APO Group - Africa Newsroom / Press Release

Source: Amnesty International | Apr 14, 2024

Nigeria: Decade after Boko Haram attack on Chibok, 82 girls still in captivity

Investigations by Amnesty International reveal that the state of education in Chibok and its surrounding communities, is still being impacted by the 2014 abductions

Over 1,700 children abducted by gunmen since 2014; 17 mass school abductions recorded in six years; 20 released Chibok girls forced to marry former Boko Haram fighters. The Nigerian authorities must ramp up efforts to ensure the safe release and return of the remaining 82 Chibok school girls abducted by Boko Haram…

Source: Amnesty International | Apr 06, 2024

Rwanda: 30 years on, justice for genocide crimes more urgent than ever

Amnesty International calls on the international community to urgently renew its commitment to ensure justice and accountability for the victims and the survivors

As the 30th commemoration begins this Sunday, 7 April of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in which an estimated 800,000 people were killed, including Hutu and others who opposed the genocide and the extremist government that orchestrated it, Amnesty International calls on the international community to urgently…

Source: Amnesty International | Apr 03, 2024

Uganda: Court fails to repeal callous anti-LGBTI law, puts people at risk

It is shocking that an opportunity was missed to revoke a law that undermines the rights of LGBTI persons in Uganda

Responding to a decision by Uganda’s Constitutional Court to only revoke parts of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 (AHA), a law which prompted rising attacks against LGBTI people, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “We are dismayed that the Court has turned its back on…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 29, 2024

Tunisia: Authorities’ targeting of lawyers undermines access to justice

Authorities have targeted at least 20 lawyers representing members of political opposition groups, activists and victims of human rights violations with criminal investigations under bogus charges

The Tunisian authorities’ growing judicial harassment and intimidation of lawyers solely for discharging their professional duties violates their rights and undermines access to justice and effective remedies for victims of human rights violations, said Amnesty International, a day ahead of the verdict in the case of lawyer Abdelaziz Essid who…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 28, 2024

Mali: Drone strikes killed 13 civilians including seven children in Amasrakad

The Malian authorities must abide by their responsibilities under international law, which requires all parties to an armed conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants and refrain from conducting targeted or indiscriminate attacks against civilians

Civilians seeking shelter were killed by drone strike in town in Gao region; Victims include six siblings and their mother. Two night-time drone strikes by the Malian army on 17 March killed at least 13 civilians, including seven children aged between two and 17, in Amasrakad, Gao region, and left more…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 27, 2024

Lesotho: Authorities must investigate torture of detainees at Maseru correctional institution

The Ombudsman’s report, released on March 19, confirms the extent of unacceptable abuse suffered by inmates at MCCI

Responding to recent findings by the Lesotho Ombudsman which exposed a disturbing pattern of human rights violations, including torture, excessive use of force and denial of medical care to detainees at Maseru Correctional Centre Institution (MCCI), Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Vongai Chikwanda, said: “The…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 16, 2024

Gambia: Parliament must not lift the ban against female genital mutilation

Around 46% of girls aged 14 and younger have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in Gambia, according to UNICEF

Responding to the upcoming vote in Gambia’s parliament on 18 March on a bill to reverse the ban on female genital mutilation (FGM), Michèle Eken, senior researcher at Amnesty International’s West and Central Africa office, said: “This bill would set a dangerous precedent for women’s rights and tarnish Gambia’s human…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 16, 2024

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Reinstating executions shows a callous disregard for human rights

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception – regardless of who is accused, the nature or circumstances of the crime, guilt or innocence or method of execution

Responding to the news that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government wants to resume executions, after a hiatus of two decades, in a bid to combat armed groups and gang violence, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said: “The government’s decision to reinstate executions is a gross injustice…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 14, 2024

Nigeria: Fresh abduction is a sign that impunity reigns

On 7 March, at least 287 students and their teachers were abducted by gunmen in Kuriga Kaduna state

Responding to the abduction of at least 60 people by gunmen in Buda, in the state of Kaduna, Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu and his government must urgently address the country’s spate of abductions targeting children in schools and internally displaced persons (IDPs)…

Source: Amnesty International | Mar 07, 2024

Zimbabwe: Authorities must reveal whereabouts of prodemocracy activist and journalist forcibly disappeared nine years ago

Itai’s case is one of many in Zimbabwe’s long history of abductions and enforced disappearances that the authorities are yet to investigate

Ahead of the ninth anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, a journalist and pro-democracy activist who was abducted in Harare on 9 March 2015, Vongai Chikwanda, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said: “Nine years after the enforced disappearance of Itai Dzamara, the Zimbabwean…