Pambazuka News is produced by a pan-African community of some 2,600 citizens and organisations - academics, policy makers, social activists, women's organisations, civil society organisations, writers, artists, poets, bloggers, and commentators who together produce insightful, sharp and thoughtful analyses and make it one of the largest and most innovative and influential web forums for social justice in Africa. 
action alerts
Kenya: Abduction of witness of extrajudicial killings
Release Political Prisoners Trust
2011-03-16, Issue 521
This is an urgent alert on the case of Kenneth Irungu, a witness in the case of extrajudicial killings of John Kamuri and Peter Irungu who were killed in Ruiru, Kenya, in December 2010. Kenneth Irungu witnessed the arrests of Kamuri and Irungu. One other witness has disappeared and another is in hiding. Kenneth Irungu was abducted today 11th March 2011 at around 13.00hrs in Muthurwa by three men in a Toyota Premio KBG 447R. We believe that, given the background to the case, he may be in the hands of the Kwe Kwe squad and is in grave danger. Please use any channel to bring this issue into light so as to exert pressure on the police to release him.
Join London protest to support Zimbabwean activists on trial for treason
2011-03-10, Issue 520
Six socialist activists in Zimbabwe face the death penalty for watching a video about the revolt in Egypt. Munyaradzi Gwisai, Hopewell Gumbo, Antonater Choto, Welcome Zimuto, Eddson Chakuma and Tatenda Mombeyarara are charged with treason. Treason is punishable by death. Please join the protest outside the Zimbabwean embassy this Friday 11 March, 12 noon – 1.30pm, Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, WC2R 0JR.
Dozens dead and hundreds injured at the Shebin al-Kom Prison
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
2011-02-24, Issue 518
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) today called for an immediate investigation into the excessive violence being used by officers at the Shebin al-Kom Prison in Monufiya against prison inmates since 25 January, which has left dozens dead and hundreds more injured.
Brutal murder of gay Ugandan human rights defender David Kato
Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG)
2011-01-27, Issue 514
Following the brutal murder of acivist David Kato, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and the entire Ugandan lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community stand together to condemn the killing and call for the Ugandan government, civil society and local communities to protect sexual minorities across Uganda.
David Kato: Our courageous queer African martyr
South African social justice organisations mourn Ugandan comrade
Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, Treatment Action Campaign and Section27
2011-01-27, Issue 514
The Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, Treatment Action Campaign and Section27 are saddened and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of comrade David Kato in Kampala, Uganda yesterday, 26 January 2011. We join activists in Africa and across the world in condolences to fellow comrades in Uganda, his loved ones, family and friends.
Petition in defence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
2011-01-13, Issue 512
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s public criticism of Israeli policy towards Palestinians living in Gaza and the West Bank has triggered accusations of anti-Semitism and calls for him to step down as patron of the South African Holocaust Foundation. Sign a petition in support of a man whose ‘life has been lived in the spirit of “never again” – the ultimate lesson of the Holocaust.’
Urgent petition to the Israeli government
The right to dignity for all asylum seekers
The African Refugee Development Center
2011-01-13, Issue 512
Sign a petition created by a coalition of human rights organisations condemning the Israeli government for its actions against refugees and asylum seekers that deny them ‘their right to dignity and contravene Israel’s obligations under international human rights and refugee law’. Israel’s plans to deter asylum seekers include refusing them the right to work and the opening of a refugee camp in a remote location where 10,000 people could be held indefinitely, and provided with only their basic needs. Around 85 per cent of Israel’s 30,000 asylum seekers are Eritrean or Sudanese.
Let there be thousands of Cancuns for climate justice!
La Via Campesina calls for mobilisation
2010-11-19, Issue 505
Thousands of women and men, people affected by the destruction of the environment, farmers, landless, Indigenous Peoples and activists from all sectors of society will gather in Cancun to propose thousands of solutions to confront climate change. They will show the world leaders their opposition to the false solutions to climate chaos discussed by the UNFCCC, such as market-based proposals on carbon trading and REDD, agrofuels and geo-engineering.
South Africa: Right2Know (R2K) Campaign launches week of action
2010-10-21, Issue 501
The Right2Know (R2K) Campaign, an umbrella campaign representing a broad front of civil society groups, is campaigning against the Protection of Information Bill - also known as the Secrecy Bill - currently before South Africa's Parliament, which the...
Forced repatriations taking place in Uganda
2010-09-17, Issue 496
The Government of Uganda is violating the Article 12 (5) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples rights, by resorting on mass expulsions of non-nationals (Rwandan Refugees) on the basis of nationality and ethnicity. In addition of refoulement; it...
