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Geert Wilders’ Speech in the House of Lords in United Kingdom

Sunday, March 7, 2010 - 21:03

Thank you. It is great to be back in London. And it is great that this time, I got to see more of this wonderful city than just the detention centre at Heathrow Airport.

South Africans face starvation as 90% of white farms taken by government fails

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 10:45

March 3, 2010 by evl

Submitted by evl on Wed, 2010-03-03 10:45

 South Africa - South Africa the once 1st world country that was given over to the slum lords of 'we want more' and the white man 'has too much' is facing starvation.

Gallery - Hate speech on PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS OF AZANIA's Facebook page

Thursday, February 25, 2010 - 15:06

Clear and blatant hate speech is growing on the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania's Facebook page and they refuse to remove it.

Rwanda: Intimidation of opposition parties must end

Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 14:02

February 18, 2010 by Anonymous

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-02-18 14:02

Amnesty International has strongly condemned a worrying attack on a Rwandan opposition group as the country prepares for presidential elections in August 2010.

In a letter to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Amnesty International urged him to use the elections as an opportunity to show the government’s commitment to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

“Past elections have been marred by intimidation, however this year’s vote gives Rwanda the chance to promote rights not repression,” said Amnesty International’s Africa Programme Deputy Director Tawanda Hondora.  

The letter was prompted by a recent attack on two members of United Democratic Forces (Forces Démocratiques Unifiées, FDU-Inkingi) and harassment of the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda, DGPR).  

“Amnesty International is concerned that these recent incidents are part of a wider pattern of intimidation and harassment to discourage and discredit opposition groups,” said Tawanda Hondora.

On 3 February, Victoire Ingabire, president of the FDU-Inkingi, and her aide Joseph Ntawangundi were attacked in the capital Kigali while collecting documents needed for the party’s registration from a government building.

During the attack Victoire Ingabire’s passport was stolen and Ntawangundi was severely beaten.
Amnesty International welcomes the police enquiry into the incident.  However, Police Spokesman Eric Kayiranga confirmed, as of 15 February, that no charges were pressed and some of those arrested had been released.  

“Opening an investigation is a good first step,” said Tawanda Hondora, “but an effective investigation must be prompt, impartial and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.”

Three days after the incident, the New Times alleged that Ntawangundi had been convicted of genocide in absentia in 2007 by a gacaca court – a community tribunal set up to try genocide cases. He was arrested the same day, 6 February, on charges of involvement in the 1994 genocide, which left as many as 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu dead.  

A law criminalizing “genocidal ideology,” whose terms are vague and ambiguous, was promulgated on 1 October 2008, unduly stifling freedom of expression. The offence is punishable by 10 to 25 years’ imprisonment.

Victoire Ingabire, has regularly been denounced in media close to the government as being “negationist” of the genocide or “divisionist” for public remarks made since her return from exile in January 2010 calling for the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Hutu by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).  

The leader of the Ideal Social Party (PS-Imberakuri, PSI), Bernard Ntaganda, was also called before the Rwandan Senate to answer accusations of genocide ideology in late 2009.

“Rwanda has an obligation to prohibit speech that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence” said Tawanda Hondora, “but Rwanda’s laws on genocide ideology too often conflate legitimate political dissent with such incitement.”

Frank Habineza, the President of the Green Party, has also reported being threatened by a man he suspects to be a security agent on 4 February in a hotel in Kigali, the capital.  

Habineza reported the incident to the police on 5 February and is awaiting further information on the status of investigations.

Amnesty International calls on the Rwandan government to investigate the intimidation of opposition groups, bring those responsible to justice and take immediate steps to respect the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly of opposition parties.

'We are the World 25' Haiti music video released

Sunday, February 14, 2010 - 23:35

We Are The World 25 took the world by storm originally 25 years ago but since then there has been a couple of tries to remake it.

Nigeria police killings must be investigated

Friday, February 12, 2010 - 18:31

February 12, 2010 by Anonymous

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-02-12 18:31

Amnesty International has called on Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to fulfill the commitments made in his acceptance speech by setting up an independent commission of inquiry into all suspected cases of unlawful killings by the Nigeria Police Force in recent years.

This call was prompted by the broadcast of video footage on Al Jazeera this week that showed police shooting and killing unarmed people in Maiduguri, Borno State, in July 2009.

