By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania — Conflict in Mali has driven nearly 70,000 refugees to Mbera camp in the Mauritanian desert.  There the appalling living conditions and inadequate assistance are leading to severe malnutrition and deaths from preventable diseases, reports the international humanitarian organization, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (“MSF”).

Since the start of the conflict in Mali in January 2012, hundreds of thousands of people have been internally displaced or have fled to neighboring countries.  The United Nations reported that more than 270,000 people have been displaced within Mali, and more than 170,000 refugees have fled to Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger.

Mauritania hosts the highest number of refugees, with some 68,000 people registered by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (“UNHCR”) in camps in Mauritania.  In January conditions in the camp worsened following an influx of 15,000 refugees, an event following the joint military intervention by French and Malian forces in Mali.

The number of consultations in MSF’s clinics in the Mbera camp increased from 1,500 to 2,500 per week.  Moreover, the number of children admitted per week for severe malnutrition more than doubled, from 42 to 106, despite the fact very few children were malnourished when they arrived at the camp.

MSF recently published a report entitled “Stranded in the Desert,” which was based on testimony from more than 100 residents of the Mbera camp.  The report calls for urgent action by aid organizations to meet the refugees’ basic needs and rectify the deplorable living conditions.

For example, the report notes that in January 2013 there was only one latrine for every 3,000 refugees, and people were receiving just 11 liters of water per day, instead of a required 20 liters. Many people have been living under makeshift shelters made of scraps of cloth and sticks.

The UN considers the allegations to be serious, but questioned some of the report’s findings.  The UNHCR stated that some of the facts “seem to be out of date and do not reflect current realities.”  For example, the UNHCR clarified that 2,500 latrines exist in the camp, approximately one for every 30 refugees.

The refugee crisis seems unlikely to subside in the near future, given the nature of the conflict in Mali.  Henry Gray, emergency coordinator for MSF said, “Most of the refugees are from the Tuareg and Arab communities.  They fled preemptively, often for fear of violence due to their presumed links with Islamist or separatist groups.  Their home in northern Mali is still in the grip of fear and mistrust.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – Mali Refugees Endure ‘Appalling’ Mauritania Camp – 12 April 2013

CNN – Report: Mali Refugees Endure ‘Appalling’ Conditions at Mauritania Camp– 12 April 2013

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières – Hunger Strikes Malian Refugees Stranded in Mauritanian Desert – 12 April 2013

Voices of America – Conditions Getting Worse for Mali Refugees – 12 April 2013

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LUSAKA, Zambia — Paul Kasonkomona, a prominent gay and lesbian rights activist was arrested in Zambia after appearing on a live television calling for same-sex relations to be decriminalized.  He has been charged with “inciting the public to take part in indecent activities.”

Reports state that the police tried to stop the interview and take Kasonkomona off-air, but the producers and station management refused.  Plainclothes policemen apprehended Kasonkomona as he attempted to leave the station with colleagues, including a lawyer.  Muvi TV reports that Kasonkomona was transported to Woodlands Police Station for interrogation.

Homosexual acts are still illegal in Zambia, a traditionally conservative nation where many people believe that homosexuality violates their religious beliefs.

Offenses such as sodomy, or sex between women, carry a minimum sentence of 15 years or a maximum of life.  Specifically the Zambian Penal Code states that, “any person who has carnal knowledge of any person against the order of nature . . .  commits a felony” and can be imprisoned “for a term not less than 15 years and may be liable to imprisonment for life.”

Moreover, “any male who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with a male . . . commits a felony and is liable, upon conviction, to imprisonment for a term not less than seven years and not exceeding 14 years.”

Kasonkomona, who calls himself a human rights activist, has called upon the government factions to harmonize their obligations and to protect gay rights.  As such, he has said that LGBTQ rights are like any other form of human rights, which should be respected at all cost

A group of same-sex couples attempted to register their marriages in Lusaka last week, but they were stopped by authorities and threatened with arrest.  However, the European Union last month offered financial support for organizations that seek to promote the rights of gay people in Zambia

For more information, please see:

All Africa – Zambia: Gay Rights Activist Arrested at Muvi TV – 8 April 2013

BBC – Zambia Gay Rights Activist Paul Kasonkomona Arrested – 8 April 2013

Digital Journal – Zambia Gay Rights Activist Arrested – 8 April 2013

The Global Post – Zambia Gay Rights Activist Arrested – 8 April 2013

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda – April 7^th marks the 19th commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide. This year’s commemoration is marked under the theme: “Let’s remember the Genocide against the Tutsi while striving for self-reliance.”