Mass removal of Rwandans from Ugandan refugee settlements
2010-07-15, Issue 490
Reports reaching IRRI and RLP indicate that on the morning of Wednesday 14th July 2010, OPM Directorate of Refugees and Police officers in Nakivale (Isingiro District) and Kyaka II (Kyenjonjo District) began rounding up Rwandans and forcing them against their will to board trucks to return them to Rwanda....
Countdown: The Right to the City Campaign
Urgent press release
Abahlali baseMjondolo
2010-06-10, Issue 485
Abahlali baseMjondolo of the Western Cape, 21 days ago launched its campaign ‘the right to the city campaign’ today the world and South Africans are counting few days before the kick off of the 2010 FiFa World cup, also Abahlali baseMjondolo of the Western Cape is counting few hours before kick starting its campaign. Part of the aim of the campaign is to build shacks outside Green Point soccer stadium at Cape Town, occupying governmental offices, invading open public spaces within the city and occupying unused hotels, flats and schools within the City. Tomorrow, the 11th June 2010 is the first day of our campaign, about 100 members of Abahlali baseMjondolo will meet at Cape Town next to Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) at Keizerngracht Street at 10:00 from there we will proceed to where our protest is going to take place. Our action in terms of South African gatherings Act is viewed as illegal, as it suggest that we need to notify the police 14 days before such action but according to us our action is genuine and legitimate and we see no reason for us to notify them while we are going to occupy their offices because we refused to be controlled in any way in our actions. All media agencies are invited to expose the police and governmental arrogance towards the poorest of the poor. We want the world to see how the poor are denied the right to well located land by South African Government and by the City of Toilets or the ‘Shit City’ (The City of Cape Town). For more information please contact Mr. Qona at 076 875 9533 or Nobantu Goniwe at 078 760 5246
Stop the endowment of the UNESCO–Obiang Prize
Tutu Alicante
2010-06-10, Issue 485
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is currently rethinking its highly criticised decision to allow Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea since 1979, to endow the Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. Tutu Alicante voices the international community’s concern over this decision, and calls for action to stop the proceedings. UNESCO for sale
Calls for protection of Luiz Araújo in Angola
2010-06-09, Issue 485
A group of civil society organisations are making public a letter sent to the Minister of the Interior of Angola Mr Roberto Leal Monteiro Ngongo to express their concern about the situation of human rights defenders in that country.
African solidarity with Queers Against Israeli Apartheid
Zackie Achmat
2010-06-10, Issue 485
The report below is a tremendous blow to Pride Toronto. Many of Canada’s internationally recognised LGBTI activists who have received awards from Pride Toronto have returned their awards. Ugandan LGBTI activist Victor Mukasa is among the international award returnees. Bravo Victor for showing African solidarity with Queers Against Israeli Apartheid and the people of Palestine.
Call from Gaza for global response to killings on the flotilla
2010-06-03, Issue 484
Gaza-based Palestinian Civil Society Organisations and international activists called on the international community and civil society to pressure their governments and Israel to cease the abductions and killings in Israel’s attacks against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla sailing for Gaza, and begin a global response to hold Israel accountable for the murder of foreign civilians at sea and illegal piracy of civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Rwanda: Advocates demand immediate release of US Attorney Erlinder
2010-06-03, Issue 484
International Human Rights Advocates join the Erlinder family in condemning Rwanda's arrest of US Attorney Peter Erlinder and demanding his immediate release. Professor Erlinder, a faculty member at William Mitchell College of Law in the United States and president of the Association des Avocats de la Defense (ADAD), the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Defense Lawyers Association, was arrested by the government of Rwanda under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. Peter Erlinder has been arrested in the course of his representation of Rwanda’s opposition leader, Victoire Ingabire.
Statement on GALZ for international partners
GALZ (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe)
2010-06-03, Issue 484
On Thursday 27 May 2010, Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Mhambi were released on bail until a trial set for Thursday 10 June 2010, on allegations of possessing indecent material and displaying a placard seen as insulting to Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe. GALZ is now calling on organisations to send statements in support of GALZ, highlighting the raid of the GALZ offices, the arrest Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Mhambi, the torture of Ignatius while in custody, the continued harassment of GALZ staff and the police saying that they want to question all staff members.
