rights
rights
Sex Workers Seek HIV Prevention
The new series of the Lancet medical journal, argues that achieving an AIDS-free generation will not be possible unless the rights of sex workers are recognised.
Researchers state that sex workers face violence and discrimination and are not able to access the care, treatment and prevention measures they need.
The series presented at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Australia, shows that people who sell sex - whether in high or low income countries - are faced with an inconsistent risk and burden of HIV, much of the problem, the authors say, has to do with ‘repressive and discriminatory law, policy and practice.’
To read the article titled, “Sex workers seek HIV prevention,” click here.Source:All AfricaNGO Recalls Lwandle's Brutal, Violent Eviction
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) states that a young man committed suicide and a woman miscarried following the eviction of illegal shack dwellers in Lwandle, Cape Town.
Sheena St Clair Jonker, founder of the Access to Justice Association of Southern Africa argues that these are only a few cases she could consult with, adding that “I am trying to assist you in connecting with the real and the authentic."
Testifying at an enquiry investigating the eviction of people from South African National Roads Agency Limited, Jonker declares that she was called by Ses'Khona People's Rights Movement leader, Loyiso Nkohla to consult residents and provide legal services.
To read the article titled, “NGO recalls Lwandle's brutal, violent eviction,” click here.Source:News 24SAHRC: School Staff Guilty of Racist Hate Speech
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) finds a Bloemfontein school's staff guilty of hate speech towards black and coloured pupils.
In May 2013, The SAHRC investigated allegations that pupils at the school were exposed to dehumanising and racist treatment by staff, including the principal.
SAHRC spokesperson, Isaac Mangena says the commission found the names and remarks (kaffirs, baboons, monkeys, and little black bitches) allegedly used by the staff as being hate speech as defined by the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act.
To read the article titled, “SAHRC Finds Free State school staff guilty of racist hate speech,” click here.Source:Times LiveTwo Swazi Govt Critics Convicted
A lawyer in Swaziland says two government critics there have been found guilty of contempt of court in a case that focused attention on human rights in the landlocked African kingdom.
Sipho Gumedze, a human rights lawyer, says that the two critics - a lawyer and a magazine editor - are considering an appeal.
Lawyer, Thulani Maseko, and Bheki Makhubu, editor of Swaziland's The Nation magazine, have been charged after publishing articles in which they lamented alleged threats to judicial independence.
To read the article titled, “Two Swazi critics convicted,” click here.Source:News 24Call for Early Marriages to be Criminalised
Zambia’s first lady, Christine Kaseba, calls for the introduction of a new law to criminalise perpetrators of early marriages to help curb the vice.
Kaseba states that criminalising the act is the only sure way of fighting early marriages to ensure the protection of the girl-child as well as seeing a reduction in such practices.
She stresses that stiffer penalties need to be established to reduce the current percentage of girls being married off before the age of 17.
To read the article titled, “Criminalise early marriages - Kaseba,” click here.Source:All AfricaPossibly 400 000 Valid Land Claims
Communications Minister, Faith Muthambi, says there could be as many as 400 000 valid land claims that can still be lodged by victims of apartheid-era forced removals.
Muthambi says the executive welcome President Jacob Zuma's signing into law of the Restitution of Land Rights Amendment Act.
"While approximately 80 000 land restitution claims were lodged by the 1998 deadline, it is estimated that there are up to five times as many valid cases that can be brought by victims of apartheid-era forced removals," she explains.
To read the article titled, “Possibly 400 000 valid land claims,” click here.Source:News 24IIP to Honour UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
The International Institute of Philanthropy (IIP), an organisation whose vision is increase the understanding of philanthropy and improve its practice for the benefit of human kind, will confer an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Human Letters to Zimbabwe's most internationally renowned musical ambassador, Oliver Mtukudzi.
Mtukudzi, who is also a United Nations Children’s Fund Goodwill Ambassador, was previously awarded a Honorary Arts degree by the University of Zimbabwe and also Masters of Science in Fine Arts by Women University in Africa.
To read the article titled, “Oliver Mtukudzi to receive honorary doctorate,” click here.Source:Times LiveCall to Abolish Death Penalty
The United Nations (UN) has called on member states to abolish the death penalty, saying it has no place in the 21st Century.
Speaking at a special event hosted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Italian Mission to the UN, secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, described death penalty as a cruel and inhumane practice.
“I am particularly troubled by the application of the death penalty for offences that do not meet the threshold under international human rights law of 'most serious crimes', including drug-related offences, consensual sexual acts and apostasy,” he explained.
He further expressed his concern with legislation in 14 States that permit the death penalty on children as well as the new phenomenon of sentencing large groups of individuals to death in mass trials.
To read the article titled, “UN Chief calls for death penalty abolition,” click here.Source:SABC NewsMuseveni Slams ‘Sinful’ Western Aid
Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has reportedly urged Africans to avoid what he calls ‘sinful Western aid’ after donors cut funding over anti-gay laws enacted in his country.
Museveni signed the controversial anti-gay law, which calls for ‘repeat homosexuals’ to be jailed for life, outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and obliges Ugandans to denounce gays to the authorities in February.
Since then, the United States of America froze some aid programmes and denied specific Ugandan officials involved in ‘human rights abuses’, including against the gay community, entry into its boarders.
To read the article titled, “Africa doesn't need 'sinful' Western aid – Museveni,” click here.Source:News 24Women Sterilised Without Consent
The Lesotho Chapter of Women and Law - Southern Africa is conducting a study to determine the truth behind reports that HIV-positive women are being sterilised without their consent in public hospitals.
Various HIV positive women claim that they have had their wombs removed, or fallopian tubes tied, without the consultation after their babies were delivered by caesarean section.
The Ministry of Health says it is not aware of the situation, and has called on the women to come forward with information.
To read the article titled, “Study to determine truth behind HIV-positive women sterilisation,” click here.Source:SABC News
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