Africa
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Zimbabwe: Repeal the “Patriotic Act” to Respect Fundamental Human Rights
Tags Share The undersigned organizations express our grave concerns with the recent introduction of “patriotic” offenses in Zimbabwe. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act, 2023 (the so-called “Patriotic Act”), enacted on July 14, 2023, introduced overly broad and draconian offenses of “[wilfully] injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”. The provisions amount…
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Somali Journalists Syndicate and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights demand immediate release of Somali journalist Busharo Ali Mohamed
Tags Share Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFK Human Rights) condemn the arbitrary arrest and detention of Somali freelance journalist Busharo Ali Mohammed (widely known as Bushaaro Baanday) and call for her immediate and unconditional release by Somaliland authorities. Her ongoing detention is the latest in a series of unlawful…
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Uganda Must Repeal Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Immediately
Tags Share On May 29, 2023, President Museveni signed the Anti-Homosexuality Act (AHA) 2023 into law. This law puts LGBTQ+ Ugandans at grave risk and undermines basic human rights in continuation of the increasing crackdown on civic space throughout the country. State action, including through repressive legislation, has made Uganda hostile to LGBTQ+ people. In…
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Paul Rusesabagina’s Homecoming
Tags Share We were honored to celebrate Paul’s homecoming with the Rusesabagina family yesterday. Thank you to everyone who supported the #FreeRusesabagina campaign!
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RFK Human Rights Welcomes the Release of “Hotel Rwanda” Hero Paul Rusesabagina
Tags Share Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights welcomes the release of “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina after 969 days of arbitrary detention in Rwanda. We congratulate Mr. Rusesesabagina’s family, friends, colleagues and #FreeRusesabagina campaign supporters for the spirited efforts towards his release and wish him a speedy recovery. At the same time, we urge the…
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For Western Sahara, freedom has been an empty promise
Tags Share Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted recommendations of its Universal Periodic Review on Morocco. A major highlight of the process was Morocco’s abuse of human rights in Western Sahara — a country on the northwest coast of Africa that it has illegally occupied since 1975. The international community has consistently…
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Ikechukwu Uzoma on the Rwandan government’s decision to free Mr. Rusasebagina
Tags Share The Rwandan government has announced that it will release the human rights activist, Paul Rusesabagina. He was serving a 25-year prison sentence for terrorism in what his family called “a sham trial.” Mr. Rusasebagina was portrayed as a hero who saved thousands of Tutsis during the 1994 genocide, in the award-winning film, Hotel…
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Rwanda: Questionable trial after journalist’s death
Tags Share Rwandan authorities must allow an independent, impartial and effective investigation into the death of the Rwandan journalist John Williams Ntwali, 86 civil society organizations and media associations said today, reiterating a 31 January appeal. A credible process should be carried out given the hasty conviction of the driver of the car allegedly involved…
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INEC lacks metrics to calculate voter turnout
Tags Share Written by Ikechukwu Uzoma After the abysmal management of the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released data for the polls. Among the data points, the low voter turnout figure is generating a lot of conversation. With just 27 per cent, it is the lowest voter…
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Rwandan Authorities Should Ensure an Independent Investigation into John Williams Ntwali’s Death
Tags Share January 31, 2023 – Rwandan authorities should allow an independent, impartial, and effective investigation, drawing on international expertise, into the death of John Williams Ntwali, a leading investigative journalist, 90 civil society organizations and media associations said today. Rwanda’s international partners should press the authorities to allow and cooperate fully with such an…
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Western Sahara Deserves a Place in Sports Activism
Tags Share The past few months of African soccer have shown the world that Morocco has no qualms with blurring the lines between politics and soccer—particularly as it pertains to disputes over the self-determination of Western Sahara, a territory Morocco has illegally occupied since 1975, after Spain ended its colonial rule over the Sahrawi-owned area.…
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