"The Nigerian police routinely kill people in cold blood without fear of punishment.  This must stop. The government must ensure that all killings are investigated, that the findings are made public and perpetrators of unlawful killings are brought to justice," said Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International's Africa Director.

"The video aired by Al Jazeera is not an isolated example of unlawful use of firearms by the Nigeria Police Force.  This is a widespread phenomenon."

The video clearly shows members of the Nigeria Police Force carrying out extrajudicial executions, highlighting an issue documented by Amnesty International in a report published in December 2009.  

"Repeated claims by the government of a zero-tolerance on extrajudicial executions and torture ring hollow when it fails to investigate and arrest police officers despite mounting evidence incriminating them in hideous human rights violations."

In his acceptance speech on 9 February 2010, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan stated that "The Nigeria Police and other security services would be given new impetus to perform their duties, even while respecting the human rights of Nigerians. They are fully expected to produce corresponding results. There shall be no excuses for failure. Nigerians deserve to be fully protected at all times nationwide."

"Amnesty International welcomes the acting president's stated commitment to protect the human rights of Nigerians nationwide, and we call on him to put this into action by immediately setting up an independent commission of inquiry into all unlawful killings by the police in recent years and ensure that it has full support to bring perpetrators to justice," said Erwin van der Borght.

Background

The video broadcasted on Al Jazeera is believed to have been filmed during a week of clashes between members of the religious group Boko Haram and security forces in Borno, Kano, Katsina and Yobe states, where more than 800 people, including 24 police officers, died in July 2009. The leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, was killed in police custody on 30 July 2009. The police alleged he attempted to escape. Pictures of his body reveal that he was handcuffed at the time of his death.

A committee set up in August 2009 to "investigate the circumstances leading to the crisis including the alleged killing of the leader of Boko Haram and the slaughter or killing of over 17 Police officers," has not reported any progress.

Nigerian security forces have a history of carrying out extrajudicial executions, torture and other ill-treatment. In the Amnesty International report "Killing at will: Extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings in Nigeria" (AFR44/038/2009), the organization found that the Nigeria Police Force are responsible for hundreds of unlawful killings every year.

Countless unlawful killings take place during police operations where police routinely kill individuals they claim are "armed robbers", often alleging that the victims attempted to escape. Police Force Order 237 and the Nigerian Constitution allow police to shoot at suspects who attempt to escape or avoid arrest, contrary to international standards.

Amnesty International also fears that many detainees who have disappeared in police custody were extrajudicially executed. The police also shoot and kill drivers who fail to pay them bribes at checkpoints.

Very few policemen are brought to justice due to inadequate legislation, failure to investigate and prosecute. A widespread disregard for human rights and due process within the police force has bred a culture of impunity

Victims tend to be disproportionately poor with families unable to afford legal counsel.  Those who complain are ignored, while those who persist face harassment.

Despite repeated statements by the Nigerian government that it will end extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings, little has been done. Over the past four years, the Nigerian government has set up two committees to review the Nigeria Police Force and present recommendations for reform. These recommendations have never been implemented. A review of the Police Act (1990) that started in 2004 has still not resulted in a law.

Under international law and standards, firearms may only be used by law enforcement officials to defend themselves or others against the imminent threat of death or serious injury; to prevent a crime involving a grave threat to life; or to prevent the escape of a person presenting such a danger. Any use of force or firearms resulting in death or injury should be investigated to ensure that the use of force was not arbitrary or abusive. The investigations must include commanding officers and officials with chain-of-command responsibility. Those suspected to be involved should be suspended from duty pending investigation.

Zimbabwe: Abuse of human rights continues under unity government

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 20:20

February 11, 2010 by Anonymous

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-02-11 20:20

 
Amnesty International today called on President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai to fulfil their promise to reform state institutions, in a bid to end human rights violations that have continued in the country since the formation of the unity government one year ago.
 
Torture, harassment and politically motivated prosecutions of human rights defenders and perceived opponents have persisted, while villagers in parts of Zimbabwe have suffered ceaseless intimidation by supporters of former ruling party ZANU-PF. 

"The Attorney General's office, police and army have been left to freely violate human rights in pursuit of a political agenda," said Erwin van der Borght, Africa Director at Amnesty International.

"By delaying reform, the situation in Zimbabwe remains fragile as perpetrators continue to escape justice and are instead effectively given the all clear to continue violating human rights."

Amnesty International called on the unity government to end on-going harassment of human rights defenders. Several peaceful protests organized by civic movement Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were violently broken up by police in 2009.

