(Geneva) – The Nigerian Government must not use the 2016 elections as a subterfuge to obstruct freedom of expression, in particular of human rights defenders or journalists, says ISHR in a briefing paper published today.
The Ugandan Government must repeal domestic laws that restrict the work of human rights defenders and should refrain from criminalising their legitimate activities, say ISHR and the Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum.
States should encourage Uganda to refrain from criminalising the legitimate activities of human rights defenders and repeal all laws and policies which restrict their rights and activities through its forthcoming UPR, ISHR, Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum and Chapter Four Uganda have said in a joint briefing paper.
Gilbert Sendugwa is Coordinator of Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC), a pan-African network whose secretariat is based in Kampala, Uganda.
ISHR was honoured to meet Cleopatra Kambugu, grants administrator at the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative (UHAI EASHRI) and transgender activist in Uganda.
Draft still being prepared, current draft includes important rights contained in the Model Law, others not properly developed. State obligations in a similar state. Protection Mechanism not yet properly developed.
Human rights defenders are courageous people who act with humanity, serve humanity and bring out the best in humanity. None of them should have to spend their 50th birthday in prison. Before his imprisonment, Ahmed Mansoor was known as ‘the last human rights defender left in the UAE’ on account of his fearless work to document human rights violations in the country. Ahead of his 50th birthday, more than 140 human rights groups signed an open letter urging the Emirati authorities to release Ahmed Mansoor.
Governments, corporations and the United Nations should act to address a disturbing global pattern of attacks against human rights defenders who protest against business operations and major development projects.
To commemorate the International Safe Abortion Day, ISHR joined 372 organisations as well as women human rights defenders working to prevent maternal deaths, including through ensuring safe abortions, to demand free, safe and accessible abortion for everyone, NOW!
