By Aniedi Okure, Executive Director
This article was first published in our July-September Newsletter.
On September 12, 2012 Aniedi Okure made a presentation at International Religious Freedom Conference: An Imperative for Peace and the Common Good. The following is a summary of the conversation. Continue reading Religious Freedom: Reflections on Nigeria
A ransom demand for the release of three Assumptionist priests kidnapped last week, has been received by Mgr Melchisedec Sikuli Paluku, Bishop of Butembo -Benii in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Bishop Paluku said: “We received a phone call from a person claiming to belong to the group that kidnapped the three religious.” He said he was cautious about the authenticity of the call. “We are still waiting to find a reliable channel for dialogue with the kidnappers” he said. Continue reading DR Congo: Bishop receives ransom demand for three kidnapped priests
One of my heroes is Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Congolese doctor who repairs fistulas and is a ferocious advocate for women and for his country. I’ve suggested that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize—and I was horrified to learn that tonight four armed gunmen attacked him at his home, murdered his guard and shot at him. He seems to have narrowly escaped death. Continue reading An Attack on One of My Heroes, Dr. Denis Mukwege
DUBAI, 24 October 2012 ([IRIN) – Aid agencies, human rights organizations and local government officials are increasingly concerned about thousands of people who have fled violence in Syria only to end up stuck at border crossings waiting to enter countries to seek asylum. According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), local authorities in Turkey report that more than 10,000 Syrians are located at various points on the Syrian side of the border, many of them waiting to enter Turkey. Continue reading Analysis: Not-so-open borders for Syrian refugees?
WARRI/LAGOS, 10 October 2012 (IRIN) – Some 1.3 million Nigerians have been displaced and 431 have died in what the authorities say is the worst flooding in over 40 years, with 30 of the country’s 36 states affected since July, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Continue reading NIGERIA: Worst flooding in decades
For more than two years students at Foothill School of Arts and Science in Boise, Idaho have been learning about the connection between the minerals in some of their favorite technological gadgets and the conflict that has been going on in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impact it has on Congolese people and students in particular. Foothill School has a sister school in the DRC called Nkokwe primary school. The Foothill community worries about the safety of their friends at Nkokwe. Consequently, they have been advocating for peace in DRC by sending letters to the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice and to their representatives in Congress. Continue reading Congo Conflict Mineral Trade
The seven human rights defenders and community activists face charges of incitement to violence and disorderly conduct.
NAIROBI–Trumped-up charges against a group of human rights defenders in Kenya including Amnesty International staff and volunteers must be dropped, the organisation said ahead of a court appearance in Nairobi on Thursday. Amnesty International is also calling for an investigation into the ill-treatment of the activists at the hands of the police. Continue reading Kenya: Amnesty Urges Govt to Investigate Excessive use of Force and Drop Charges Against Human Rights Defenders
Thousands of protestors rally against increased cost of living.
Port-au-Prince was the scene of a massive march Sept. 30 against the administration of President Michel Martelly and the elevated cost of staple foods. The protest, organized by the Fanmi Lavalas party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide (1991, 1994-96, 2001-2004), also commemorated the first coup d’état against Aristide in 1991. Fourteen political opposition organizations backed the protest and accused the government of implementing “a demagogic policy against the people and against the country.” Continue reading Red card for Martelly
Paolo Moiola
For four decades, the CIMI, a Brazilian Catholic agency, has been encouraging autonomy and rights for indigenous peoples. Treaties, constitutions, and rules exist to defend them, but theory is far from reality. For indigenous tribes in Brazil as in other places, the land continues to be a harbinger of sadness, loss, and humiliation. Continue reading 40 years of dedication to indigenous cause
4 Sep 2012
“Government violence can only breed counter-violence. Ultimately, if there is no dawning of sanity on the part of the government, the dispute between the government and my people will be settled by force,” said Nelson Mandela. And his words still apply today. Continue reading Open Letter to COSATU
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