Sudan: What arrest of George Clooney means for Omar al-Bashir

Hollywood superstar and activist, George Clooney, was arrested in front of the Embassy of Sudan in Washington D.C. on 16 March 2012 The arrest was not connected to possession of drugs or firearms - two common reasons why many Hollywood stars get arrested. George Clooney and other activists, including his father - Nick Clooney - were arrested protesting against human rights violations in Sudan, committed by the government of president Omar al- Bashir, a fugitive of the ICC. He is wanted for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Darfur, western Sudan.

Before the arrest, George Clooney said:

"The second thing we are here to ask is a very simple thing. It's for the government in Khartoum to stop randomly killing its own innocent men, women and children. Stop raping them and stop starving them." 

 The government of Omar al-Bashir is reportedly using food as a weapon of war against civilians by stopping groups such as the UN Refugee Agency, World Food Program and the Red Cross from delivering food and medicine to people in the Nuba mountains - the border region between Sudan and South Sudan. [Source].

Government actions against civilians in Sudan include, indiscriminate bombing, destruction of livelihood and blockade of humanitarian aid. Amnesty International, a number of U.S Congressmen and other human rights organisations participated in the protest that resulted in the arrest of George Clooney. [Source].



The high profile arrest is bad news for Omar al-Bashir because, thanks to George Clooney, many more people are aware of the atrocities the Sudanese government has committed and continues to commit against a civilian population - including women and children dodging bombs in the Nuba mountains. These violations are reportedly as a result of desperate attempts to quell an armed rebellion in the region.

If the adage that "the enemy of my friend is my enemy" is true, then Omar al-Bashir has just got himself some more "enemies". This is the case because Clooney has a lot of friends (fans) around the world - many of whom will now take action with Amnesty International to help bring al-Bashir and other ICC fugitives to justice.

International law fugitives like Omar al-Bashir and Joseph Kony endanger the lives of civilians wherever they walk free.

*Photo: GPS.

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Thomas Lubanga ICC verdict: A blow to impunity for war crimes

On 14 March 2012, the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered its first verdict since it was established in 2002. The court found Thomas Lubanga Dyilo guilty of using child soldiers in the Forces Patriotique Pour la Libération du Congo (FPLC) during armed conflict in the Ituri region in the Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2002 and 2003. Thomas Lubanga has gone down in history and will be remembered as the first person to be arrested on an ICC warrant and convicted by the court. This is not an enviable record; it is a loud message to war criminals and a blow to impunity.

Thomas Lubanga was the commander in chief of the FPLC, an armed group that enlisted and conscripted children under 15 years old as soldiers, and was involved in other human rights violations. He was arrested on 17 March 2006 and his trial began almost 3 years later at the Hague on 26 January 2009. [Source].

I have no illusion that everyone will welcome this landmark ICC verdict. Many international law skeptics don't support the work of the court. They argue that it's a "western tool" designed to hunt down Africans. This assertion is based on the fact that all accused persons currently wanted and before the court are African.

It is true that the failure to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of alleged crimes, including former U.S president George W. Bush (and other top ranking members of his government), in other regions is an affront to the ICC and international justice. However, it's worthy to note that the absence of the international justice system, the ICC and other international criminal tribunals would embolden perpetrators of some of the most shocking crimes in Africa and beyond.

At the moment, only African cases are before the ICC, but a long list of charged and convicted war criminals reveals that international justice does not target only Africans. Over the years, numerous people from other parts of the world have been brought to justice in various international courts and tribunals. Recently, Ratko Mladic, former General of the Bosnian Serb army was extradited to the Hague for his role in the massacre of over 8000 Bosniaks during the 1992 - 1995 Bosnian war.

The Khmer Rouge trial also shows international law at work in Cambodia.

The books have not yet closed on alleged crimes authorized by George W. Bush and some top ranking officials in his administration. In July 2011, Human Rights Watch urged the US to investigate and prosecute crimes committed under the Bush administration. In October 2011, Amnesty International urged Canada to arrest, prosecute or extradite George Bush.

The conviction of Thomas Lubanga is a blow to impunity for war crimes and an indication that the international justice system works, despite concerns about double standards and snail's pace of proceedings. The system is capable of providing closure and justice for victims of grave crimes. In the words of a Congolese activist in a video released by Amnesty International, "when there is a verdict, victims feel recognized and... many will be scared... especially those military groups that are still very active, many of whom think that international justice is just a myth."

Other war crime fugitives wanted at the ICC are still at large, including Bosco Ntanganda and the infamous Joseph Kony. Governments have "consistently failed" to bring them to justice. [Source].

International law fugitives put civilians at risk. You are encouraged to join efforts to bring them to book. Sign a petition by Amnesty International urging UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to dedicate additional resources to protect civilians and to help governments arrest and surrender ICC fugitives.

Photo source: Human Rights Now.

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UN Working Group urges Cameroon to compensate imprisoned musician

I received a press release from Free Muse, an organization that advocates freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide, on 16 February 2012. The news release was about the legal opinion of the UN working Group on Arbitrary Detention in the case of Pierre Roger Lambo Sandjo, commonly known as Lapiro de Mbanga - a Cameroonian musician who was arrested, tried and imprisoned for 3 years in 2008.

Lapiro de Mbanga was arrested on 9 April 2008 following a mass demonstration in Cameroon. According to Free Muse, he was arrested for singing a song that criticized a controversial Constitutional amendment that eliminated presidential term limits and granted the Head of State immunity for crimes committed in office.

