human rights

Community urged to unite against gender-based violence following tragic incidents.

The Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare (MGEPESW) strongly condemns the recent tragic incidents of violence against women and children in Namibia, particularly the alarming prevalence of rape. We are gravely distressed by the loss of innocent lives and the brutal violations of human dignity that have unfolded. The tragic death of Ms. Angelique Delia Maarsdorp, a victim who appears to have been ruthlessly […]

3 May, 2024 27

World

OHCHR alarmed by reports of mass graves in Gaza

Disturbing reports continue to emerge about mass graves in Gaza in which Palestinian victims were found reportedly stripped naked with their hands tied. Responding to these developments the UN human rights office OHCHR expressed deep concern about possible war crimes. OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. In the statement, the United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk said the UN human rights office had "renewed concerns about possible war crimes" after officials […]

24 April, 2024 73

Africa

Pressure mounts in Mali to nullify military’s political activity suspension

Pressure is mounting in Mali on the Supreme Court to nullify the military government's order which seeks to suspend political activities. A group of political parties and civil society organizations have filed an appeal at the top court arguing that the order is repressive. Nabil Ahmed Rufai reports from Accra.

23 April, 2024 20

World

Five people die attempting to cross the English Channel

United Kingdom Rishi Sunak's Rwanda bill will finally become law after a parliamentary showdown ended late in the night. According to the BBC, plans to send some asylum seekers to Africa have met with fierce criticism, but the bill passed on Monday when the Lords dropped their opposition. Sunak said in a statement "Nothing will stand in our way" now of getting flights off the ground". Meanwhile, French authorities say […]

23 April, 2024 33

World

U.S. government gives assurances over Assange

The U.S. government has offered assurances to a British court over the treatment of Julian Assange if he is extradited. The WikiLeaks founder faces espionage charges for publishing thousands of classified documents.

17 April, 2024 58

Namibia

National Assembly affirms support of Saharawi people

The National Assembly has condemned Morocco’s ongoing violation of the Saharawi people’s right to self-determination. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Member of Parliament Patience Masua, according to the Namibia Press Agency, called on the international community to uphold the principle of justice and decolonisation by actively supporting the Sahrawi people's struggle for independence.

17 April, 2024 40

Africa

A decade after the kidnapping of the Chibok girls in Nigeria, what has the #BringBackOurGirls movement achieved?

By Temitope Oriola, University of Alberta In April 2014, the terrorist organization Boko Haram kidnapped 276 high school girls in Chibok, a town in northeast Nigeria. About 57 of the girls managed to escape on the night of their capture. Boko Haram had demonstrated its intentions regarding the education of girls and young women prior to the mass kidnapping — two months before the Chibok kidnapping, Boko Haram […]

17 April, 2024 16

Africa

Why children are prime targets of armed groups in northern Nigeria

Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images Hakeem Onapajo, Nile University of Nigeria Due to growing insecurity, Nigeria is gradually becoming one of the most dangerous places to live. The 2020 Global Terrorism Index identified the country as the third most affected by terrorism. There was a sharp increase in Boko Haram’s targeting of civilians by 25%, and killings by herdsmen increased by 26%, compared with the previous year. The two countries […]

2 April, 2024 18

Africa

The Gambia may allow female genital mutilation again – another sign of a global trend eroding women’s rights

By Satang Nabaneh, University of Dayton The Gambia’s ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) since 2015 is under threat. Proposed changes before parliament could permit medicalised female genital cutting and allow it for consenting adults. This potential reversal has thrust the country into the global spotlight as the latest example of the backlash against gender equality. The Gambia’s criminalisation of FGM was not the first in west […]

2 April, 2024 21