Seventeen human rights and political activists who were abducted by state security agents in 2008 continue to face charges that are widely believed to be trumped up. One of them, Jestina Mukoko, director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, had her prosecution permanently stayed by the Supreme Court in September 2009 because of overwhelming evidence that she had been tortured.

"The government must end the incessant harassment of human rights activists and take steps to seriously protect rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly," said Erwin van der Borght.

The Zimbabwean army and intelligence services, as well as the Attorney General's office, have remained under ZANU-PF control, following an agreement brokered by the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) in 2008. The police are co-chaired by ZANU-PF and MDC-T ministers.

"The onus is on President Mugabe and ZANU-PF to ensure that key institutions under their control are reformed to end the culture of impunity that still threatens stability in the country," said Erwin van der Borght. 

Amnesty International's call for reform comes amid reports that villagers in parts of Zimbabwe are being threatened with violence by army backed supporters of ZANU-PF, in an attempt to force them to endorse the heavily criticized Kariba draft constitution. 

The Kariba draft constitution, agreed by unity government parties in September 2007, has been strongly criticized by some civil society organizations as an attempt by the parties to impose a constitution without consultation.

Villagers in Mutoko, Muzarabani and MT. Darwin are reportedly being warned that they will face beatings unless they support the ZANU-PF position. Similar threats were made and materialised in the run up to the June 2008 presidential elections..

"These are early warning signs that the situation could deteriorate if no urgent measures are taken to stop state security agents from carrying out violent political campaigns."
 
"Past involvement on their part has resulted in gross human rights violations, including deaths and torture of perceived opponents."

The government has so far failed to investigate gross human rights violations allegedly carried out by security forces during the run-up to the second round of the 2008 presidential elections, which left at least 200 people dead, over 9,000 injured and tens of thousands displaced.

"The unity government must investigate past and present allegations of human rights violations by state security agents, including torture and ill treatment of detainees," said Erwin van der Borght.

Gross human rights violations have also been taking place within the army.

At least two soldiers were tortured to death in October 2009 while being interrogated by intelligence and military police officials in Harare. Another soldier was reported to have committed suicide while in solitary confinement and several others are still receiving medical treatment for injuries caused by torture.

The victims had been arrested along with at least 95 others, on suspicion of breaking into an armoury at Pomona barracks and stealing 21 guns.
 
"Zimbabwean state bodies are riddled with human rights abusers that in many cases carry out violations with impunity," said Erwin van der Borght. 

"Without genuine reform of institutions this abuse is very likely to persist."

To arrange an interview, please contact Elisabeth Vikman, Amnesty International Press Officer at elisabeth.vikman@amnesty.org or +44 7778 472109.
 
 

Darfuri refugees exposed to increased attacks if UN withdraws from Chad

Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 16:54

February 11, 2010 by Anonymous

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-02-11 16:54

Amnesty International today called on the Chadian government to allow UN peacekeepers to continue protecting 250,000 refugees from Darfur and 170,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in the east of the country.

The government has insisted that the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) must leave Chad when its mandate expires on 15 March 2010, arguing that the force has failed its mandate.

"Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable civilians would be exposed to increased attacks by Chadian armed opposition groups, irregular militias, criminal gangs and members of the Chadian security forces, if MINURCAT were to leave" said Tawanda Hondora, Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

MINURCAT has been deployed to eastern Chad since March 2008 to protect and enable humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands of refugees and IDPs that have sought shelter in the area.

Deployment has been slow over the past two years but the force is now for the first time deployed at around 70 percent of the level set by the UN Security Council and has received technical support from various countries.

Attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians, which reached alarming levels in the last months of 2009, have begun to decrease as MINURCAT soldiers have been able to carry out patrols in sensitive areas they were previously unable to patrol.

"The Chadian government has the responsibility and duty to protect its own population and other persons living on its territory but for many years it has shown itself incapable and unwilling to do so with respect to Eastern Chad."

Human rights violations including rape and recruitment of child soldiers are carried out with almost total impunity in eastern Chad, by members of Chadian and Sudanese armed opposition groups, bandits and members of the Chadian security forces.

Amnesty International also fears that humanitarian agencies that assist refugees, IDPs and the local population in eastern Chad would be forced to close some or all of their programmes if MINURCAT were to pull out as the security vacuum left behind by the UN withdrawal would make it too dangerous for many to operate.