According to information communicated to the UN Working group, Lapiro was arrested on accusations of mass looting, destruction of public property, obstruction of public way, attack on public property and participating in illegal meetings. On 24 September 2008, he was condemned - after what was widely seen as a "political trial" - to 3 years in prison for participating in illegal meetings, obstruction of public way and mass looting. [Source].

Despite condemnation by rights groups and campaigns to secure his release, the artist served 3 years in the   infamous New Bell Prison in Douala. The prison, according to Amnesty International, has an official capacity of 700 but held 2,453 inmates in August 2011. [Source].

Lapiro was released on 8 April 2011.

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, whose mandate includes investigating cases of deprivation of  liberty imposed arbitrarily or otherwise in violation of relevant international human rights standards, concluded that the arrest of Lapiro de Mbanga and ensuing deprivation of liberty was arbitrary and resulted in the violation of rights laid down in the following articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):

• article 3 - right to liberty and security of person,
• article 5 - freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• article 7 - right to protection of the law without discrimination
• article 8 - right to effective remedy
• article 9 - freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention
• article 10 - right to fair trial
• article 11 - right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty
• article 18 - freedom of thought conscience and religion
• article 19 - freedom of opinion and expression
• article 20 - freedom of peaceful assembly and association
• article 21 

The Working Group also concluded that the arbitrary arrest  resulted in the violation of following articles of the the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - to which Cameroon became party in June 1984:

• articles 2(3) 
• article 9
• article 10
• article 14

This is a very long list of violations suffered by one man in the hands of his government.

The UN Working Group urged the government of Cameroon to compensate Lapiro for damages suffered as a result of his arbitrary arrest and detention, grant him amnesty or pardon and take measures to guarantee his right to security of person.

The opinion and recommendations (in French) of the UN Working Group is dated 1 September 2011.

The government of Cameroon must respect its obligations under international law and fulfill the demands of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The authorities are obliged to ensure that people, including musicians, journalists, peaceful protesters or ordinary citizens, are not arbitrarily arrested or subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

ASIDE: FreeMuse interviewed Lapiro de Mbanga on 8 May 2011 - one month after his release from New Bell Prison. Watch the video interview.



It is worth mentioning that Lapiro is French-speaking.

Photo source: IFEX.

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African states urged to reaffirm support for international justice

In a letter to Foreign Ministers of African states parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC), more than 30 African civil society organizations and international organizations with a presence in Africa urged African states parties to the ICC to reaffirm support for international justice. The letter, signed by 34 organizations, was written ahead of the 18th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU), which ends on 30 January 2012.

The letter to Foreign Ministers of African states parties to the ICC came less than a week after the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, said during the launching of the organization's World Report 2012 in Cairo, that the AU was founded to promote democracy but has acted in the last year as if it is a "dictators' support club" that backs authoritarians and ignores the democratic interests of the people. It is hard to disagree with this assertion.

The AU consists of Heads of States who cling to power through controversial elections and constitutional amendments that tamper with presidential term limits. President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, for instance, recently amended the Constitution so as to be eligible to run for (re-)election. This is similar to what happened in Cameroon in 2008 - when President Paul Biya's government eliminated presidential term limits from the Constitution.

With more similarities than differences, such Heads of States are bound to support each other, even if it means turning a blind eye on blatant rights violations or providing safe haven for ousted dictators and their cronies.

Besides failing to take a tough stance against dictators during the "Arab Spring", African states failed to protect the rights of Sub-Saharan Africans who were systematically targeted in Libya during pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 on accusations of working as mercenaries for the Gaddafi regime. During the conflict, Sub-Saharan Africans in Libya were considered a vulnerable group in desperate need of evacuation, but they were abandoned by their governments and the AU. Many African states turned a blind eye on human rights and democratic interests in Libya, and were preoccupied with blaming western democracies for interfering in the "internal affairs" of Libya.

The ICC is committed to ending impunity for international crimes such as crimes committed in Libya during the 2011 revolution that toppled a 42-year-old regime. African governments should support the ICC and do more to protect the interests of victims of rights violations and oppression, not the interests of dictators and perpetrators of crimes under the jurisdiction of the court.

Impunity for grave crimes is not an option. Perpetrators of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC should be brought to justice at the Hague - especially in cases where a fair trial is not guaranteed in a national court.

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Mali: Child labor and poisoning in gold mines (video)

"They carry weights heavier than their own weight, climb into unstable shafts and touch and inhale mercury, one of the most toxic substances on earth." 

(Juliane Kippenberg, Senior Children's Rights Researcher, Human Rights Watch).

Children are a vulnerable group of individuals in need of protection, but more often than not, in many countries around the world, they fall prey to unspeakable violations, including economic exploitation through child labor and sexual abuse. Child labor, a violation of the rights of the child, happens in plain sight in many countries, especially in developing countries or so-called "emerging economies" where people make money by exploiting the services of children. A case in point is Mali - a west African country where child labor is common practice in gold mines.

According to Human Rights Watch, Mali's mines produce gold with child labor. Children in Mali, besides digging mining shafts and working underground, carry heavy weights of ore and work with toxic mercury, in a process aimed at separating gold from ore.

The report also reveals that many children involved in hazardous work in Mali do not go to school because education is inaccessible and unavailable for children. Health care is also limited (with one physician per 20,000 patients), despite the health problems that result from mining.

A video posted on the YouTube channel of Human Rights Watch better captures the plight of children in Mali.



