Back Issues

What is Pretoria planning for Africa?

2001-12-06

Patrick Bond

Thabo Mbeki is seen as Africa's most legitimate, self-confident and fundamentally pro-Western leader. If anyone can shake down the World Bank in Washington for debt cancellation, or the WTO in Geneva for trade concessions, it's the primary architect of the miracle transition in recently-liberated South Africa.

Africa needs enormous concessions, thanks to what Mbeki has termed "global apartheid" and what Washington/Geneva technocrats prefer to laud as the "Washington Consensus"--or just "globalisation." Africa generates nearly 30% more exports today than in 1980, yet their value has crashed by more than 40% because of falling terms of trade.

Likewise, Sub-Saharan Africa's foreign debt rose from US$60 billion to US$206 bn over the same period notwithstanding 1980s-90s debt repayments of US$229 bn, thanks to the tyranny of compound interest rates and the near-universal failure of intervening structural adjustment programmes. Over the past three years alone, debt repayment by Sub-Saharan African countries was US$16 billion greater than incoming new loans.

Can Africa's leaders finally, vigorously campaign against such extreme uneven world capitalist development? Should we draw hope from a "New Partnership for Africa's Development" ("Nepad"), launched in Abuja, Nigeria by several African heads of state on October 23? And first of all, what background should we have about the Nepad process?

From the late 1990s, Mbeki embarked upon an "African Renaissance" branding exercise with poignant poetics. The contentless form was somewhat remedied in the secretive Millennial Africa Recovery Programme (with the acronym "Map"), whose powerpoint skeleton was unveiled to select elites in 2000, during Mbeki's meetings with Bill Clinton in May, the Okinawa G-8 in July, the UN Millennium Summit in September, and a subsequent European Union gathering in Portugal.

The skeleton was fleshed out in November 2000 with the assistance of several economists. It was immediately endorsed during a special South African visit by World Bank president James Wolfensohn "at an undisclosed location," due presumably to fears of the disruptive civil-society protests which had soured a Johannesburg trip by new IMF czar Horst Koehler a few months earlier.

Thanks to work by a co-author of South Africa's own disastrous 1996 homegrown structural adjustment programme (Stephen Gelb), the content of the 60-page working document was becoming clearer: more privatisation, especially of infrastructure (no matter its profound failure as a strategy, especially in South Africa); more multi-party elections (typically, though, between variants of neoliberal parties, as in the US) as a veil for the lack of thorough-going participatory democracy; grand visions of a developmental kickstart via ICT (hopelessly unrealistic considering the lack of simple reliable electricity across the continent); more trade with the North; and a self-mandate for peace-keeping (which South Africa has subsequently taken for its soldiers stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi).

In short, Mbeki dreamed of more globalisation, not less.

By this stage, he had managed to sign on as partners two additional rulers from the crucial West and North regions of the continent: Abdelaziz Bouteflika and Olusegun Obasanjo from Nigeria. Unfortunately, both continued to face mass popular protests and widespread civil/military/religious bloodshed at home, diminishing their utility as model African leaders.

Later, to his credit, Obasanjo led a surprise revolt against Mbeki's capitulation to Northern pressure at the World Conference Against Racism in September 2001, when he helped generate a split between EU and African countries over reparations due the continent for slavery and colonialism. Tellingly, even loose talk of such reparations cannot be found in the Mbeki's document, and the South African host delegation was furious at Obasanjo's outburst because it nearly scuppered a final conference resolution.

But that incident aside, 2001 has been a successful year for selling Nepad. Another pro-Western ruler, Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa, joined the New Africa leadership group in January 2001. Mkapa's government suffers a dreadful recent human rights record, but he and Mbeki gave the world's leading capitalists and state elites a briefing in Davos, Switzerland, which was very poorly-attended. A few days later, an effort was made in Mali to sell West Africans to the plan, with on-the-spot cheerleading by Wolfensohn and Koehler.

Then, the July 2001 inaugural meeting of the African Union in Lusaka provided the opportunity for a continent-wide leadership endorsement, once Mbeki's plan was merged with the "Omega Plan"--offered by the neoliberal Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade--to become the New African Initiative. For a few months until late October, observers termed Mbeki's initiative "the Nai."

The Genoa G-8 summit offered soothing encouragement. With 300,000 protesters outside the conference accusing the world's main political leaders of running a destructive, elitist club, Mbeki was a useful adornment. Likewise, Mbeki's October visits to Japan and Brussels confirmed his elite popularity, perhaps because there was no apparent demand for formal monetary commitments at this stage.

A recent surge of enthusiasm from Johannesburg corporations, Washington multilateral banks, and European capitals deserves much more consideration than I have space for here, particularly given the geopolitical give-and-take associated with George W. Bush's "anti-terror" coalition-building. But to sum up the ideological partnership that Mbeki proposes, consider the way that the 1980s-90s recolonisation of African economic policy is explained on the website version of Nepad:

"The structural adjustment programmes provided only a partial solution. They promoted reforms that tended to remove serious price distortions, but gave inadequate attention to the provision of social services. As a consequence, only a few countries managed to achieve sustainable higher growth under these programmes."

Slippery, this line of analysis, and worth unpacking briefly, to conclude, for one test of robust analysis is to pose the opposite premise, and to see whether the subsequent hypotheses are worth exploring:

--What if structural adjustment represented not "a partial solution" but instead, reflecting local and global power shifts, a profound defeat for genuine African nationalists, workers, peasants, women, children, manufacturing industry and the environment?

--What if "promoting reforms" really amounted to the IMF and World Bank imposing their cookie-cutter neoliberal policies on desperately disempowered African societies, without any reference to democratic processes, resistance or diverse local conditions?

--What if the removal of "serious price distortions" really meant the repeal of exchange controls (hence allowing massive capital flight), subsidy cuts (hence pushing masses of people below the poverty line), and lowered import tariffs (hence causing widespread deindustrialisation)?

--What if "inadequate attention to the provision of social services" in reality meant the opposite: excessive attention to applying neoliberalism not just to the macroeconomy, but also to health, education, water and other crucial state services?

--And what if the form of IMF/Bank attention included insistence upon greater cost recovery, higher user-fees, lower budgetary allocations, privatisation, and even the disconnection of supplies to those too poor to afford them, hence leading to the unnecessary deaths of millions of people?

If these hypotheses are reasonable, and if the logical implication is to proceed no further with structural adjustment, then a central task of Nepad must be to slip around such arguments without reference to their relevance. By doing so, Nepad fits right into the globalisers' modified neoliberal project, which now insists even more incongruously that economic integration solves poverty.

Apparently, the notion that South Africa might "naai"--translated from Afrikaans as "totally screw over"--the rest of Africa through Mbeki's New, Almost-African Initiative led those gathered at Abuja to revise the name. Still, cheeky commentators are already observing that if prounced "kneepad," the document signifies its merits as the cushion African leaders will need, as they stoop and grovel for more handouts.

But that would be unfair, for Nepad is worth reading even if merely as an ambitious attempt to bring a spirit of "engagement" by at least three African leaders to a world economy which is still totally screwing over Africa. True, like all top-down policy formulations, Nepad reeks of technicism--a scent which could dissipate partially if exposed to the fires of popular debate, protest and participation. But that would risk the transformation of Nepad into a partnership with Africans themselves. And Mbeki's AIDS interventions provide enough evidence of his intentions to keep millions of Africans alive, much less in partnership.

The alternative to Nepad begins with African activists building up networks within and between diverse social movements, visionary trade unions, Jubilee chapters, women's organisations, environmental groups and the progressive intelligentsia. These are already taking seed across the continent via anti-neoliberal protests and longer-term strategic work (e.g., in this subregion, the Southern African Peoples Solidarity Network, at http://aidc.org.za, and across the continent flowing from the Dakar 2000 process to promote an African People's Consensus instead of a Map/Nai/Nepad).

A recent precedent for rejection and reformulation was the World Bank's Global Development Gateway, which was repelled in March by creative South/ern African civil society groups, and which instead initiated the Africa Pulse information community. That kind of African partnership, based on a human-rights culture, a decommodification strategy and durable cross-border alliances, is far superior to Pretoria's new gambit.

Indeed, Nepad belongs with many of South Africa's other regional economic strategies: deindustrialising neighbours because of relectance to give the same duty-free preferences to SADC imports that even the apartheid regime had offered; imposing EU and US free-trade regimes on unwilling neighbours; demanding debt repayments from impoverished Mozambique for loans that resettled dissident rightwing Afrikaner farmers and that rebuilt electricity lines which were destroyed by apartheid destabilisation; kicking out 15,000 Zimbabwean farmworkers with no compensation; or treating informal economic migrants like meat for dogs (not merely in extremist SA Police Service training exercises but on a day-to-day basis at the Department of Home Affairs).

To expand this sort of subimperialist project via a warmed-over Washington Consensus, Nepad, means that Mbeki is content merely polishing, not abolishing, global apartheid.

Patrick Bond's new book is Against Global Apartheid: South Africa meets the World Bank, IMF and International Finance (University of Cape Town Press). Ordering information from pbond@wn.apc.org

Signposts on the Superhighway - African Gender

2001-12-06

http://www.oneworld.org/panos/books/books.htm#head3

Panos Southern Africa commissioned women’s organisations largely from Southern Africa to engage in a gender analysis of the internet and identify relevant, easy-to-use internet information resources on gender and development. This publication is a result of that collaborative effort. While prepared mostly with women’s strategic needs in mind, this book should be useful to everyone who is interested in gender and development.

