Friday, 28 June 2013
Les images de la visite de Barack Obama à Gorée
Thursday, 27 June 2013
Afrique : La visite du président Obama devrait mettre l’accent sur la liberté des médias
La protection des militants et les groupes indépendants est également essentielle pour faire avancer les droits
Peinture réalisée par l'artiste peintre Ouzin pour accueillir le président américain Barack Obama au Sénégal, à l'occasion de sa visite prévue le 26 juin 2013. Un message de bienvenue figure entre les portraits de Barack Obama et du président sénégalais Macky Sall.
© 2013 Reuters
Le président Obama devrait reconnaître publiquement le courage des journalistes africains et des militants qui disent la vérité face aux menaces et aux représailles, et appeler ses alliés africains à faire de même. Il devrait bien faire comprendre aux dirigeants africains que les médias et les groupes militants sont cruciaux pour le développement et à ce titre devraient être salués.
(Johannesburg, le 25 juin 2013) – Le président des États-Unis, Barack Obama, devrait profiter de sa visite au Sénégal, en Afrique du Sud et en Tanzanie, débutant le 26 juin 2013, pour exprimer son soutien aux médias qui sont harcelés et aux groupes indépendants sur tout le continent africain, a déclaré Human Rights Watch aujourd'hui.
Les médias indépendants et les organisations non gouvernementales d'une grande partie de l'Afrique sont de plus en plus menacés par les actions répressives des gouvernements, a déclaré Human Rights Watch. Dans son discours de 2009 à Accra, au Ghana, le président Obama avait évoqué l'importance de la société civile et du journalisme indépendant dans les sociétés démocratiques. Or, même si le Sénégal, l'Afrique du Sud et la Tanzanie autorisent dans l'ensemble les médias et les groupes non gouvernementaux à travailler librement, d'autres gouvernements africains leur imposent de dures restrictions.
« Le président Obama devrait reconnaître publiquement le courage des journalistes africains et des militants qui disent la vérité face aux menaces et aux représailles, et appeler ses alliés africains à faire de même », a déclaré Daniel Bekele, directeur de la division Afrique à Human Rights Watch. « Il devrait bien faire comprendre aux dirigeants africains que les médias et les groupes militants sont cruciaux pour le développement et à ce titre devraient être salués. »
Les médias indépendants sont de plus en plus menacés dans de nombreux pays africains, a déclaré Human Rights Watch. Dans la Corne de l'Afrique, ces dernières années, des dizaines de journalistes d'Éthiopie, d'Érythréeet de Somalie ont fui des attaques qui les prenaient pour cible et des poursuites judiciaires à motivation politique. Depuis 2011, l'Éthiopie a utilisé sa loi antiterroriste pour inculper au moins 11 journalistes.
Au Burundi, une nouvelle loi sur les médias entame largement la liberté d'expression. Elle fragilise la protection des sources, limite les thèmes sur lesquels les journalistes ont le droit de donner des informations, inflige des amendes pour toute infraction à la loi et établit des exigences universitaires et professionnelles pour être journaliste.
Au Soudan du Sud, les forces de sécurité ont arbitrairement arrêté et détenu des journalistes et des rédacteurs en chef pour le contenu de leurs publications. En Ouganda, la police a récemment ignoré un ordre de justice leur demandant de rouvrir des groupes médiatiques qui avaient été fermés de force pendant dix jours lors d'une fouille policière à motif politique. L'application partisane des lois et règlements sur les médias ougandais et les fermetures de stations de radio ont limité le débat indépendant à la veille des élections de 2011, surtout dans certaines régions rurales clés. Au Mali, depuis le coup d'État du 22 mars 2012, les tentatives de bloquer la diffusion d'informations ont augmenté d'intensité et semblent entrer dans le cadre d'une répression plus large du journalisme malien.
En Afrique du Sud, le projet de loi sur la Protection de l'informationd'État, surnommé « loi sur le secret », reste un sujet d'inquiétude majeur, étant donné ses dispositions qui restreignent la liberté d'expression et des médias ainsi que la responsabilité démocratique. Dès le tout début de l'introduction du projet de loi en mars 2010, et malgré de récents amendements, il est critiqué pour ses contradictions avec la constitution sud-africaine et avec les obligations internationales du pays en termes de droits humains.