The Republic of Mali is a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which it ratified on 20 September 1990. Despite the country's obligation under international law to protect children, guarantee the right to education and ensure "decent work" within its borders, children are continuously being exploited.

It's a shame that Mali is reportedly Africa's third largest gold producer (after South Africa and Ghana), yet the government is unable and/or unwilling to make education accessible and available to its children. This is typical in a continent where corruption is endemic and plays a major role in widespread poverty and desperation that has forced families to victimize children under hazardous conditions in the name of supplementing family income.

It remains to be seen whether someone with the power to change things in Mali would read Human Rights Watch's recently published report titled, "A Poisonous Mix: Child Labor, Mercury and Artisanal Gold Mining in Mali" (in pdf) and take action to restore the childhood and rights of Mali's exploited children. The report contains maps, disturbing pictures and recommendations which the government of Mali ought to take seriously.

According to Human Rights Watch, between 20,000 to 40,000 children work in Mali's artisanal gold mines. Many start working at about six years old.

Human Rights Watch acknowledges (page 6 of the report) that the government of Mali has taken some important steps to protect children's rights. However, a lot more needs to be done. A viable economy cannot be built on the backs of children.

*Photo: nationsonline.org.

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Shell destroys livelihood and environment in Niger Delta, Nigeria

"I don't think anything will grow there in the next 20 years. Nothing planted will grow. The land is wasted. Oil kills everything."

[A resident in Bodo, Ogoniland, Niger Delter, told Amnesty International, May 2011].

On 20 April 2010, what became widely known as the "BP oil spill" took the world by storm. It all started when the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded, killing 11 people in what has been termed the "largest oil spill in US history." The role of the media, pressure from environmentalists and bold action by the Obama administration culminated in BP, the oil company involved, setting aside a huge sum of money - $20 billion - to compensate victims. One year after the disaster, BP had spent more than $13 billion on clean-up their mess. [Source]. Elsewhere, in a "forgotten" part of the world, thousands of people and businesses affected by oil spills are not that "lucky" to have wide media coverage of their plight and a government that protects them. In the Niger Delta, an oil-rich region in Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell, is getting away with oil spills that have reportedly harmed thousands of people and destroyed their livelihoods.

According to a report (in PDF format) by Amnesty International, there have been two "major" oil spills that have disrupted the lives of 69,000 people in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Three years after the spills, Shell has failed to clean up the mess and compensate the victims. This is a far-cry from the situation in the Gulf of Mexico where BP was forced to setup a compensation fund and clean-up within months.

Amnesty International USA reports that the lives of thousands of poor Nigerians, including farmers, fishermen and people who trade fish, have been "directly affected" by the oil spills of August and December 2008. Oil pollution poses a health risk in the region.

Shell's failure to clean up the oil spill violates international standards, Nigerian law and the right to health and safety of thousands of Nigerians affected by the oil spill.

Shell has violated its corporate social responsibility in the Niger Delter. In the words of Amnesty International USA, the company should own up and pay up to clean up the Niger Delta.

The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan should emulate the bold and swift action taken by the Obama administration against BP, and restore the rights and livelihood of Nigerians in the affected region.

According to Amnesty International USA, "significant responsibility for the ongoing human rights abuses in the Niger Delta rests with the government of Nigeria" and "substantial responsibility also rests with Shell."

African leaders should do more to protect their people from violations perpetrated by big oil and mining corporations.

You are encouraged to take action to help restore the economic, social and cultural rights of victims of Shell oil spills in Nigeria. Tell Shell to "own up, pay up and clean up their mess." Sign a petition by Amnesty International USA addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Dutch Shell.

Side note: The next time you stop at a Shell gas/petrol station to buy fuel or lubricants for your car, remember that the company has contributed enormously to environmental damage and human suffering in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, and is reluctant to clean up and compensate victims. If you care about human rights and the environment, and dedicate time to read more about Shell and its operations in the Niger Delta, precisely in Ogoniland, you'd be so outraged that you'd reconsider fueling your car at Shell.

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Cameroon: Government failing Barri school children

The government of Cameroon has a legal obligation to ensure that children within its borders have quality education. Despite this obligation, the government is failing children in Government School Barri.

Government School Barri is a primary school located in North West Cameroon, precisely in Menchum valley, Menchum Division.

The poor quality education received by children in Government School Barri is better explained in pictures obtained thanks to Civitas.

It is worthy to note that Government School Barri is not the only government-run school in Cameroon that is in desperate need of a makeover. 

Government School Kitiwum, for example, is also a case in point.

Hats off to struggling parents and teachers, many of whom live far below the poverty line, who have stepped up to the plate to better conditions for children in Government schools.

Civitas is working in Cameroon to ensure that all person enjoy all rights laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), including the right to quality education. 

Join Civitas on Facebook and Twitter and help make respect for basic rights a reality in Cameroon.

"It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all."

- Nelson Mandela.

Photos: Civitas.

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Abuse in fruit farms in South Africa

Farmers who make significant contributions to the production of South Africa's fruits and wine reportedly face abuse in the Western Cape province, where they are denied fundamental rights, including the right to adequate housing, safety and health. They lack basic necessities like toilets and drinking water.

Human Rights Watch reports that there are attempts to stop farm workers in the Western Cape from forming Unions. [Source]. This is in violation of workers' right to organize, provided in the Constitution on South Africa and international conventions such as the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention that was ratified by South Africa in February 1996.

