CHRI Human Rights Update
Daily round up from CHRI UK on 12/02/2016
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Today’s top news:
· 26th African Union summit: Women’s rights beyond promises and paper tigers
· Time needed until ready for referenda, Anastasiades says
· Water, water everywhere but Nauru detainees missing out, critics say
· Bangladeshi government failing to ensure human rights
United Kingdom
It’s time to overhaul the Investigatory Powers Bill
UK Human Rights Blog
The Joint committee on the Draft Investigatory Powers Bill has come out with a big report on the new draft law leading to as many as 86 new recommendations for the law. The recommendations address issues such as unclear wordings and suspected violations of the Human Rights Act.
What does the Julian Assange case have to do with human rights?
Telegraph
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found that the Swedish and British government deprived Julian Assange, the wikileaks founder and alleged rapist, of his human rights according to the UN Declaration of human rights.
Military commanders sold insurance for cases against Armed Forces
Telegraph
British military commanders are being sold insurance to protect them from legal action. Lord West went on to say that ‘It is clearly a total nonsense that one can use human rights legislation to drag military leaders through the courts for decisions made in war.’ being critical of the use of human rights law against military personnel in the line of action saying that ‘civilian norms cannot possibly apply’.
Commonwealth Countries
Africa
Law society of Botswana blasts government over rule of law and human rights
Star Africa
Chairperson of the Law Society Lawrence Lecha raised the Society’s concerns regarding the appointment processes for judges, stating that the Law Society intended to challenge the appointment of one of the judges of the Court of Appeal, Justice Brand citing their responsibility to raise issues that have an impact on the rule of law, human rights and the administration of justice.
Signs of LGBT rights progress in certain African countries, but new challenges, in Malawi
76 Crimes
“In all of these countries, there are seeds of hope,” the U.S. state department’s LGBTI rights envoy said at the conclusion of his recent 10-day trip to Malawi, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. Randy Berry was not in Malawi to convince the government to accept homosexuality, he said, but to seek an end to discrimination against LGBTI Malawians.
Human Rights Complaint Filed Against ‘Eco-Guards’ Who Terrorize African Pygmies in Cameroon
VICE
Villagers from Cameroon’s Baka population — the people long known as pygmies in the West — are being beaten and chased out of the forests that sustained them for generations, according to a complaint filed with an international agency by Survival International. The group, which works with indigenous populations in places like Africa and South America, says “ecoguards” funded and equipped by the Worldwide Fund for Nature abused the Baka because they made an easier target than commercial poachers.
The fight for LGBT rights in Ghana
Sun Times Network
One LGBT organization in Ghana is trying to change the court system for the better. The Solace Brothers Foundation helps train paralegals in the LGBT community on legal rights, counselling advice and security support.
Ghanaian youth ask for laws to protect sexual rights
News Ghana
Miss Akosua Agyapong, a youth activist, has called for the formulation of laws to protect their sexual rights as well as increase the age of consent to marriage from 16 to 18 years with no exceptions. She said from the very patriarchal set-up that arbitrarily determines for women and children, issues of their sexuality, there were too many harmful cultural practices that endanger their sexual and reproductive health.
European led coalition to strengthen human rights in correctional facilities in Kenya
Standard Media
“There is a huge gap in socio-economic support for reformed and discharged prisoners for meaningful social reintegration into the community.” The European Committee for Training and Agriculture has partnered with Faraja Foundation, KPS, Probation and Aftercare services, Fr Growl Welfare and Legal Reform Foundation in an awareness programme aimed at strengthening human rights within correctional facilities in Kenya.
Mayor of Windhoek, Namibia threatened to be removed by human rights groups
Namibia Economist
“The Mayor is democratically elected into office by the people, therefore if we feel he is not doing his work, we have the mandate to remove him forcefully. The office does not belong to him, he is there for the people, by the people,” threatened Olsen Kahiriri, Representative of the civil rights group, ‘Restoring the Dignity of our People’ about the Mayor of Windhoek, his Worship Muesee Kazapua. Kahiriri. The group’s petition is based on Article 8, Chapter 3 of the Constitution which states that human dignity should be respected and this is a fundamental human right.
