On May 9, 2017, Hassan Shire, the Executive Director of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders), addressed the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and encouraged them to play a stronger role in protecting human rights on the continent. Shire drew attention to a number of recent human rights…
On January 31, 2017, Freedom House released its “Freedom in the World 2017” report, an annual report that rates political and civil rights around the world. For the 11th consecutive year, Freedom House found that every region in the world experienced a decline in freedom, stating that: “a total of 67 countries suffered net declines…
CUBA: On January 21, 2017, artist Danilo “El Sexto” Maldonado was released from El Combinado del Este prison after enduring psychological and physical torture during his 55 days of detainment. Cuban authorities arrested El Sexto after he graffitied “se fue” (he’s gone) on a public wall in reference to the passing of former Cuban President…
Lily Mengesha discusses political prisoners and the human rights situation in Ethiopia with the World Movement for Democracy in an interview. On October 8, 2016, the Ethiopian government declared a six-month state of emergency in response to the anti-government protests throughout the Oromia and Amhara regions of Ethiopia. Journalist Lily Mengesha is one of many…