According to Human Rights Watch, farm workers in the Western Cape work under dangerous occupational safety and health conditions and the government has failed to protect them from exploitation and abuse, despite the fact that the country benefits enormously from fruit and wine industries - powered by the workers.

The following video by Human Rights Watch, shines light on the plight of farm workers in the Western Cape of South Africa.



South Africa is a respected member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency that promotes social justice and labour rights.

The government recognizes, at least on paper, the need to protect workers from poor working conditions, exploitation and other forms of abuse. Reports of widespread workers' abuse in modern-day South Africa damages the image of the "rainbow nation" abroad. The government should take steps to restore the dignity of farm workers in the Western Cape.

Human Rights Watch recently published a detailed report about untold violation of workers' rights in the Western Cape. The 96-page report, titled "Ripe with Abuse: Human Rights Conditions in South Africa's Fruit and Wine Industiries" (pdf format) includes photographs of some of the dilapidated structures where farm workers live.
Photo source: BBC.

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Cameroon: Child labour video series

Child labour is a key concept in international law but unfortunately, it has no clear definition. UNICEF defines it as work that exceeds "a minimum number of hours, depending on the age of a child and on the type of work" [Source]. The International Labour Organization (ILO), on its part, defines child labour as "work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development." [Source]. The organization states that work that does not affect children's health, personal development or interfere with their schooling should not be eliminated. This includes helping parents at home, assisting in the family business or working to earn pocket money.

Lack of clarity in the definition of child labour has given perpetrators of child labour and child exploitation freedom to interpret the concept to their advantage. Abusive parents and guardians argue that working long hours (under pressure and abusive conditions) in the family business is necessary for the child's personal development and helps the child to better appreciate what it means to be hardworking.

Some advocates for child labour have invoked poverty and economic hardship as justification of child labour - arguing that children must work hard in order to support struggling parents in developing countries.

Even more bizarrely, some have argued that "child labour" is a western concept that is not applicable in developing countries.

This mentality, together with the ambiguous definition of "child labour" explains why thousands of children suffer in developing countries. Many perpetrators of child labour and economic exploitation of society's most vulnerable mistakenly think that a viable economy could be built on the backs of children.

On 19 August 2011, I shared an article on Facebook condemning the economic exploitation of children in Bamenda, north west region of Cameroon. The article, which raises genuine concerns about the plight of children as young as 6 years old, was dismissed as "absurd" - an indication that even some educated Cameroonians of the "Facebook generation" still think that there is no problem when parents send out 6-year-olds to the streets to sell groundnut, sweets and biscuits - in the name of supporting the family business.

The following video series explains why child labour in Cameroon should be discouraged in its early stages before victims graduate into more severe and hazardous forms of child labour. It is the story of Etienne Babila, a child labourer rescued by the ILO from a cocoa farm in Cameroon.



PART II:



PART III:



Cameroon is party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 32 of the convention state that: "States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development."

The state has a duty to protect its children.

Photo: Civitas.

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Cameroon: The right to quality education denied?

The right to education is a basic right enshrined in key human rights instruments duly ratified by the Republic of Cameroon, but for many young people, mostly in remote areas in the central African country, the right to quality education is a myth.

A video posted on YouTube shines the spotlight on a broken educational system in Cameroon and puts into question the government's commitment to equip young Cameroonians with the tools needed to compete in a global world.



The sorry-state of the Government High School in the above video is shocking and the determination of the teachers and parents to provide better conditions for students in the school is commendable.

Education is a vehicle out of poverty. It is impossible to see how a country would develop and lift its people out of poverty without investing in quality education for children, both boys and girls.

The government of Cameroon has made commendable strides to promote education. There are many relatively good public schools in the country and outstanding private schools that provide top-notch education for young Cameroonians. Like a good number of Cameroonians, I was lucky to attend one of the best and well-equipped schools in Cameroon.

However, children in "forgotten" parts of Cameroon like Kitiwum seeking quality education are equally Cameroonians. Their right to quality education should be equally guaranteed without discrimination.

In January 2011, Cameroon ratified the African Youth Charter. Article 13(1) of the Charter clearly states that:

"Every young person shall have the right to education of good quality." 

The right to education is also expressly stated in Article 13 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) TO WHICH Cameroon is a party.

The state should fulfill its obligation under international law by providing quality education for all young people.

It is worthy to note that about 69 million school-aged children are not in school and 31 million of them are in sub-saharan Africa. [Source: UN Fact Sheet].

Photo of school bell. Source: CATTU.

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Hosni Mubarak in a Cage: A Symbolic day for Oppressors and the Oppressed

First Published in: Dunia Magazine

On 3 August 2011, Egyptians and the world watched in shock as Hosni Mubarak, the man who had ruled Egypt with an iron fist for almost 30 years, was wheeled into a Cairo, Egypt courtroom in a cage serving as a dock, to stand trial for crimes allegedly committed during his repressive reign. To most Egyptians and victims of oppression worldwide, this was a symbolic day; and one will remain edged in the minds of dictators and oppressors in Africa and the Middle East.

It is known that Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt for almost 30 years and was kicked out of office after the historic 18-day popular uprising that started when on 25 January 2011, Egyptians from all walks of life – Christians and Muslims, men, women and children – took to the streets of this beautiful and historic country, from Cairo to Alexandria, and other parts of the Land of the Pharaohs, demanding an end to ”emergency rule” and of 30 years of oppression. The 18 days, millions of protesters braved water cannons, tear gas and live bullets; hundreds lost their lives and thousands more sustained injuries from clashes with security agents, but these ultimately culminated in the ouster of Hosni Mubarak.

