New Malawi President fires Police Chief
Human rights groups welcomed the decision by Joyce Banda, who succeeded Bingu wa Mutharika on Saturday 7 March after his death from a heart attack.
Rioters went on a rampage in central Nigeria and burnt down a police station to protest the detention of their friends, police said on 2 April 2012.
On 25 March, Clare Ballard wrote an opinion editorial on a case being heard by the North Gauteng High Court, in which the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) and the Zimbabwean Exiles Forum have applied for the review of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Services' decision not to investigate or prosecute Zimbabwean officials, resident in South Africa from time to time, for alleged act of torture carried out on MDC supporters in March 2007.
Malawi Human Rights Commissioner Arrested, Police Crackdown
John Kapito, the Chairperson of the Malawi Human Rights Commission, was detained on Friday 16 March by eight policemen who accused him of possessing guns, holding seditious meetings and printing seditious T-shirts, which insulted President Bingu wa Mutharika. On Sunday security forces prevented people from attending an opposition meeting, leading to violence.
NGO asks Inspecting Judge to investigate illegal treatment of Pretoria escapees
Constitutional and legislative protocols breached during press conference held after recapture of three prisoners attempting to escape by climbing over a wall at Pretoria Central Prison on 16 March 2012, says Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative (CSPRI).
Plans to decongest Kenyan prisons via clemency
The Kenyan Ministry of Home Affairs has announced proposals to improve prison conditions by decongesting the prisons.
'Mozambique needs more judges'
The President of Mozambique's Supreme Court, Ozias Pondja, on 13 March 2012 said that the country needs to train more judges, since the 293 who currently exist are insufficient to meet the growing pressure on the courts.
Cunene court suffers backlogs, poor infrastucture
Poor court infrastructure is contributing to poor performance of the court system in Cunene, says the presiding judge. The Minister of Justice for Courts has promised improvements this year.
Angolan police target newspaper and 'break up demonstrations'
On 12 March 2012 Angolan police seized 20 computers from the offices of the publication 'Folha 8' and questioned its editor two days after attempts to stage demonstrations in the Luanda and Benguela were broken up by armed gangs and heavily armed police.
Torture continues for Libyan detainees
A report released by Amnesty International in February 2012 says that a year after the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's militias are "largely out of control", with the use of torture ubiquitous and the country's new rulers unable – or unwilling – to prevent abuses.
Torture continues for Libyan detainees
A report released by Amnesty International in February 2012 says that a year after the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's militias are "largely out of control", with the use of torture ubiquitous and the country's new rulers unable – or unwilling – to prevent abuses.
Shortage of translators at Johannesburg Magistrates' Courts
More than half of the cases heard on a daily basis in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court and its ten satellite courts demand foreign language translators, and there are not enough of them to meet demand, reports Beeld newspaper.
Transport problems, unco-operative councillors cause problems at Mukono High Court
The High Court Registrar in Mukono this week pointed to transport problems as a reason for delays, New Vision newspaper reports.
Malawi journalists, activists threatened with "insult to the President" laws
Malawi's State House issued a statement in early March 2012 in which it threatened journalists and civil society with application of an "Insult to the President" law emanating from the Banda era, which could result in fines or imprisonment.
Detention of doctor leads to suspension of Obiang prize
UNESCO was in the process of awarding a prize purportedly for "research in the life sciences" to be sponsored by President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. His administration's unjustified detention of Wenceslao Mansongo Alo, a doctor critical of his government, has lead to UNESCO suspending acceptance of President Obiang's sponsorship, after the detention was brought to their attention. UNESCO is due to decide on the prize at its meeting in Paris, France.
Detention of doctor leads to suspension of Obiang prize
UNESCO was in the process of awarding a prize purportedly for "research in the life sciences" to be sponsored by President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. His administration's unjustified detention of Wenceslao Mansongo Alo, a doctor critical of his government, has lead to UNESCO suspending acceptance of President Obiang's sponsorship, after the detention was brought to their attention. UNESCO is due to decide on the prize at its meeting in Paris, France.
Puntland (Somalia) police shut down radio station and detain director
AllAfrica reports that armed police raided the premises of Radio Voice of Peace (Codka Nabada Radio) in Boosaaso on Saturday 3 March 2012, around 20h20 local time, confiscating broadcasting equipment.
Two British journalists arrested last month by a Libyan militia group have been accused of spying.
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners under review
An intergovernmental expert group met in January 2012 to consider the way forward.
South African budget aims to ease pressure on courts
This week’s Budget brought good news for the upgrading and construction of court buildings, a Sake24 report notes.
"Prisoners subject to physical and moral violence of an inhuman and degrading nature" finds Togo's national human rights commission.
THE Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company yesterday disconnected water supply to all prisons in Central province to recover more than K200million (US$38000) owed in water bills, placing prisoners lives in jeopardy.
Ralph Kasambara, former Attorney-General and lawyer who has brought many of the most recent important human rights or rule of law cases in Malawi to court, has been detained in prison after defending himself from petrol bombers.
Cameroon - slowest justice system in the world?
Overworked investigating judges and a lack of lawyers leads to inordinate delays in Bafang, Cameroon.
Forty foreign NGO workers to be charged and 19 banned from leaving the country.
Congo Minister spends New Year with young inmates
The Minister of Youth and Civic Education in Republic of the Congo, Anatole Collinet Makosso, spent New Year's day with young offenders in Brazzaville prison and delivered civic education materials to the prison.
Article 5 Initiative launched at old Breakwater Prison
On 13 December, following International Human Rights Day, the Article 5 Initiative (A5I) was launched at the Breakwater Lodge in Cape Town. The Article 5 Initiative aims to support African institutions to improve domestic compliance with international law obligations, norms and procedures under the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).
Submission by CSPRI on torture in prisons to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services
On 30 November 2011, CSPRI’s Project Coordinator Lukas Muntingh presented a submission on the prevention and eradication of torture in South African prisons to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services (PCCS).
WaterAid launches handwashing project in Burkina prisons
The "Clean hands in prison" campaign is focused on raising awareness on the importance of washing hands, reducing the prevalence and transmission rates of diseases brought about by a lack of hygiene and sanitation in jails.
Up to 32 million Congolese are due to head to the polls on Monday 28 November after a weekend marked by deadly street clashes and allegations of cheating
