killing of protestors
Wednesday 21.10.2020 Kyrgyzstan - Latest Developments -
Post-election protests plunge Kyrgyzstan into crisis
Following the parliamentary elections on 4th October 2020, a deep political crisis evolved in Kyrgyzstan, entailing serious human rights concerns. The parliamentary elections, which were marred by allegations of widespread irregularities, resulted in a landslide victory for pro-government parties, with most opposition parties left out in the cold. This prompted mass protests by opposition members and supporters in the capital Bishkek. What began as peaceful demonstrations evolved into clashes between protesters and law enforcement authorities during the evening of 5th October 2020 when the latter resorted to forceful tactics after an attempt by some protesters to break through the gates of White House, the seat of the president and parliament. The clashes ended with the seizure of the White House and several other public buildings by groups of protesters in the early morning of 6th October 2020, and the unlawful release of previous high-profile political figures from prison. In the days which followed the post-election protests, the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums of the Kyrgyz Republic (CEC) cancelled the election results, the prime minister and other top officials stepped down, calls were made for the resignation or impeachment of the President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, and parliament was left in a debilitated state. Through a convoluted chain of events, Sadyr Japarov – a former MP who was among those freed on 5th-6th October 2020 – was endorsed to head a new government on 14th October 2020. Read more
Thursday 15.10.2020 United States of America - Latest Developments -
Protests against systemic racism continue despite flagrant attacks on civil liberties
At the end of August 2020, the shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer sparked further outrage and led to several nights of protests in Kenosha, where the shooting took place, and other cities. Read more
Wednesday 7.10.2020 Mexico - Latest Developments -
Feminist occupation of National Human Rights Commission in Mexico
On 16th August 2020, demonstrations were held in Mexico City to protest violence against women and girls across the country. Read more | Read in Spanish
Thursday 1.10.2020 Sierra Leone - Latest Developments -
Ongoing suppression of journalists' and protesters' rights; criminal libel law repealed
Dr. Sylvia Blyden, publisher of Awareness Times newspaper, was arrested on 1st May, 2020 at her home, because of a post on her Facebook page that indicated that former Defense Minister Alfred Paolo Conteh, who was in custody at the Criminal Investigation Department headquarters in Freetown, was being kept in dehumanising conditions. Read more
Wednesday 23.9.2020 Colombia - Latest Developments -
Colombia on alert with increasing massacres, social leaders killed and repression of protests
In the span of two weeks in August 2020, there were at least seven massacres in Colombia. The violence left at least 39 people dead, among them many young people and children. Read more | Read in Spanish
Wednesday 16.9.2020 Côte d'Ivoire - Latest Developments -
Several killed in protests, violence after President Ouattara announces third term bid
President Ouattara’s announcement to run for a third term in the upcoming October 2020 presidential elections sparked deadly protests and violence throughout the country, killing several. Authorities 'suspended' all protests on the public road and arrested one HRD and two of her colleagues who had called for protests . Read more | Read in French
Monday 31.8.2020 United States of America - Latest Developments -
Black Lives Matter protests continue despite escalating tensions as federal troops deployed
In July and August 2020, protests against police brutality and systemic racism that began after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis continued across the country, often with violent clashes between militarised police and protesters. Read more
Thursday 27.8.2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo - Latest Developments -
Activists and journalists arrested, protests dispersed and banned
There has been 'a serious downturn in respect for human rights' under President Félix Tshisekedi's administration in 2020, after some initial human rights improvements in 2019, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a report published on 22nd July 2020. In the first six months of 2020, HRW documented at least 39 cases of harassment and threats in relation to the freedom of expression and media freedom. Read more
Thursday 20.8.2020 Ethiopia - Latest Developments -
Hundreds dead after protests, fears over COVID-19 restrictions’ impact on free speech
Mass protests erupt over killing of popular musician Hachalu Hundessa; several leading opposition politicians were arrested in relation to the protests; reports made of COVID-19 restrictions being used to increasingly restrict free speech online. Read more
Thursday 20.8.2020 Belarus - Latest Developments -
Mass protests follow disputed election results
Protests erupt across the country over disputed results; denounce electoral irregularities; Opposition candidates intimidated after results announcement; Workers down tools to protest disputed results and brutality; Internet and websites blocked; Journalists assaulted, detained; Journalists quit jobs to protest brutality and censorship Read more