Grappling at Straws

In a desperate bid to stop the protests, Hosni Mubarak had dismissed his cabinet, appointed a Vice President and a new Prime Minister, and asked the Prime Minister to form a new government.

This was Mubarak’s idea of ”political reform”; dismissed by the people who recognized them to be the cosmetic changes they really were. It became clear Egyptians were not going to settle for anything order than an end to the almost three decades of Mubarak rule, a democratic Egypt and justice for victims of 30 years of repression.

Faced with mounting pressure and no signs of protesters throwing in the towel, Mubarak unexpectedly resigned on 11 February 2011. Mubarak’s resignation was, no doubt, historic, and welcomed by millions of Egyptians, but this did not get him off the hook.

Demonstrators continued to pressure the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, in charge of facilitating Egypt’s transition to democracy, to bring the former president to justice for crimes committed during his time in office.

The Wheels of Justice

In May 2011, Hosni Mubarak was charged for corruption and ordering the killings of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators during the mass protests that culminated in his ouster.

Despite these strides, many in Egypt and abroad remained skeptical and never thought the strongman would ever be brought to trial.

On 3 August, the world was overwhelmed and shocked as they watched Mubarak wheeled into court on a hospital bed to plead ”guilty” or ”not guilty” to the charges brought against him. On this day, Egyptians on social networking sites made no secret of their feelings.

On Twitter, an Egyptian woman wrote:

"I’m in shock. #Mubaraktrial started. #Mubarak & sons in courtroom, as well as ex-minister of interior.”

Another Egyptian tweeted:

”… #MubarakTrial officially started. And I might start crying any minute now. Long live #jan25.”

Many never thought this day would come.

Power by the People

Hosni Mubarak in the dock, after 30 years in the highest office in the land, is a grim reminder to dictators around the world that power comes from the people and those who abuse power will one day have their day in court. The brave people of Egypt have shown to the world especially those living in oppression that it is possible to peacefully demand the removal of oppressors and drag them to court for crimes committed while in office. Circumstances might be different in other countries, but there is one major similarity: the government’s power comes from the people.

Hosni Mubarak is innocent of all charges until proven guilty. If found guilty, the strongman could be slapped with the highest penalty in the land – death.

Regardless of the outcome of the Mubarak trial, 3 August 2011 has gone down in history as a fairly good day for the rule of law in Egypt. The image of ”almighty” Mubarak in a cage will forever revolutionalize the way Egyptians in power do business. Believe it or not.

A quick and fair trial of Mubarak and his cronies is what is needed to put Egypt on the path to peace and stability.

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Prospective protesters arrested in Cameroon

Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly remain illusive in Cameroon, central Africa, as security forces continue to enforce limitations on fundamental freedoms "enshrined in Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of the United Nations, and The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights...". It is not uncommon for authorities to ban peaceful assemblies and order the arrest and detention of demonstrators - in violation of the right to peaceful assembly and expression. This afternoon, I was once again disturbed by news of the arrest of prospective peaceful protesters in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon.

According to a local news outlet, The Post, security forces raided the office of Association Citoyenne de Défense des Intérêts Collectifs (Citizen's Association for the Defense of Collective Interests) - ACDIC - in Yaounde and arrested 39 activists. The activists were arrested while preparing for a peaceful protest against the government's agricultural policies. The protesters, mostly farmers, were demanding good farm-to-market roads and more support for agriculture. [Source: Reuters].

The demonstration planned for 31 May 2011 was reportedly banned by the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) for Mfoundi. It is worth recalling that the same authority barred an opposition party from participating in National Day celebrations in the nation's capital.

It is common knowledge that the right to free expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental rights which must be guaranteed in a free and democratic society. The Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon provides for these freedoms.

The Constitution clearly states in the Preamble that "... freedom of communication, of expression, of the press, of assembly, of association and of trade unionism, as well as the right to strike shall be guaranteed...". It also states that "the state shall guarantee all citizens of either sex the rights and freedoms set forth in the Preamble of the Constitution."

Although the arrested members of ACDIC have reportedly been released, such a violation of rights must be condemned. Arresting activists planning a peaceful protest to express their grievances is purely unconstitutional and contravenes the rule of law.

The state should uphold all principles laid down in the Constitution and respect its human rights obligations under international law.

Since pro-democracy demonstrations erupted in North Africa and the Middle East, the 28-year-old government of Cameroon has been on alert and has heavy-handedly dealt with prospects of an uprising. On 23 February 2011, riot police brutally cracked down on peaceful demonstrators in the country's economic capital. The government ordered the suspension of Twitter mobile in March.

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Ratko Mladic extradition sends message to international law skeptics

Two days ago, I explained why all Serbians should welcome the arrest of Ratko Mladic and support his extradition to face justice. On 31 May 2011, the infamous former General of the Bosnian Serb Army was extradited to The Hague for his role in the massacre of more than 8,000 Bosniaks during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. This extradition is "a milestone for international justice" and sends a message to international law skeptics.

It is no secret that the international justice system is regarded by many Africans as a tool designed to target African leaders. A growing number of international justice skeptics often argue that individuals charged for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other heinous crimes are predominantly Africans.

Former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor, is currently facing justice in The Hague before the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) for his role in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

The President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, is currently wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes committed in Darfur.

Six Kenyans, dubbed the "Ocampo Six" were indicted by the ICC for allegedly perpetuating violence against civilians during the 2007-2008 post-election violence that claimed more than 1,300 lives in Kenya.