Huffington Post
The military has made gains against the extremist group, but people in northeast Nigeria are still vulnerable to attacks and human rights groups condemn a government eager to illustrate the “technical defeat” of Boko Haram by pressing civilians who took shelter in displacement camps to return home.
Nigeria: ‘Prosecute Perpetrators of Female Genital Mutilation’
All Africa
Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, and spouses of governors of six states with the highest prevalence of female genital mutilation have joined calls to prosecute people involved in the practice in hopes of ending cutting of girls by 2030 citing the “detrimental impact on the health and human rights of women and girls.”
South Africa: Human Rights Day to Focus On Racism
All Africa
Delivering his State of the Nation Address, President Zuma said Human Rights Day will be used to lay the foundation for a long-term programme of building a non-racial society. The announcement comes after incidents of racism were witnessed recently in the country.
Swaziland: Swazi Terror Law Court Challenge by International Human Rights Groups
All Africa
A challenge to the legality of Swaziland’s anti-terror and sedition laws is taking place in the kingdom’s High Court with The Suppression of Terrorism Act and The Sedition and Subversive Activities Act have been criticised by global human rights groups as oppressive.
All Africa
Kagera Region has managed to cut down malaria prevalence rate of the killer disease from 41 per cent to 32.5 per cent this year through holistic approach and concerted efforts made by the authorities. The United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) Representative, Dr Jama Gulaid, speaking during a National Multi-stakeholders Consultation meeting on the Role of Human Rights and Good Governance organized by the OHCHR, “The consultation will focus on the right of the child to health and human rights based approach as it relates to under-five health”.
26th African Union summit: Women’s rights beyond promises and paper tigers
Chronicle
The African Union’s theme for 2016 is “Human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of women” stating that halfway through the AU’s women’s decade, the continent has yet to see the progress needed.
All Africa
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, February 11, presents an opportunity to look at the intersection of two important issues — gender and science — and their impact on economic development and quality of life. All Africa looks into this from a human capital, social and economic, epistemological, and human rights perspective.
Asia
Bangladeshi government failing to ensure human rights
The Daily Star
The government has failed to ensure people’s welfare and human rights as it does not represent them, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia told the visiting European Parliament delegation yesterday.
LGBTs charge cops with sex abuse, torture
India Today
Having secured a last chance to get homosexual acts legalised, activists supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights are leaving no stone unturned. To bolster their fresh appeal against a December 2013 judgment of the apex court which made homosexual acts an offence with imprisonment up to 10 years, they have attached affidavits filed by LGBT community members or their families giving examples of the torture and harassment meted out to them by the police. The police also allegedly sexually exploited them.
Sedition charges against Malaysian law lecturer dropped after pressure from human rights groups
Channel NewsAsia
Malaysia’s Attorney-General decided Friday (Feb 12) to “discontinue prosecuting” a law lecturer under the country’s controversial Sedition Act which has been denounced by human rights advocates as an act that criminalises freedom of speech.
Maldives invites foreign mediators to multi-party talks talking human rights abuses in the country
Haveeru
Government appeared Friday to have given in further to international demands as it invited foreign mediators to participate in the upcoming new round of multi-party dialogue to resolve the current political crisis in the Maldives. In the latest development, the European parliament passed a resolution in December condemning the human rights abuses of President Yameen’s government, and calling for targeted sanctions to be imposed on his officials and supporters in the business community.
Britain funds counter-narcotics program linked to death penalty in Pakistan, court hears
RT
Secrecy regarding Britain’s funding of a counter-narcotics operation in Pakistan linked to the death penalty faced scrutiny Thursday as a tribunal heard arguments on whether the British government should publicly disclose details on the matter. Global human rights organization Reprieve says juveniles and exploited drug mules are often executed in states such as Pakistan and Iran.
Pakistan: Barbarianism against Baloch People Continue
Sri Lanka Guardian
The latest brief Report over the Enforced Disappearances, Extra-judicial killings and human rights violation in Balochistan issued by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP)
Youth urged to create human rights awareness
Daily Times of Pakistan
Speakers at a seminar held at the University of Education (UoE) on ‘Human Rights: Education and Sensitisation’ have stressed on the need of proper education on human rights among masses and active participation of youth in raising awareness on the issue.