South Africa, apartheid & truth

2001-12-06

The book is written by Cape Town-based journalist, editor and labour columnist Terry Bell in collaboration with Dumisa Ntsebeze the human rights lawyer and former head of the investigations unit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
WE¹RE FIGHTING THE HIGH PRICE OF BOOKS
Which is why you are getting this message

Books in South Africa and South African books are very high priced and tend to be out of the financial reach of most South Africans.

Part of the problem is greed and inefficiency; another is that the government, which supports the "Building a nation of Readers"
programme, imposes the 14% value added tax (VAT) on books. This tax helps drive up the price of books. It should be scrapped.

WE¹RE ALSO FIGHTING TO KEEP OPEN THE DOOR ON THE PAST

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
South Africa, apartheid & truth Is a 320-page larger format (245mm X 170mm) and quality production
with laminated board cover. It should retail at just R85 (plus VAT where applicable).

It is written by Cape Town-based journalist, editor and labour columnist TERRY BELL in collaboration with DUMISA NTSEBEZA the human rights lawyer and former head of the investigations unit of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

JOHN PILGER, award-winning filmmaker and journalist, has said of the book:

"This is a brilliant, important book that should be read by everybody interested in the facts behind the 'Truth and reconciliation¹ hype of the
new South Africa. In the finest traditions of fearless, independent
journalism, Terry Bell reveals the cover-ups and charades that allowed the shock troops of apartheid to get away with a crime against
humanity."

MAHMOOD MAMDANI, Professor of government at Columbia
University, has noted:

"Incredibly illuminating. It is woven together into a narrative with great skill."

AHMED RAJAB, Africa Analysis editor, BBC & CNN Africa
commentator said:

"An important book, especially for Africa. It is a very readable forensic
undertaking that manages to dissect the body of apartheid."

Participating bookshops have undertaken to keep the price of this book at UNDER R100. If they do not, please tell us (tel/fax, below) - we will
refuse to resupply and you should refuse to buy from such stores.

THIS BOOK MAKES AN EXCELLENT XMAS PRESENT FOR ANY
THINKING SOUTH AFRICAN OR ANYONE INTERESTED IN OUR
RECENT HISTORY

You can now order or buy a copy from these participating outlets:

Western Cape
CAPE TOWN: Book Warehouse, Rondebosch; Exclusive bookshops;
District Six Museum; Idasa Bookshop; Mnandi Textiles; Obs Books;
Trade Union Library; Wordsworth bookshops; UCT and UWC campus
bookshops.

SOMERSET WEST: Wordsworth, Somerset Mall

Eastern Cape
ALICE: Fort Hare University library
EAST LONDON: Exclusive Books
PORT ELIZABETH: Fogarty¹s Bookshop

KwaZulu/Natal
DURBAN: Adams & Griggs, Adams & Co, African Educational
Supplies, Best Books, Coniston Books, Everybody¹s Books, Exclusive
Books; KZN Technical Books; Logans Bookshop; Medi Books,
Premier bookshops; Rainbow Academic, Roopenand Brothers.

PIETERMARITZBURG: Shooter & Shooter.

TONGAAT: M. G. Reddy

Gauteng:
BENONI: Exclusive Books
JOHANNESBURG: Exclusive Books, Thorolds Bookshop, Harrison
Street.
PRETORIA: Exclusive Books; Protea Boekhuis

Free State:
BLOEMFONTEIN: Exclusive Books, Mimosa Mall

Also inquire at other independent and campus bookshops or...
TELEPHONE your credit card order to (021) 788 9699
or
FAX: (021) 788 9711 or SNAIL MAIL to:
PO Box 373 Muizenberg 7950

Credit card orders require your NAME (as on the card) the
POSTAL/DELIVERY
ADDRESS, your CREDIT CARD NUMBER, the EXPIRY DATE and the
LAST 3 NUMBERS ON THE REVERSE OF THE CARD.

Cheques or postal orders should be made out to Bookmarks.
o Mail order
(incl p&p) R85

-Tel: +27 +21 +788 9699
Fax: +27 +21 +788 9711

More...

SOUTH AFRICA: The case of the 'people's poet'

2001-12-06

http://www.mg.co.za/mg/za/archive/2001dec/features/05dec-poet.html

Mzwakhe Mbuli has one last chance to appeal against his 13-year prison sentence. The Mail & Guardian re-examines the evidence and suggests that there has been a miscarriage of justice.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD

Biotechnology Markets and Policies in an International Setting

2001-12-06

http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/jhu/futurefood.htm

What is the future of food? Everyone agrees that feeding the world in the decades ahead will require substantial increases in crop yields. But how we get there has become a remarkably contentious question because of biotechnology. What should be biotechnology’s role in assuring affordable and sustainably grown food for all? How we answer this question now will have profound ramifications for decades to come. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001.

The Politics of Precaution

Genetically Modified Crops in Developing Countries

2001-12-06

http://www.ifpri.org/pubs/fps/fps35.htm

Robert L. Paarlberg
Why haven't more developing countries begun planting GM crops? In poor countries many farmers are far from being fully productive and many citizens must worry more about food availability or food cost than about unconfirmed food safety dangers. In poor countries the development imperative ordinarily trumps issues of environmental precaution. So why has a pattern of policy resistance to GM crops emerged instead? In this original study Robert Paarlberg examines local policy responses to GM crop technologies in four important developing countries: Brazil, India, Kenya, and China. He shows that in the first three of these countries regulatory authorities have not yet given farmers official permission to plant any GM crops. And in China, where farmers have been permitted to plant GM cotton, regulators are still holding back on the release of most GM food and feed crops, even though China's own national agricultural research system has invested a considerable effort in developing such crops. 2001, ISBN 0-8018-6823-8.

AIDS and Men in Africa

2001-12-06

http://www.oneworld.org/panos/aids/aidsprog.htm#World%20Aids%20Campaign

The Panos AIDS Programme is working in collaboration with the Society for Women and AIDS in Africa (SWAA) in three countries, Kenya, Mozambique and Cameroon, on issues around men and HIV and impact on women. The project targets local organisations, policymakers and the media --by disseminating information on the issues and existing projects working with men, and catalysing the development of new projects. The reports Men and HIV in Mozambique ( in Portuguese) and Men and HIV in Kenya have been produced in collaboration with SWAA as part of this project.

Fact Sheet: Women and Armed Conflict

2001-12-06

http://www2.womensnet.org.za/news/show.cfm?news_id=770

Throughout history, women and girls have been routinely assaulted and raped as a weapon of war. Recently, "ethnic cleansing" and changing patterns of conflict that target civilians have made women and children even more vulnerable.

Kenya: MP condones FGM

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112030687.html

Kenyan MP Jimmy Angwenyi is reported as saying that FGM rites are important to the community as they mark a "new" stage in life.

Nigeria: Christian Women Demonstrate Over Safiya

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050210.html

The women's wing of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) under the aegis of Social Securities Outreach (SSO) on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration to the Lagos State Governor's office protesting the death sentence passed on Safiya Hussain by a Sokoto State Sharia Court.

Poverty-Busting Needs Gender Angle, Say Experts

2001-12-06

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/oneworld/20011130/wl/poverty-busting_needs_gender_angle_say_experts_1.html

Tackling the roots of poverty will remain a pipe-dream unless women are involved in national planning strategies, said experts Thursday at a United Nations (news - web sites) meeting in New Delhi, India.

Rwanda: A pearl in the horror of genocide

2001-12-06

http://society.guardian.co.uk/christmasappeal/story/0,11321,612365,00.html

Olive Uwera did not survive Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The young Tutsi woman is still alive, almost eight years on, but her daughter is a constant reminder of the interahamwe Hutu militiamen who gang-raped her, butchered her father and destroyed her mother's mind. One of the rapists fathered the child; another condemned Olive to a lingering death from Aids.

Tanzania: Amnesty Supports Anti-FGM Campaigns

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050266.html

The Amnesty International, Dodoma Chapter in central Tanzania has launched awareness campaigns aimed at fighting against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the country.

Egypt: arbitrary arrest and detention of four allegedly gay men

2001-12-06

http://www.omct.org

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source of the arbitrary arrest and detention of four men accused of being homosexual in Egypt. The four men have been held in the Boulak Prison Station in Giza, and are reportedly under investigation for "the habitual practice of debauchery" - previously also translated as "obscene behaviour" - under Article 9c of Law No. 10 of 1961 on the Combat of Prostitution.
(arbitrary arrest and detention of four
presumed homosexuals)/Egypt


Case EGY 291101
Arbitrary detention/Torture/Fair trial


The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your
URGENT intervention in the following situation in Egypt.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a
reliable source of the arbitrary arrest and detention of four men
accused of being homosexual in Egypt.

According to the information received, four presumed
homosexuals, R.M.S, S.S.H, S.H, and M.S.A. (identified by
their initials for their protection) were reportedly arrested by the
Egyptian authorities on November 10th, 2001. The arrests have
been confirmed by the Central Vice Squad in Giza, a suburb of
Cairo. The four men have been held in the Boulak Prison Station
in Giza, and are reportedly under investigation for "the habitual
practice of debauchery" - previously also translated as "obscene
behaviour" - under Article 9c of Law No. 10 of 1961 on the
Combat of Prostitution. The men were arrested at the same time
in an appartment that they were using as a "den of perversion,"
according to the police. The Public Prosecutor's Office in
Boulak ordered them to be detained for four days on November
11th, and on November 15th extended their detention period to
December 30th, 2001, at which time the next hearing is due.
The men have not as yet been charged with any offence. It is not
clear whether, if charged, they will be brought before the
Emergency State Security Court or a civil court.