The ICC has also issued arrest warrants for other Africans in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including Thomas Lubanga Dyilo and Bosco Ntaganda.

More recently, the Prosecutor of the ICC applied for three arrest warrants for Colonel Gaddafi, his brother-in-law and son for their role in widespread violence against pro-democracy demonstrators in Libya.

Many skeptics have wondered why there has never been a concerted effort to try George W. Bush for international crimes - even after the former president of the U.S. defiantly justified widespread torture and violation of international law.

It is true that the majority of individuals in trouble with international law are Africans. However, this does not mean the system is designed to target Africans. The arrest of Ratko Mladic in Serbia on 26 May 2011 and his swift extradition to The Hague less than a week later adds weight to this assertion. Mladic is clearly not African, but he shares one thing in common with many Africans held or wanted in The Hague: charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, complicity in genocide, unlawfully inflicting terror upon civilians, war crimes and other crimes that have shocked humanity.

For too long, international law skeptics in Africa have taken their eyes off the ball and focused on the assertion that international law targets the continent. This explains why many kick against the extradition of individuals wanted at The Hague.  As a result, impunity for heinous crimes in the continent is endemic. The high level of impunity is compounded by the fact that national justice systems are either unwilling or unable to try perpetrators of human rights abuses - which is exactly why international courts step in.

The extradition of Ratko Mladic, a powerful former General regarded as a war hero in Serbia, is testament to the fact that international justice is blind and does not target Africans.

It is worthy to mention that Ratko Mladic is not the only Serbian or European extradited to The Hague. Others who have been extradited before him include, General Radislav Krstic, Vujadin Popovic and Ljubisa Beara. [Source].

Mladic was arrested after 16 years on the run. No matter how long it takes, perpetrators of grave crimes would eventually have their day in a national or international court of law.

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Belgium: Cameroon embassy and right to access information

The right to access information is a basic right enshrined in key international human rights instruments such as in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR). It's incumbent on states to ensure that this right is respected by state representatives and employees in public offices. An aborted phone call to the embassy of Cameroon in Brussels, Belgium this afternoon put into question the commitment of the embassy staff to uphold the right to access information.

At about 4PM (GMT+2), a call was made to the embassy of Cameroon to get information about the requirements for applying for a new passport and opening hours.

The call was answered by a gentleman who spoke only French due to inability or unwillingness to speak English. He routed the call to an angry lady who struggled to speak English. Instead of providing the needed information, she hastily referred the caller to the embassy's website. Speaking English seemed to be a burden for her and rendered her audibly nervous and unwilling to help. Then the unexpected happened - she hung up the phone.

Undeterred and shocked by the unwelcoming reaction of someone representing his country abroad, the caller called back. This time, the same gentleman who routed the first call reluctantly provided the requested information in French - ignoring the possibility that the English-speaking caller does not understand French.

I visited the referred website and noted that most pages on the English section of the site are "...still under construction... soon available."

According to the website, the embassy opens from Monday to Friday from 09h30 to 16h00. This conflicts with information provided by the staff today: passport applicants must be at the embassy before midday and are not welcomed on Fridays.

The embassy's website, as of the time of writing, was last updated more than 2 years ago on 29 April 2009 and looks inactive, hence the caller had reason to believe that perhaps something has changed after all these years. The French section of the site was last updated on 25 July 2009.

Cameroon is a bilingual country and all its citizens have the right to access information in the language they fully understand. The Constitution of the Republic provides that all official communications or documents be made available in both French and English, but Cameroon's embassy in Belgium, like many other state offices, is yet to make information on its website available in both languages.

There's a need to educate individuals who represent Cameroon in embassies abroad and to ensure that persons working in public offices understand that their job is to serve the people and should not interfere with the people's right to access information. Embassy staff should be polite and be able to communicate in both official languages of the country they represent so that a group of nationals is not alienated.

More importantly, the website of the Cameroon embassy in Belgium is in desperate need of a make-over. The authorities should take advantage of the advent of new technologies and make information available online.

An unprofessional embassy staff and a website - www.cameroon.be - whose English section is perpetually under construction damages the reputation of Cameroon abroad and sends a wrong message to millions of English-speaking Cameroonians.

On a side note: Finland is a small country in Northern Europe which has two official languages - Finnish (Suomi) and Swedish (Svenska). The websites of Finland's embassies in Washington and Abuja for instance, carry both official languages and I bet embassy staff would aptly and happily communicate in both languages. This is a good example for bilingual countries to emulate.

UPDATE, 21.11.2011: The website of the embassy has been updated, predominantly with news about the 2011 presidential election. The site still lacks useful information such as passport application fees, visa fees and application forms.

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Cameroon: Opposition party barred from 2011 National Day celebration

May 20 is officially the National Day of the Republic of Cameroon, central Africa. This day is usually marked by nation wide celebrations, including march-pasts by members of the armed forces, civil society, political parties, students and other authorized groups. In the nation's capital, Yaounde, the march-past is usually chaired by the Head of State. This year, an opposition party was barred by the authorities from participating in the National Day march-past in Yaounde.

The Cameroon People's Party (CPP) was barred by the Senior Divisional Officer for Mfoundi Division from participating in yesterday's march-past in the May 20 boulevard in Yaounde. [Source]. According to the chairperson of the National Council of the CPP, the party, as required by law, deposited a written declaration to participate in the march-past with the authorities well ahead of time, but when party supporters show up for the march-past rehearsal on 18 May - two days before the ceremony - they were told they are not authorized to participate in the march-past.

