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Amnesty International

Press Release

East and Southern Africa: Journalists Targeted Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Media

Authorities across East and Southern Africa continued to impose severe restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom.

May 3, 2024

TOPSHOT - A woman sells masks to residents of the Olievenhoutbosch township in Centurion, while they queue on May 2, 2020 during a food distribution organised by the South African non profit charity Mahlasedi Foundation. - 30 000 households in the township have been provided with 2200 tons of dry food, sanitisers and masks. (Photo by MARCO LONGARI / AFP) (Photo by MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Governments in Southern Africa must move beyond politics in distribution of COVID-19 food aid

Millions of people face the threat of starvation and are already in a precarious situation as they have now lost…

May 6, 2020

Two people walk among the burning rubbles
Two people walk among the burning rubbles in the Koudoukou market, in the PK5 district in Bangui on December 26, 2019, after clashes erupted when traders took up arms to oppose taxes levied by militia groups. - At least 11 people were killed in fighting between militiamen and traders in a restive district of Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, two security officials and an imam said on December 26, 2019. The security sources said between 11 and 14 people died after clashes erupted late on December 25, 2019, while the imam, Awad Al Karim, said "16 bodies" had been brought to the local Ali Babolo mosque. (Photo by FLORENT VERGNES / AFP) (Photo by FLORENT VERGNES/AFP via Getty Images)

Press Release

Armed conflicts and state repression in Africa fuel cocktail of human rights violations

HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA: Protesters across sub-Saharan Africa have braved bullets and beatings to defend their rights in the face…

April 7, 2020

Press Release

Zimbabwe: Investigate the army’s conduct in post-election killings

Authorities must launch a prompt and effective investigation into the army’s killing of three protesters and injury of scores others…

August 1, 2018

An employee answers calls of political violence and distress in a call centre from hotspots through out Zimbabwe at a Counselling Services Unit (CSU) ahead of the July 30 Presidential elections in Harare, on July 6, 2018. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

Sheet of paper Report

Zimbabwe: Elections offer a chance to break with decades of gross human rights violations

Zimbabwe's election at the end of the month will take place in the context of decades of politically motivated gross…

July 9, 2018

Zimbabweans watch a television broadcasting an address by President Robert Mugabe at Harare Sports Club in Harare on November 19, 2017, following a meeting with army chiefs who have seized power in Zimbabwe.. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, in a much-expected TV address, stressed he was still in power after his authoritarian 37-year reign was rocked by a military takeover. Many Zimbabweans expected Mugabe to resign after the army seized power last week. But Mugabe delivered his speech alongside the uniformed generals who were behind the military intervention. In his address, Mugabe made no reference to the clamour for him to resign. / AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Zimbabwe: Post-Mugabe government must open new chapter of respect for rights

Responding to the news that Robert Mugabe has resigned as President of Zimbabwe, Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International…

November 21, 2017

US citizen, Martha O'Donovan (L), who was arrested for undermining the authority of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Twitter, arrives at Harare Magistrate's Court in Harare November 4, 2017. Zimbabwean police arrested a US citizen on November 3, for allegedly tweeting that President Robert Mugabe is a "goblin whose wife and step-son bought a Rolls-Royce," lawyers said. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) said officers detained Martha O'Donovan in a dawn raid at her home just weeks after Mugabe appointed a cyber security minister charged with policing social media. / AFP PHOTO / Jekesai NJIKIZANA (Photo credit should read JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Press Release

Zimbabwe must drop absurd charges over Mugabe tweet

In response to a Zimbabwean court’s decision to grant bail to Martha O’Donovan, a US citizen who was detained last…

November 9, 2017

Press Release

Amnesty International statement ahead of court appearance of Zimbabwean activist Evan Mawarire

The continued persecution of human rights activist Pastor Evan Mawarire is a deliberate ploy by the Zimbabwean authorities to harass,…

April 19, 2017

Press Release

Zimbabwe: Allow public demonstrations as per court ruling

The government of Zimbabwe must respect a court ruling overturning the ban on protests in the country, Amnesty International said…

September 7, 2016

Press Release

Zimbabwe: Investigate fate and whereabouts of disappeared pro-democracy activist

The continued failure of Zimbabwe’s authorities to launch an effective investigation into the enforced disappearance of pro-democracy activist, Itai Dzamara,…

August 26, 2016

Press Release

Zimbabwe: Deplorable attack on brother of missing activist must be urgently investigated  

The brutal assault by Zimbabwe's state security agents on the brother of the abducted pro-democracy activist Itai Dzamara must be…

April 19, 2016

Press Release

Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms

On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his…

February 22, 2016