News

The African Press Organization reports that an Amnesty International Report on Chad to be released on 10 September will detail human rights violations in prison in Chad

The aim of these initial workshops was to bring together stakeholders from government, NHRIs and civil society organisations of each respective country to discuss the contents of the UNCAT and to present the draft Domestication and Implementation Package (DIP). Participants met in Bujumbura, Burundi, on 8-9 August 2012 and Pretoria, South Africa, on 28-29 August 2012.

On Thursday 16 August 2012, 36 miners were killed by South African Police Services officials at Marikana mine in Mpumalanga. The violence arose out of a protracted labour dispute involving rival labour unions and Lonmin management. The final death toll of the week of 13 August 2012 is close to 50. Clare Ballard argues that the recent amendment of section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Act, now awaiting the President’s signature, has weakened protection by significantly broadening the grounds on which the use of deadly force may be used and justified. She states that having constitutionally compliant legislation will not fix the seemingly endemic problems within the SAPS, nor will it repair its damaged reputation. What it can do, however, is strike the best the balance between undoubtedly complicated policing concerns, public safety and the rights to life, freedom from violence and dignity.

Among those no longer held in the prison include Briton and his colleagues charged with ritual killing of thirteen people held since April 2012

On 31 July 2012, CSPRI sent in the following submissions to Parliament on the Prevention and Combating of Torture of Persons Bill. These submissions represent the views of a group of organisations (listed in the document) and address, primarily, whether the contents of the Bill comply fully with the obligations imposed on the state in terms of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). These submissions also include recommendations on what the Bill should include and / or exclude as well as suggestions on how the text could be amended. CSPRI will be addressing the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development at the public hearings on 4 September 2012.

Fair trials not provided by military courts; civilians released

Nearly 25,000 Comorians are deported from Mayotte each year, and only after enduring poor detention conditions, claims PressTV, Paris. In addition fatal boating accidents kill on average two people per day, claims the network.

Children are detained with adults and under the authority of prisoners' militias, in contravention of International Law, says the Swiss-based Terre des Hommes.