Press Releases & Statements

Text of Intervention: Panel discussion on the issue of intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate or have cooperated with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

A number of cases of reprisals against HRDs in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region have been reported by the Secretary-General. The details are available in the Secretary-General’s reports, but in summary these have taken the form of physical attacks, killings, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and ill-treatment, death threats and media smear campaigns against organizations and individuals. Individuals have even been charged with “working with international organizations hostile to [the country]”.

Read More

Burundi: Verdict in Activist’s Killing Trial Fails to Deliver Justice; Despite Many Leads, Investigation Fell Short

The verdict on 22 May, 2012 in the trial of those accused of killing Ernest Manirumva, a Burundian anti-corruption activist, has been a missed opportunity to deliver justice, 20 Burundian and international non-governmental organizations said today in a joint statement. The outcome was a grave disappointment to those who have campaigned for his killers to be held to account, as potentially important evidence in the case was not pursued.

Read More

Burundi : Justice n’a pas été rendue à l’issue du procès sur le meurtre d’un militant, Malgré de nombreuses pistes, l’enquête n’a pas été à la hauteur

La décision rendue le 22 mai 2012 au terme du procès des personnes accusées d’avoir tué Ernest Manirumva, un militant anticorruption burundais, a été une occasion manquée de rendre la justice, ont regretté 20 organisations non gouvernementales burundaises et internationales aujourd’hui dans une déclaration conjointe. Ce résultat est profondément décevant pour ceux qui se sont mobilisés afin que ses tueurs rendent des comptes, car des éléments de preuve potentiellement importants n’ont pas été pris en considération.

Read More

Sudan: End Harassment of Journalist and Human Rights Defender Faisal Mohammed Salih

Mr. Salih, director of Teeba Press, former chief editor of Al-adwaa newspaper and a columnist, has been arbitrarily arrested and detained on three separate occasions on 8th, 9th and 15th May 2012. This follows almost two weeks of harassment by the National Intelligence and Security Services in Khartoum, who required him to report to their offices on a daily basis where he would be kept for the whole day. The arrests began after he refused to continue reporting voluntarily. On 15th May, Mr. Salih was charged with failure to cooperate with the order of a public officer to report at an appointed time and place.

Read More