Latest news with #HRW
Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
UAE top court upholds life terms for 24 convicted in mass trial
The supreme court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sentenced 24 people to life in prison after upholding their convictions for "terrorist" links, which had been dismissed following a mass trial criticised by human rights groups. "The Criminal Chamber of the Federal Supreme Court ruled [on Thursday] to partially overturn the judgment issued by the State Security Chamber at the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal and to reconvict 24 defendants," the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Friday. The 24 were originally convicted in a mass trial of 84 people in July last year - most of whom, according to human rights groups, had already been imprisoned since a similar mass trial of 94 individuals in 2013. "Following yesterday's ruling... the total number of convicted individuals in this case has risen to 83 out of 84 referred to trial," WAM said. Sixty-seven of them have been sentenced to life imprisonment. "The court sentenced the defendants to life imprisonment for collaborating with the 'Terrorist Justice and Dignity Organisation', and providing funds to the Al-Islah," WAM added, referring to a group with ties to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the convictions were based on "a fundamentally unfair mass trial". 'The UAE's second-largest mass trial case has been justified under the guise of countering terrorism, but it's just part of the Emirati government's relentless efforts to prevent the re-emergence of any independent civil society in the country,' said Joey Shea, UAE researcher at HRW. 'Life in prison for nonviolent activism shows Abu Dhabi's utter contempt for both peaceful criticism and the rule of law.' 'UAE 94' The 2013 trial of the so-called "UAE 94", held at the peak of the Arab uprisings, was widely criticised by rights groups as grossly unfair. Lawyers, professors, activists and students who had petitioned the government for democratic reforms were tried for plotting to overthrow it. In March, the UAE rejected the appeals of 53 individuals who were convicted in the July 2024 trial. UAE 'retaliates' against jailed activist Ahmed Mansoor for exposing abuses Read More » The Abu Dhabi Federal Appeals Court overturned the convictions of the other 24 defendants, but the attorney general sought to reverse that decision, arguing it had been "legally flawed". Prominent activist Ahmed Mansoor and academic Nasser bin Ghaith were among those tried last July, HRW said. Bin Ghaith was sentenced to 10 years in 2017 over tweets criticising Egypt, a key ally of the Gulf state. Authorities said he had published 'photos and articles that are offensive to the state's symbols and values, its internal and foreign policies and its relations with an Arab state', understood to refer to Egypt. The UAE prohibits criticism of its rulers and any speech deemed likely to spark social unrest. Emirati courts have convicted dozens of citizens and Egyptian expats of forming clandestine cells, including al-Islah.
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
Ethiopia must stop 'harassing' striking health workers: HRW
ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopian authorities must "stop harassing" its health workers, who have been on strike for weeks demanding better wage conditions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday. Ethiopian authorities must "stop harassing" its health workers, who have been on strike for weeks demanding better wage conditions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday. Police said in May that they had arrested 47 health workers for taking part in the nationwide strike, which has halted non-emergency services at public hospitals and teaching institutions. An online healthcare workers' group told HRW that 148 healthcare workers had been arrested between early May and early June, though the figure could not be corroborated. "The Ethiopian authorities have resorted to repressive tactics instead of addressing healthcare workers' concerns about their livelihoods and safety," said Laetitia Bader, HRW's deputy Africa director, in a statement. "The government should immediately lift the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association and stop harassing healthcare workers," she added. The association was suspended earlier this month for supporting the strike and HRW says health professionals have been subjected to "threats and intimidation". A surgeon told HRW he earned just $80 a month despite being in the top tier for doctors' pay. "I cannot even change my shoes," he said. "I cannot even properly feed my child." Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in power since 2018, told a meeting of health workers this week that their demands were legitimate but that the movement had been "hijacked" by political interests. Ethiopia has Africa's second-largest population with an estimated 130 million people. A third live below the World Bank's poverty line of $2.15 per day. An online healthcare workers' group told HRW that 148 healthcare workers had been arrested between early May and early June, though the figure could not be corroborated. "The Ethiopian authorities have resorted to repressive tactics instead of addressing healthcare workers' concerns about their livelihoods and safety," said Laetitia Bader, HRW's deputy Africa director, in a statement. "The government should immediately lift the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association and stop harassing healthcare workers," she added. The association was suspended earlier this month for supporting the strike and HRW says health professionals have been subjected to "threats and intimidation". A surgeon told HRW he earned just $80 a month despite being in the top tier for doctors' pay. "I cannot even change my shoes," he said. "I cannot even properly feed my child." Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in power since 2018, told a meeting of health workers this week that their demands were legitimate but that the movement had been "hijacked" by political interests. Ethiopia has Africa's second-largest population with an estimated 130 million people. A third live below the World Bank's poverty line of $2.15 per day.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Ethiopia must stop ‘harassing' striking health workers: HRW
ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopian authorities must 'stop harassing' its health workers, who have been on strike for weeks demanding better wage conditions, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday. Police said in May that they had arrested 47 health workers for taking part in the nationwide strike, which has halted non-emergency services at public hospitals and teaching institutions. An online healthcare workers' group told HRW that 148 healthcare workers had been arrested between early May and early June, though the figure could not be corroborated. 'The Ethiopian authorities have resorted to repressive tactics instead of addressing healthcare workers' concerns about their livelihoods and safety,' said Laetitia Bader, HRW's deputy Africa director, in a statement. 'The government should immediately lift the suspension of the Ethiopian Health Professionals Association and stop harassing healthcare workers,' she added. The association was suspended earlier this month for supporting the strike and HRW says health professionals have been subjected to 'threats and intimidation'. A surgeon told HRW he earned just $80 a month despite being in the top tier for doctors' pay. 'I cannot even change my shoes,' he said. 'I cannot even properly feed my child.' Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in power since 2018, told a meeting of health workers this week that their demands were legitimate but that the movement had been 'hijacked' by political interests. Ethiopia has Africa's second-largest population with an estimated 130 million people. A third live below the World Bank's poverty line of $2.15 per day.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Mozambique: IS-linked group behind mass child kidnappings
AI- Generated Image The NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Tuesday released a report claiming that Islamic State-linked militants from the regional Islamist terror group al-Shabab have kidnapped at least 120 children in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province since the start of the year. HRW says al-Shabab, which is not tied to the Somali terror outfit of the same name, "has ramped up abductions of children" with most "being used for transporting looted goods, forced labour, forced marriages, and taking part in the fighting." "Al-Shabab needs to spare children from the conflict," said HRW's deputy director for Africa, adding, "Recruiting or using children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities is a war crime." Mozambique struggles to contain Islamist violence in north Since 2017, the oil-rich Cabo Delgado region has been plagued by jihadist violence that has killed at least 6,000 people, displaced some 1.4 million more and forced the suspension of a giant gas exploration project by TotalEnergies. Mozambique government forces have struggled to contain the violence, relying instead on support from troops from Rwanda, South Africa, and other regional partners. Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), visited the region this month, exclaiming, "Climate shocks, increasing violence and spiralling hunger are having a terrible impact on the population." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stoppa det här i skorna! Mina favoritbyxor var för stora redan efter 3 dagar (jag tappade hakan!) trendreporter24 Undo Egeland called the situation in northern Mozambique one of the world's neglected crises. The NRC says more than 5 million people in the region now face critical levels of hunger and more than 900,000 face emergency hunger conditions. Problems in Cabo Delgado have been overshadowed by protests following last year's presidential elections. The situation has further deteriorated after numerous tornadoes battered the area and US President Donald Trump cut off foreign aid.
The South African
3 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
Another African president seeks re-election after decades in office
On 24 June 2025, Uganda's National Resistance Movement (NRM) confirmed that President Yoweri Museveni will seek re-election in January 2026. Currently 80 years old, Museveni is Africa's fourth-longest-serving leader, having taken office on 29 January 1986. Furthermore, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi confirmed that Museveni will run for both president and party chair in 2026. Museveni became president in 1986 after a five-year guerrilla war against Milton Obote's government. Initially, many Ugandans and international observers praised Museveni for restoring stability and reviving the economy. This followed years of authoritarian rule under former Presidents Idi Amin (1971–1979) and Milton Obote (1966–1971; 1980–1985). He stayed in power by eliminating the presidential term limit in 2005 and the age limit in 2017. According to Museveni, 'Ideological clarity, not biological age, is what defines leadership.' Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, has announced his 2026 presidential candidacy against President Museveni. Wine, who lost in 2021, says there was a lot of fraud and voter suppression in the election. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains vocal against the government despite facing treason charges linked to a 2024 kidnapping. Moreover, human rights groups (Amnesty International, etc.) have spoken out against the arrest and harassment of opposition leaders, stating that it is making democracy less strong. On 16 June 2025, President Museveni signed the Uganda People's Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, which brought back military courts for civilians even though the Supreme Court ruled them illegal in January. On 23 June 2025, lawyer and rights activist Dr Dennis Daniel Ssemugenyi filed a petition with the Constitutional Court to challenge the constitutionality of the 2025 Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) Amendment Act. Furthermore, this has raised more concerns about the independence of the judiciary. Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Ugandan government in May 2025 of silencing dissent through random arrests and threats. Human rights groups (Freedom House, HRW, etc.) warn that Uganda is becoming more authoritarian under Museveni's 39 years in power, even though the country's infrastructure has improved. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
