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Advocacy & campaigns
RSS FeedPetition: Feminists Demand Let Justice Be Done
Bettina Aptheker
2011-05-26, Issue 531
‘As feminists, we see the arrest of former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn on sexual assault charges as an opportunity to increase public awareness and as a wake-up call to renew action against sexual violence, not only in the US where his arrest occurred and in France, where media and many public figures are portraying him as the victim, but around the world.’Sign a petition demanding ‘freedom from sexual assault and harassment’ for women ‘at all strata of society and in all corners of the globe.’
Crisis resolution in Madagascar
CCOC (Collective of Citizens and Civic Organizations)
2011-05-25, Issue 531
Sceptical about the effectiveness of the ‘roadmap’ being implemented by Madagascar’s ‘de facto authorities’, CCOC (Collective of Citizens and Civic Organizations) has issued a memorandum on resolving the country’s two-year crisis.
After local government elections: Evictions and intimidation continue
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-05-26, Issue 531
Following last week's municipal elections in South Africa, Abahlali baseMjondolo have issued a statement on the threat posed by the eThekwini Municipality’s Land Invasion Unit.
12 Burkinabe MPs call for inquiry into Sankara assassination
2011-05-18, Issue 530
Since October 1997 – for more than 13 years – the International Justice Committee for Thomas Sankara has called for judicial procedures to be launched in Burkina Faso around the assassination of Thomas Sankara.
Backyarders hosting 'Anti-Vote Election Summit' on 14 May
Mandela Park Backyarders Movement
2011-05-18, Issue 530
With South Africa's municipal elections taking place this week, the Mandela Park Backyarders hosted an 'Anti-Vote Election Summit' on 14 May.
South Africa: Road Blockade in Grahamstown
Unemployed People's Movement
2011-05-19, Issue 530
Five hundred people from eThembeni and Transit Camp in Grahamstown blockaded a national road on Tuesday, in a demonstration for housing, electricity and water, the Unemployed People’s Movement reports.
Kenya: Disruption of Starehe Unga Rally
Open letter to the Commissioner of Police
2011-05-19, Issue 530
On 8 May, Kenyan police officers illegally cancelled a rally to campaign for economic and social rights in Starehe constituency. This could 'set a bad precedence for future engagements between peaceful citizens and law enforcement officers; in as far as exercising of democratic rights is concerned,' write campaign coordinators the Unga Revolution, in an open letter to the Commissioner of Police.
Cameroonian man sentenced to 36 months in prison for homosexuality
African Activist
2011-05-11, Issue 529
Cameroonian human rights organisations Association for the Defense of Homosexuals (ADEFHO) and Teenagers Against HIV/AIDS (SID’ADO) are reporting that Mbede Roger Jean-Claude has been sentenced to 36 months in prison for homosexuality.
Leave Cutting Edge alone
2011-05-11, Issue 529
Ayanda Kota of UPM defends the Cutting Edge television programme's portrayal of terrible sanitation conditions in Grahamstown, South Africa.
Statement on the rise of homophobia
South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU)
2011-05-12, Issue 529
The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) has welcomed the decision by Parliament to set up a national task team to tackle hate crimes against lesbians and gays.
Makhaza land invasion
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-05-12, Issue 529
South African shackdwellers’ movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has issued a statement in support of the Makhaza back yard dwellers, whose homes are being demolished by the City of Cape Town without a court order.
The Kennedy 12 return to court for part two of their trial
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-05-05, Issue 527
‘It is one thing to be attacked by the police or securities. It is another thing to be attacked by other poor people that have been mobilised, on an ethnic basis, against an independent movement by the ruling party and given the support of the police to attack, to threaten, to demolish homes and to drive all the leading members of a movement out of a community,’ writes South African shackdwellers' movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo.
U.S. Court of Appeals affirms overturning of Mumia Abu-Jamal's death sentence
Prison Radio News
2011-05-05, Issue 527
The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has again declared Mumia Abu-Jamal’s death sentence unconstitutional, on the basis that members of the jury during his trial were given unclear sentencing instructions. The award-winning journalist has been on Pennsylvania’s death row for 29 years. His 1982 murder trial and subsequent conviction has been the subject of great debate.
UN Security Council accused of double standards in Western Sahara ‘travesty’
Western Sahara Campaign
2011-05-03, Issue 527
The failure to establish a mechanism around Western Sahara to monitor human rights comes in sharp contrast to the UK and French position on human rights in other recent resolutions, such as 1970 on Libya, stress the Western Sahara Campaign.
In tribute: Noxolo Nogwaza's funeral
2011-05-03, Issue 527
These are images from the funeral of Noxolo Nogwaza, the 24-year-old lesbian activist raped and murdered in Gauteng, South Africa.
Ugandan gay rights activist awarded human rights prize
Martin Ennals Award
2011-05-05, Issue 527
The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), meeting in Geneva, selects Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera as the Laureate for her work for LGBT rights and marginalised people in Uganda. Nabagesera is the founder and executive director of Freedom and Roam Uganda, a lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights organisation.
