The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) has brought attention to the arrest and continued detention without charge by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) between 23 June and 12 July 2012 in Khartoum of eleven human rights workers.
"Elbow Licking Friday" brutal arrests in Sudan
The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists condemned in a press release acts of the Sudanese authorities against demonstrations that took place in many parts of Sudan on Friday June 29. The organisation alleges security forces launched an arrest campaign against activists and media representatives, with many being detained in unknown locations.
Human Rights Watch documents flawed processes, unlawful detentions, and dire conditions in South Sudan's prisons in report released on 21 June.
President Zuma "releases" Cele as police chief, appoints Phiyega
Police Chief Bheki Cele was fired by Mr Zuma on 12 June after the president received a report compiled by a board of inquiry chaired by retired Justice Jake Moloi.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on 5 June 2012 called on the governments of the United States of America and The Gambia to disclose information about the whereabouts of missing Gambian journalist "Chief" Ebrima Manneh who has not been seen since his arrested on 11 July 2006 by the Gambia Police Force of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Members of an elite unit set up by the Libyan government to rein in the country's rival militia forces have been accused of kidnapping and severely beating one of the country's foremost surgeons.
Three quarters of Nigerian prisoners awaiting trial
Most held on capital charges
High Court Judge Ralph Ochan this week dismissed terrorism charges against eleven Buganda riots suspects first indicted in 2009.
New Legal Aid Law in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone’s parliament has just enacted a legal aid law which provides for the role of paralegals.
Rwandan Mpanga International Prison commended
Employees of the US Embassy in Kigali have commended the Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS) for promoting better and safer environment for inmates of this prison.
Three detainees die in Misrata; UN Mission expresses concern at suspected torture
UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has expressed concern to Libya's authorities over the deaths of three people in a detention centre in the north-western city of Misrata on 13 April 2012, saying it believes that the deaths were the result of torture. Most detainees are alleged Gadaffi sympathizers. Meanwhile, the Libyan authorities pass a number of new laws criminalizing opposition to the revolution.
Civil debt detainee dies in police detention in Liberia
Family of the dead detainee demand a probe into his death amid allegations that Police Commander Harry Bai runs the police station in which the death occurred like a private home.
UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopts Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems in April 2012.
A 48-year-old man arrested for being drunk in public was beaten to death in a Durbanville, Cape Town, police cell in the early hours of Saturday 21 April 2012.
Police Arrest Swazi Protest Leaders on Anniversary of Constitution
Demonstrations are being held across Swaziland calling for democratic reforms in the kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, sub-Saharan Africa's last absolute monarch. The anniversary of the Swazi Constitution prompts annual protests in the kingdom.
The Uganda High Court in early April 2012 released four men who had been facing terrorism charges since the September 2009 Buganda riots. The Observer newspaper questions in an editorial why the men were kept in detention for 30 months when there was no evidence with which to try them.
Rioters went on a rampage in central Nigeria and burnt down a police station to protest the detention of their friends, police said on 2 April 2012.
NGO asks Inspecting Judge to investigate illegal treatment of Pretoria escapees
Constitutional and legislative protocols breached during press conference held after recapture of three prisoners attempting to escape by climbing over a wall at Pretoria Central Prison on 16 March 2012, says Civil Society Prison Reform Initiative (CSPRI).
Torture continues for Libyan detainees
A report released by Amnesty International in February 2012 says that a year after the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi, Libya's militias are "largely out of control", with the use of torture ubiquitous and the country's new rulers unable – or unwilling – to prevent abuses.
Shortage of translators at Johannesburg Magistrates' Courts
More than half of the cases heard on a daily basis in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court and its ten satellite courts demand foreign language translators, and there are not enough of them to meet demand, reports Beeld newspaper.
Transport problems, unco-operative councillors cause problems at Mukono High Court
The High Court Registrar in Mukono this week pointed to transport problems as a reason for delays, New Vision newspaper reports.
Detention of doctor leads to suspension of Obiang prize
UNESCO was in the process of awarding a prize purportedly for "research in the life sciences" to be sponsored by President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea. His administration's unjustified detention of Wenceslao Mansongo Alo, a doctor critical of his government, has lead to UNESCO suspending acceptance of President Obiang's sponsorship, after the detention was brought to their attention. UNESCO is due to decide on the prize at its meeting in Paris, France.
Puntland (Somalia) police shut down radio station and detain director
AllAfrica reports that armed police raided the premises of Radio Voice of Peace (Codka Nabada Radio) in Boosaaso on Saturday 3 March 2012, around 20h20 local time, confiscating broadcasting equipment.
Two British journalists arrested last month by a Libyan militia group have been accused of spying.
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners under review
An intergovernmental expert group met in January 2012 to consider the way forward.
South African budget aims to ease pressure on courts
This week’s Budget brought good news for the upgrading and construction of court buildings, a Sake24 report notes.
"Prisoners subject to physical and moral violence of an inhuman and degrading nature" finds Togo's national human rights commission.
THE Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company yesterday disconnected water supply to all prisons in Central province to recover more than K200million (US$38000) owed in water bills, placing prisoners lives in jeopardy.
Human Rights Watch calls on Moroccan authorities to stop harassing those campaigning for a boycott of elections.
Chief Justice of Nigeria criticises use of holding charges
Top judge condemns the practice of filing holding charges against accused persons and “trial by public parade of suspects on pages of newspapers and on the television” and blames the practice for congestion in prisons.