Bien que la société civile soit dynamique et en pleine expansion dans certains pays africains, de nombreux gouvernements se montrent de plus en plus hostiles lorsqu'il s'agit de respecter la liberté d'expression, d'association ou de rassemblement pacifique. Les organisations non gouvernementales, les défenseurs des droits humains et les autres organisations de la société civile qui travaillent dans des atmosphères politiques aussi étouffantes qu'en Éthiopie, au Rwanda ou au Zimbabweprennent souvent d'énormes risques.
En Éthiopie, l'adoption de la Proclamation sur les organisations caritatives et les associations, ainsi que d'autres loisrépressives, a forcé les plus grands groupes de défense des droits humains à réduire considérablement leurs activités ou à retirer de leurs missions celles qui concernaient les droits humains. Certaines organisations ont tout bonnement fermé, tandis que plusieurs militants de premier plan, menacés, ont dû quitter le pays. Le gouvernement a gelé les biens des deux derniers groupes de défense des droits humains qui restaient dans le pays – le Conseil des droits de l'Homme et l'Association éthiopienne des femmes avocates, la plus importante organisation féministe d'Éthiopie.
Au Rwanda, l'hostilité du gouvernement envers les organisations de défense des droits, ainsi que les menaces et les actes d'intimidation à l'encontre des défenseurs des droits humains, ont beaucoup affaibli la société civile et ont fait en sorte que peu de groupes rwandais osent s'exprimer franchement en public. Les violations systématiques de la liberté d'expression restent un sujet d'inquiétude prépondérant dans le pays.
Au Zimbabwe, la police a mené une campagne de violencesà motif politique contre les militants et les organisations. Durant les six derniers mois, les policiers ont également fait des descentes ou ouvert des enquêtes sur un certain nombre d'organisations très estimées, comme le Projet pour la Paix au Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe Peace Project) ou la Coalition « Crise au Zimbabwe ».
Le président Obama devrait également tirer profit de sa visite au Sénégal pour souligner l'importance de la justice et de la responsabilité sur tout le continent, en insistant sur le tribunal spécial mis en place pour poursuivreHissène Habré pour les assassinats politiques et la torture systématique qui ont eu lieu lorsqu'il était président du Tchad. Son procès au Sénégal sera le premier, dans l'histoire contemporaine, où le tribunal d'un pays juge le dirigeant d'un autre pays pour des crimes graves qu'il aurait commis et en vertu du droit international.
Si ce procès est équitable, efficace et transparent, il contribuera à mettre fin aux cycles de violence et d'impunité qui ont gâché tant de vies en Afrique, a déclaré Human Rights Watch. Le tribunal spécial du procès Habré pourrait aussi constituer un précédent remarquable pour montrer comment les tribunaux africains peuvent contribuer à la bonne gouvernance et à l'État de droit.
Pendant qu'il est en Afrique du Sud, le président Obama devrait mettre l'accent sur les élections à venir au Zimbabwe, étant donné le rôle proéminent du président sud-africain, Jacob Zuma, au sein de la Communauté de développement d'Afrique australe (SADC).Ce groupe régional est chargé de superviser l'application de l'accord de partage du pouvoir entre l'Union nationale africaine du Zimbabwe-Front patriotique (ZANU-PF) et le Mouvement pour le changement démocratique (MDC). La visite de Barack Obama tombe à point nommé pour encourager la SADC à faire pression pour des réformes cruciales vers la démocratie et le respect des droits humains au Zimbabwe, qui n'ont toujours pas été accomplies, particulièrement à la lumière du récent décret du président Robert Mugabe qui fixe la date des élections au 31 juillet.