"This would leave hundreds of thousands without essential humanitarian assistance and facing increased security risks due to the absence of an international presence."

"The UN Security Council must not accede to the request of the Chadian authorities until it is clear that the government of Chad is capable and prepared to protect the human rights of people living in eastern Chad.

Background

In January 2010, the government of Chad sent a note verbale to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) requesting it to not renew the mandate of the United Nations Mission to the Central African Republic and Chad.

Following this request, the United Nations Secretary-General sent a Technical Assessment Mission to Chad to discuss the issue with Chadian authorities.

Chadian officials who met the UN team are reported to have confirmed the government's insistence that MINURCAT's mandate not be renewed when it expires on 15 March 2010.

On 8 February 2010, during a trip to Sudan, Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno reaffirmed that it is his government's position that MINURCAT must leave Chad at the expiration of its mandate.

The UNSC passed Resolution 1778 (2007) on 25 September 2007 establishing both a military and policing component to MINURCAT.  The military force was deployed on 15 March 2008.  For the first year it was under the command of the European Union.  Command of the military force was transferred to the UN as of 15 March 2009. MINURCAT has the mandate, inter alia, to contribute to the protection of refugees, displaced persons and civilians in danger by facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance in eastern Chad and north-eastern Central African Republic.

Madagascar: Killings must be investigated and perpetrators brought to justice

Thursday, February 4, 2010 - 20:27

February 4, 2010 by Anonymous

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-02-04 20:27

The Madagascar authorities must urgently launch impartial investigations into dozens of killings carried out by security forces during more than a year of anti-government protests and bring those responsible to justice, Amnesty International said in a report released today.

The deadliest incident saw at least 31 people killed and several injured on 7 February 2009 when President Marc Ravalomanana's Presidential Guard opened fire, using live ammunition, on unarmed opposition demonstrators marching on the Presidential Palace in the capital Antananarivo.

"The Malagasy authorities must immediately investigate all cases of suspected unlawful killings by the security forces as well as any use of firearms resulting in deaths or serious injuries. Those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters must face justice," said Erwin van der Borght, Africa Director at Amnesty International.

Human rights violations were reported throughout a year of political unrest in Madagascar sparked by President Marc Ravalomanana's closure in December 2008 of a television station owned by Andry Nirina Rajoelina, at that time the Mayor of Antananarivo.   

They continued after the High Transitional Authority (Haute Autorité de la Transition,HAT), headed by Rajoelina, came to power on 17 March 2009. It has not been recognised by the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Since then, HAT security forces have frequently intervened to disperse opposition protests leading to deaths and injuries.

In some instances the demonstrations had become violent. However, the authorities did not begin investigations of the incidents, or of those that led to the serious injury of demonstrators or bystanders.

On 23 April 2009, a 24-year-old man was admitted to hospital after being shot in the shoulder and then beaten with guns by security officials, while on the way home from a mosque.

"There were no demonstrations going on at that point and I only saw the soldiers once I was wounded. I don't know why they fired," the injured man told Amnesty International. "No one from the courts or the police came to see me in hospital to conduct an investigation."

Members of the Malagasy parliament and senate, lawyers and political opposition leaders were subjected to arbitrary and unlawful arrest and detention, specifically after the HAT came to power in March 2009. Some of those arrested were reportedly ill treated during their arrest.

Journalists and media outlets were targeted by the Malagasy authorities; both under President Ravalomanana as well as after the HAT came to power. The authorities have also taken steps to silence journalists deemed too critical of those in power at the time, including by closing down privately owned radio and television stations.

Background

A mediation team made up of representatives from the African Union (AU), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Organization of la Francophonie (IOF) and the United Nations (UN), has been mediating between the main political parties in an attempt to resolve the crisis.

The political crisis that has affected Madagascar during 2009 was sparked off by the closure, during the night of 13-14 December 2008, of the Viva television station owned by Andry Nirina Rajoelina, at that time the Mayor of the capital, Antananarivo.

The decision to do so by the government of President Marc Ravalomanana exacerbated an already tense situation between the government on the one hand and the political opposition and the Mayor of the urban municipality of Antananarivo, on the other.

In early 2009 the opposition organized various mass demonstrations against President Marc Ravalomanana. On 17 March 2009, following popular pressure from Rajoelina and his movement President Ravalomanana signed an order dissolving the government and granting full powers to a military directorate.

That same day the members of the military directorate in turn passed on the powers that had been granted to them to Rajoelina.

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