ncadc-world

The rise of Nigeria’s Boko Haram

Published by on September 18, 2013

Yvonne Ndege and Azad Essa, Al Jazeera 18 September 2013 Since 2009, an estimated 3,600 people have been killed in an insurgency launched by the group known as Boko Haram, which says it wants to establish an Islamic state in northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram has repeatedly attacked schools, churches, mosques and markets, but state institutions such as police stations and military facilities have remained primary targets. Following a public outcry, the Nigerian government declared a state of emergency in three states in May this year and launched a military offensive against the group. An army spokesman said Wednesday that a Read the full article…

No action on homophobic violence in Cameroon

Published by on September 16, 2013

IRIN News 16 September 2013 In Cameroon, one of the world’s most homophobic countries, not only is intolerance towards same-sex conduct widespread, but murder and threats against homosexuals and rights activists are met with inaction from authorities, abetting the violence, rights groups say. In July, Cameroonian gay right activist Eric Ohena Lembembe was found murdered at his home in Yaoundé. His neck was broken, his feet were smashed and his face was burned with an iron, said Human Rights Watch (HRW). The previous month, the offices of three human rights groups, including those that defend lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Read the full article…

Afghanistan: summary of SHSH commentary

Published by on September 9, 2013

Still Human Still Here (SHSH) is a “coalition of over 50 organisations that are campaigning to end the destitution of thousands of refused asylum seekers in the UK”. In June this year, they issued a commentary on the UKBA’s Operational Guidance Note (OGN) on Afghanistan. The commentary identifies inconsistencies and omissions between Afghanistan country of origin information (COI) and case law and the conclusions reached by the OGN. NCADC volunteer Jacqueline has summarised the commentary on Afghanistan, with a particular focus on issues relevant to Afghan asylum-seekers in the UK. You can read the full text of SHSH’s commentary here. Read the full article…

Jamaica: Cross-dressing teenager murdered

Published by on August 1, 2013

Human Rights Watch 1 August 2013 Jamaican police should conduct a thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the murder of Dwayne Jones at the hands of a mob in Montego Bay, sometime between July 21 and 22, Human Rights Watch said. Jones, 16, was found dead on July 22 after being attacked at a party he attended dressed in women’s clothing. According to news reports, when someone at the party identified Jones as male, a crowd chased him as he fled. Police found his body on the road, with multiple stab wounds and a gun wound. “Jamaican authorities need to Read the full article…

Sri Lanka: UK Home Office Operational Guidance Note

Published by on August 1, 2013

Published by UK Home Office July 2013 This document provides Home Office caseworkers with guidance on the nature and handling of the most common types of claims received from nationals/residents of Sri Lanka, including whether claims are or are not likely to justify the granting of asylum, humanitarian protection or discretionary leave. Caseworkers must refer to the relevant asylum instructions for further details of the policy on these areas. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Country assessment Actors of protection Internal relocation Country guidance caselaw 3. Main categories of claims Tamils suspected of links to the LTTE Fear of the LTTE Opposition Read the full article…

Cameroon: LGBTI Rights Activist Found Dead, Tortured

Published by on July 16, 2013

Human Rights Watch 16 July 2013 Cameroonian authorities should immediately conduct an effective and thorough investigation into the torture and killing of Eric Ohena Lembembe, an activist and journalist who was found dead at his home in Yaoundé on the evening of July 15. Lembembe, executive director of the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (CAMFAIDS), was an outspoken activist who defended the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. Lembembe’s friends discovered his body on Monday evening after being unable to reach him by telephone for two days, and went to his home. They found his front door Read the full article…

Sri Lanka: New country guidance case

Published by on July 3, 2013

GJ v Secretary of State for the Home Department (post-civil war: returnees) Sri Lanka CG [2013] UKUT 319 (IAC) (03 July 2013) (1) This determination replaces all existing country guidance on Sri Lanka. (2) The focus of the Sri Lankan government’s concern has changed since the civil war ended in May 2009. The LTTE in Sri Lanka itself is a spent force and there have been no terrorist incidents since the end of the civil war. (3) The government’s present objective is to identify Tamil activists in the diaspora who are working for Tamil separatism and to destabilise the unitary Read the full article…

Afghanistan: UK Border Agency Operational Guidance Note June 2013

Published by on June 18, 2013

Published by UK Border Agency June 2013 IMPORTANT: also see commentary on the June 2013 Afghanistan Operational Guidance Note by Still Human Still Here. 1. Introduction 1.1 This document provides UKBA case-owners with guidance on the nature and handling of the most common types of claims received from nationals/residents of Afghanistan including whether claims are or are not likely to justify the granting of asylum, Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave. Case owners must refer to the relevant Asylum Instructions for further details of the policy on these areas. 1.2 Caseowners must not base decisions on the country of origin information in Read the full article…

Zimbabwe: The Elephant in the Room

Published by on June 5, 2013

Reforming Zimbabwe’s Security Sector Ahead of Elections Human Rights Watch 5 June 2013 Zimbabwe’s unity government, consisting of the former ruling Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF) and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions, has failed to reform the state security forces despite their continued interference in the nation’s political and electoral affairs ahead of the 2013 general elections. The heads of the military, police and Central Intelligence Organization have, in many situations, publicly and vocally demonstrated their support for President Mugabe and ZANU-PF. The Elephant in the Room: Reforming Zimbabwe’s Security Sector Ahead of Elections describes how the Read the full article…

Zimbabwe: Freedom in the World 2013

Published by on June 3, 2013

Freedom House 3 June 2013 Overview Halting progress toward a new constitution continued in 2012, and the final draft was expected to reduce the power of the presidency and clear the way for elections in 2013. Low-level political violence persisted, as did the harassment of civic activists and journalists by both state and nonstate actors. Positive developments during the year included the issuance of two new radio licenses and the recovery of the domestic economy. In addition, the European Union suspended sanctions on aid to the government and on scores of individuals. The government moved ahead with efforts to achieve Read the full article…