« Il faut bien entendu que la visite du président Obama mette en valeur les réalisations de l'Afrique, mais son voyage doit aussi avoir une portée plus large », a conclu Daniel Beneke. « Il devrait mettre l'accent sur le message suivant : promouvoir le respect des droits humains est vital pour le développement à long terme de l'Afrique. »
Africa: Obama Visit Should Stress Media Freedoms
Africa: Obama Visit Should Stress Media Freedoms
Protecting Activists, Independent Groups Also Key to Rights Gains
JUNE 25, 2013 Artist Ouzin finishes a painting welcoming US President Barack Obama ahead of his visit to Senegal on June 26, 2013. Photo taken June 24, 2013.
© 2013 Reuters
President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same. He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced.
Daniel Bekele, Africa DirectorUnited States president Barack Obama should use his visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, beginning June 26, 2013, to support besieged media outlets and independent groups across the African continent, Human Rights Watch said today.
Independent media and nongovernmental organizations in much of Africa are increasingly under threat from government crackdowns, Human Rights Watch said. In his 2009 speech in Accra, Ghana, President Obama spoke about the importance of civil society and independent journalism to democratic societies. While Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania generally allow media and nongovernmental groups to operate freely, other African governments severely limit them.
"President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced."
Independent media have come under increasing threat in many Africa countries, Human Rights Watch said. In the Horn of Africa in recent years, dozens of journalists in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have fled targeted attacks and politically motivated prosecution. Since 2011, Ethiopia has used its counterterrorism law to prosecute at least 11 journalists.
A new media law in Burundi dramatically erodes freedom of expression. It undermines protection of sources, limits subjects on which journalists may report, imposes fines for any violations of the law, and sets education and professional requirements for journalists.
In South Sudan, security forces have arbitrarily arrested and detained journalists and editors over the content of their reporting. In Uganda, police recently ignored a court order to reopen media organizations that had been forcibly shut down for 10 days during a politically motivated police search.Partisan application of Uganda's media and regulatory laws and closures of radio stations curtailed independent debate leading up to the 2011 elections, particularly in crucial rural areas. Since the March 22, 2012 coup in Mali, attempts to suppress the release of information have intensified, and appear to form part of a wider crackdown on Malian journalism.
In South Africa, the Protection of State Information Bill, known as the "secrecy bill," remains a major concern in light of its restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, and democratic accountability. Ever since the bill was introduced in March 2010, and despite recent amendments, it has been criticized as inconsistent with South Africa's constitution and the country's international human rights obligations.
Although civil society is vibrant and growing in some African countries, many governments are increasingly hostile when it comes to respecting rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Nongovernmental organizations, human rights defenders, and other civil society organizations operating in highly limiting political environments such as in Ethiopia, Rwanda, andZimbabwe, often face serious security risks.
In Ethiopia, passage of the Charities and Societies Proclamation and other oppressive laws have compelled the country's most important human rights groups to substantially scale down operations, or remove human rights activities from their mandates. Some organizations have closed entirely, while several prominent rights activists have fled the country due to threats. The government has frozen the assets of the last two remaining human rights groups – the Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, the leading women's rights organization in Ethiopia.
The Rwandan government's hostility towards human rights organizations, as well as threats and intimidation of human rights defenders, have greatly weakened civil society and ensured that few Rwandan groups feel comfortable speaking out publicly. Systematic violations of freedom of expression remain a dominant concern in the country.
In Zimbabwe, the police have carried out a campaign of politically motivated abuses against activists and organizations. In the past six months, police also carried out raids or opened investigations into a number of well-regarded organizations, including the Zimbabwe Peace Project and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
Obama should also use his visit to Senegal to underscore the importance of justice and accountability across the continent, by focusing on the court established to prosecute Hissène Habré for political killings and systematic torture during his presidency of Chad. His trial in Senegal will be the first in modern history in which the courts of one country try the leader of another for alleged grave crimes under international law.
If the trial is fair, effective, and transparent, it will contribute to ending the cycles of abuse and impunity that have marred so many African lives, Human Rights Watch said. The Habré court could also set a remarkable precedent in showing how African courts can contribute to good governance and the rule of law.