Although 19 years have passed, the scars and horrific memories are still alive in the hearts and minds of many Rwandans, especially the survivors who witnessed the carnage that stretched to around 100 days.

From April 4, 1994, close to a million Tutsi ethnic minorities and some moderate Hutus were hacked to death by extremist Hutus in a violent ethnic bloodbath that lasted approximately 100 days.

This year’s observance begins with a weeklong commemoration that involves several activities including: visiting and laying wreaths at memorial sites, according decent burial to exhumed Genocide remains, giving testimonies, public lectures, and candle lighting vigils.

Although the activities officially last a week, the commemoration continues up to July 4, marking 100 days of the Genocide.

“As we commemorate the genocide against Tutsi, we celebrate many achievements attained as a result of good leadership but amongst all, we hail the reconciliation progress we have made in the last 19 years. This is seen in the way we work together and help each other regardless of one’s origin or colour,” says Landoward Mugema, a resident of the Karama sector.

Something new this year is the nation’s increased emphasis on the role of the youth. The youth have been urged to actively take part in the commemoration activities.

Students from universities and secondary schools participated in a conference in Kigali organized before the official commemoration. The conference was organized under the theme, “Sharing the past, shaping the future building on self-reliance” – a theme in line with the national commemoration’s focus on self-reliance.

In addition, a group of fifty youths from around Kigali have been trained to handle various trauma cases that are anticipated in the coming week.

“We, the youth, should be first to promote the culture of commemorating the Genocide,” Mahoro said, asserting that the youth can learn a lot from the country’s history.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against the Genocide, Jean de Dieu Mucyo, said the youth have not been involved enough in prior commemoration activities, but added that their mindset is changing as they begin to feel responsible and own the activities.

Mucyo said the yearly commemorations help build peace, tolerance and peaceful co-existence in a nation that, not too long ago, witnessed one of the worst cases of ethnic cleansing in history.

“At the beginning, only the survivors and the leaders attended the commemoration activities, but now this has changed; everyone now feels part of commemoration,” Mucyo said.

After 19 years, Rwanda is looking forward to building a bright, tolerant, and self-reliant future never forgetting their nation’s most horrible tragedy.

 

For further information, please see:

The Sunday Times – Rwanda Remembers – 7 April 2013

News of Rwanda – Kigali Youths Trained on Trauma Counseling – 6 April 2013

All Africa – Rwanda: Nyagatare Residents to Cement on Reconciliation During the Genocide Commemoration Week – 6 April 2013

UN Africa Renewal – Rwanda Genocide Survivors Struggle to Rebuild their Lives – 5 April 2013

All Africa – Rwanda: Youth Urged to Participate in Genocide Commemoration – 4 April 2013

 

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – On Tuesday, Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir officially declared that all political prisoners will be freed.

Described by the press as a “surprise move”, the President’s decision was carried out on the same day by releasing the first batch of political prisoners. This batch consisted of seven opposition leaders, six men and a woman, who were arrested without any formal charge last January. They were detained for three months at Khartoum’s Kober prison.

“Today, we announce a decision to free all the political prisoners and renew our commitment to all political powers about dialogue,” President Al-Bashir said during the announcement. “We confirm we will continue our communication with all political and social powers without excluding anyone, including those who are armed, for a national dialogue which will bring a solution to all issues.”

Last month, President Al-Bashir told a Qatari magazine that he will step down at the next election in 2015. He admitted that his 20-year rule was “more than enough” and Sudan finally needed “fresh blood”. Political analysts say that releasing the political prisoners may be the President’s attempt to salvage his reputation.

The International Criminal Court charged Al-Bashir for genocide and war crimes four years ago making him the only sitting president wanted by the ICC.

