Source ICTR – The trial of Idelphonse Nizeyimana, former second-in-command in charge of intelligence and military operations at ESO (Ecole des Sous Officiers) began on 17 January 2011 before Trial Chamber III composed of Judges Lee Gacuiga Muthoga, presiding, Seon Ki Park and Robert Fremr. The Prosecution, in its opening remarks, told the Trial Chamber that it will present evidence to prove that the accused was among key officers of the Rwanda Armed Forces who played crucial roles in the implementation of genocide from its inception through to its conclusion. Senior Trial Attorney Drew White told the Trial Chamber that... Continue Reading
By: Augustine N. Myers – Amid Fears of Political Violence in neighboring Ivory Coast, Ivorian refugees continue to flee into Liberia through Nimba County in the east. The UNHCR and the local authorities, including the Liberia Refugees Repatriation & Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), said they have so far recorded a total of 15,120 refugees from villages between Danane and Guiglo in western Cote d’Ivoire while another 4,000 influx had been reported. Majority of the refugees are women and children, with 62 percent below 18 years of age. The refugees are a mixed group of supporters of both Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane... Continue Reading
Johannesburg, 27 December 2010 (IRIN) – An informal group of developed countries has pledged to continue to back programmes in Zimbabwe worth more than US$500 million in 2011 to help the poor, but says “serious concerns remain” on the “protection of fundamental rights, the rule of law, governance and respect for agreements”. President Robert Mugabe is expected to announce a date for national elections in 2011, according to local media, but NGOs and human rights activists fear they could lead to a surge of political violence. The Herald, the official daily newspaper, reporting on ZANU-PF’s recent annual conference, quoted Mugabe as saying the party... Continue Reading
ABIDJAN, 21 December 2010 (IRIN) – Gunshots at night, beatings, unexplained disappearances of ordinary civilians and makeshift barriers around homes have become commonplace in Côte d’Ivoire’s main city, Abidjan, in the chaotic aftermath of the presidential election. As violence threatens to spiral, Ivoirians say ethnic and regional divisions are sharper than ever. Both the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara – a northerner – have claimed victory in the 28 November presidential run-off. Independent electoral commission results put Ouattara as the victor, but the Gbagbo camp rejected that, threw out poll results in seven northern departments – alleging mass fraud... Continue Reading
Shout-Africa Human Rights Desk KIEV, UKRAINE – Liban Farah fled violence-torn Somalia with dreams of refuge in the European Union. He made it to new member state Slovakia — but was arrested and sent back to neighboring Ukraine, where human smugglers had helped him cross the border. That’s when the real horror began, he said. “Hell, really hell,” said Farah, 20, describing a nearly three-month ordeal of beatings and abuse by border guards and police. Migrants and asylum seekers caught in Ukraine en route to the EU or sent back to Ukraine through a deportation program with the EU risk... Continue Reading
