On March 30th, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) concluded its investigation into France’s January 3rd airstrike in Bounti, Mopti Region. The investigation concluded that the airstrike, carried out by Operation Barkhane, had killed at least 22 people in total. Of those fatalities, 19 were civilians.
On February 4th, Amnesty International announced a new project to fight impunity in Mali. Amnesty International will partner on the project with Lawyers without Borders Canada (ASFC), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the Malian Association for Human Rights (AMDH). The European Union (EU) is financing the project,
On August 23rd, the office of popular newspaper Canal de Moçambique was burned down by unidentified individuals. The newspaper is often critical of the government, and is known for its investigative work, particularly pertaining to corruption. The attack comes as the Mozambican government cracks down on press freedom. Coverage of
The Forum for Human Rights in Jammu and Kashmir’s (FHRJK) annual report on the regions’ 11-month lockdown condemned an “across-the-board violation of human rights.” More specifically, the report highlights the detrimental impact of India’s “draconian” policies on the region’s economy, media, public health, civilian security, and educational access. The territory
On July 10th, the United Nations Development Program and Japan launched a development program to aid “peace, social, cohesion, and conflict prevention” in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province. Coordinating with Mozambique’s Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of State Administration, and police force, the project will focus on “strengthening institutional capacity, sensitization,
On June 9, in a 5-4 ruling on McGirt v. Oklahoma, the U.S. Supreme Court found that the 1866 treaty delineating Muscogee Nation’s reservation remains legally binding. Further, the case establishes that the reservation boundaries demarcate criminal jurisdiction over tribal citizens. In 1997, Jimcy McGirt was convicted by an Oklahoma
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemned the Jammu and Kashmir’s administration’s new media policy, “Media-Policy 2020,” as “Orwellian” and “prior censorship.” The majority-Muslim union territory—formerly a state with special autonomous status until 2019—has seen substantial unrest in recent years. Notably, on June 21st, three separatist militants were killed in Srinagar, the
On June 12th, the UNHRC issued a US$186 million appeal for the refugee and displacement crisis in the Sahel region. Of the total $186 million, $97 million goes toward “initial requirements” for 2020, while $60 million is to grow the UNHCR’s emergency response, and $29 million will be used to
Kenya’s Covid-19 quarantine centres “undermine” occupants’ rights and may facilitate the virus’ spread, according to a joint statement released on May 28th by the Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Kenya Commission on Human Rights (KCHR), and Journalists for Justice. Centres reportedly lack electricity, food, bedding, and cleaning supplies. Moreover, according
On May 25th 2020, an estimated 1,500 Wagner Group forces (Russian mercenary group) flew out of Tripoli, after General Haftar’s Libyan National Army’s (LNA) withdrew from the capital city. Two days later, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced that Russia deployed 14 MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter planes to Libya,
Chinese messaging app WeChat monitors international users to strengthen the Chinese censorship system, a new study from the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab found. The app boasts 1.15 billion users around the world. Previously, content surveillance was thought to only affect users registered in China. However, WeChat analyzes international users’
On April 28th, BJP legislator Suresh Tiwari of Uttar Pradesh told people not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors. In a video of the incident, Tiwari says, “Keep this in mind, and I am saying this openly, no one should buy vegetables from Muslims.” A day later, another BJP legislator
On April 9, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal partially overturned the High Court’s October ruling that the blanket ban on face masks is unconstitutional under Basic Law (the island’s “mini-constitution”). More specifically, the Court found the ban constitutionally sound with regard to unapproved protests. The ruling comes after widespread
