Uganda: The Bitter-Sweet Sides of Uganda's Oil and Gas Development

French oil and gas giant TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) are moving with pace in the development of oil and gas projects with a potential… Read more »

Ethiopia: Sexual Violence Survivors in Tigray Need Urgent Medical, Psychological and Economic Support

The war in Tigray, northern Ethiopian, led to sexual and gender-based violence against women, but when Hilina Berhanu Degefa, researcher, gender policy expert and co-founder of the… Read more »

Senegal: Democracy in the Balance?

Civic space is deteriorating in Senegal ahead of next February's presidential election. Recent protests have been met with lethal violence and internet and social media… Read more »

Southern Africa: Civil Society Space in Southern Africa Shrinking As Government Repression Rises

Freedom of expression is under threat as governments in Southern Africa have enacted laws restricting civil society organizations, says global rights advocacy organisation,… Read more »

Nigeria: How Nigeria's Legal System Is Failing to Safeguard Widows' Rights

In February this year, Chichi Okonkwo not only lost her husband but was stripped of everything they owned together. Her husband was severely injured in a car accident about a month… Read more »

Eswatini: Election With No Democracy On the Horizon

Eswatini heads to the polls soon, with elections scheduled for September. But there's nothing remotely democratic in prospect. The country remains ruled by King Mswati III,… Read more »

Africa: Mandela Day Reminder to Stand Witness to Human Rights Defenders

As human rights increasingly deteriorate, rights defenders are being violently suppressed. Abducted, detained, tortured, and humiliated, many now live one day at a time. They have… Read more »

Africa: Marginalising Key Populations Impacting Efforts to End HIV/Aids Epidemic

A report released this week has highlighted how continuing criminalisation and marginalisation of key populations are stymying efforts to end the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Read more »

Zimbabwe: Human Rights Concerns Ahead of Zimbabwe Polls

Zimbabwe holds general elections next month amid growing human rights and press freedom concerns in what analysts say could mar conditions for undisputed poll results. Read more »

Africa: Re-Thinking Disability Inclusion for the SDGs

By Ulrika Modéer and Jose Viera Read more »

Africa: Recognising Human Rights Defenders As Remarkable Agents of Positive Change

In recent years, the global landscape for human rights defenders (HRDs) has become more difficult and complex, with both new and heightened challenges. With hundreds of defenders… Read more »

Africa: Safety of Human Rights Defenders in Exile Imperiled By Host Countries' Declining Civil Rights

Home Away From Home is the theme of World Refugee Day 2023. However, for many, including human rights activists who have fled their homes, a decline in civil rights in their host… Read more »

Africa: Migration - Europe's Complicity in Massive Human Rights Violations

Make no mistake: European States are complicit in the death of thousands and thousands of human beings on their shores, land borders and at home. The massive drowning of hundreds… Read more »

Malawi: Cyclone Freddy Has Put Women & Girls in Malawi At Greater Risk of Sexual Abuse & Exploitation

"Cyclone Freddy was a terrible experience, and now many women who lost their homes and their livelihoods are at increased risk of sexual exploitation and abuse," warns Caleb… Read more »

Africa: Does Artificial Intelligence Need a Regulatory UN Watchdog?

The frighteningly rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have triggered the question: is there a UN role for monitoring and regulating it? Read more »

Africa: AI Genie Is Out of the Bottle - UN Should Take the Challenge to Make It Work for the Good of Humanity

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury is Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations and Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace. Read more »

Africa: Human Rights & Sovereign Debt Restructurings - a Proposal for an Optimal Outcome

Zambia defaulted on its debt in November 2021 but has not yet reached an agreement with its creditors. Its president recently warned that this situation is hurting its citizens and… Read more »

Sudan: The Privilege of Making a Choice

A civilian student named Saber was caught in the crossfire in Khartoum. He had two choices: either flee and lose everything; or die. But within a moment his option to choose was… Read more »

Africa: 'Defending Human Rights Is a Crime in Some Countries and a Deadly Activity in Others'

By Bibbi Abruzzini and Clarisse Sih, Forus Read more »

Africa: International Human Rights Law As a Tool to Stop Rising Homophobia in Africa

Imagine your government enacted a law where you and all people of your race or economic status were imprisoned for extended periods, with some facing the death penalty, simply for… Read more »

Africa: Should Internet Access Be Declared a Basic Human Right?

The United Nations defines human rights as "rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status". Read more »

Africa: Ending Discrimination Against Women in Family Law Is Vital for Economic Progress

Discriminatory family laws and policies that restrict women's access to educational opportunities, employment, inheritance, property ownership and equal pay, are making women… Read more »

Africa: Civicus Report Exposes a Civil Society Under Attack

As conflict and crises escalate to create human emergencies that have displaced over 100 million people worldwide, civil society's vital role of advocating for victims and… Read more »

Africa: The Need for a Strong Legal Treaty On Business And Human Rights

The ongoing discussions on an internationally treaty, described as a "legally binding instrument" on business and human rights, remains one of the most neglected issues that should… Read more »

Uganda: UN Experts Condemn Egregious Anti-LGBT Legislation

A group of UN experts* on human rights has blasted the Government of Uganda for making homosexuality punishable by death. Read more »