Salem-News.com Africa articles Page 44

Africa: Faces in Words

New weekly update on the breaking stories in the African nations.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant. Our commitment to one another, to human rights, and the ability to learn should always keep us connected no matter the severity and complexity of problems.

Amnesty International: 83 Zimbabwean Activists Detained

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Amnesty International is calling on Zimbabwean authorities to release 83 activists, arrested during a peaceful demonstration in the capital city Harare.

"These arbitrary arrests and unlawful detentions are clearly aimed at restricting the rights to freedom of expression and assembly," said Michelle Kagari, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Program.

Eritrea: Journalist Hunted for 9 Years

“The European Union firmly calls for the unconditional release of these prisoners, and of all other persons detained for having peacefully expressed their views..” - Catherine Ashton, High Representative, EU

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Nine years have passed since the brutal political purge in Asmara, September 18, 2001, journalists and political opposition members were violently hunted and detained.

Today Eritrean authorities continue to gag all forms of free expression and recently arrested another journalist as he was trying to flee the country.

Somalia: Independent Media Targeted

Al-Shabaab and Hizb-Al-Islam are both on the RSF list of “Predators of Press Freedom”.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Reporters Without Borders (RSF) together with The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the assault by Islamist militias on two radio stations in Mogadishu.

“Taking over the ownership and control of independent radio stations by force and putting the owners and the journalists in a state of panic, risk and fear is a criminal act that cannot be condoned. This is unacceptable and amounts to the highest degree of media freedom violation,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ secretary-general.

Senegal: Torture with Impunity

Senegal’s contempt for the rule of law is demonstrated by its failure to bring former Chadian dictator Hissene Habre to trial.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Incessant use of torture is leading to detainee deaths by Senegal’s security forces, leaving the many in custody terrified for their lives.

“For decades Senegalese men and women have been subjected to cruel and elaborate torture and ill-treatment at the hands of those who should be protecting them,” said Salvatore Saguès, West Africa researcher at Amnesty International.

Uganda: Kenyan Activists At Risk of Torture

Human Rights Watch has documented multiple cases of torture and mistreatment of suspects held at Kireka.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - At risk for abuse, Human Rights Watch voiced their concerns over two Kenyan activists illegally detained in Uganda while working on the cases of charged terrorism suspects.

Moroccan Journalists Held in Algeria

"This situation must end." - Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice President

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Two Moroccan journalists are being denied permission to leave their hotel, subjected to hours of interrogation and their documents withheld, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

"Algerian authorities must respect journalists' right to freedom of movement across the country, especially free access to conflict zones so the public can be properly informed," said Younes Mjahed, IFJ Senior Vice President.

Protection of Civilians and IDP`s Must Take Priority in DRC

An example of this was seen last month when over 200 women were gang raped within 20 miles of a UN stronghold.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Human Rights Watch is calling on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UN peacekeeping mission to provide greater emphasis to the protection of the nearly two million people displaced in the conflict-ridden eastern part of the country.

Violent Attacks on Ugandan Journalists

HRW indicate ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression could undermine prospects that the elections scheduled for early 2011 will be free and fair.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Ugandan authorities are urged to take seriously and act swiftly against the unprecedented violent attacks of two journalists in less than a week.

Africa: Faces in Words

New weekly update on the breaking stories in the African nations.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant. Our commitment to one another, to human rights, and the ability to learn should always keep us connected no matter the severity and complexity of problems.