As previously reported by the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI), Burundian President Nkurunziza’s decision in late April to run for a third term triggered protests and violence in Bujumbura and set the stage for an attempted coup (see Suicidal for the nation’: An interview with a Burundian politician in hiding; Burundi: No business as usual;…
4,000 former refugees from Rwanda offered local integration in Zambia following the cessation of their refugee status in 2013 should not be forced to register with the Rwandan government in order to enjoy rights to freedom of movement in Zambia. Reports that former Rwandan refugees in Zambia’s Meheba settlement will be required to register with…
The following blog was originally posted on the ICRtoP website. Much hope was pinned to the summit of East African Community (EAC) heads of state on 31 May in Dar es Salaam to discuss the situation in Burundi that has evolved since President Nkurunziza announced his intention to stand for a third term. The potential…
It is always good when research undermines the image of refugees as victims. However, there is a fine line between promoting a positive image of refugees and underestimating the levels of hardship that many face. A report released in June 2014 by the Humanitarian Innovation Project, University of Oxford, “Refugee Economies: Rethinking Popular Assumptions”, (Alexander…
On 8 April 2015, the Supreme Court of Uganda decided the matter of Uganda vs. Kweyelo and set a new precedent that narrowed the application of Uganda’s Amnesty Act, clarifying that not all crimes are eligible for amnesty – only those that are political crimes, or those that are directly linked to the rebel group’s political…
If ever evidence was needed to show that the transition from conflict to sustainable peace is a long, hard road, recent events in Burundi have demonstrated it. The announcement on 23 April 2015 by President Nkurunziza that he would run for a third term sparked fierce opposition. Although Burundi’s constitution contains a two term limit,…
(This blog first appeared on African Arguments: read original blog here.) Recent events in Burundi have brought the small nation to international attention, even if action remains wanting. The announcement on 23 April by President Nkurunziza that he would run for a third term has sparked fierce opposition. Although Burundi’s constitution contains a two term…
Freedom of movement is a critically important refugee right, and nearly all others are contingent upon it. Without freedom of movement, rights to employment, education, legal access, identity papers, travel documents, naturalisation, and many other fundamental entitlements are severely curtailed, if not completely blocked. This right is repeatedly articulated in international law, reiterated in domestic…
This blog, originally published on 16 April 2015, has been authored by David Kigozi, Great Lakes Programme Officer at the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI). It appears here in full. “My heart is crying that during the prime of life when I and my family should be enjoying life; eating well, dressing well, living well……
The following blog was originally posted on the IntLawGrrls website. The recent elections in Sudan call into question the legitimacy of the government soon to be re-elected. Even if the elections had been free and fair (which they have not), the government’s legitimacy would be challenged unequivocally by the fact that the very same government…
(This blog first appeared on OpenDemocracy https://www.opendemocracy.net/arab-awakening/lucy-hovil/silence-over-sudan%E2%80%99s-bombing-of-civilians) The recent elections in Sudan call into question the legitimacy of the government soon to be re-elected. Even if the elections had been free and fair (which they have not), the government’s legitimacy would be challenged unequivocally by the fact that the very same government currently being re-elected into…
“My heart is crying that during the prime of life when I and my family should be enjoying life; eating well, dressing well, living well… this is the time we are refugees, wasting our lives and it hurts so much. No job, no money, difficult life …seven years…” – Congolese refugee in Kampala.[1] Despite the…
On 16 March 2015, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Mendez, released the report of his November 2014, visit to the Gambia. Torture is a crime under Section 21 of the Gambian constitution as well as a result of the ratification of the African Charter…
Freedom of movement is a critically important refugee right, and nearly all others are contingent upon it. Without freedom of movement, rights to employment, education, legal access, identity papers, travel documents, naturalisation, and many other fundamental entitlements are severely curtailed, if not completely blocked. This right is repeatedly articulated in international law, reiterated in domestic…
The International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) was concerned to learn of the arrest, on the 21 January 2014, of Christopher Ngoyi Mutamba by part of the presidential guard while with fellow activists in an outdoor bar in Kinshasa. Mr. Ngoyi, a well-known and well respected human rights defender and the president of the NGO Synergie…
This blog first appeared on the African Arguments website. The relationship between the International Criminal Court (ICC) and African civil society is certainly an interesting one. On the one hand, the proliferation of conflict on the continent has led to an ever increasing deficit in justice, and the ICC is seen by some as a…
On 30 December 2014, some members of the Gambian opposition and dissidents in the Diaspora took up arms with the aim of overthrowing the regime of President Yahya Jammeh. The coup was foiled, but the attempt has triggered a crackdown on real and perceived political opponents and worsened the already serious human rights situation. On…
There is considerable concern about the well-being of Hawa Suleiman , a young activist and a student at Alzaiem Alazhari University arrested during the eviction of Zahra Women’s Dormitory in Khartoum by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) forces during Eid al-Adha holiday (5/6 October 2014). Suleiman was arrested along with 17 other student activists, yet…
Since his accession to power by coup d’etat on 22 July 1994, President Yayah Jammeh has been accused of ruling the Gambia with an iron fist. After 20 years in office, his record has been tarnished by allegations of serious human rights violations including, restriction of the freedom of expression and opinion, arbitrary arrest and…
(This blog first appeared on the IntLawGrrls blog site) On 29 September 2014, at the annual meeting of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ Governing Executive Committee in Geneva, the government of Tanzania announced that it finally intends to deliver on its 2008 promise of citizenship to tens of thousands of former…