Invitation to shack fire summit
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-04-21, Issue 526
Abahlali baseMjondolo would like to invite your organisation/ community/area to SHACK FIRE SUMMIT that will be held at QQ informal settlement site B Khayelitsha on 27 April 2011 from 10:00am to 13:00pm. The aim of the event is to: - Light candles in memory of those who lose their lives within shack fire and the victims of shack fires. - Explore the course of shack fire, governmental intervention, and other humanitarian intervention - To come up with a program/ campaign to call for electrification of all shack settlement For further details and direction please call our admin @ 073 412 8218. On behalf of Abahlali baseMjondolo Western Cape Mzonke Poni, WC chairperson 073 2562 036/ 083 446 5081
Bolivia enshrines natural world's rights with equal status for Mother Earth
John Vidal
2011-04-14, Issue 525
'Bolivia is set to pass the world's first laws granting all nature equal rights to humans. The Law of Mother Earth, now agreed by politicians and grassroots social groups, redefines the country's rich mineral deposits as "blessings" and is expected to lead to radical new conservation and social measures to reduce pollution and control industry,' reports The Guardian's John Vidal.
Memorandum on Access to Clean and Safe Sanitation Services in the City of Cape Town
To be delivered to Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato on 27 April 2011
2011-04-12, Issue 525
'As activists, health professionals, technicians, researchers, lawyers and other individuals and organisations concerned about the adverse consequences of inadequate and poorly maintained sanitation services, we hereby commit to working with local go...
Palestine: Faith under circumstances of gross injustice
Kairos Southern Africa
2011-04-14, Issue 525
Palestinian Christians came together to launch the ‘Palestine Kairos Document’ on 4 April, ‘a testimony of faith in relation to their experience under the occupation of Israel.’ Christians from Southern Africa issued the following statement in response, which calls for ‘an inclusive and just peace where the dignity and equality of all the inhabitants are upheld.’
Cancel treaties with Eritrean dictator Iseyas Afewerki
Appeal to the Italian government
Comitato per la solidarietà con i popoli del nord Africa in rivolta
2011-04-14, Issue 525
As scores of Eritreans drown trying to cross the Mediterranean in the hope of a better life in Europe, a new campaign is highlighting Italy’s complicity in the deaths of migrants, both through its support for dictator Iseyas Afewerki and through its agreements with Gaddafi to prevent the free movement of refugees across the sea.
Open letter to President Barack Obama on the crisis in Libya
National Conference of Black Lawyers
2011-04-14, Issue 525
Barack Obama has ‘no lawful basis for commencing a military campaign’ in Libya, the National Conference of Black Lawyers has said in an open letter to the US president.
Violations and abuses of academic freedom in Malawi
International colloquium for Thandika Mkandawire postponed
CODESRIA
2011-04-14, Issue 525
CODESRIA has postponed a colloquium to celebrate the life and works of Malawian academic, Thandika Mkandawire, following ‘gross violations of academic freedom’ at proposed venue, the University of Malawi. CODESRIA says that it will not hold the meeting until ‘our Malawian colleagues feel less threatened in the exercise of their rights as scholars and the enjoyment of the freedom of research and expression, without fear of being persecuted because of their ideas.’
South Africa: March for toilets this Friday
Unemployed People’s Movement, Women’s Social Forum
2011-04-07, Issue 524
On Friday 8 April the Unemployed People’s Movement & the Women’s Social Forum will be marching for toilets, electricity and housing, in Grahamstown, South Africa. 'Toilets are an important issue for the safety and dignity of our people. It is an absolute disgrace that all these years after democracy so many of our people have inadequate toilets or no toilets at all.'
The Zenawi regime
Ethiopian Americans Council
2011-03-30, Issue 523
The US government should help ensure free and fair elections in Ethiopia by putting pressure on Meles Zenawi to implement political reforms, writes the Ethiopian Americans Council, in an open letter to Barack Obama.
Urgent action: Zimbabwean activists at risk of arbitrary arrest
Amnesty International USA
2011-03-30, Issue 523
'Two leaders of the social justice movement Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, are being sought by police. They are at risk of arbitrary arrest and ill-treatment,' writes AIUSA, in a call for the public to write letters of appeal to Zimbabwean officials.
On the invasion of the African state of Libya by the imperialist forces
Afreeka in Unity
2011-03-23, Issue 522
As the West intervenes in the Libyan crisis, the Afreeka in Unity group demands ‘the immediate end of the imperialist invasion in the African country of Libya’.
Human Rights Day march on Durban City Hall
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-03-24, Issue 522
South African shack dwellers’ movement Abahlali baseMjondolo marched to Durban City Hall on 21 March to deliver the message to the local councillors that ‘they have corrupted this city for too long and that
 their time is up.’ Pictures from the march are available on the Abahlali website. Below is the statement Abahlali made.
Mass rally at VE informal settlement
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2011-03-16, Issue 521
On the 21 March 2011 Abahlali baseMjondolo Western Cape will have a mass rally at VE informal settlement at 10:00 till 13:00.
Solidarity with Zimbabwe's Treason Trial Six
CDL Solidarity
2011-03-17, Issue 521
Six Zimbabwean activists are on trial and may face the death penalty for watching a video about the revolts in Egypt. They had been detained since February 19 and suffered physical and mental abuse. Although released they now have to find US$12,000 bail. A global day of protest in solidarity with the six Zimbabwean activists takes place on 21 March 2011.
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