisia - Authorities' Targeting of Lawyers Undermines Access to Justice [press release]
AI London
The Tunisian authorities' growing judicial harassment and intimidation of lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties violates their rights and undermines access to… Read more »
Eswatini: Eswatini - Authorities Must Stop Harassment and Intimidation of Tanele Maseko [press release]
AI London
Responding to news of the arrest of Tanele Maseko, widow of the late human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, and a number of her relatives, on 27 March at the Oshoek Border post while… Read more »
Gambia: 'Police Threatened to Electrocute My Private Part If I Don't Admit'
The Point
One Omar Mbye, who was charged with stealing, yesterday revealed before Principal Magistrate Sallah-Mbaye of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court that police officers "threatened to… Read more »
Morocco: NGOs Call On Morocco to Save 6 Men Sentenced to Death in Somalia
Shabelle
Non-governmental organizations in Morocco have called on their government to intervene and prevent the sentencing of six Moroccans to death in Somalia. Read more »
Egypt: Egypt Must Immediately and Unconditionally Release Anti-Torture Protester Mahmoud Hussein [press release]
AI London
The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mahmoud Hussein who is facing 25 years in prison simply for wearing a T-shirt with an anti-torture slogan, 15… Read more »
Tunisia: Tunisia - Artist Jailed for Criticizing President: Rached Tamboura [document]
AI London
On 31 January 2024, the Monastir court of appeals in Tunisia sentenced artist Rached Tamboura to two years in prison on bogus charges for the peaceful exercise of his right to… Read more »
Rwanda: Responsibility of the Rwandan Gendarmerie in the Preparation of the Genocide Committed Against the Tutsi in 1994 [analysis]
New Times
The Rwandan gendarmerie was mandated to ensure public security and conduct preliminary police investigations to identify "troublemakers" and refer them to the Prosecutor for legal… Read more »
Rwanda: Why Awareness, Collaborative Efforts Are Key in Eradicating GBV
New Times
Progress has been made in addressing Gender-based violence (GBV), for instance, through government strategies like providing free psycho-social, medical, and legal services to… Read more »
Tunisia: Tunisia - Lawyers Tarrgeted With Judicial Harassment and Reprisals [document]
AI London
Since January 2022, at least 20 Tunisian defence lawyers in high profile cases, have faced judicial harassment through criminal investigations based on their peaceful exercise of… Read more »
March 27
Liberia: French Appeal Court Finds Liberian Rebel Commander Guilty
Cavitas Maxima
Today, the Paris “Cour d’assises”, composed of three judges and nine jury members, confirmed the 2022 guilty verdict and found Kunti Kamara, former Liberian ULIMO… Read more »
Mali: Drone Strikes Killed 13 Civilians Including Seven Children in Amasrakad
AI London
Two night-time drone strikes by the Malian army on 17 March killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged between two and 17, in Amasrakad, Gao region, and left more… Read more »
Gambia: Bar Association 'Stands Firm' Against Repeal of Anti-FGM Law
The Point
The Gambia Bar Association reiterates its resolve to the commitment and advancement of rights of women and girls, while promoting the rule of law and human rights. In a dispatch… Read more »
South Africa: Political Parties Unite to Pass New Intelligence Bill in Parliament - South African News Briefs - March 27, 2024
allAfrica
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Liberia: 'Liberia Doesn't Need a War Crimes Court'
New Dawn
Former Senator Commany B. Wesseh (River Gee County) says Liberia does not need a war crimes court but rather a South African style of truth and reconciliation. Read more »
Gambia: The Gambia Must Not Repeal FGM Ban
IPS
Earlier this month, a UNICEF report on the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) showed that while some success is taking place, the pace of progress remains slow - lagging… Read more »
Ethiopia: Ethiopia - Submission to the UN Committee On the Rights of the Child [press release]
HRW
We write in advance of the 98th pre-session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and its review of Ethiopia. This submission focuses on children's rights violations in the… Read more »
March 26
Africa: UN Says 758 Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Reported in 2023
UN News
The UN received 758 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by staff last year, together with related personnel and partners, according to its latest report on the… Read more »
Lesotho: Authorities Must Investigate Torture of Detainees At Maseru Correctional Institution [press release]
AI London
Responding to recent findings by the Lesotho Ombudsman which exposed a disturbing pattern of human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and denial of… Read more »