Niger: a roadmap for the authorities based on respect for fundamental rights
This report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) considers Niger's recent history and includes a range of human rights recommendations, based on Niger's constitution and the new electoral code.
Challenges and Reforms in the Nigerian Prisons System
by Emeka E. Obioha, Department of Safety and Security Management, Tshwane University of Technology. In J Soc Sci, 27(2): 95-109 (2011). "In order to deal finally with prison congestion, this paper suggests that the decongestion committee needs to be strengthened in its work by changing their periodic visit to the prisons to be more regular and frequent, more prison yards need to be built, more non-governmental organizations should be encouraged and allowed to visit the prisons to monitor the activities there, from which they can make an input in form of suggestions to the various reform committees on what to do.
Prisons Report and Experience in Implementation of Case Backlog Quick Wins Programme
Presentation by James Mwanje, Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Case Backlog Quick Win Review Meeting, Kampala
Organização, a Competência e o Funcionamento dos Tribunais Judicia
30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku February 2011
This month's media summary report includes news about extradition, parole and sentencing and prison related news from other African countries.
Submission to the South African Portfolio Committee on Justice on the Correctional Matters Amendment Bill, B41 of 2010.
This submission addresses the Department of Correctional Services’ responses to the comments made by stakeholders on the Correctional Matters Amendment Bill during the public hearings of 25 January 2011.
ACJR Powerpoint Presentation on the evaluation of the Independent Prison Visitors System
The presentation is a evaluation of the functions, interaction and effectiveness of the Independent Prison Visitors System (IPV system) in order to determine whether the system is functioning in accordance with its purpose and mandate.
This report by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) os an attempt systematically to document the status of gender integration within the security sectors in member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Remand Detention in South Africa: Current Law and Proposals for Reform
Independent Policing Oversight Authority Bill 33 of 2011
ICESCR Campaign Advocacy Progress Reports: June - December 2010
Musa Saidykhan v. The Gambia
ESR Review Volume 11 No 3 - 2010
The issue includes articles that provide an overview of the protection and enforcement of socio-economic rights in Africa today.
30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku December 2010 - January 2011
In this issue, media reports are covered under the topics of governance and corruption; awaiting trial prisoners; parole and sentencing; South African imprisoned abroad and prisoners' rights
Submission to the South African Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on the Correctional Matters Amendment Bill [B41 of 2010]
The submission to the South African Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services deals with the Correctional Matters Amendment Bill.
CLC submission at the 48th session of the ACHPR on children deprived of liberty in South Africa
This is the statement that the Community Law Centre (predecessor of the Dullah Omar Institute) made a the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, which was held from 10 to 24 November 2010. The submission addresses the issue of children deprived of liberty in South Africa.
McCallum v South Africa, UN Doc CCPR/C/100/D/1818/2008 (2 November 2010)
The Human Rights Committee has found that South Africa violated a prisoner’s rights not to be tortured or treated in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner and to be treated with humanity and respected when deprived of liberty. South Africa was also found to have violated its obligation to investigate and remedy the violation of those rights.
Policy on the Prevention of Torture and the Treatment of Persons in Custody of the South African Police Service
This policy document seeks to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of persons in custody of the South African Police Service (SAPS). It contains instructions which will eventually be incorporated into SAPS National Orders. The commentary provided does not form part of the instructions, but is intended to give guidance to members.
Fear for Life - Violence against Gay Men and Men Perceived as Gay in Senegal
Human Rights Watch, November 2010
30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku November 2010
This month’s summary includes articles on governance & corruption, awaiting trial prisoners, parole & sentencing, prisoners’ rights and prison developments in other parts of Africa.
