Annual Report 2011
The state of the world's human rights

Regional News

from Africa

29 November 2011
Nigeria urged to halt bill banning same-sex relationships

Nigeria's Senate has passed a draconian bill that threatens basic human rights and criminalizes same-sex relationships.

24 November 2011
Cameroon urged to release men jailed for alleged homosexuality

A Cameroonian court has sentenced three men to five years in prison for alleged homosexuality.

22 November 2011
South Africa: ‘Dark day’ for free speech as secrecy bill is passed

The South African parliament has passed a controversial secrecy bill which will put severe limitations on free speech.

21 November 2011
South Africa: Controversial secrecy bill could ‘smother free speech’

A proposed secrecy bill could have severe consequences for freedom of expression in South Africa, if it is passed by parliament today.

10 November 2011
Shell must pay US$1 billion in first step to clean up Niger Delta

A new report shows that Shell’s failure to promptly stop and clean up oil spills in Bodo has devastated the lives of tens of thousands.

08 November 2011
South Sudan urged to release journalists held over article

Two journalists are at risk of torture after being detained over an article criticizing South Sudan's president.

01 November 2011
Uganda: Government-backed harassment and repression of critics increasing

A new report describes how Ugandan journalists, opposition politicians and activists are being targeted for criticizing the authorities.

17 October 2011
Malawi urged to release activists

Five activists being held after a peaceful protest in Malawi's capital are prisoners of conscience.

13 October 2011
Ugandan gay rights activist wins top human rights award

Ugandan LGBT activist Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera has been awarded the 2011 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.

13 October 2011
Malawi must arrest Sudan’s al-Bashir during visit

Al-Bashir is due in Malawi for a trade summit, despite warrants for his arrest on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

12 October 2011
Health fears for detained Sudanese activist on hunger strike

Despite assurances that Bushra Rahma would be either charged or freed on 9 October, he continues to be held and remains on hunger strike.

30 September 2011
Sacked Swaziland judge should be reinstated

The dismissal of a high court judge in Swaziland sets an ominous precedent for other judges resisting government pressure on the judiciary.

28 September 2011
Guinea urged to investigate opposition protest deaths

Three protesters have been killed during clashes between police and demonstrators at an oppostion rally in Conakry.

26 September 2011
Cameroon: End ‘discriminatory’ anti-gay laws

Cameroon must release all individuals held under a discriminatory law that criminalizes consensual same-sex relations.

23 September 2011
Uganda’s amnesty for LRA commander a ‘setback’ for justice

Former LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo, charged with 53 counts of murder, has been granted amnesty by a Ugandan court.

20 September 2011
North Africa’s refugees suffer pattern of displacement

In the wake of conflict in Libya, thousands of refugees have yet again been forced to flee. They are now stuck in limbo in Egypt and Tunisia.

16 September 2011
Ethiopia must end crackdown on government critics

A prominent journalist and four senior opposition politicians have been arrested on accusations of terrorism-related activities.

15 September 2011
Eritrea: Prisoners of conscience held for a decade must be released

Eleven prominent Eritrean politicians have been held incommunicado without charge for 10 years.

12 September 2011
Chadian students to face trial over protest pamphlets

Chadian authorities are urged to release two students held for more than four months for allegedly supporting pro-reform protests.

12 September 2011
Freedom for Kenyan activist charged over Uganda bombing

The release of Al-Amin Kimathi, held for a year in connection with a bomb attack during the 2010 World Cup final, is long overdue.

Human rights news by region

World Regions Asia PacificMidde East and North AfricaAmericasEurope and Central AsiaAfrica
Burundi: Freedom of...
A draft law that includes new press-related crimes and exorbitant...
Africa »
Haiti: Forced evictions...
Forced evictions in Haiti are worsening the already desperate...
Americas »
'There are no human rights...
In Sri Lanka, a climate of intolerance and fear continues to sweep...
Asia And The Pacific »
Turkey: Legal reforms fall...
A Turkish reform bill passed into law today fails to meet the...
Europe And Central Asia »
Saudi Arabia moves to...
Four founding members of a nascent human rights group in Saudi Arabia...
Middle East And North Africa »