rights

Bishop Samuel J. Quire, the prominent leader of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in Liberia, has recently expressed deep concerns regarding reports of several congregations pondering a split from the denomination. Their contemplation of such a move stems from the heated discussions surrounding the acceptance of same-sex marriage within the church. Quire firmly emphasized that no congregation under the Methodist banner is entitled to sever ties, highlighting that those contemplating such a decision are straying from the…

In a significant gathering at the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 26, 2024, in Geneva, delegates from various nations convened to deliberate on pressing global human rights dilemmas. Amidst this backdrop, Kenya's election to the council for the 2025–2027 tenure stirred the pot, faced with heavy criticisms from civil society groups due to alleged human rights transgressions. Photo by Janine Schmitz/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — Kenya's leap onto the United Nations Human Rights Council…

 Simon Manley, the UK's envoy, and Somalia's Ambassador Khadra Ahmed Dualeh engage in a lively discourse at a Geneva gathering of the United Nations Human Rights Council.Mogadishu (AX) — A collaborative proposition has been tabled by the United Kingdom and Somalia during Thursday's United Nations Human Rights Council meet. Their joint initiative seeks to extend technical support for advancing Somalia’s human rights endeavors and to renew the role of the Independent Expert on Somalia.Simon Manley, representing the UK at the…

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has voiced strong objections to a recent decree from the Nigerien government, which greenlights the formation of a database targeting individuals suspected of terrorist activities. The organization argues that this legislation seriously infringes upon essential human rights by utilizing "overly vague criteria" for determining who gets placed on the list, consequently "denying due process" to those affected. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a Senior Researcher specializing in the Sahel region, expressed concern…

Meryl Streep shines brightly as one of the finest talents in Hollywood, but her recent appearance at the United Nations highlighted a different mission: advocating for the women of Afghanistan. These women, stripped of their right to self-expression under Taliban rule, face astonishing limitations on their lives. A recent UN report paints a grim picture of the situation, asserting that for the last three years, the Taliban regime has systematically "erased women from Afghanistan's public sphere." True to these findings, at…

Mogadishu (AX) – At a bustling Thursday gathering in Mogadishu, Somalia's Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, gave the nod to two fresh ambassadorial appointments and endorsed a National Procedure Policy dedicated to human rights oversight.

A prominent rights organization has urged the Tunisian government to halt prosecutions rooted in political motives and ensure the upcoming elections uphold principles of fairness and integrity. This organization has disclosed that authorities have "prosecuted, convicted, or imprisoned" a minimum of eight potential candidates ahead of the presidential election scheduled for October 6. Notably, the electoral commission has sanctioned only three candidates, one of whom is the current President, Kais Saied. "By incarcerating…

Hargeisa (AX) — The North Western State of Somalia Human Rights Commission has voiced serious concerns about the extended incarceration of MP Mohamed Abiib, detained in Mandera Prison for over two weeks without proper charges. Abiib was apprehended at Hargeisa's Egal International Airport on September 2 following his return from the UAE. This arrest occurred shortly after he publicly criticized President Muse Bihi's administration. The commission, after inspecting the detention center, reported that Abiib's parliamentary…

Somali PM Rejects Ethiopia’s Maritime Claims Prime Minister Hamza has firmly dismissed Ethiopia's attempts to gain control over Somali maritime waters, either through coercion or agreements with Somaliland. Hamza stated emphatically, "If Ethiopia thinks they can snatch our waters or make us bow to deals they've struck with Somaliland, they've got another thing coming." Hamza asserted Somalia's sovereign right to forge alliances that serve its national interests. He brushed off concerns that such alliances are intended to…

Championing Human Rights in Somalia's Linguistic Landscape “Every individual is born free and equal in dignity and rights.” This legendary opening line from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) now resonates in seven additional languages and dialects spoken throughout Somalia's diverse populace. This multilingual initiative aims to enhance awareness and comprehension of fundamental human rights within this Horn of Africa nation. This initiative has garnered support from the United Nations Assistance Mission in…