According to the information received, all four men have been
subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, degrading and
inhuman treatment during their detention, including: being
stripped naked and beaten with batons, being splashed with cold
water in the face and being left hanging by the bars of the prison
cells.

The police reports that the men were arrested at the same time
at an appartment allegedly owned by one of the men have been
refuted by the men, according to their lawyers, who claim that
they were arrested in various locations - one in Giza Square,
with the others having been arrested in different parts of Cairo.
Furthermore, the lawyers maintain that the police claim that the
chief defendant was using his appartment as a "den of
perversion" are also untrue, as the chief defendant does not own
the said appartment and is in no way connected to it.

OMCT recalls that these arrests come just one day after the
Emergency State Security Court in Cairo sentenced 23
presumed homosexuals to one to five years of hard labour, also
based on "the habitual practice of debauchery." These
sentences, which have been the subject of International
condemnation, cannot be appealed. 29 other men were
acquitted but remain in detention.

Action requested

Please write to the authorities in Egypt urging them to:

i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of the above-mentioned persons;
ii. order their immediate release in the absence of valid legal
charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial
and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at
all times;
iii. order a thorough and impartial investigation into the
circumstances of these events in order to identify those
responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or
administrative sanctions as provided by law;
iv. guarantee adequate restitution, compensation and
rehabilitation to all injured people;
v. put an immediate end to the persecution and harassment of
the above-mentioned persons, and more generally all
homosexuals in Egypt;
vi. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental
freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national
laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

· His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, President
of the Arab Republic of Egypt, E-mail:
{ HYPERLINK
"mailto:webmaster@presidency.gov.eg" }webmaster@presidency.gov.eg, Fax : +
202 390 1998,
Telex: 93794 WAZRA UN
· His Excellency General Habib al-'Adeli, Minister of the
Interior, Fax: + 202 579 2031, E-mail:
moi2@idsc.gov.eg
· His Excellency Farouk Solf Al Nasr, Minister of Justice,
Fax: +202 355 81 03


Please also write to the embassies of Kazakhstan in your
respective country.

Geneva, November 29, 2001

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of
this appeal in your reply.

Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : omct@omct.org
http://www.omct.org

More...

Japan to join International Criminal Court treaty

2001-12-06

The Japanese government plans to join a 1998 treaty that eyes establishment of an
International Criminal Court to try under international law individuals who
have committed war crimes and mass murder, government sources have said.
Copyright 2001 Gale Group, Inc.
IAC (SM) Newsletter Database (TM)
Copyright 2001 Kyodo News International, Inc.
Japan Policy & Politics
October 22, 2001

SECTION: Pg. NA

IAC-ACC-NO: 80339154

LENGTH: 319 words

HEADLINE: Japan to join Int'l Criminal Court treaty.

AUTHOR-ABSTRACT:
THIS IS THE FULL TEXT: COPYRIGHT 2001 Kyodo News International, Inc.

BODY:
TOKYO, Oct. 17 Kyodo
The government plans to join a 1998 treaty that eyes establishment of an
International Criminal Court to try under international law individuals who
have committed war crimes and mass murder, government sources said
Wednesday.
The government has begun preparations to ratify the treaty and has moved
to prepare necessary domestic legislation, the sources said. Work on
drafting legislation is ''showing a certain level of progress,'' one of the
sources said.
The ruling coalition parties decided in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks in the United States to aim at coordinating the legislation at the
regular Diet session next year.
The International Criminal Court treaty was approved in Rome by 120
nations in July 1998 after voices were raised to punish perpetrators of
atrocities in regional conflicts in former Yugoslavia and other areas.
As of Oct. 12, 43 countries had ratified the treaty while 139 had signed
it. The treaty would come into force with ratification by 60 countries.
Japan approved adoption of the treaty, but had postponed signing it due to
opposition to the proposed court from the U.S., which fears its soldiers
could be prosecuted.
Coordination of necessary domestic legislation, meanwhile, had been
deadlocked.
However, following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Britain ratified the
treaty on Oct. 4 and international support for setting up the court has
been gradually increasing.
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said establishment of the court is
not related to the terrorist attacks as perpetrators of such attacks would
be tried in the country where they occur.
However, with Britain seeking trial of perpetrators of terrorist attacks
at the International Criminal Court, the dominant opinion in the ruling
coalition is that Japan should also make efforts to have the criminal court
used to try such cases.

IAC-CREATE-DATE: November 27, 2001

LOAD-DATE: November 28, 2001
Document 14 of 14

------------------------------------------------------------------------
About LexisNexisTM | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy |
Support Identifier
Copyright © 2001 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.

More...

Kenya: Thousands flee clashes

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1693000/1693296.stm

An estimated 3,000 people have fled fighting in the Nairobi slum of Kibera after two days of clashes over rent leave at least seven dead.

MALI-RWANDA: Mali police arrest genocide suspect

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=17134&SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=MALI-RWANDA

Malian police arrested genocide suspect Paul Bisengimana on Tuesday at the request of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the organisation's spokesman Kingsley Moghalu told Internews in Arusha, Tanzania.

NAMIBIA: Nujoma's departure a challenge for SWAPO

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=16685

Political analysts and commentators have hailed President Sam Nujoma's decision not to stand for re-election in 2004 as positive for his ruling party, SWAPO, for Namibia and for the southern African region.

Nigeria: Living on death row

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1694000/1694027.stm

In the northern Nigerian state of Sokoto, a woman is awaiting the outcome of an appeal against a conviction for adultery by an Islamic, or Sharia, court. If the appeal fails, Safiyatu Huseini will be stoned to death.

Senegal: Report on Implementation of Rome Statute

2001-12-06

http://www.lchr.org/IJP/inl.htm

The Organisation Nationale des Droits de l’Homme (ONDH) organized a highly successful conference on the implementation of the Rome Statute into Senegalese law on October 23-26, 2001. This conference was organized in collaboration with the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (LCHR) and the Fédération Internationale des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH) and took place with the support of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Canada and the assistance of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Final Report is available for download.

South Africa: 'Underhand' means used in evictions

2001-12-06

http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,979916-6099-0,00.html

Farmers have come under harsh criticism at the Land Tenure conference for allegedly using guerrilla tactics to dodge new laws and for evicting workers to sidestep legislation.
Business Day 29/11/01

Underhand' means used in evictions

Farmers said to be evading legislation
DURBAN Farmers came under harsh criticism at the Land Tenure conference
yesterday for allegedly using guerrilla tactics to dodge new laws and for
evicting workers to sidestep legislation.

The recent Labour Tenants Act and the Extension of Security of Tenure Act
have secured specific rights for farm workers, including the right not to be
arbitrarily evicted.

Essentially the legislation regulates the relationship between landowners
and tenants on agricultural land, prevents illegal evictions and makes
provision for the acquisition of land.

However, Landless Peoples' Movement representative Mangaliso Kubheka
yesterday accused farmers of "using every trick in the book" to find
loopholes in the legislation.

"The landowners, realising their powers were (being) tampered with, started
evicting farm occupiers.

"They used different strategies from ending employment, (to) converting
their farms into game reserves or tourism ventures forcing occupiers to
reduce their livestock, employing private security guards to intimidate
occupiers ... and denying access to clean water," he said.

He also accused the farmers of employing illegal immigrants and then calling
the police to have them arrested when the time came to pay them.

Kubheka said given the cuts in Legal Aid Board resources and many lawyers'
reluctance to work for poor clients in remote areas, even the limited rights
of farm occupiers could not be defended.

The state-funded Legal Aid Board pays lawyers for helping
financially-strapped clients, but it has also felt the economic pinch.

Agri SA deputy president Lourie Bosman admitted farmers have become
increasingly reluctant to house people on their farms. The implementation of
legislation that formally gives rights to farm occupiers or dwellers has
left many farmers feeling "threatened by not having control over their own
property".

However, his proposal that workers be housed in agri-villages outside the
farms or in the local rural towns where they can become property owners was
rejected by conference delegates as being "akin to creating farm worker
concentration camps".

Women on Farms director Rita Edwards said farmers can reduce their labour
commitments by downgrading their force from permanent farm workers to
temporary contractors.

A recent labour department survey found more than 50% of farm dwellers want
to remain on the farms. This is despite farmers negotiating with local
authorities for land in the townships, that will enable them to use
government housing subsidies to move workers off the farms.

About 50 Landless Peoples' Movement representatives picketed at the
conference opening on Monday, claiming Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza
had reneged on promises to hold a national land summit before the end of the
year.

Opinion & Analysis: Page 11Comment: Page 11


Nov 29 2001 12:00:00:000AM Nicola Jenvey

More...

South Africa: Former first lady murdered

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1693000/1693367.stm

The ex-wife of former South African President FW de Klerk has been brutally murdered in her luxury Cape Town flat.

South Africa: Sentencing of Dog Unit members

More should be held accountable

2001-12-06

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation welcomes the prison sentences imposed on the four members of the North East Rand Dog Unit for the brutal canine torture of 3 Mozambicans. But while the four policemen have been sentenced to imprisonment what is very clear is that not all of those who were complicit in this act of savagery have yet been held accountable.
Chief instructor Schraader and commander, Van Zyl should also be held accountable

The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation welcomes the prison sentences imposed on the four members of the North East Rand Dog Unit for the brutal canine torture of 3 Mozambicans.