While in South Africa, Obama should focus on the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, given the leadership role of the South African president, Jacob Zuma, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The regional group is charged with overseeing implementation of the power-sharing agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Obama's visit is well timed to encourage SADC to press for vital democratic and human rights reforms in Zimbabwe that have not yet been achieved, particularly in light of President Robert Mugabe's recent decree setting July 31 as the election date.
"President Obama's visit should highlight Africa's accomplishments, but his trip needs to be about more than that," Bekele said. "He should stress the message that promoting respect for human rights is essential for Africa's long-term development."
Artist Ouzin finishes a painting welcoming US President Barack Obama ahead of his visit to Senegal on June 26, 2013. Photo taken June 24, 2013.
© 2013 Reuters
President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same. He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced.
United States president Barack Obama should use his visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, beginning June 26, 2013, to support besieged media outlets and independent groups across the African continent, Human Rights Watch said today.
Independent media and nongovernmental organizations in much of Africa are increasingly under threat from government crackdowns, Human Rights Watch said. In his 2009 speech in Accra, Ghana, President Obama spoke about the importance of civil society and independent journalism to democratic societies. While Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania generally allow media and nongovernmental groups to operate freely, other African governments severely limit them.
"President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced."
Independent media have come under increasing threat in many Africa countries, Human Rights Watch said. In the Horn of Africa in recent years, dozens of journalists in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have fled targeted attacks and politically motivated prosecution. Since 2011, Ethiopia has used its counterterrorism law to prosecute at least 11 journalists.
A new media law in Burundi dramatically erodes freedom of expression. It undermines protection of sources, limits subjects on which journalists may report, imposes fines for any violations of the law, and sets education and professional requirements for journalists.
In South Sudan, security forces have arbitrarily arrested and detained journalists and editors over the content of their reporting. In Uganda, police recently ignored a court order to reopen media organizations that had been forcibly shut down for 10 days during a politically motivated police search.Partisan application of Uganda's media and regulatory laws and closures of radio stations curtailed independent debate leading up to the 2011 elections, particularly in crucial rural areas. Since the March 22, 2012 coup in Mali, attempts to suppress the release of information have intensified, and appear to form part of a wider crackdown on Malian journalism.
In South Africa, the Protection of State Information Bill, known as the "secrecy bill," remains a major concern in light of its restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, and democratic accountability. Ever since the bill was introduced in March 2010, and despite recent amendments, it has been criticized as inconsistent with South Africa's constitution and the country's international human rights obligations.
Although civil society is vibrant and growing in some African countries, many governments are increasingly hostile when it comes to respecting rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Nongovernmental organizations, human rights defenders, and other civil society organizations operating in highly limiting political environments such as in Ethiopia, Rwanda, andZimbabwe, often face serious security risks.
In Ethiopia, passage of the Charities and Societies Proclamation and other oppressive laws have compelled the country's most important human rights groups to substantially scale down operations, or remove human rights activities from their mandates. Some organizations have closed entirely, while several prominent rights activists have fled the country due to threats. The government has frozen the assets of the last two remaining human rights groups – the Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, the leading women's rights organization in Ethiopia.
The Rwandan government's hostility towards human rights organizations, as well as threats and intimidation of human rights defenders, have greatly weakened civil society and ensured that few Rwandan groups feel comfortable speaking out publicly. Systematic violations of freedom of expression remain a dominant concern in the country.
In Zimbabwe, the police have carried out a campaign of politically motivated abuses against activists and organizations. In the past six months, police also carried out raids or opened investigations into a number of well-regarded organizations, including the Zimbabwe Peace Project and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
Obama should also use his visit to Senegal to underscore the importance of justice and accountability across the continent, by focusing on the court established to prosecute Hissène Habré for political killings and systematic torture during his presidency of Chad. His trial in Senegal will be the first in modern history in which the courts of one country try the leader of another for alleged grave crimes under international law.
If the trial is fair, effective, and transparent, it will contribute to ending the cycles of abuse and impunity that have marred so many African lives, Human Rights Watch said. The Habré court could also set a remarkable precedent in showing how African courts can contribute to good governance and the rule of law.
