África Subsaariana

Ivoirian Refugees Return to Homelessness

Tens of thousands of western Côte d’Ivoire residents who fled deadly election turmoil three years ago have returned home, where survival is a daily struggle as more than half of them remain homeless.

Slum fire leaves 200 homeless

Red Cross official Issa Premji said those who lost their homes had been temporarily sheltered at a nearby school and church. “We administered first aid to about 20 people with minor injuries and found shelter for families without a place to spend the night,” he said.

Countries and organizations address the reports presented at the Human Rights Council

Read the statements of the 32 countries and 6 organizations that addressed the reports’ presentation.

Rapporteur sends nine communications during the 2nd semester of 2013

During the second semester of 2013, Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik sent nine communications and received seven country responses. Find out more!

Land, Water Grabs Devastate Communities

New satellite imagery shows extensive clearance of land used by indigenous groups to make way for state-run sugar plantations in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley, Human Rights Watch and International Rivers said today.

Villages Flooded As Heavy Rains Weaken Zimbabwe Dam

The Zimbabwean government has appealed to the international community for nearly US$20 million to help evacuate and assist 60,000 people at risk of being swept away by rapidly rising water in a partially constructed dam, following heavy rainfall in the normally drought-prone Masvingo province in the southeast.

UN human rights experts urge Kenya to repeal discriminatory sections in Matrimonial Property Act

A group of United Nations human rights experts today urged Kenya to repeal sections of the Marriage and Property Act which effectively deny women the right to marital property upon divorce or death of their spouse.

Review of the Rapporteur’s Activities in 2013 – Newsletter #42

Read the review of the Rapporteur’s activities in 2013, with all the reports presented, the missions and working visits conducted and the consultations on security of tenure held.

UN rights expert calls for the protection of indigenous people facing eviction in Embobut Forest, Kenya

A United Nations independent expert has urged the Government of Kenya “to ensure that the human rights of the Sengwer indigenous people are fully respected, in strict compliance with international standards protecting the rights of indigenous peoples.”

Tent City in Central African Republic Swells as Violence Grips Capital

It has rematerialized in a makeshift town by the airport at the edge of the real city. Almost anything can be bought in muddy paths of the impromptu market that has sprung up: flip-flops, dried fish, a haircut, yams, baguettes, gasoline, cheap handbags, okra, coffee, eggs, manioc fritters, clothes custom made by tailors sitting at old sewing machines. More than 100,000 people have moved to this rough, chaotic tent city in less than a month. In all, two-thirds of Bangui has picked up and moved, according to the United Nations.