But while the four policemen have been sentenced to imprisonment what is very clear is that not all of those who were complicit in this act of savagery have yet been held accountable. While two policemen, Loubser and Giotto, are still to stand trial in June next year, what is of serious concern, is that no indication has as yet been given by the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, or ICD, that further steps are to be taken against senior members of the North East Rand Dog Unit who have been implicated

According to evidence from one of the convicted policemen, Sergeant Smith, requests for the ‘training’ of police dogs were made on a regular basis. Smith specifically stated in court that he had been requested by chief instructor Ben Schraader to ‘assist’ with the dog in question, that it was clear to him what Shraader meant by this, and that this request was ‘neither unusual nor strange’ as requests of this nature were made ‘from time to time’.

In line with of the Constitutional provision stating that ‘No member of any security service may obey a manifestly illegal order’ (Section 199(6)) the allegation by the members concerned that they were instructed to carry out the ‘training exercise’ cannot be regarded as a mitigating factor. Nevertheless this should not be taken to mean that others who share complicity should not be held responsible.

The allegation made in court that the four SAPS members indicated that they were requested by their chief instructor, Ben Shraader, to conduct the training exercise, and that the chief instructor in question had full knowledge of what this would involve, should therefore be taken exceptionally seriously and further prosecutorial action should be seriously considered. Regardless of whether prosecutorial steps are taken there should at the very least be a disciplinary investigation conducted with a view to possible disciplinary steps.

Furthermore the evidence by the accused men’s former commander, Superintendent Johannes van Zyl, that he knew nothing about the practises should also not exempt him from disciplinary action within the SAPS. Even if one is to give Van Zyl the benefit of the doubt and accept that he indeed knew nothing, the fact that members of his own unit can allege that such practises were widespread suggests that, at the very least, he was negligent in exercising proper authority over, and discipline within, the unit.

This incident is a very clear case where the principle of accountability of police commanders for the actions of their subordinates to be established. Police commanders must be expected to show that they took full steps to uphold the law and proper standards of conduct amongst their members.

If we are to have professional standards of policing in South Africa then claims of ‘not knowing’ by senior police or other officials can no longer be accepted as a defence against being held accountable.

Issued by: David Bruce, Senior Researcher, CSVR.

For further comment from CSVR on the issue please contact any of the following CSVR staff members (011) 403-5650

- David Bruce - ext. 152
- Gareth Newham - ext. 123 or phone 082 538 5045
- Sibusiso Ntuli - ext. 138 or phone 082 562 9035

More...

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Flaws in democracy

2001-12-06

http://www.mg.co.za/mg/za/archive/2001dec/features/03dec-africa.html

Southern African states show a blatant lack of democratic awareness, says Henning Melber in the Mail & Guardian.

Tanzania: Groups rally against crackdown

2001-12-06

http://www.mg.co.za/mg/za/archive/2001nov/features/29nov-tanzania.html

US-based groups have voiced concern over reports that Tanzanian police searched offices and homes of lawyers pressing for an international probe of alleged killings at a Canadian-invested gold mine in the East African country.

Tanzania: Protest Government Attack on Activists

2001-12-06

The Tanzanian police have arrested two men and issued a warrant for the arrest of the third who have been pressing for an international investigation of allegations of forcible evictions and killings at Bulyanhulu in Tanzania in August of 1996. This alert calls for protests to the World Bank and the Tanzanian government.
Source: ATTAC e-mail newsletter via Mike Sansom
African Initiatives

6- Alert


Protest Tanzanian Government Attack on Activists Investigating Murders

at World Bank-Supported Gold Mine

[based on information provided by MiningWatch Canada, Center for

International Environmental Law (U.S.), Corner House (U.K.) and

Bretton Woods Project (U.K.)]

The Tanzanian police on Saturday arrested two men and issued a warrant

for the arrest of the third who have been pressing for an

international investigation of allegations of forcible evictions and

killings at Bulyanhulu in Tanzania in August of 1996. This alert calls

for protests to the World Bank and the Tanzanian government.

The mine is insured by the Multilateral Insurance Guaranty Agency

(MIGA), a branch of the World Bank Group which provides "political

risk insurance" to corporations. MIGA has itself been the subject of a

shut-down campaign waged by Friends of the Earth, the 50 Years Is

Enough Network, and others (the U.S. Congress is expected to vote soon

on a bill that would cut all U.S. funding for the Agency). The

attitude of MIGA management in this case -- total support for Barrick

Gold's denial of any wrongdoing and opposition to a full

investigation -- illustrates the Agency's role as a publicly-supported

advocate for corporate interests at the expense of the very people the

World Bank claims to prioritize.

On Saturday November 24th, Mr. Rugemeleza Nshala, President of the

Lawyers' Environmental Action Team (LEAT), and Augustine Mrema, the

National Chairman of the Tanzanian Labour Party, were taken from their

homes and charged with sedition. A warrant has been issued for the

arrest of LEAT lawyer Tundu Lissu, who is out of the country.

As of the time of writing, Mr. Rugemeleza has been freed on bail, but

must report daily to a police station. Mr. Mrema is under house arrest

in hospital. The police also searched -- ransacked, really -- the

homes of all three. In what would appear to be an infringement of

lawyer-client privilege, the police have apparently seized evidence

given to LEAT by its clients the families of the small scale miners.

BACKGROUND

LEAT is a Tanzanian NGO which has been actively investigating the

alleged killing of at least 62 gold miners, illegal evictions and

destruction of livelihoods when the Bulyanhulu site was cleared of

artisanal miners in August 1996. Reports indicate that anywhere from

30,000 to 40,000 small scale miners and their families were forcibly

evicted at that time. Attorney Lissu alleges that the evictions were

done precipitously, in defiance of a High Court injunction and with a

great deal of violence, causing the 62 deaths.

The company that claimed the mining concessions in the area at the

time was Kahama Mining Corporation Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary

of Sutton Resources, a Canadian company. In March 1999, Barrick Gold

Corporation, based in Toronto, acquired all the Sutton shares --

including KMCL -- for $500 million. MIGA and Canada's Export

Development Corporation (EDC) cover 99.5% of the project through

political risk insurance. The sample letter to the President of the

World Bank Group (below) includes further serious concerns about

MIGA's involvement with Bulyanhulu.

KMCL, former Sutton directors and Barrick deny that any of this

happened and say that the miners were there illegally, that the

evictions were "closely supervised and closely scrutinized, and that

representatives of the police, government and the companies observed

the whole process." They say that the evacuation process was "legal,

peaceful and without incident." They do not dispute that only a few

miners received any compensation at all.

In July, Barrick Gold sent Kent Thomson (a corporate lawyer) to

Bulyanhulu to investigate on their behalf. Barrick and former Sutton

directors accuse LEAT and other NGOs in Tanzania and Canada of making

"false and scandalous claims," and have claimed they are raising the

issues to generate funding.

On September 27, 2001, MiningWatch Canada, the NGO Working Group on

the Export Development Corporation (Canada), and the Council of

Canadians held a joint press conference to publicly release a video of

the removal of small scale miners in Bulyanhulu in August 1996. The

groups called for an independent international inquiry into the nature

of the removals. The names and the pit numbers of 56 persons who LEAT

says died during the evictions were published in the Tanzanian papers

on the same day.

RECENT PUBLICITY IN TANZANIA

The raids follow wide publicity in the Tanzanian press of LEAT's

investigation of the Bulyanhulu case. On Monday, November 19th, LEAT

held a press conference in which it reiterated its call for an

international commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged

killings at Bulyanhulu in 1996.

The conference came a week after LEAT wrote to the Director of

Criminal Investigation telling him that it did not think the police

force had any moral authority to re-investigate the killings given

their alleged complicity in the crimes. It had also declined to hand

over the police videotape which it had obtained unless and until the

police provided the information it claimed was available that

disproved the allegations of the killings.

Saturday's police raids are clearly an attempt to intimidate LEAT into

silence. The arrests constitute a serious violation of Mr.

Rugemeleza's, Mr. Mraeme's and Mr. Lissu's human rights and we join

LEAT in urging that the Government of Tanzania takes immediate steps

to drop the charges.

LEAT has urgently requested international solidarity, asking all to

press the demands that all charges against Mr. Nshala, Mr. Lissu, Mr.

Mrema and all others arrested in relation to this case be dropped

immediately, that LEAT's legal status be protected, and that an

independent commission of inquiry into the Bulyanhulu allegations be

set up immediately.

Below are two sample letters, one to World Bank President James

Wolfensohn, and the other to the Tanzanian Embassy (we have included

the address and fax for the embassy in the U.S. in our letter, with

addresses for the U.K. and Canada following). Please take action ASAP.

James Wolfensohn, President The World Bank Group 1818 H Street, NW

Washington, DC 20433 Fax: 202/522-0355

Dear Mr. Wolfensohn,

RE: Bulyanhulu Gold Mine, Tanzania: Arrest of LEAT lawyer

I wish to express my grave concern at the arrest on Saturday night of

Mr. Rugemeleza Nshala, President of the Lawyers' Environmental Action

Team (LEAT) and of Mr. Augustine Mrema, Chairman of the Tanzanian

Labor Party. LEAT is a Tanzanian NGO which has been actively

investigating allegations of widespread human rights abuses associated

with the MIGA-backed Bulyanhulu Gold Mine in Tanzania. Specifically,

LEAT has been investigating allegations of mass killings, illegal

evictions and destruction of livelihoods, when the site was cleared of

artisanal miners in August 1996. I understand that Mr. Nshala has

been released on bail but is required to report daily to the Dar es

Salaam Central Police Station. I also understand that he is facing

sedition charges. The police also searched the house of Mr. Tundu

Lissu, a lawyer with LEAT who has been speaking on this matter

internationally, including in Washington with MIGA staff. All

indications are that the police would have arrested Mr. Lissu had he

been in the country. In the course of these raids, the police

reportedly seized evidence given to LEAT by its clients - the families

of the small-scale miners.

