The World Athletics Council has today made a number of important decisions regarding the future participation of the Russian and Belarusian Member Federations in athletics, and the eligibility regulations for athletes who are transgender or who have Differences of Sexual Development (DSD). The Council agreed to the reinstatement of the Russian Federation (RusAF) following seven […]
Tag: Human Rights
Beirut — Release People Held Merely for Peaceful Expression The Libyan House of Representatives should repeal a 2022 Anti-Cybercrime Law that restricts freedoms of speech, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities in eastern Libya should immediately release anyone they are holding under this law for peaceful expression. Eastern-based authorities on February 16, 2023, announced […]
President Kaïs Saied’s attempt to scapegoat black migrants is costing the country socially, economically and diplomatically. In a 21 February national security council address, Tunisian President Kaïs Saied accused sub-Saharan African immigrants of fostering ‘violence, crime and unacceptable practices.’ Drawing on rhetoric reminiscent of Western far right conspiracy theories, he denounced ‘hordes of immigrants’ whom […]
Beirut — Severe Restrictions on Local, International Civil Society Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) and other authorities are cracking down on nongovernmental domestic and foreign organizations, Human Rights Watch said today. The GNU should withdraw onerous registration and administration requirements and ensure that civic groups are free to operate. In a March 21, 2023 […]
The long war against human trafficking in Edo State and other parts of the nation by various state governments and other stakeholders seems to be recording milestones regardless of the challenges amid global synergy and efforts to curb human trafficking most especially for sexual exploitation and monetary gains. This is even as the fight to […]
The winner of the 2023 Templeton Prize is Dr. Edna Adan Ismail, a nurse-midwife, hospital founder, and healthcare advocate who has worked courageously to change cultural, religious, and medical norms surrounding women’s health in East Africa, improving the lives of thousands of women and girls in the region and beyond. Drawing from the resources of […]
Nairobi — Fulgence Kayishema Caught After Two Decades; Should Face Swift, Fair Trial The arrest of Fulgence Kayishema is an important milestone in the search for justice for crimes committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Human Rights Watch said today. His due process and fair trial rights should be guaranteed so that justice can be […]
Senegal’s government began blocking several digital platforms – including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram and YouTube – in certain areas on 1 June. Days later, it extended the disruptions to all mobile internet and several television stations. The social networks were shut down for two days. This was followed by a four-day mobile internet shutdown. Given […]
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) bill has passed the first hurdle towards becoming law, getting the country closer to its vision of achieving universal access to healthcare. Section 27 of the country’s constitution states that everyone has the right to access to healthcare. The NHI bill, which has been passed by the national assembly, […]
Dozens of people have drowned or disappeared in the past weeks crossing from West Africa to the Canary Islands as Spain and Morocco attract criticism for slow sea rescues. The list of deaths, shipwrecks and rescues of migrants trying to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Africa’s northwest coast to Spain’s Canary Islands in the past […]
In low- and middle-income countries, pregnant women with disabilities face significant environmental barriers to receiving antenatal care. And yet, antenatal care is a critical portal to quality maternity care services. In his home country of Uganda, said inspirational University of Cape Town (UCT) graduand Ponsiano Kabakyenga Nuwagaba, these barriers are even more evident in rural […]
Senegal’s government has shut down internet access in response to protests about the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. This is a tactic governments are increasingly using during times of political contention, such as elections or social upheaval. The shutdowns can be partial or total, temporary or prolonged. They may target specific platforms, regions, or […]
Security on Thursday morning grabbed National Unity Platform president, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine shortly after landing at Entebbe International Airport. Early this week, NUP leaders asked the party supporters to throng Entebbe Airport in big numbers to welcome their leader who was returning from abroad. In a procession dubbed the “one million […]
Ten months since a Supreme Court win, LGBTQ+ Kenyans say they feel more emboldened to fight for their rights and report hate crime – even as they face protests and a legislative proposal to toughen penalties for gay sex. The court ruled in February to allow the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC), […]
“I’ve fallen down carrying a bucket of water with no one here to help me” Elderly people say they are hard hit by Johannesburg’s water outages. Taps have been dry in some areas for over six weeks. The Gauteng Social Development department has said it will assess the situation. Residents of South Hills, Linmeyer, Melville, […]
In 2011, the ministry of Education and Sports released the first draft of the national Special Needs and Inclusive Education policy to give every child equal access to quality education. Thirteen years later, the disability fraternity wants the government to pass the long-awaited policy, now “stuck” at the cabinet level, writes YUDAYA NANGONZI. When Mauvice […]
We’ve made progress but the quality of the data is poor, especially the latest census The state, according to its records, has provided 5-million brick and mortar houses or serviced plots since 1994. There are 2.5-million households on the National Housing Needs Register according to the Minister of Human Settlements. Yet the latest census indicates […]
Kampala, Uganda — Governments should review their positions on traditional birth attendants and recognise and support their work, including by ensuring they are paid and resourced adequately. That is the position of the international research and advocacy NGO, Human Rights Watch in its latest dispatches. The dispatch is entitled: “It’s time to support Africa’s maternal […]