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Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Africans and People of African Descent Call on Europe to Reckon with Their Colonial Legacies

Based on experts’ interventions, participants at the workshop shared and exchanged reparations struggles they have experienced and obstacles to upholding communities’ rights

Experts from the African continent and its global diasporas called on European governments to address their colonial past and ongoing impacts at the Dekoloniale Berlin Africa Conference, a decolonial counter-version of the 1884/5 Berlin Africa Conference 140 years ago. Representatives from Africa and people of African descent came together at…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Libyan Minister’s ‘Morality’ Measures Would Violate Women’s Rights

Government Should Forcefully Disavow Regressive Proposals

During a November 6 press conference in Tripoli, the Government of National Unity’s acting interior minister, Emad Trabelsi, vowed to impose wide-ranging “morality” measures targeting women and girls in western Libya. The restrictions on clothing, social interactions, and travel would flagrantly violate the rights of Libyan women and girls, yet the prime…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Sudan: Rapid Support Forces Target Civilians

Widespread Attacks in Central Region Highlight Urgent Need to Protect Civilians

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) armed group has killed, injured, and unlawfully detained scores of civilians and raped women and girls during attacks across Sudan’s Al Gezira state, Human Rights Watch said today. Given the scale and severity of the threat to civilians, it is critical for the United Kingdom to…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Democratic Republic of Congo President Suggests Changes to Term Limits

Tshisekedi’s Call for Constitutional Commission Raises Rights Concerns

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, during a speech in Kisangani on October 23, proposed steps to change the country’s constitution, including floating the idea of a change to presidential term limits. Tshisekedi had previously pledged to “scrupulously respect constitutional obligations.” In Kisangani, Tshisekedi described the current constitution as “outdated” and “not adapted to…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

African Rights Commission: Press Burkina Faso on Rights

Country Review Should Focus on Civilian Protection, Civic Space, Accountability

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights should focus on the most critical issues facing Burkina Faso during its country review on October 23, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. The Burkinabè government should urgently address the need to protect civilians affected by armed conflict; safeguard civic space for activists, journalists,…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Include Girls’ Voices in Making of Maternal Health Laws

African Girls Face Barriers to Prenatal, Intrapartum, and Post-Natal Care

Girls in Africa face significant challenges ensuring that they enjoy the highest attainable standard of their sexual and reproductive health. They experience barriers to accessing relevant sexual health education as well as adequate maternal healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. Following the conclusion of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Human Rights Watch statement to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 81st Ordinary Session

Human Rights Watch also documented indiscriminate and deliberate attacks against civilians and civilian property by the warring parties in El Fasher, capital of North Darfur

Honorable Chairperson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Honorable Members of the Commission, State Party representatives, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, Human Rights Watch is pleased to address the African Commission at its 81st ordinary session. We express our deep concern at the severe impact of the…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Tanzania: Address Rights Ahead of Local Elections

End Crackdown; Ensure Prompt, Impartial Investigations of Abuses

The Tanzanian government should take urgent steps to reverse the deteriorating human rights situation in the country ahead of forthcoming local elections in mainland Tanzania on November 27, 2024, Human Rights Watch said today. Since June, the authorities have arbitrarily arrested hundreds of opposition supporters, imposed restrictions on social media access, banned…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Rwanda: Torture, Ill-Treatment in Detention

Landmark Trial of Prison Officials Begins to Crack the Wall of Impunity

For decades, Rwandan authorities have subjected detainees, in both official and unofficial detention facilities, to ill-treatment and torture with no accountability; A landmark trial of prison officials for murder, torture, and assault, concluded in April, demonstrated that it is possible to begin to break through the entrenched practice of torture;…

Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Source: Human Rights Watch (HRW) |

Another Troubling Decision for Free Speech in Cameroon

Government Bans Media Debates On President’s Health

Media discussions in Cameroon about the health of its president, Paul Biya, 91, are now outlawed.  On October 9, the territorial administration minister, Paul Atanga Nji, issued a communique saying that the health of President Biya is a “security issue,” that any media debate on the state of the president is “formally forbidden,” and…