The arrests and raids follow LEAT's recent efforts on the Bulyanhulu

case. Two weeks ago, LEAT wrote to the Director of Criminal

Investigation, expressing its view that the police did not have any

moral authority to re-investigate the killings, given their alleged

complicity in the crimes. LEAT also declined to hand over the police

videotape of the events that it had obtained, until the police

provided the information they claimed disproved the allegations of the

killings.

Last Monday (November 19th), LEAT held a press conference in which it

reiterated its call for an international commission of inquiry to

investigate the alleged killings at Bulyanhulu, a call that has

received support from respected non-governmental organizations around

the world.

The arrest of Mr. Rugemeleza raises further serious doubts about

MIGA's involvement in the project. LEAT and other NGOs have already

drawn MIGA's attention to apparent major failures in the application

of MIGA's due diligence procedures with respect to Bulyanhulu.

Although the clearances and alleged killings being investigated by

LEAT took place prior to MIGA's direct involvement, ownership of the

land from which, according to local sources, as many as 600,000

artisanal miners were evicted was disputed and a court injunction was

in place forbidding the evictions. No compensation or alternative

resettlement of the artisanal miners was provided. As such, the

evictions appear to have been in direct contravention of MIGA policies

as well as with the laws of Tanzania. Indeed, there is thus a strong

case that MIGA's resettlement policies should have been applied to the

project since those who had been evicted still had a claim to the land

at the time that MIGA became involved. MIGA not only failed to apply

its resettlement policies but also appears to have taken at face value

claims by the company that the evictions were "peaceful". Evidence

available at the time directly challenged this view and a MIGA

official has since admitted in an email that the evictions were

"forceful" and "swift".

I join LEAT in demanding that all charges against Mr. Nshala, Mr.

Lissu, Mr. Mrema and all others arrested in relation to this case be

dropped, that the NGO status of LEAT be protected, and that an

independent commission of inquiry into the Bulyanhulu allegations be

set up immediately.

The police raid appears to be an attempt to intimidate LEAT and other

proponents of the commission of inquiry into silence. The arrest and

raids appear to constitute a serious violation of the fundamental

human right to free speech, a free press, and to unfettered

participation in the political process. Given that they relate

directly to LEAT's investigation of a MIGA-backed project, I believe

that the World Bank should intervene with the Tanzanian authorities. I

ask that you, as President of the World Bank Group and MIGA, use your

office to ensure that Mr. Rugemeleza's, Mr. Lissu's and the others'

human rights are protected and that LEAT's right to investigate the

Bulyanhulu case - and to publicize its findings - is ensured.

Sincerely,

Ambassador Mustafa S. Nyang'anyi Embassy of Tanzania 2139 R Street,

N.W. Washington, DC 20008 Fax: (202) 797-7408

Dear Ambassador Nyang'anyi:

RE: Bulyanhulu Gold Mine: Arrest of LEAT lawyer

I wish to express my grave concern at the arrest on Saturday night of

Mr. Rugemeleza Nshala, President of the Lawyers' Environmental Action

Team (LEAT) and of Mr. Augustine Mrema, Chairman of the Tanzanian

Labor Party. LEAT is a Tanzanian NGO which has been actively

investigating allegations of widespread human rights abuses associated

with the MIGA-backed Bulyanhulu Gold Mine in Tanzania. Specifically,

LEAT has been investigating allegations of mass killings, illegal

evictions and destruction of livelihoods, when the site was cleared of

artisanal miners in August 1996. I understand that Mr. Nshala has

been released on bail but is required to report daily to the Dar es

Salaam Central Police Station. I also understand that he is facing

sedition charges. The police also searched the house of Mr. Tundu

Lissu, a lawyer with LEAT who has been speaking on this matter

internationally. All indications are that the police would have

arrested Mr. Lissu had he been in the country. In the course of these

raids, the police reportedly seized evidence given to LEAT by its

clients - the families of the small-scale miners.

The arrests and raids follow LEAT's recent efforts on the Bulyanhulu

case. Two weeks ago, LEAT wrote to the Director of Criminal

Investigation, expressing its view that the police did not have any

moral authority to re-investigate the killings, given their alleged

complicity in the crimes. LEAT also declined to hand over the police

videotape of the events that it had obtained, until the police

provided the information they claimed disproved the allegations of the

killings.

Last Monday (November 19th), LEAT held a press conference in which it

reiterated its call for an international commission of inquiry to

investigate the alleged killings at Bulyanhulu, a call that has

received support from respected non-governmental organizations around

the world.

I join LEAT in demanding that all charges against Mr. Nshala, Mr.

Lissu, Mr. Mrema and all others arrested in relation to this case be

dropped, that the NGO status of LEAT be protected, and that an

independent commission of inquiry into the Bulyanhulu allegations be

set up immediately.

The police raid appears to be an attempt to intimidate LEAT and other

proponents of the commission of inquiry into silence. The arrest and

raids appear to constitute a serious violation of the fundamental

human right to free speech, a free press, and to unfettered

participation in the political process. I ask that you convey to the

Tanzanian government my demand that Mr. Rugemeleza's, Mr. Lissu's and

the others' human rights are protected and that LEAT's right to

investigate the Bulyanhulu case - and to publicize its findings - is

ensured.

Sincerely,

Tanzanian High Commissioner (Ambassador) in the U.K.: H.E. Ambassador

M. P. Kaducha Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania 43, Hertford

Street, London W1J 7DB Fax: 0207 491 9321

Tanzanian High Commissioner (Ambassador) in Canada: Dr. Ben Moses High

Commissioner to Canada United Republic of Tanzania 50 Range Road

Ottawa, Ontario K1N 8J4

More...

US: White House press release on new justice bill

2001-12-06

http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1128-148.html

the White House has issued a press release on President Bush's signing of the Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary appropriations bill in which the Craig Amendment was added: "Section 630 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for cooperation with, or assistance or other support to, the International Criminal Court (ICC) or its Preparatory Commission."
White House press release on HR 2500 (including Craig
Amendment)


the White House has issued a press release on President Bush's signing
of HR 2500 into law. this is the Commerce, Justice, State, and
Judiciary appropriations bill in which the Craig Amendment was added.
the second-to-last & last paragraphs contain specific mention of the
Craig Amendment:

"Section 630 prohibits the use of appropriated funds for
cooperation with, or assistance or other support to, the
International Criminal Court (ICC) or its Preparatory Commission.
While section 630 clearly reflects that the Congress agrees with my
Administration that it is not in the interests of the United States
to become a party to the ICC treaty, I must note that this
provision must be applied consistent with my constitutional
authority in the area of foreign affairs, which, among other
things, will enable me to take actions to protect U.S. nationals
from the purported jurisdiction of the treaty.

In addition, several other provisions of the Act
unconstitutionally constrain my authority regarding the conduct of
diplomacy and my authority as Commander in Chief. I will apply
these provisions consistent with my constitutional
responsibilities."

the full statement is online here:
http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/Current_Releases/1128-148.html

W. Lim
Vice Chair
ISC-ICC


To: email:
Unsubscribe: icc-info-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: icc-info-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Contact owner: icc-info-owner@yahoogroups.com
Get help: icc-info-help@yahoogroups.com
Get 1 post/day: icc-info-digest@yahoogroups.com
Stop email: icc-info-nomail@yahoogroups.com
Restore defaults: icc-info-normal@yahoogroups.com

Para suscribirse a la lista en espanol,
envie un email a: cecpi-esp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Pour souscrire a la liste d'information en français,
envoyer un e-mail: reseau-cpi-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/icc-info/messages
Coalition for an International Criminal Court:
http://www.iccnow.org

More...

Zimbabwe: Court backs Mugabe land reforms

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1691000/1691357.stm

Zimbabwe's Supreme Court has ruled that President Robert Mugabe's land reform programme complies with the constitution.

Zimbabwe: Electoral Amendments

2001-12-06

http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=3145

Amendments to the Electoral Act - intended to disenfranchise as many potential opposition supporters as possible - will give a legal basis for rigging of the ballot.

Zimbabwe: New challenge to Mugabe

2001-12-06

http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=3141

Civil rights activists in Zimbabwe have threatened to launch a campaign of civil disobedience in January unless the government implements political reforms and ensures next year's presidential election is free and fair.