While in South Africa, Obama should focus on the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, given the leadership role of the South African president, Jacob Zuma, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The regional group is charged with overseeing implementation of the power-sharing agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Obama's visit is well timed to encourage SADC to press for vital democratic and human rights reforms in Zimbabwe that have not yet been achieved, particularly in light of President Robert Mugabe's recent decree setting July 31 as the election date.
"President Obama's visit should highlight Africa's accomplishments, but his trip needs to be about more than that," Bekele said. "He should stress the message that promoting respect for human rights is essential for Africa's long-term development."
Africa: Obama Visit Should Stress Media Freedoms
Africa: Obama Visit Should Stress Media Freedoms
Protecting Activists, Independent Groups Also Key to Rights Gains
JUNE 25, 2013 Artist Ouzin finishes a painting welcoming US President Barack Obama ahead of his visit to Senegal on June 26, 2013. Photo taken June 24, 2013.
© 2013 Reuters
President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same. He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced.
Daniel Bekele, Africa DirectorUnited States president Barack Obama should use his visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, beginning June 26, 2013, to support besieged media outlets and independent groups across the African continent, Human Rights Watch said today.
Independent media and nongovernmental organizations in much of Africa are increasingly under threat from government crackdowns, Human Rights Watch said. In his 2009 speech in Accra, Ghana, President Obama spoke about the importance of civil society and independent journalism to democratic societies. While Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania generally allow media and nongovernmental groups to operate freely, other African governments severely limit them.
"President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced."
Independent media have come under increasing threat in many Africa countries, Human Rights Watch said. In the Horn of Africa in recent years, dozens of journalists in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have fled targeted attacks and politically motivated prosecution. Since 2011, Ethiopia has used its counterterrorism law to prosecute at least 11 journalists.
A new media law in Burundi dramatically erodes freedom of expression. It undermines protection of sources, limits subjects on which journalists may report, imposes fines for any violations of the law, and sets education and professional requirements for journalists.
In South Sudan, security forces have arbitrarily arrested and detained journalists and editors over the content of their reporting. In Uganda, police recently ignored a court order to reopen media organizations that had been forcibly shut down for 10 days during a politically motivated police search.Partisan application of Uganda's media and regulatory laws and closures of radio stations curtailed independent debate leading up to the 2011 elections, particularly in crucial rural areas. Since the March 22, 2012 coup in Mali, attempts to suppress the release of information have intensified, and appear to form part of a wider crackdown on Malian journalism.
In South Africa, the Protection of State Information Bill, known as the "secrecy bill," remains a major concern in light of its restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, and democratic accountability. Ever since the bill was introduced in March 2010, and despite recent amendments, it has been criticized as inconsistent with South Africa's constitution and the country's international human rights obligations.
Although civil society is vibrant and growing in some African countries, many governments are increasingly hostile when it comes to respecting rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Nongovernmental organizations, human rights defenders, and other civil society organizations operating in highly limiting political environments such as in Ethiopia, Rwanda, andZimbabwe, often face serious security risks.
In Ethiopia, passage of the Charities and Societies Proclamation and other oppressive laws have compelled the country's most important human rights groups to substantially scale down operations, or remove human rights activities from their mandates. Some organizations have closed entirely, while several prominent rights activists have fled the country due to threats. The government has frozen the assets of the last two remaining human rights groups – the Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, the leading women's rights organization in Ethiopia.
The Rwandan government's hostility towards human rights organizations, as well as threats and intimidation of human rights defenders, have greatly weakened civil society and ensured that few Rwandan groups feel comfortable speaking out publicly. Systematic violations of freedom of expression remain a dominant concern in the country.
In Zimbabwe, the police have carried out a campaign of politically motivated abuses against activists and organizations. In the past six months, police also carried out raids or opened investigations into a number of well-regarded organizations, including the Zimbabwe Peace Project and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
Obama should also use his visit to Senegal to underscore the importance of justice and accountability across the continent, by focusing on the court established to prosecute Hissène Habré for political killings and systematic torture during his presidency of Chad. His trial in Senegal will be the first in modern history in which the courts of one country try the leader of another for alleged grave crimes under international law.
