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Institute for Human Rights and Development and Others v Democratic Republic of Congo, Communication 393/10

African Commission advances corporate accountability for human rights abuses

In 2004, a small number of lightly armed rebels tried to take control of Kilwa, a remote fishing town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo). About 50 km away from Kilwa there is a copper and silver mine, where Anvil Mining Company (Anvil Mining), a small Australian-Canadian mining company, had mining operations. Notably, the port in Kilwa was the only transport link to export the mine ore to processing plants in other countries.

Yemeni civil society leaders condemn the worsening of world’s largest humanitarian crisis

Individual ESCR-Net member Rasha Jarhum, alongside fellow Yemeni public figures, co-signed a statement condemning the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s decision to close Yemen’s land, sea and air ports. This decision will lead to increased suffering for the Yemeni people, who have been facing war-torn hardships these last three years, further undermining human rights. The decision was taken in spite of calls made by local and international organizations warning that such a blockade will result in the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis precipitated by war.

The politics of death

PLACE created a website, The Politics of Death, investigating the causes of unjustifiable deaths of human rights’ defenders, mothers, professors, civilians, and the population as a...

Devika Biswas v. Union of India & Others, Petition No. 95 of 2012

Right to choose and refuse sterilization reaffirmed by India

In January 2012, up to 53 women underwent a sterilization procedure in Bihar, India, at a sterilization camp managed by an NGO which had been granted accreditation by the District Health Society, apparently without following any formal, transparent process. The women had not been given any counseling regarding the potential dangers and outcomes of the sterilization procedures. They were operated on in a school rather than a hospital, in an unsanitary and unethical manner, all by a single surgeon, under torchlight on top of a school desk, and without running water or sanitary gloves.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum celebrates International Rivers Day

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) is celebrating International Rivers...

Minority Rights Group International reports on threat to religious minorities in Bangladesh

Under threat: the challenges facing religious minorities in Bangladesh, a new report by...

Under Threat: The challenges facing religious minorities in Bangladesh

This briefing by Minority Rights Group International draws on a detailed review of published sources, fieldwork by local...

Developed by an ESCR-Net Member

Attorney General and Others v. Tapela and Others, Court of Appeal Civil Case No. CACGB-096-14; Attorney General and Others v. Mwale, Court of Appeal Civil Case No. CACGB-076-15

In 2004 Botswana’s Secretary of Health circulated an internal directive to public medical facilities informing them of a Presidential Directive authorizing “provision of free treatment to non-citizen prisoners suffering from ailments other than AIDS.” HIV-positive Zimbabwean prisoners filed lawsuits challenging this directive after being denied free Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ARV).

Brazil authorizes operation of the Belo Monte Dam, disregarding the rights of affected communities

The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) today authorized the Belo Monte Dam's operating license, which allows the dam's reservoirs to be filled. The authorization was granted despite clear noncompliance with conditions necessary...

Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development & 3 Others v. Attorney General (2015), Constitutional Appeal No. 1 of 2013

In 2011, the petitioners filed a constitutional petition alleging that the government had violated the Ugandan Constitution through acts and omissions with regard to maternal health services. More specifically, the petitioners contended that the government had failed to provide basic maternal health services and to adequately budget for maternal health and that the unethical behavior of health workers led to the preventable deaths of expectant mothers during childbirth.