insert_link Africa Some African governments are spending millions to spy on their citizens – stifling debate and damaging democracy Tony Roberts, Institute of Development Studies Governments around the world use surveillance technology to monitor external threats to national security. Some African governments are also spending vast sums on mass surveillance of their own citizens. They are using mobile phone spyware, internet interception devices, social media monitoring and biometric identity systems. Artificial intelligence for facial recognition and car number plate recognition is another digital surveillance technology in their growing toolkit. […] todayNovember 2, 2023 10
insert_link Africa Namibia hosted Africa’s 1st community-led conservation congress. Where will it lead? By Victoria Scheneider Via Mongabay Hundreds of Indigenous and local community groups, conservation organizations, governments and policymakers gathered to strategize how communities can play a bigger role in African conservation efforts, which are typically dominated by big international NGOs. However, the outcomes of the congress were vague, and some participants concluded that the dependence on large NGOs and policymakers, through equitable partnerships, was needed. Organizers say this congress is a […] todayNovember 2, 2023 10
insert_link World Human Rights Declined in 3 out of 4 Countries since a Global Rule of Law Recession Began in 2016 The rule of law has once again eroded in a majority of countries this year, according to the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2023. More than 6 billion people live in a country where the rule of law weakened between 2022 and 2023. Since authoritarian trends pushed the world into a rule of law recession in 2016, the global downturn has affected 78% of countries, the latest Index shows. […] todayOctober 25, 2023 58