If the trial is fair, effective, and transparent, it will contribute to ending the cycles of abuse and impunity that have marred so many African lives, Human Rights Watch said. The Habré court could also set a remarkable precedent in showing how African courts can contribute to good governance and the rule of law.
While in South Africa, Obama should focus on the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, given the leadership role of the South African president, Jacob Zuma, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The regional group is charged with overseeing implementation of the power-sharing agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Obama's visit is well timed to encourage SADC to press for vital democratic and human rights reforms in Zimbabwe that have not yet been achieved, particularly in light of President Robert Mugabe's recent decree setting July 31 as the election date.
"President Obama's visit should highlight Africa's accomplishments, but his trip needs to be about more than that," Bekele said. "He should stress the message that promoting respect for human rights is essential for Africa's long-term development."
Artist Ouzin finishes a painting welcoming US President Barack Obama ahead of his visit to Senegal on June 26, 2013. Photo taken June 24, 2013.
© 2013 Reuters
President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same. He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced.
United States president Barack Obama should use his visit to Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania, beginning June 26, 2013, to support besieged media outlets and independent groups across the African continent, Human Rights Watch said today.
Independent media and nongovernmental organizations in much of Africa are increasingly under threat from government crackdowns, Human Rights Watch said. In his 2009 speech in Accra, Ghana, President Obama spoke about the importance of civil society and independent journalism to democratic societies. While Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania generally allow media and nongovernmental groups to operate freely, other African governments severely limit them.
"President Obama should recognize the courage of African journalists and activists who speak the truth in the face of threats and reprisals, and call on his African allies to do the same," said Daniel Bekele, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "He should make clear to African leaders that the media and activist groups are critical for development, and should be embraced."
Independent media have come under increasing threat in many Africa countries, Human Rights Watch said. In the Horn of Africa in recent years, dozens of journalists in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have fled targeted attacks and politically motivated prosecution. Since 2011, Ethiopia has used its counterterrorism law to prosecute at least 11 journalists.
A new media law in Burundi dramatically erodes freedom of expression. It undermines protection of sources, limits subjects on which journalists may report, imposes fines for any violations of the law, and sets education and professional requirements for journalists.
In South Sudan, security forces have arbitrarily arrested and detained journalists and editors over the content of their reporting. In Uganda, police recently ignored a court order to reopen media organizations that had been forcibly shut down for 10 days during a politically motivated police search.Partisan application of Uganda's media and regulatory laws and closures of radio stations curtailed independent debate leading up to the 2011 elections, particularly in crucial rural areas. Since the March 22, 2012 coup in Mali, attempts to suppress the release of information have intensified, and appear to form part of a wider crackdown on Malian journalism.
In South Africa, the Protection of State Information Bill, known as the "secrecy bill," remains a major concern in light of its restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, and democratic accountability. Ever since the bill was introduced in March 2010, and despite recent amendments, it has been criticized as inconsistent with South Africa's constitution and the country's international human rights obligations.
Although civil society is vibrant and growing in some African countries, many governments are increasingly hostile when it comes to respecting rights to free expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Nongovernmental organizations, human rights defenders, and other civil society organizations operating in highly limiting political environments such as in Ethiopia, Rwanda, andZimbabwe, often face serious security risks.
In Ethiopia, passage of the Charities and Societies Proclamation and other oppressive laws have compelled the country's most important human rights groups to substantially scale down operations, or remove human rights activities from their mandates. Some organizations have closed entirely, while several prominent rights activists have fled the country due to threats. The government has frozen the assets of the last two remaining human rights groups – the Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, the leading women's rights organization in Ethiopia.
The Rwandan government's hostility towards human rights organizations, as well as threats and intimidation of human rights defenders, have greatly weakened civil society and ensured that few Rwandan groups feel comfortable speaking out publicly. Systematic violations of freedom of expression remain a dominant concern in the country.