2002 UN Commission on Human Rights

2001-12-06

The fifty-eighth session of the UN Commission on Human Rights will be be held from 18 March to 26 April 2002 in Geneva. The International Catholic Commission on Migration and December 18 encourage all ECOSOC accredited NGOs to prepare a written statement on the human rights of migrants from their own perspective. Written statements submitted by NGOs and government delegations are issued as UN documents and made available as such to member and observer governments and NGO participants.
2002 UN Commission on Human Rights

It is time again to think about the fifty-eighth session of the UN Commission on Human Rights to be held from 18 March to 26 April 2002 in Geneva.
As NGOs are often invited to read their oral statements late at night before an empty room, the International Catholic Commission on Migration and December 18 encourage all ECOSOC accredited NGOs to prepare a written statement on the human rights of migrants from their own perspective. Written statements submitted by NGOs and government delegations are issued as UN documents and made available as such to member and observer governments and NGO participants. Written statements submitted by NGOs should be sent to Mr. Mika Kanervavuori, 1-050 (PW), UNOG, CH-1211 Geneva 10 (Tel.: (41 22) 917 94 31 Fax: (41 22) 917 90 11; E-mail address: mkanervavuori.hchr@unog.ch as soon as possible, and in any case before 15 January 2002. Organizations are encouraged, if possible, to provide the UN CHR Secretariat with the text of their statements in the different working languages of the United Nations (English, French and Spanish) on diskettes or by e-mail (mkanervavuori.hchr@unog.ch). The maximum length of written statements is 2,000 words for NGOs in general consultative status and 1,500 words for NGOs in special consultative status and for NGOs on the Roster. See NGO information note on the HCHR website:
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/2/58chr/58main.htm
If your organisation is planning to write a written statement, please let us know before December 1st at info@december18.net

More...

CENTRAL & EASTERN AFRICA: US aid body appeals for more help for refugees

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=16997

The US Committee for Refugees has recommended measures designed to boost aid for refugees worldwide, especially in Africa.

INTERNATIONAL MIGRANT'S DAY

18 December

2001-12-06

http://www.december18.net/IMD.htm

International Migrant's Day was finally proclaimed on December 4th, 2000. first of all an opportunity to recognize the contributions made by millions of migrants to the economies and well being of their host and home countries, and to promote respect for their basic human rights. Dignity and respect is the motto of this year's celebrations. We encourage non-governmental organisations - including yours - to join the global solidarity movement for the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants and to use of the International Migrant's Day to highlight publicly the contributions made by migrants.

KENYA-SUDAN: UN official calls for refugee law

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=17150

UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Mary Ann Wyrsch on Tuesday stressed the need for the Kenyan government to enact national refugee legislation to ensure the rights of some 218,00 refugees being housed by the east African country are upheld.

SUDAN: Interview with Francis Deng

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=17196

Francis Deng is the Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Displaced Persons. In an interview with IRIN after a recent visit to Sudan, Deng said that the government had agreed to hold a workshop which he hoped would result in a clear strategy on internal displacement.

The Return of 'Fortress Europe'?

2001-12-06

http://www.stratfor.com/home/0110312230.htm

Evidence of terror cells active throughout Europe is strengthening the position of anti-immigration advocates throughout the Continent. This will lead to greater calls to tighten immigration policies and restrict the free movement of labor. But such policies would have negative implications for long-term European growth and integration.

trafficking of humans

December 18 web site Update

2001-12-06

http://www.december18.net/traffickingconventions.htm

A special page on trafficking of humans has been added to the December 18 website. It provides you with links to international and regional instruments and to various documents from governmental, multilateral and non governmental sources.

Botswana: Social Democratic Party accuses BDP of nepotism

2001-12-06

http://www.transparency.org/cgi-bin/dcn-read.pl?citID=15236

Botswana Social Democratic Party (BSDP) has accused the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) of practising nepotism, corruption and favouritism. BSDP says under the BDP government, jobs are offered on partisan lines with key positions in the civil service going to BDP favourites.

Kenya: New Bill Planned to Target Cheating Lawyers

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112030651.html

A Bill designed to deal with cheating lawyers is being drafted, the Attorney-General has said.

Sierre Leone: 7-Man Committee Visits Anti - Corruption Commission

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200111280855.html

A 7-man Advisory Committee of the Anti Corruption Commission last Friday paid an introductory visit to the Commission's headquarters 3 Gloucester Street in Freetown.

South Africa: Justice Group Wants Corruption Bill Fast

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112040149.html

Parliament's justice committee has become the first of the seven to wrap up its work on the arms procurement programme, and has recommended introducing the Prevention of Corruption Bill in Parliament urgently to close the loopholes identified in the arms programme report.

South Africa: New safety strategy to tackle problem of corruption

2001-12-06

http://www.transparency.org/cgi-bin/dcn-read.pl?citID=15233

Transport minister says that the problems of inefficiency, fraud and corruption should be addressed immediately.

Zambia: I'll Speak Out On Elections, Says Kaunda

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200111280797.html

Commenting on accusations and counter-accusations of theft and corruption between FDD and MMD leaders in recent weeks, Dr. Kaunda has said he will speak out on all those that are vying for public offices during the forthcoming presidential and general elections.

4-Year Global Review of Structural Adjustment

2001-12-06

http://www.saprin.org/news_updates.htm

Thousands of civil-society organizations have completed a major multi-country assessment with the World Bank of the impact of the economic adjustment policies of the Bank and the International Monetary Fund on local populations in the developing world. The results, summarized in a 25-page report, The Policy Roots of Economic Crisis and Poverty, show a systematic weakening of the productive capacity of the countries implementing Bank policies and the inability of these countries to generate productive employment at a living wage. Poverty has been further deepened by the inability of the poor to access essential services at affordable rates.

MALAWI: IRIN Focus on land reform proposals

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=17174

Recently released government land reform proposals, which prohibit the foreign ownership of land, have received a cautious welcome in Malawi.

Market Cure Proposed For Third World's Battered Farmers

2001-12-06

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/oneworld/20011204/wl/market_cure_proposed_for_third_world_s_battered_farmers_1.html

Third World farmers suffering from falling commodity prices are set to be offered a new international scheme to shield them from financial collapse.

South Africa: Commercialising Solid Waste Management

2001-12-06

http://qsilver.queensu.ca/~mspadmin/

The collection of household refuse - or the lack thereof - is one of the most powerful visual benchmarks of inequality in South Africa. Municipal governments in South Africa have been turning increasingly to commercialisation (i.e., privatisation, outsourcing, corporatisation) as a way of addressing this refuse collection backlog. Why this has happened, and how successful it has been at addressing the problem, are the subjects of the two papers in this collection.

South Africa: The Electricity Crisis in Soweto

2001-12-06

http://qsilver.queensu.ca/~mspadmin/

The efforts to expand access to electricity by the ANC has been undermined by its lack of affordability. Self-imposed reductions of electricity usage, combined with aggressive cut-offs by Eskom for nonpayment of bills, has meant that tens of thousands of low-income households are without the electricity they need, with dire consequences for public health and safety and poverty alleviation. This report provides the first detailed case study of access and affordability to electricity in the township of Soweto, in Johannesburg.

AIDS: Issues of Development

2001-12-06

http://www.aidschannel.org/insights/guest_columnist/kaunda-december-2001.shtml

Now the new Millennium is fully underway, we must face the full calamity and repercussions of AIDS. The fight ahead is nothing short of a war, says Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

Digging deep

new dimensions of HIV prevention in southern Africa's mines

2001-12-06

http://www.id21.org/health/h5cc1g1.html

Labour migration plays an important role in HIV transmission, particularly in the mining industry in eastern and southern Africa. HIV prevalence is around 30 percent amongst South African gold miners. Improved strategies for HIV prevention are obviously needed - is it time for a new approach?

EFFECTIVE HIV/AIDS COMMUNICATION?

2001-12-06

http://www.comminit.com/stcomdevround/sld-3440.html

There is considerable debate and enquiry concerning the most effective communication strategies for addressing HIV/AIDS issues. James Deane, Executive Director of The Panos Institute, prepared a background paper on this theme for the recent Communication for Development Roundtable, held in Managua, Nicaragua, Nov 26 - 28 2001, and hosted by UNFPA. Links below are to the relevant sections of the paper.

ETHIOPIA: Opposition criticises government AIDS programme

2001-12-06

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=17139

Opposition political parties have strongly criticised the government's HIV/AIDS programme labelling it ineffective and calling on the government to declare a state of emergency as the only way to combat the spread of the disease.

HIV/AIDS fund flops

2001-12-06

http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/news/media/pressrel/011130p.htm

In June the Global AIDS and Health Fund was launched with great fanfare. The fund should have been up and running by now, but six months on, the $10bn target proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan stands at just $1.5bn. Administrative structures are not in place and no money has been disbursed. Since the fund was announced, it's estimated 1.5 million people - equivalent to almost the entire population of Northern Ireland - will have died from AIDS. Among them will be over a quarter of a million children.

HIV/AIDS Network Launches a Search Engine

2001-12-06

http://www2.womensnet.org.za/news/show.cfm?news_id=767

The HIV/AIDS Search Engine is a tool for searching the internet for news on medications, treatments and vaccines. People can log in privately and chat with a counselor or get answers to questions from an online forum. Users can search through links using major search engines and news headlines sites. This online service is particularly targeted at rural locations where HIV/AIDS information and support is limited.

HIV/AIDS: World Bank Appoints New Global Adviser

2001-12-06

The World Bank has announced the appointment of the bank's first global HIV/AIDS adviser, charged with galvanizing bank efforts in the fight against the spread of the disease, particularly in developing countries. Medical scientist Debrework Zewdie of Ethiopia has been appointed as the bank's HIV/AIDS adviser "to make a difference in developing coun-
tries which are struggling with the social and economic ravages of HIV/AIDS, and to raise global awareness and resources to combat and prevent the disease," said bank Vice President for Human Development Jozef Ritzen.
HIV/AIDS: World Bank Appoints New Global Adviser
------------------------------------------------
Source: http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/


As the World Bank prepares for World AIDS Day Saturday, officials
yesterday announced the appointment of the bank's first global
HIV/AIDS adviser, charged with galvanizing bank efforts in the fight
against the spread of the disease, particularly in developing coun-
tries.