Constitution of Niger (2010)
PRÉAMBULE Nous, Peuple nigérien souverain - Résolu à consolider les acquis de la République et de l'indépendance nationale proclamées respectivement le 18 décembre 1958 et le 3 août 1960 ainsi que ceux de la Conférence nationale souveraine qui a réuni du 29 juillet au 3 novembre 1991 l'ensemble des forces vives de la Nation ; - Résolu à bâtir un État de droit garantissant, d'une part, l'exercice des droits collectifs et individuels, la liberté, la justice, la dignité, l'égalité, la sûreté et le bien-être comme valeurs fondamentales de notre société et, d'autre part, l'alternance démocratique et la bonne gouvernance ; - Résolu à bâtir une nation unie, digne, pacifique, industrieuse et prospère ; - Profondément attaché aux valeurs de civilisation qui fondent notre personnalité ; - Soucieux de sauvegarder notre identité culturelle ; Proclamons notre attachement aux principes de la démocratie pluraliste et aux droits humains tels que définis par la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'Homme de 1948, le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques de 1966, le Pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels de 1966 et la Charte africaine des droits de l'Homme et des Peuples de 1981 ; Proclamons notre attachement aux instruments juridiques régionaux et internationaux de protection et de promotion des droits humains tels que signés et ratifiés par le Niger ; Réaffirmons notre attachement à l'Unité africaine et nous engageons à tout mettre en oeuvre pour réaliser l'intégration régionale et sous-régionale ; Exprimons notre volonté de coopérer dans l'amitié, l'égalité et le respect mutuel avec tous les peuples épris de paix, de justice et de liberté ; Réaffirmons notre opposition absolue à tout régime politique fondé sur la dictature, l'arbitraire, l'impunité, l'injustice, la corruption, la concussion, le régionalisme, l'ethnocentrisme, le népotisme, le pouvoir personnel et le culte de la personnalité ; Adoptons solennellement la présente Constitution, loi suprême de l'État à laquelle nous jurons respect, loyauté et fidélité et dont ce préambule est partie intégrante.
Article 40 Volume 12 Number 1 - October 2010
Republic versus Danson Mgunya and Kassim Sheebwana Mohamed
".. a murder suspect has a Constitutional Right to be released on bail. This is an inalienable right and can only be restricted by the court if there are compelling reasons for him not to be released"
Dr. Kizza Besigye & Others v Attorney General (Constitutional Petition No.7 Of 2007) [2010] UGCC 6
The petitioners are civilians accused of acts of treason and misprision of treason committed between 2001 and 2004. The petitioners, together with 12 co-accused who have since been discharged, were committed to the High Court for trial. The High Court granted the 2nd to 9th petitioners and 6 of the discharged co-accused conditional bail. To prevent the release on bail, various officials, authorities and agencies of the State deliberately and systematically committed acts which contravene several provisions of the Constitution and which are severally and cumulatively calculated to gravely prejudice the petitioners’ joint and several rights to a fair trial on any charges arising out of or in any way connected with the allegation of a plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda by force of arms between 2001 and 2004. The first petition for an order sought for a stay of all relevant criminal proceedings in all the courts succeeds. The second petition for an order permanently prohibiting the State from using the process of any court, military or civilian so as to initiate and prosecute the petitioners in connection of the alleged plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda by force of arms between December 2001 and December 2004.
Afraid and Forgotten: Lawlessness, Rape, and Impunity in Western Côte d’Ivoire
This report by Human Rights Watch covers lawlessness in Côte d’Ivoire, including failure of the judicial system (p.51).
Periodic Report of Burkina Faso to the African Commisssion on Human and Peoples Rights
covering the period 2003-2009.
30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku October 2010
This month’s articles include news on unsentenced prisoners, parole & sentencing, South Africans imprisoned abroad and prison-related news from other countries in Africa.
Van Vuren v Minister of Correctional Services and Others, CCT 07-10, ZACC 17 Constitutional Court of South Africa 30 September 2010
Seminar on understanding the ICESCR and the MDGs - 15 September 2010
On 15 September 2010 civil society organisations and human rights institutions participated in a seminar to discuss South Africa’s 2010 Draft Report on the status of its progress towards achieving the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The seminar took place against the backdrop of the MDG Review Summit that will take place at the United Nations in New York from 20-22 September 2010 as well as the UN’s annual treaty signing event also taking place from 21 to 23 and 27 to 28 September 2010 in New York.
30 Days/Dae/Izinsuku September 2010
This issue contains news articles on security & escape, parole & sentencing, prison conditions and prison-related news from other African countries.
