rights

ADDIS ABABA: As another day dawns in Ethiopia, shadows of an "escalating crackdown" on civil society grow longer, according to Human Rights Watch. Lately, the country has witnessed the suspension of two pivotal human rights organizations, causing a stir in both local and international circles. Last December, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC), renowned for its enduring legacy, and the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (EHRDC) found themselves curtailed by a governmental watchdog. This was on grounds that…

On a day marked by celebration and camaraderie, tens of thousands of Australians took to the streets to voice their grievances regarding the treatment of Indigenous peoples. This outpouring of emotion coincided with Australia Day, a national holiday that commemorates the arrival of British colonizers in 1788. In bustling cities like Sydney and Melbourne, demonstrators rallied, shining a spotlight on the alarming incarceration rates, dismal health outcomes, and historical injustices faced by Aboriginal Australians—whose…

In a tale that seems ripped from the pages of a spy novel, Tanzanian human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai recently found herself at the heart of a chilling real-life drama. On a seemingly ordinary Sunday, as the sun lazily basked Kenya’s bustling streets, Tsehai was snatched away from her afternoon stroll by anonymous gunmen. As if Nairobi needed any more action. Why was Tsehai targeted, you ask? Well, she calls it a consequence of her audacious calling out of Tanzanian authorities for suppressing their people.…

Lawmakers Challenge Exclusive Livestock Export Deal In a bold stand, about one hundred members from both chambers of Somalia's Federal Parliament openly criticized a recent government decision favoring Abu-Yasir, a foreign entrepreneur, with exclusive rights to export the country's livestock. In clear-cut words on Monday, the parliamentarians pointed fingers at President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accusing him of putting a foreigner's interest over those of local Somali traders. These traders have long been pillars in the…

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…

Back in 1965, a woman from Norway gave birth to a baby girl at a private hospital. Just a week later, she brought her little bundle of joy home, blissfully unaware of the life-altering mix-up that had occurred during her stay. As time went on, the child's dark curls set her apart from her mother, leading Karen Rafteseth Dokken to speculate that her little one had inherited traits from her husband's mother. It wasn't until nearly sixty years later that the shocking truth emerged: her biological daughter had been switched at…

A former police officer from Kentucky has been found guilty in a federal court for violating civil rights in the tragic shooting of Breonna Taylor. Her death ignited widespread protests for police reform and racial justice throughout the United States in 2020. Brett Hankison was convicted on a single count of civil rights abuse, as reported by the US Justice Department in a statement released overnight. Despite the fact that Hankison’s bullets did not strike Taylor, a 26-year-old black woman, he discharged his weapon…

The human rights leader of the United Nations has conveyed a grim message, stating that the "darkest chapter" of the conflict in Gaza is currently unfolding in the northern region. He cautioned that Israel’s military actions could potentially be classified as "atrocity crimes." Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted a staggering statistic: "Over 150,000 individuals are reported dead, injured, or unaccounted for in Gaza" since the outbreak of war just over a year ago. "It is unimaginable, yet the…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has taken a dim view of the Burkina Faso government’s recent submission to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, highlighting its glaring omissions regarding human rights abuses. Various organizations advocating for human dignity have urgently appealed for enhanced protections for civilians amidst the ongoing armed struggles. They emphasize the necessity of lifting restrictions placed on journalists, dissenters, and political opponents, while also demanding that those responsible for…

Mogadishu (AX) — Sarah Mohamed Khalif, a Belgian with Somali roots, has once again secured a spot on Leuven's city council. Her election marks a continued path-breaking journey in the European political scene. Notably, she remains the first Somali, Muslim, and immigrant woman to achieve this milestone, winning a second term after a tenacious campaign. During her inaugural term, Sarah allied with the Vooruit party, aiming to cultivate a more inclusive Leuven. Her focus centered on enhancing social services for the…