The CPP was reportedly barred from the 39th National Day celebration because the a party declared its intention to participate after the 29 April 2011 deadline. The Chairperson of the CPP refutes this assertion - saying the  declaration was deposited before the deadline. [Source: In French].

The CPP marched in other parts of Cameroon, including Buea and Kumba in the South West region.

However, barring a political party from participating in National Day celebrations in the nation's capital goes contrary to basic principles of democracy and "multipartism." Such a decision by the Senior Divisional Officer of Mfoundi is unnecessary in a democratic society and infringes the right to free assembly and expression - the bedrock of free and democratic states.

Like members of all political parties in Cameroon, militants of the CPP reserve the right to participate in National Day celebrations all over the country without restriction. This right should not be arbitrarily denied.

Cameroon's presidential election is slated later this year in October. The barring of an opposition party from participating in the National Day celebration sends a wrong message and coincides with a recent call for free and fair election in Cameroon from the U.S. Secretary State, Hillary Clinton.

It's worth recalling that the Chairperson of the CPP was a victim of the February brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in Cameroon's second city.

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Committee to Protect Journalists urges Cameroon to carry out reform

One year after the death of Germain Ngota Ngota (fondly known as Bibi Ngota), a Cameroonian journalist who died in prison in Yaounde, Cameroon's capital city, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged the 28-year old government of Cameroon to carry out reforms so that no other journalist would be imprisoned for doing his/her job.

In an open letter to Paul Biya, President of Republic of Cameroon, CPJ recalled the death of Germain Ngota Ngota one year ago in the notorious Kondengui prison and blamed the regime for the death of the journalist. CPJ urged the government to carry out reforms and ensure that press offenses such as defamation and libel are tried in civil, not criminal courts. The organization also took state officials and security agents to task for arbitrarily arresting journalists who criticize them.

CPJ reminded the Head of State that Cameroon is party to the International Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and that the state has failed to respect its obligations under the covenant.

Germain Ngota Ngota, now the face of press censorship in Cameroon, was arrested in February 2010 while investigating allegations of corruption and died in prison on 22 April 2010 while awaiting trial. Ngota suffered from high blood pressure and the authorities reportedly failed to provide him with adequate medical attention.

The plight of journalists in Cameroon and the dwindling right to free expression is there for everyone to see. There is an urgent need for reform so that journalists and those who speak out against corruption and other social ills are not arrested and imprisoned.

Earlier this month, a journalist was arrested in the north of Cameroon after questioning the authorities.

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Libya: Human rights photographer killed in the line of duty

Since pro-democracy protests erupted in Libya in February 2011, thousands of civilians have lost their lives and many more have fled their homes. Despite the loss of lives, suffering of innocent civilians and loud international and national calls for Colonel Gaddafi to step down, the strongman, in typical African leadership fashion, is showing no signs of ceding power or implementing democratic reforms. The consequences of Gaddafi's defiance and heavy-handed crackdown on calls for human rights and democracy in Libya are there for everyone to see. Earlier this week, the human rights community took a direct hit from the conflict when Misrata, a city in northwestern Libya, was shelled and a mortar claimed the life of award-winning photographer and film-maker - Tim Hetherington.

40-year-old Tim was killed on 20 April 2011 in Misrata while documenting the conflict.

According to a tribute to Tim Hetherington by Human Rights Watch, the British photographer and film-maker closely collaborated with the organization and covered many human rights stories, including violations in Afghanistan, Liberia and Libya. Tim Hetherington also documented atrocities in Sudan (Darfur), Chad and Sri Lanka.

Human Rights Watch acknowledges that the death of Tim Hetherington is a "devastating loss to the human rights community."

There's no denying that Tim Hetherington was killed in the line of duty - documenting human suffering in Libya as a result of Gaddafi's quest to cling to power after 42-years in office.

On 26 February 2011, the United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court. The passing of Tim Hetherington and many other unarmed civilians in Libya reiterates the urgent need for the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to speed up investigations of war crimes in Libya and bring perpetrators to justice.

Thanks to brave people like Tim Hetherington, atrocities in Libya and other parts of the world have been well-documented.

A day before he was killed in Misrata, he wrote on his Twitter page: "In besieged Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO."

Tim was killed in the line of duty with another photojournalist - Chris Hondros.

The international community as a whole, under the leadership of the United Nations and NATO, should step up the pressure and do more to protect civilians on the ground.

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Cameroonian nominated for 2011 Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk

Every year, Front Line, an organization that protects human rights defenders around the world, grants an award to one human rights defender who fights for human rights - usually at great personal risk in his/her country. This year, a Cameroonian has been nominated for the award, alongside five other human rights defenders from other countries with poor human rights records. The nomination of Jean Marc Bikoko, a Cameroonian trade unionist and human rights activist, for the 2011 Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk once again shines the spotlight on Cameroon's human rights record and speaks volumes about the dangers faced by human rights defenders in the central African country.

According to Front Line, Jean Marc Bikoko, President of Centrale Syndicale du Secteur Public (CSP), works to safeguard the rights of employees in the public sector in Cameroon. He was arrested in November 2010 together with 6 other trade unionists for participating a peaceful sit-in in front of the Prime Minister's office in Yaounde, Cameroon's main city. The peaceful demonstration was organized by CSP and the organization sought authorization to peacefully assemble and express their grievances, but authorization was denied.