Human Rights Watch objects to Sri Lankan ex-army chief’s promotion
NewsX
The Sri Lankan government’s appointment to parliament of former army chief Sarath Fonseka contradicts pledges to probe alleged war crimes, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.
Caribbean and Americas
A Young Man’s View: Swift Justice Is Nothing But A Catchphrase
Tribune 242
The Attorney General (AG) in Bahamas Swift Justice program is coming under heavy critique for being ineffective as well as handling the justice system poorly and for not considering the workspace and procedures of the judges and attorneys.
Canadian Museum for Human Rights unveils first outdoor exhibit
Metro
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) is opening its first outdoor exhibit. The exhibit is in Whittier Park and is there to celebrate the women who fought for their right to vote in the early 1900s.
Some St Catherine candidates shun political code signing
Jamaica Observer
A ceremony to sign a political code of conduct was held in Jamaica, the code of conduct principles stated among other things that ‘political parties must affirm their belief in the sanctity of human life and abhor taking human life or the violation of the person of anyone because of the that person’s political allegiance’. However, the attendance from three of the main parties was quite low.
It’s the 21st century, Mr Mayor
Daily Express
The Port of Spain Mayor in Trinidad and Tobago is coming under attack after his statement after a Japanese masquerader was killed. He put the emphasis on women to ‘ensure that they are not abused’, this opinion piece is attacking his view on women and argues for the right of women to dress and act how they want, and that the fault is with the abuser, not the person being abused.
Europe
Time needed until ready for referenda, Anastasiades says
Cyprus Mail
An agreement is trying to be reached between the two opposing Cypriot factions who have divided the country. The agreement is trying to unite the country and preserve the rights of all Cypriots while still solving the conflict between the two factions.
Cyprus has achieved positive developments in gender equality, says President
FG news
The Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades has come out with statements commending the move forward in gender equality in Cyprus. He especially focused on women in education and the stereotypes regarding women in society.
Pacific
Ruddock appointment thumbs nose at human rights
Eureka Street
The appointment of Philip Ruddock as Australia’s Special Envoy on Human Rights to the UN is receiving criticism. It is being pointed out that Ruddock has made several questionable decisions with regards to human rights in his role as the minister of immigration and that it is almost satirical that he received the appointment.
Doctors refuse to discharge ‘Baby Asha’ because of fears for safety on Nauru
Guardian
A baby receiving treatment in Brisbane is refused to be released by doctors, as her release would mean her immediate deportation to Nauru. The doctors are arguing that the detention camp is not suitable and could have ‘potentially catastrophic’ consequences.
Australia slammed over PNG refugee situation
Radio New Zealand International
Australia is being criticized by Human Rights Watch for their actions and their irresponsible way of handling refugees that try to reach the country.
Australia directed officials how to address Nauru rights concerns, documents show
Reuters
Australian officials were informed on how to answer questions and concerns concerning human rights in Nauru. There have been reports on rights violations in Nauru, and the view exists that Australia’s ‘desire to maintain the detention centre outweighed human rights concerns’ there.
Water, water everywhere but Nauru detainees missing out, critics say
Sydney Morning Herald
There are allegations that the Nauru detention camp are troubled with water shortages and that people only have limited access to drinking water and that water may even be discarded by the camps. Apart from this, sanitary and hygiene products are alleged to have suffered the same fate.
37 baby cribs were placed on Bondi Beach in powerful message in support of asylum seekers
Mashable UK
In support of asylum seekers and in protest against the Australian government’s handling of refugees, 37 baby cribs (representing the 37 babies that were sent to detention centres in Nauru) were placed on Bondi beach where 200 people arrived which Amnesty and GetUp! attended and spoke at.
Irish surfer encourages Iranian women to ride the waves
Stuff
Dr Easkey Britton is encouraging Iranian women to surf as a move for women’s rights, and social change in Papua New Guinea.