Raid and arrest of GALZ and its employees
GALZ
2010-05-26, Issue 483
Two employees of Gay and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) – Ellen Chademana and Ignatius Mhambi – were arrested by police on the evening of 21 May. Zimbabwe's Central Intelligence Department raided the offices after GALZ posted a letter in their office from former Mayor Willie Lewis Brown of San Francisco, criticising President Mugabe’s resistance to homosexuality. The police confiscated the letter, which they said 'undermines the authority of the president', and took several documents and computers. Chademana and Mhambi were arrested on allegations under Zimbabwe's censorship laws. **STOP PRESS** Chademana and Mhambi have been released on bail (Thursday 27 May). The Zimbabwe NGO forum said that Chademana and Mhambi, who were detained for seven days, were 'severely' assaulted by state security agents after their arrests and were threatened with further beatings.
Chevron bans international human rights and environmental advocates from shareholder meeting
2010-05-27, Issue 483
After travelling halfway around the world from Nigeria to the US, Emem Okon, along with 17 other people representing oil-producing communities around the globe, stood today as shareholders ready to attend Chevron’s Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders. Chevron arbitrarily denied Ms Okon and at least 13 others entry to the meeting, despite the fact that other representatives from Chevron-impacted communities were allowed to enter the meeting.
World's first self-reproducing organism: Panacea or Pandora's Box?
Synthia is alive … and breeding
2010-05-20, Issue 482
www.etcgroup.org As Craig Venter announces lab-made life, ETC Group calls for Global Moratorium on Synthetic Biology. In a paper published today in the journal Science, the J. Craig Venter Institute and Synt...
Geoengineering experiments discussed at UN forum in Nairobi
ETC Group
2010-05-13, Issue 481
As a huge cloud-whitening experiment goes public, with funding from the Gates Foundation, a global coalition of civil society groups and individuals is urging an immediate halt to geoengineering, at the first UN talks on the issue in 30 years, which are taking place in Nairobi from 10–21 May.
South Africa: 3 families remain homeless at the gates of Tin Can Town
2010-05-07, Issue 480
Three families have been living homeless, freezing weather, rain and all, at the gates of Blikkiesdorp for over 10 nights now. These families were evicted recently from backyards where they used to live in Delft. They came to Blikkiesdorp looking for...
Urgent action needed to save lives of Saharawi activists
Letter from Y. Lamine
2010-04-22, Issue 478
Almost four weeks have already passed since the six of the seven Saharawi human right activists, held at the Moroccan prison of Sale, began their open hunger strike. Their were arrested and detained, on 8 October 2010, on their return from a family visit to the Saharawi refugees camps in south West of Algeria. The Moroccan government intends to bring them before a military court on account of that trip.
Secret draft of Canada-European Union free trade agreement
Trade Justice Network
2010-04-23, Issue 478
As Canadian and European trade negotiators gather in Ottawa for a third round of free trade negotiations, the newly formed Trade Justice Network has publicly released a draft text of the proposed Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (C...
Give Nigeria a voice at Chevron's Annual General Meeting
2010-04-16, Issue 477
Help give Nigeria a voice at Chevron's Annual General Meeting this year by donating your frequent flyer miles or proxy vote to the JINN delegation. Each year, Chevron stakeholders gather for the company's Annual General Meeting at the end of May. ...
Take action to help refugees in Tanzania
2010-03-18, Issue 474
Burundian refugees in Mtabila refugee camp in Tanzania are being deprived of their basic human rights by the Tanzanian government. Some 37,000 men, women, and children are being denied access to needed medical care, primary education, and attending worship services in the camp. Please take action today to help these refugees and remind Tanzanian officials that caring people like you around the world are watching.
STOP the UNESCO-Obiang International Prize for the Life Sciences
2010-03-11, Issue 473
EG Justice Needs Your Help. Sign the petition now to STOP the UNESCO-Obiang International Prize for the Life Sciences. In 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Or...
Zimbabwe: Youth advocacy officer narrowly escapes death
2010-03-04, Issue 472
Zimbabwean activist Tichaona Masiyambiri narrowly escaped death with the help of local police, after a gang of armed youths attacked him following his address to villagers as part of a civic education programme at Nhakiwa Shopping centre in Uzumba.
Zimbabwe: Trade unionist under threat
International Union of Food workers
2010-03-04, Issue 472
Gertrude Hambira, general secretary of Zimbabwe's General Agricultural and Plantation Workers Union, has been forced into hiding following harrassment by the police. The International Union of Food workers is urging people to call on the Zimbabwean government to provide Hambira ‘with effective protection and to carry out a prompt, full and impartial investigation into the circumstances of her attack in her family home.’
Previous | 1-30 | 31-60 | 61-90 | 91-120 | 121-128 | Next