Medical scientist Debrework Zewdie of Ethiopia has been appointed as
the bank's HIV/AIDS adviser "to make a difference in developing coun-
tries which are struggling with the social and economic ravages of
HIV/AIDS, and to raise global awareness and resources to combat and
prevent the disease," said bank Vice President for Human Development
Jozef Ritzen.

The bank said it is also considering disbursing an additional US$ 500
million in no-interest loans to African countries with strong na-
tional HIV/AIDS strategies, as part of the second stage of the bank's
multi-country HIV/AIDS program. An estimated 25 million of 36 million
HIV-positive people worldwide are located in Africa. The bank and the
Joint U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimate that approximately
US$ 3 billion is needed every year to fund basic prevention, care and
treatment programs across the continent.

"Men and AIDS" has been the theme for World AIDS Day for the past two
years, but this year's day will focus on new issues, including
UNAIDS' campaign slogan, "I care. Do you?" The campaign focuses on
the role of men -- particularly young men -- in responding to the
disease, stressing the need for them to care for themselves, their
partners and their children (World Bank release, Nov. 27).

--
To send a message to AFRO-NETS, write to: afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org
To subscribe or unsubscribe, write to: majordomo@usa.healthnet.org
in the body of the message type: subscribe afro-nets OR unsubscribe
afro-nets
To contact a person, send a message to: owner-afro-nets@usa.healthnet.org
Information and archives: http://www.afronets.org

More...

HIV/AIDs: World Bank to Consider Granting No-Interest Loans

2001-12-06

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_hiv_recent_rep.cfm?dr_cat=1&show=yes&dr_DateTime=28-Nov-01#8229

The World Bank announced yesterday that it will consider granting $500 million in no-interest loans to help developing countries in Africa fight HIV/AIDS. The possible new funding was announced as the World Bank appointed Debrework Zewdie as its first global HIV/AIDS adviser.

Maternal mortality indicators in Ethiopia

do they measure up?

2001-12-06

http://www.id21.org/health/h8pb1g3.html

Maternal mortality is a major challenge to global public health. But it is difficult to measure true maternal death rates at the community level, particularly in societies where most deliveries occur at home. What is the most accurate way to estimate maternal mortality in countries with limited resources and infrastructure?

Nigeria Has At Least One Million Aids Orphans

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050208.html

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says there were at least 2.6 million Nigerians living with HIV-AIDS and about one million children without parents as a result of the HIV scourge by the end of last year.

South Africa: 'Fatalism,' Poverty Create 'Cynicism' About Condoms Among Men

2001-12-06

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_hiv_recent_rep.cfm?dr_cat=1&show=yes&dr_DateTime=29-Nov-01#8260

The New York Times, in a recent installment of its "Death and Denial" series about AIDS in Hlabisa, South Africa, reports that "everyone in Hlabisa has been advised to use condoms, but few do." Poverty, ignorance, "fatalism," myths and "cynicism" all play a role in residents' decisions not to use condoms. Although some men interviewed in local bars said that they may use condoms "20% to 50% of the time," they added that "[b]ecause we are Zulus, we don't believe AIDS can affect us. We see our sisters dying, but we don't believe it's AIDS. We think it's TB or pneumonia."

SOUTH AFRICA: TAC SLATES TREVOR MANUEL

2001-12-06

http://www.mg.co.za/mg/za/news.html#tac

The Treatment Action Campaign has reacted angrily to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's claim that the debate on anti-retroviral Aids drugs is misplaced.

UN AIDS epidemic update

December 2001

2001-12-06

http://www.unaids.org/epidemic_update/report_dec01/index.html#full

At the end of 2001, an estimated 40 million people globally were living with HIV. In many parts of the developing world, the majority of new infections occur in young adults, with young women especially vulnerable. About one-third of those currently living with HIV/AIDS are aged 15–24. Most of them do not know they carry the virus. Many millions more know nothing or too little about HIV to protect themselves against it.

Angola: Thousands Expected to Surf Minefield Website

2001-12-06

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/oneworld/20011203/wl/thousands_expected_to_surf_angolan_minefield_website_1.html

A British landmine-clearing group launched a multimedia project Monday to throw a global spotlight on how a community in Angola copes with daily life around fields littered with unexploded weapons.

Britain Urged to Act Against Sex-Slavery

2001-12-06

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/oneworld/20011204/wl/britain_urged_to_act_against_sex-slavery_1.html

Legislation is urgently needed to help fight the growth in the sexual trafficking of women and children into Europe, the British government was told Monday.

Kenya: Sexual harassment in schools

A Panos Report

2001-12-06

http://www.oneworld.org/panos/wm_healt/Kenya_txt.htm

At Maseno University in Vihiga district, about 400 km from Nairobi in the south-west of Kenya, a third-year male student boasts about his exploits in humiliating female students. He specialises in embracing and groping women with or without their consent. Disregarding the opinion of a female student interviewed with him, who has been trying to make the point that someone touching your body without your consent amounts to harassment, he says, "Ah, Mimi ninaleseni ya kudara wanawake na kila dame anajua" ("I am licensed to embrace women and every lady knows that").

Knowledge is power

AIDS education for Ugandan schoolchildren

2001-12-06

http://www.id21.org/health/h5jw3g3.html

Comprehensive AIDS education can make pupils aware of the need to protect themselves against infection. It can also bring about gradual changes in the wider social environment, making safer sex more acceptable. But what is the best way to introduce AIDS education to schools with scarce resources and a packed curriculum?

RWANDA: UNICEF lays out humanitarian action plan for 2002

2001-12-06

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)and its partners plan to spend some US $10.9 million for humanitarian action in Rwanda during 2002, according to a UN Children's Fund report made available to IRIN on Thursday. This effort is part of a broader UNICEF goal to ensure that the rights of all children are realised, and in this way "support Rwanda's transition from emergency to long-term human development".
U N I T E D N A T I O N S
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN)

RWANDA: UNICEF lays out humanitarian action plan for 2002

NAIROBI, 29 November (IRIN) - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
and its partners plan to spend some US $10.9 million for humanitarian
action in Rwanda during 2002, according to a UN Children's Fund report
made available to IRIN on Thursday.

This effort is part of a broader UNICEF goal to ensure that the rights of
all children are realised, and in this way "support Rwanda's transition
from emergency to long-term human development".

In partnership with WFP and the Ministry of Health, the greatest amount of
the money will be spent on nutrition, one of the five major areas of
intervention outlined in UNICEF's plan. The "key action" in the
nutritional intervention, it says, will be to reduce the "serious
situation" of malnutrition among young children of whom 29 percent of
under-fives are under-weight, 43 percent stunted in growth and 7 percent
wasting. Malnutrition remains problematic, UNICEF says, and 43 percent of
Rwandan children suffer from its chronic form.

Health:

On health, UNICEF will spend some $1.8 million in a nationwide vaccination
campaign targeting all children from nine months to 15 years old. Because
it is a major cause of childhood death in the country, health experts feel
that "a one-off campaign will make a major impact" in reducing the
prevalence of measles.

Vaccination against polio forms another component of the health
intervention and will target specific areas of the country previously
little served due to their proximity with the Democratic Republic of Congo
where there is continuing fighting. Within the DRC polio immunisation is
"relatively low", thereby serving as a reservoir for the wild virus,
UNICEF says, and makes Rwanda vulnerable, due to the movement of people
between DRC and Rwanda. "It is felt that a sub-national campaign, aimed at
these vulnerable areas, is necessary," UNICEF adds.

In unstable areas, an integrated approach will be employed in ensuring
child survival. The aim is to support areas of Rwanda, affected by
instability, to move toward a more developmental approach to child
survival, UNICEF says. Therefore, focus will be on prevention of HIV
transmission from mother to child.

Water and environmental sanitation:

Water and environmental sanitation also forms an important aspect of the
plan. The objective in this sector is to provide improved water and
sanitation services in areas of instability. Apart from improving access
to safe water and sanitation, UNICEF says, this will also serve as an
entry point for developing a community-based approach to development.

Education:

Almost one-third of Rwanda's 700,000 children have limited or no access to
quality and equitable education, UNICEF says. In many conflict areas
worldwide, children have been used as combatants or in support roles. In
Rwanda, too, children need protection and learning has been recognised as
"the main preventive strategy against vulnerability, abuse and
exploitation." The focus in this effort, in Rwanda, will be on formal and
non-formal education, and the right to protection.

With the end of UNICEF's 1998-2000 non-formal educational "bridging
programme", the agency says "efforts must now aim to create an environment
conducive to the progressive realisation of children's rights, with
special attention given to the most vulnerable". During 2002, UNICEF will
support six areas of non-formal education of which "catch-up education"
for 560 children will be tested in three of Rwanda's 12 provinces.

Vulnerable children will be taught life skills and given HIV/AIDS
education to secure behavioural change towards transmission of the
disease. In addition, UNICEF's international and local partners will
implement community-based integrated projects for vulnerable children,
initially as part of the three pilot projects in Gisenyi, Kibuye and
Kigali.

