Human rights

In a poignant confrontation of South Africa's troubled past, families of victims who suffered during the apartheid era are taking a bold stand against the government. They have initiated a lawsuit, grounded in deep-seated anguish and a yearning for justice, claiming that the state has failed to prosecute the political crimes committed during this tumultuous period. The lawsuit, presented in the Pretoria High Court, demands around $9 million in damages. It also calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the political…

The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), a passionate advocate for human rights, has taken a bold stand, urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately halt the legal proceedings against a group of 11 activists linked to the #EndBadGovernance movement. Among them is Michael Lenin, who finds himself facing grave charges of treason and mutiny—serious allegations that could change lives forever. In a powerful statement, the YRC emphasized that this trial seems more like a heavy-handed maneuver to stifle dissent and quash opposition,…

In a dramatic turn of events, rescuers have successfully brought to light over 100 illegal miners who have been ensnared underground for several months at the Stilfontein mine, just outside Johannesburg. The operation, however, was not without its somber moments; it also resulted in the recovery of numerous bodies, a grim reminder of the perilous life many lead in search of precious metals. These miners, colloquially referred to as "zama zamas," embody a harrowing reality for countless individuals in South Africa. They have…

In a significant legal development, Ghana's Supreme Court has turned down two attempts aimed at halting the enactment of a contentious piece of legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community. This legislation, formally known as the Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, received parliamentary approval in February. Under this bill, individuals from sexual minorities could face imprisonment ranging from six months to three years for engaging in homosexual relations. While the bill boasts substantial backing within Ghana, it has…

Chad's electoral commission has put out a call for military support to safeguard election officials and candidates ahead of the forthcoming parliamentary, local council, and regional elections, all set for December 29. An impressive 8.3 million citizens have registered to cast their votes. In addition, over 1,000 election monitors have been authorized to oversee the electoral process. However, the campaign trail has been anything but smooth. Candidates and their rallies have faced significant disruptions, primarily from…

The ministers of justice and Islamic affairs in Morocco are pushing for significant reforms to the nation's family law. For years, advocates for women’s rights have been calling for an overhaul of the legal framework designed to safeguard women and children within familial structures. They seek not just modifications but a fundamental shift towards equality, particularly regarding inheritance rights, custody of children, and a complete ban on child marriages. This bold initiative proposes more than 100 amendments to the…

Nearly two decades after the last execution, Zimbabwe has officially abolished the death penalty. This significant shift comes from a country where such a fate was all too real not long ago. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who himself was once on the perilous edge of facing the death penalty during the War of Independence in the 1960s, recently put his signature on legislation paving the way for this landmark change. The final execution took place via hanging back in 2005, largely because no one wanted to take on the grim…

According to reports from UN agencies, a staggering statistic reveals that one out of every four individuals in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is grappling with severe hunger—a crisis that impacts approximately 25.6 million people. The ongoing turmoil in eastern DRC has thrown a wrench in crucial agricultural activities while stunting the development of necessary infrastructure. This predicament is a byproduct of evolving dynamics among various armed factions and struggles over resources, compounded by deeply…

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Primate of Southern Africa, has issued a cautionary note suggesting that we may see an uptick in reports of misconduct involving church officials, especially following the resignation of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Welby's departure came on the heels of an investigation that unveiled his failure to report allegations of abuse perpetrated by John Smyth—a barrister, educator, and director of Christian camps—during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Smyth was a prominent figure…

Human rights advocates are strongly encouraging the authorities in Mozambique to take decisive action against the ongoing repression and violence directed at protesters challenging the questionable election results. The Committee to Protect Journalists has painted a grim picture of the situation, stating that the nation has "plunged into turmoil as security forces engage in violent confrontations." Disturbingly, they report that at least nine journalists have faced assault or arrest, while two foreign correspondents have…