“He is considering his legacy having indicated he will not run in 2015,” said Alex Vines, head of the Africa program at Chatham House, a London-based think tank. “This is about the redefinition of Sudan following the independence of the South. Bashir knows old strategies need to be reformed. It is also a clever way to respond to growing unified opposition.” Vines also mentioned that the President will stay true to his promise and will release more prisoners in the following weeks.

However, members of other opposition groups were not too impressed with the President Al-Bashir’s decision. According to Farouk Abu Issa, a leader of a coalition of 20 opposition groups, “hundreds” of other prisoners are still in police custody. “It is a step forward but we are waiting for many other steps,” he pointed out.

By Amnesty International’s calculations, at least 119 other political detainees remain incarcerated under “degrading and inhumane conditions.”

Amnesty International’s Jean-Baptiste Gallopin said that the measures taken by Al-Bashir to uphold and protect human rights are actually “very limited”. “A series of recent laws that allow Mr Bashir’s security forces great leeway in defining and clamping down on dissent must be repealed to show true commitment to reform,” he said. “If you look at this in the broader legal context that allows the authorities to carry out the repression that we see in Sudan, there is little sign that that is going to change,” Gallopin added.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC News – Sudan frees Abdul Aziz Khalid and other political prisoners – 2 April 2013

Global Post – First political prisoners freed under Sudan amnesty – 2 April 2013

Middle East Online – Amnesty underway in Sudan: First political prisoners freed – 2 April 2013

The Telegraph – Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir frees political detainees in surprise amnesty – 2 April 2013

Yahoo News – Sudan’s Bashir starts freeing prisoners, polishing up legacy – 2 April 2013

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LUANDA, Angola – Angolan police arrested rallyists who were holding a demonstration in the capital on Saturday.

 

18 activists were brought into police custody. Two of them were later released without charge while the others remain in prison.

Held near the Santa Ana cemetery, just meters away from the Luanda police headquarters, the protest aimed to pressure the government to recognize and uphold the “dignity and the right to life for those who think differently”. Protesters demanded answers over the disappearance of two government critics, Alves Cassule and Isaias Kamulingue, who have been missing since last year.

“We have already waited too long, Cassule and Kamulingue waited too long . . . and so many others that are being pushed into the limbo of oblivion, citizens who do not even enjoy the posthumous right of investigation to cast light on the events that led to their physical disappearances,” said one of the rallyists.

“We will continue to push until they reappear or the truth is told,” Adolfo Campos, another protester told AFP.

Saturday’s protest was also meant to express the public’s dissatisfaction towards the administration of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos who has been the country’s ruler since 1979. Activists at the rally accused the President of “mismanaging Angola’s oil revenues, suppressing human rights and doing too little to end corruption and poverty.”

According to Central Angola 7311, the organizers of the demonstration, they ensured that the rally met all legal requirements before carrying it out. “The protest, which fulfilled all legal requirements, was the target of the usual repression by the regime, using the Angolan police,” the youth protest movement posted on its Twitter feed.

In their defense, however, the police told the press that the protesters were causing “embarrassment and indignation” to those who were preparing for funerals at the nearby cemetery.

Nevertheless, local human rights groups denounced the way the police handled the situation. “It is sad to see the police use such violence against young people who are demonstrating peacefully,” said Jose Patricinio, the president of an Angolan human rights group. He added that staging a rally is a constitutionally guaranteed right which law enforcers must respect.

A few days before the protest, the U.N. Rights Committee expressed its concerns about reports of the disappearances of protesters in Luanda for the past two years, urging the government to “take practical steps to put an end to impunity by its security forces regarding arbitrary and extrajudicial killings and disappearances.”

 

For further information, please see:

Africa Review – Angola police break up protest over missing youths – 31 March 2013

Independent Online News – Angolan cops break up youth protest – 31 March 2013

Global Voices Online – Angola: Arrested and Disappeared for “Thinking Differently” – 31 March 2013

News 24 – Angolan police detain 18 – 31 March 2013

Global Post – Police break up youth protest in Angola – 30 March 2013

Reuters – Angola police detain 18 at rights rally: activists – 30 March 2013

TSF – Angolan police confirm arrest of 12 people organizing demonstration speech – 30 March 2013