UNICEF warns that continued military operations in northwest and southwest
Rwanda may result in the capture of more children among rebel fighters,
thereby increasing the pressure on child protection activities. Currently,
it says, some 300 former child soldiers are to be reintegrated into their
families and communities, "however, a lot of work will be necessary to
support the post-reintegration phase". In 2002, the programme for the
reintegration of former child soldiers will, among others, ensure that a
mechanism is in place to protect children from the time of their capture
[by government troops of villagers] to the completion of the reintegration
process.

Finally, UNICEF will engage in emergency preparedness and response
activity aimed at strengthening the use of monitoring, evaluation and
planning tools to assess, with greater accuracy, the impact of the
agency's programming and prepare the office and counterparts for possible
emergency situations.


[ENDS]

[This Item is Delivered to the "Africa-English" Service of the UN's IRIN
humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views
of the United Nations. For further information, free subscriptions, or
to change your keywords, contact e-mail: Irin@ocha.unon.org or Web:
http://www.irinnews.org . If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post
this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Reposting by
commercial
sites requires written IRIN permission.]

Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2001




------------------
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO SUBSCRIBERS


IRIN has introduced a brand new e-mail service allowing you to be more
selective in the information you receive. With the current system being
phased-out, please go to the IRIN web site at
http://www.irinnews.org/subscriptions/default.asp to resubscribe yourself
and take full advantage of the new options that are available. This will
automatically remove you from the old distribution list. If you do not
have access to the web or experience any problems please contact
subs@ocha.unon.org and we will assist you to resubscribe.

Joanne Clarke
IRIN Customer Services

Tel +41 22 321 8425, Geneva, CH
mobile +41 078 631 9996
joanne@irinnews.org

-------------------


[This item is delivered in the "africa-english" service of the UN's IRIN
humanitarian information unit, but may not necessarily reflect the views
of the United Nations. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post
this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Reposting by commercial
sites requires written IRIN permission.]

Copyright (c) UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2001

More...

South Africa: Changing perceptions of HIV/Aids

2001-12-06

http://www.teacher.co.za/200112/aids1.html

Schools are teaching pupils about sex and sexual diseases in an attempt to curb the spread of HIV/Aids.

SOUTH AFRICA GETS LEFT WITH THE BILL FOR WCAR

2001-12-06

http://www.icare.to/news.html#SOUTH%20AFRICA%20GETS%20LEFT%20WITH%20THE%20BILL%20FOR%20WCAR

The anti-racism conference has cost South Afrika about 90 million rand. The International community has paid only 11,4 million rand, according to the South African newspaper The Citizen. Only Australia, New Zealand and European countries have contributed. Up till now not a single Arab or African government has shared in the costs of the UN-racismconference, held in Durban in September.

SOUTH AFRICA: APARTHEID MUSEUM OPENS

2001-12-06

http://www.mg.co.za/mg/za/news.html#apart

The new apartheid museam next to Gold Reef City in Johannesburg, is both shocking and brilliant says AFP's Jan Hennop.

WCAR: DURBAN OUTCOME REMAINS A MYSTERY

2001-12-06

http://www.icare.to/news.html#DURBAN%20OUTCOME%20REMAINS%20A%20MYSTERY

The outcome of the bitter U.N. racism conference in South Africa remains a virtual secret two months after the conclusion of the meeting. The reason: Some African governments still are trying to link development assistance to slavery.

Kenya Seeks Energy Sources as Power Firm Posts Record Loss

2001-12-06

http://ens-news.com/ens/nov2001/2001L-11-29-03.html

The government of Kenya has signed an exploration treaty with a British firm in a move that will see the world's deepest oil wells drilled off the East African coast. The deal is an attempt to expand the country's fuel supply as Kenya's public power firm announced the biggest loss in its history.

kenya: Police Break-Up Ogoni Protest

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050480.html

Police in Nigeria's southern Rivers State on Tuesday broke up a rally of the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) on grounds that they had not sought authorisation to hold the demonstration.

Kenya: Row On Forests Rages

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050111.html

The intended de-gazettement of 170,000 acres of forest cover will be of an unprecedented magnitude since independence, a forest organisation has said.

Tanzanian Police Raid Lawyers' Environmental Action Team

2001-12-06

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/nov2001/2001L-11-30-04.html

Tanzanian police have raided the offices of the Lawyers' Environmental Action Team (LEAT) in Dar es Salaam and searched the homes of two LEAT attorneys, according to an international association of public interest attorneys based in Eugene.

Uganda: Butamira: An Activist's Plea

2001-12-06

http://allafrica.com/stories/200112050273.html

The poor people of Butamira had for a moment thought that they could secure their future through exploiting the forest reserve but are now losing all hope. Government is determined to move them so Kakira Sugar Works could use the reserve to cultivate more sugarcane.

Water Talks Must Tackle Thorny Issues, Say Campaigners

2001-12-06

http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/oneworld/20011203/wl/water_talks_must_tackle_thorny_issues_say_campaigners_1.html

As governments meet in Bonn, Germany, this week to discuss means for conserving and managing the world's freshwater resources, nonprofit groups are warning that failure to come up with detailed plans for action will lead to "a global freshwater catastrophe."

Kenya media fears bankruptcy

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/world/africa/newsid_1683000/1683283.stm

Large libel damages being made against Kenya newspapers could prevent the media from working effectively, say owners and journalists.

Nigeria: Rapid Response Squad Storm Court

2001-12-06

http://www.mediachannel.org/news/today/

Members of the Lagos state security outfit- Rapid Response Squad (RRS) numbering about 50 yesterday stormed the premises of the Ikeja High Court, beat mercilessly three lawyers and assaulted 13 students of the Lagos State University for selling or buying a legal-biased, magazine - squib.

Sudan: GOVERNMENT LIFTS CENSORSHIP

2001-12-06

On 28 November 2001, the government of Sudan lifted the previously enforced censorship from 12 of the country’s daily newspapers. Four newspapers; Alwan, AlRai Al Akher, Al-Watan and the Khartoum Monitor continue to be under heavy censorship.
S V T G
Sudanese Victims of Torture Group

PRESS RELEASE: 29 November 2001

GOVERNMENT LIFTS CENSORSHIP


SVTG can confirm that on 28 November 2001, the government of Sudan lifted the previously enforced censorship from 12 of the country’s daily newspapers. Four newspapers; Alwan, AlRai Al Akher, Al-Watan and the Khartoum Monitor continue to be under heavy censorship.

Information Minister Mahdi Ibrahim met with the editors-in-chief on 28 November and informed then that on the 27 November, President Omar al-Beshir had ordered the pre-printing censorship be lifted from 12 dailies as of the 28th, while the control remained in force on four others.

Al-Watan daily failed to appear for one day last week when the security authorities ordered an article be removed and its staff, including chief editor Sidahmed Khalifa, were detained then released on bail after several hours of detention for charges of disturbing public peace and staging an unlawful march.

The Khartoum Monitor and Al Rai Al Akher dailies have been closed down several times in the past for publishing articles, which the authorities did not like, and their journalists have been constantly harassed; The Monitor's executives are still on bail facing charges of instigating hatred against the state and inciting religious and ethnic hatred.

The chief editors of the twelve papers are appealing to the President via the Ministry of information, that the lift must include all newspapers.



SVTG calls upon the Sudanese government to:

i. Immediately extend the lift of censorship to the other four daily papers – Alwan, Al Rai Al Akher, Al Watan and the Khartoum Monitor.

ii. Guarantee freedom of expression and freedom of press and publication.

iii. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.


SVTG is an independent non-governmental human rights organisation, for further details on this press release or any other information please contact;
The Sudanese Victims of Torture Group
Park Business Centre
Kilburn Park Rd
London NW6 5LF
UK
Tel: +44 20 76258055
Email: Osman.h@virgin.net

More...

The Bombing Of Al-Jazeera

2001-12-06

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=12332

Bombing radio and TV stations is a war crime. But the United States seems to keep doing it, reports Laura Flanders.

Zimbabwe Risks Civil Conflict Without Free Press says Mbeki

2001-12-06

http://www.mediachannel.org/news/today/

The President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, warned today that civil conflict could explode in Zimbabwe if full press freedom is not ensured in the run-up to presidential elections next March.

Zimbabwe: Dangers, harassment - and determination

2001-12-06

http://www.zwnews.com/issuefull.cfm?ArticleID=3115

President Robert Mugabe's attempts to silence the independent media and foreign reporters are increasingly desperate and brutal. Here, Basildon Peta, one of five reporters recently branded as "terrorists'' by the government, describes for ZWNEWS the dangers, the harassment - and the determination.

Zimbabwe: Draconian media bill passed

2001-12-06

http://www.misanet.org/alerts/20011203.zimbabwe.1.html

The government of Zimbabwe has approved the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, which seeks to regulate the operations of the media in Zimbabwe and purportedly give access to information held by public bodies.

Zimbabwe: Journalists to fight controls

2001-12-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_1684000/1684763.stm

Independent journalists in Zimbabwe have vowed to fight the government's plans to control the media. Under proposed legislation, a new regime of licensing journalists would disqualify foreign reporters from working in the country.

Zimbabwe: Protest to Mugabe

International Federation of Journalists

2001-12-06

On behalf of the International Federation of Journalists, the world's
largest journalists' group, I wish to protest most strongly over the accusation by a
spokesman of the Government of Zimbabwe, reported in The Herald on November 23rd, that a number of named journalists are supporting "terrorists" and that the government "would make no distinction between those that it considered to be terrorists and anyone who supported them."
To: IFEX Auto List (other news of interest)
From: Internati