In Zimbabwe, the police have carried out a campaign of politically motivated abuses against activists and organizations. In the past six months, police also carried out raids or opened investigations into a number of well-regarded organizations, including the Zimbabwe Peace Project and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.
Obama should also use his visit to Senegal to underscore the importance of justice and accountability across the continent, by focusing on the court established to prosecute Hissène Habré for political killings and systematic torture during his presidency of Chad. His trial in Senegal will be the first in modern history in which the courts of one country try the leader of another for alleged grave crimes under international law.
If the trial is fair, effective, and transparent, it will contribute to ending the cycles of abuse and impunity that have marred so many African lives, Human Rights Watch said. The Habré court could also set a remarkable precedent in showing how African courts can contribute to good governance and the rule of law.
While in South Africa, Obama should focus on the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, given the leadership role of the South African president, Jacob Zuma, at the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The regional group is charged with overseeing implementation of the power-sharing agreement between the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Obama's visit is well timed to encourage SADC to press for vital democratic and human rights reforms in Zimbabwe that have not yet been achieved, particularly in light of President Robert Mugabe's recent decree setting July 31 as the election date.
"President Obama's visit should highlight Africa's accomplishments, but his trip needs to be about more than that," Bekele said. "He should stress the message that promoting respect for human rights is essential for Africa's long-term development."
Les communautés du Nord-Kivu interpellent Kagame et Museveni
Les communautés du Nord-Kivu interpellent Kagame et Museveni
Les deux Présidents appelés à suivre le conseil du Tanzanien Jakaya Kikwete pour établir un dialogue avec leurs propres rébellions. Les représentants des communautés du Nord-Kivu à savoir les Hunde, Nande, Hutu et Tutsi vivant à Kinshasa ont envoyé une lettre ouverte à l'Onu, par le biais du secrétaire général Ban Ki-Moon sur la guerre au Nord-Kivu. Ils demandent à l'Onu de faire pression sur le Rwanda et l'Ouganda afin de les amener à suivre le conseil du Président tanzanien Jakaya Kikwete qui leur avait demandé de négocier aussi avec leurs rebelles des FDLR pour le Rwanda et des ADF/NALU et la LRA pour l'Ouganda de la même manière qu'on demande à Joseph Kabila de le faire avec les rebelles du M23.
Les communautés du Nord-Kivu soutiennent cette vision du Président tanzanien car elles savent que la paix dans les Grands lacs serait un leurre si le Rwanda et l'Ouganda n'ouvrent pas leur jeu politique en dialoguant avec leurs oppositions.Le Rwanda en premier pour qui les communautés du Nord-Kivu pensent que les FDLR étant son fonds de commerce de toujours, ouvrir un dialogue avec ces dernières serait un gage pour les voir retourner dans leur pays étant sûrs qu'ils ne seront pas arrêtés.
Ce serait une charge de moins pour la Rdc où les populations de l'est subissent chaque jour l'enfer leur imposé par les FDLR qui excellent dans des pires violations des droits de l'homme. Les FDLR pillent, violent, tiennent des femmes en esclavage sexuel, exploitent illégalement les ressources minérales du Nord-Kivu. A ce sujet ils sont épinglés dans le dernier rapport de l'organisation « Global Witness » dans le trafic d'or du Nord-Kivu. Les FDLR sont une charge négative pour la Rdc. Pas pour leur pays, le Rwanda pour lequel on n'a jamais entendu la moindre attaque des FDLR.
Celles-ci ne montrent leur capacité de nuisance qu'à l'est de la Rdc. Leur retour dans leur propre pays serait fêté par les Congolais qui pousseraient un » ouf » de soulagement. Mais Kagame ne veut rien entendre. Il a violemment réagi à la proposition du Président tanzanien qu'il a qualifiée par le biais de sa ministre des Affaires étrangères Louise Mushikiwabo d'aberration. Kagame avait piqué une de ses saintes colères au point qu'il a perdu le nord et exigé du Président tanzanien des excuses publiques pour ce qu'il considère comme une « hérésie « . Kikwete Kikaya.
