Africa
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RFK Human Rights Condemns the Enforced Disappearance of Mahmoud Hussein and Reiterates Call for his Immediate Release
Tags Share Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is deeply concerned by the enforced disappearance of Egyptian anti-torture protestor Mahmoud Hussein, also known as the “t-shirt detainee.” Since 2014, Mahmoud has been abused and tortured by Egyptian authorities and has yet to experience complete freedom. Mahmoud was first arbitrarily arrested in 2014 for wearing a t-shirt…
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This Week’s Spotlight on Human Rights
Tags Share Records Show DC and Federal Law Enforcement Sharing Surveillance Info on Racial Justice Protests A public records lawsuit brought by the Brennan Center and Data for Black Lives revealed that the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) collaborated with federal law enforcement agencies to surveil protestors in 2020 and 2021. We obtained…
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Egypt: RFK Human Rights Condemns the Arrest of HRA Laureate Ragia Omran and other 15 Defenders and Calls for the Charges Against Them to be Dropped
Tags Share RFK Human Rights strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and detention of our 2013 Human Rights Award Laureate Ragia Omran – along with 15 other human rights defenders – and demands the Egyptian authorities immediately and unconditionally drop the unfounded charges against them. Omran is a lawyer, feminist, and human rights activist who founded…
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Egypt: RFK Human Rights Welcomes the Release of Mahmoud Hussein and Calls on the Government to Drop the Case Against Him
Tags Share RFK Human Rights welcomes the physical release of anti-torture protestor Mahmoud Hussein, who we represent before the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Mahmoud was released on bail today after the authorities arbitrarily arrested and unlawfully detained him for a cumulative 1,026 days. The next trial hearing will be held on June…
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In Shifting US Ties with Niger and Africa, Focus on Human Rights and Democracy to Strengthen Partnerships
Tags Share After Niger’s recent move to end military cooperation with the United States, how can the U.S. prioritize human rights and democracy in the region moving forward? Writing in Just Security, our staff attorney Ikechukwu Uzoma examines changing dynamics across Africa’s Sahel region and outlines key considerations for the United States’ future engagement with…
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Uganda: anti-LGBTQ+ Law Should be Repealed
Tags Share Today, Uganda’s Constitutional Court announced its verdict on a legal challenge against the draconian Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA), which was signed into law by President Museveni in May 2023. The AHA is one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Rather than strike it down, the Court unanimously ruled that only certain provisions are nullified…
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Egypt must immediately and unconditionally release anti-torture protester Mahmoud Hussein
Tags Share 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 Egyptian and international human rights organizations said today. Mahmoud Hussein has been arbitrarily detained since August 2023. Since then, his mental and physical health has seriously…
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Empowering Local Leadership: Transforming Development Aid with Bottom-Up Solutions
Tags Share Coinciding with World Water Day on March 22, John Lewis Young Leader Hana Kebede shared commentary about the challenges that persist in her native Ethiopia surrounding access to clean water. Having seen firsthand how millions of Ethiopians are still living without essential infrastructure like clean water and electricity, Kebede, a senior at Tufts…
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Nigeria: Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Welcomes News That Charges Have Been Dropped Against Journalist Omoyele Sowore
Tags Share Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights welcomes the news that the Nigerian government has dropped all charges against prominent journalist and human rights activist, Omoyele “Yele” Sowore. “Five years ago, the Nigerian government initiated an unjust trial against Omoyele Sowore on the basis of unsubstantiated charges,” said Kerry Kennedy, President at Robert F. Kennedy…
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Exploring the intersection of human rights and climate change
Tags Share The climate emergency has left no corner of the globe untouched, from desertification in Africa to the destruction of Indigenous lands in Latin America. As new climate crises arise, how are activists and attorneys using legal strategies to safeguard human rights? On January 25, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, in partnership with the…
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Cross-Regional Reflections on Violence Against Women Journalists
Tags Share On November 27th, as a part of the 16 days of activism following the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, RFK Human Rights convened a webinar to discuss violence against women journalists. The webinar served as a cross-regional platform to celebrate the work of women journalists from…
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Political Prisoner Mahmoud Hussein Exceeds 2 Years in Pretrial Detention
Tags Share (January 25, 2016 | Washington, DC) As of today, twenty-year old Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed Hussein, who is represented by Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights before the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), has spent two full years in pretrial detention in Egypt without charge or being referred to trial. While already…
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