News

Arrest and detention of human rights defender in Chad

The organisation Front Line Defenders reported on 8 May 2012 that radio journalist and human rights defender Eric Topona was arrested and taken to prison after appearing before an investigating magistrate in N'Djamena and charged with “threatening the constitutional order”.

South Africa's white paper on remand detention management finalised South Africa's white paper on remand detention management finalised

The final draft of the South African government's White Paper on Remand Detention Management has been published on the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) website, bringing the policy framework in line with provisions in Correctional Matters Amendment Act. The White Paper marks the end of a process aimed at closing a policy gap in the 2005 White Paper on Corrections in respect of awaiting-trial detainees.

10 000 Eritrean political prisoners 20 years after independence, says Amnesty 10 000 Eritrean political prisoners 20 years after independence, says Amnesty

Amnesty International said in a report released on 9 May 2013 that Eritrea's prisons are filled with thousands of political prisoners, locked up without ever being charged with a crime, many of whom are never heard from again. Those detained include government critics, journalists and people practising an unregistered religion, as well as people trying to leave the country or avoid indefinite conscription into national service.

Constitution reform: the latest trend in Africa Constitution reform: the latest trend in Africa

The Community Law Centre invites constitution-making experts to submit abstracts for an upcoming conference, which marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of South Africa’s Interim Constitution.

Ex-prisoners speak of abuses in secret Bossembele prison

Bossembele, known by some as "Guantanamo" of the Central African Republic, is one of Africa's most secret prisons, where ousted president Francois Bozize allegedly had his opponents jailed and tortured for years. A alliance of rebel groups known as Seleka captured Bossembele and freed all prisoners as they moved against Bozize in March 2013. Al Jazeera gained access to the prison in April 2013.