Le Rwanda a failli entrer en guerre contre la Tanzanie uniquement du fait que son Président Jakaya Kikwete a conseillé un dialogue avec les FDLR. Côté ougandais, réaction plein de perfidie du Président Museveni qui a dit qu'on négocie avec ceux qui le demandent et on isole les autres. Langage à la fois flou et sibyllin qui rejette radicalement, sans le dire clairement la proposition de Jakaya Kikwete.
Malheureusement cette proposition n'a pas eu du répondant du côté de la Communauté internationale. Cette dernière n'a du reste jamais exigé aux deux pays le Rwanda et l'Ouganda de négocier avec leurs propres rébellions comme ils l'exigent à la Rdc dans une approche globale de la recherche de la paix au niveau de toute la région des grands lacs et non seulement en Rdc. Raison pour laquelle les communautés du Nord-Kivu ont saisi l'Onu pour qu'elle fasse pression sur les deux pays pour cet objectif.
Cette lettre ouverte a des chances de moisir dans le tiroir du bureau de verre de New York sans que personne ne songe à y donner suite. Comme on le sait la perception des acteurs internationaux dans la crise des grands lacs est aux antipodes des attentes des Congolais. Dans cette arène, Paul Kagame n'est pas du tout un dictateur. Mais c'est un démocrate. Pourtant, l'espace politique rwandais est le plus fermé qui soit.
AUCUNE SURFACE D'EXPRESSION
Les opposants n'ont aucune surface d'expression comme en Rdc où ils critiquent à longueur de journées le pouvoir de Kabila sans conséquences. Au Rwanda, les élections ne sont pas truquées. Loin de là. Tout est transparent. Mais avec un candidat unique comme aux années de plomb de Parti -Etat. Candidat unique : Paul Kagame. Quant au sort des différents prétendants qui ont encore le courage de déposer leur candidature, s'ils ne connaissent pas un accident bizarre qui les envoie au trépas, ils sont poursuivis pour divisionnisme ethnique et négationnisme.
Avec ces deux préventions, ils vont croupir en prison comme la dame Ingabire qui est gardée en détention pour divisionnisme mais en réalité parce qu'elle avait osé affronter le maitre de Kigali. Elle continue son infortune en prison sans aucune protestation de la communauté internationale.Kagame élu par un scrutin monopartite est considéré à travers le monde comme un «démocrate».
Pour le récompenser, la Communauté internationale l'a laissé occupé, sans la moindre critique, le siège de pays membre du Conseil de sécurité alors que son régime commet des actes démocraticides au vu et au su de tout le monde. Comme le cas le plus récent qui concerne l'ancien Premier ministre rwandais du FPR, Faustin Twagiramungu, juillet 1994 à août 1998 après le génocide de 1994.
Devenu opposant à son ancien mentor Paul Kagame et vivant en exil en Belgique dont il a la deuxième nationalité, il a annoncé son retour au pays afin de prendre part au débat démocratique. Il a dit à l'AFP que » Je voulais faire inscrire mon parti afin d'ouvrir l'espace politique « . Il n'arrivera jamais à Kigali où sa demande de visa sur son passeport belge est toujours à l'étude. D'où son dépit : » Il ne faut pas laisser le pays à la gestion d'un seul homme, en l'occurrence le Président Paul Kagame « . Même chose chez Kaguta Museveni où tous les concurrents à la présidentielle ont fini en prison comme l'ancien colonel Besije. Le jeu politique est totalement fermé. Pourtant la Communauté internationale considère le Président ougandais comme un démocrate. Un démocrate?
Kandolo M.
-“The root cause of the Rwandan tragedy of 1994 is the long and past historical ethnic dominance of one minority ethnic group to the other majority ethnic group. Ignoring this reality is giving a black cheque for the Rwandan people’s future and deepening resentment, hostility and hatred between the two groups.”
-« Ce dont j’ai le plus peur, c’est des gens qui croient que, du jour au lendemain, on peut prendre une société, lui tordre le cou et en faire une autre ».
-“The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.”
-“I have loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore I die in exile.”
-“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
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