GENEVA – A survey of some 300 members of parliament in 19 countries finds cases of human rights violations, including physical abuse, sexual violence, torture and arbitrary arrest of opposition MPs that are on the rise. In a new report, the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva expresses concern about alleged human rights violations against parliamentarians in […]
Human Rights
UN Calls On Tanzania to Avoid Violence as Citizens Vote
GENEVA – The United Nations is calling on all governmental and civil society actors in Tanzania to refrain from violence, and ensure people can safely cast their votes in Wednesday’s general election. Following weeks of bitter political strife, U.N. monitor groups and human rights organizations fear Tanzania’s election Wednesday is likely not to be free […]
UN Rights Office Condemns ‘Merciless’ Attack on Cameroon School
GENEVA – The U.N. human rights office has joined a chorus of voices in strongly condemning what it calls the vile, merciless attack on a private school Saturday in southwestern Cameroon. The attack killed at least six children and injured another 13. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Mother Francisca International Bilingual […]
UN Expert: Somalia Backtracking on Human Rights Commitments
GENEVA – A U.N. human rights investigator is expressing concern about possible regression by Somali authorities from their adherence to international human rights law. The concerns are amplified in a report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council by the U.N.’s independent expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia. Isha Dyfan was appointed […]
UN: Sudan Needs Help to Guide Transition to Democracy
GENEVA – Progress is being made in Sudan’s transition to a democratic government, but the process could relapse without international support and guidance, a U.N. investigator warned. The U.N. independent expert on human rights in Sudan, Aristide Nononsi, said that since his report last year, there have been some welcome developments and efforts by the […]
Rights Groups Condemn Cameroon Police Stationed at Opposition Leader’s Home
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON – Human rights groups in Cameroon have condemned the de facto house arrest of opposition leader Maurice Kamto, who has spent a week at his residence surrounded by riot police. Authorities say Kamto’s Cameroon Renaissance Movement party is being investigated for attempts to destabilize the country after last week’s anti-government protests. Ilaria Allegrozzi, […]