On the day of the sit-in, the trade unionists were rounded up by security forces, interrogated and prosecuted on charges of participating in a banned peaceful demonstration.

The right to peaceful assembly and free expression is enshrined in key human rights instruments that have been duly ratified by the government of Cameroon, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Cameroon's membership to the International Labour Organization (ILO) is even more relevant in this case since it concerns the rights of trade unionists and workers.

Cameroon is party to the ILO's Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention (ratified on 7 June 1960), the Workers' Representatives Convention (ratified on 5 April 1976) and other significant international labour standards that promote the rights of workers and trade union members.

Article 1 of the Workers' Representatives Convention states that "workers' representatives shall enjoy effective protection against any acts prejudicial to them..."

Mindful of the government's legal obligation under international law - it goes without saying that the arrest of Jean Marc Bikoko, a workers' representative as defined by Article 3 of the 1971 Workers' Representatives Convention, for organizing and participating in a peaceful demonstration to demand the rights of public sector employees contravenes international human rights and international labour rights standards.

More so, the banning of a peaceful sit-in by the authorities amounts to an interference to restrict the right to peaceful assembly and expression.

It has been said that Cameroon has an "unenviable" human rights record, hence the nomination of a Cameroonian for the 2011 Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk adds weight to the assertion and goes to show the dangers faced by human rights defenders and those who dare to speak out against basic rights violations in the African country.

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Atrocities by troops loyal to President Ouattara of Ivory Coast

It is no secret that on 11 April 2011, after a power struggle that lasted four months, Laurent Gbagbo, former President of Ivory Coast, was finally kicked out of office and arrested by troops loyal to his rival - President Allasane Ouattara. The president's troops reportedly committed atrocities against pro-Gbagbo civilians during the campaign to oust Gbagbo.

Since violence broke out following the disputed November 2010 presidential elections, hundreds of civilians lost their lives and thousands fled their homes. Troops loyal to the deposed President Laurent Gbagbo were particularly under the microscope and accused of committing crimes against humanity.

With all eyes on Laurent Gbagbo and his men, troops loyal to Allasane Outtara were given a blank check and committed widespread atrocities during the march to force Gbagbo to cede power. Now that Gbagbo is out of office and under house arrest, serious allegations of horrendous crimes and atrocities committed by troops loyal to President Ouattara have surfaced.

Human Rights Watch sent an email to it's supporters on Friday 14 April 2011 - shining light on crimes committed by Ouattara's forces. These crimes include systematic rape, summary executions, killings along ethnic lines, and burning of villages. According to Human Rights Watch, Ouattara's forces massacred more than 100 people in Bloléquin, including babies, women and those "too old or feeble to flee". The town of Duékoué and other western towns were also devastated by Ouattara's forces and hundreds of Gbagbo supporters were brutally killed. 

Crimes against civilians by armed militia men violate international humanitarian law and must not go unpunished. President Allasane Ouattara should investigate and prosecute those responsible for grave crimes committed during the power struggle. 

Investigating only pro-Gbagbo forces will send a wrong message and jeopardize reconciliation efforts in Ivory Coast.

Human Rights Watch interviewed many victims of violence and published a detailed news release on 9 April 2011 urging President Ouattara and his new government to investigate and prosecute perpetrators from both sides of the conflict.

On a side note: During the conflict in Ivory Coast, there was a poll on this blog and readers were asked whether the United Nations should intervene militarily to protect civilians in the west African country. Only 18 people participated in the poll - with 14 (77 percent) in favor of military intervention, 3 (16 percent) against and 1 (5 percent) unsure. I appreciate all those who participated in the poll.

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Maikel Nabil Sanad: Blogger imprisoned by Egyptian army

After the fall of Hosni Mubarak on 11 February 2011, I thought oppression and violation of fundamental rights and freedoms in Egypt - as seen under the Mubarak regime - will be a thing of the past, but since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces was empowered to oversee a smooth transition to democracy in Egypt, Egyptians have continued to suffer repression and widespread violation of basic rights. In March, reports of women subjected to forced virginity tests by military personnel shocked rights advocates around the world; last week, two protesters were reportedly killed when the army stormed Tahrir Square to silence protesters calling for a speedy trial of Hosni Mubarak and his cronies on corruption charges. Today, Twitter has been buzzing with disturbing news of the imprisonment of a 25-year old Egyptian blogger, Maikel Nabil Sanad - for being critical of the military in a blog post - and many Egyptians on Twitter have made no secret of their outrage.

Maikel Nabil Sanad was arrested on 28 March 2011, tried in a military court and on 10 April 2011, he was declared guilty for insulting the military and sentenced to 3 years in prison in violation of his right to hold and express opinions without state interference.

On 5 April 2011, Human Rights Watch condemned the arrest and trial of Maikel Nabil Sanad, a civilian, in a military court and urged the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to drop charges against the blogger.

News of the arrest of a blogger for being critical of the military is disturbing and of course - frightening. Free people around the world must unequivocally condemn the arrest and imprisonment of Maikel Nabil for "insulting the military" in a blog post.

The imprisonment of a blogger in any part of the world - for expressing opinions on his blog - poses a threat to free expression and internet freedom everywhere.

Egypt is party to international human rights standards that expressly oblige the state to respect the right to hold and express opinions. This right is clearly stated in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and other significant human rights instruments. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces therefore has a legal obligation under international law to respect this right.



It is worth highlighting that the military court used evidence from Nabil's blog and Facebook page to convict him.

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