Social Watch news

Drought, a huge problem for
Ethiopian pastoralists. (Photo:
Petterik Wiggers/Hollandse Hoogte.)

Source: Afronline

As hunger threatens 12 million people in the Horn of Africa, a study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) of the response to Kenya’s last devastating drought found that investments to increase the mobility of livestock herders – a way of life often viewed as “backward” despite being the most economical and productive use of that country’s drylands – could be the key to avert future food crises.

A sign in Dili: Timor-Leste
"doesn't owe" and "will not pay".
(Photo: ETAN/US)

Sources: ETAN, La’o Hamutuk

The government of Timor-Leste must "keep the nation debt-free and refrain from borrowing money from international lenders […] to protect its future generations," warned 137 civil society organizations based in 32 countries. Dili has not borrowed foreign funds since its independence in 2002.

Outgoing LTDH president Mokhtar
Trifi and interim prime minister
Beji Caed Essebsi.
(Photo: TunisiaLive)

Sources: Associated Press, TunisiaLive, Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, Leaders, in French

The Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH, one of the focal points of Social Watch) held its annual congress for the first time in 11 years from Friday to Sunday. The group, barred from carrying out all activities under president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime, called on the country's next authorities for an independent justice system, respect for women's rights and the end of capital punishment.

Source: Ghana Nation

A two-day African Regional Capacity Building Workshop for members of Social Watch Coalitions on the continent was held in Accra this week, with the aim to strengthen the capacity of members to actively monitor the implementation of social policies and programmes by their governments.

Source: Mizzima

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute and NGOs representatives, including Mr U Aung Htoo, Secretary General of the Burma Lawyers’ Council (focal point of Social Watch), discussed the call for a UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) into war crimes in that country with European Union (EU) diplomats ahead of a European Council meeting on human rights in Brussels on Monday.

Source: Inesc

The economic contribution of mining companies to the countries where they operate, and where these funds actually go, should be of interest to the whole of society, especially movements and organizations that are fighting for social and environmental rights. Peru, the world’s biggest producer of silver and the second of copper and zinc, signed last week an agreement with mining enterprises to levy a tax on the exceptional profits these companies are making.

Source: Pakistan Today

Pakistani non-governmental organizations, among them the Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP, one of the members of Social Watch in that country), expressed their concern over the government’s silence on neither providing relief to the rain-hit population, nor inviting the international community to assist with rescue and rehabilitation.

Bahraini doctors protesting in
the streets.
(Photo: Ahlulbayt News Agency)

Sources: Daily Tribune, Al Jazeera, Radio France International, The Washington Post

Bahraini and international human rights’ organization efforts made progress this week when a special court freed on bail 20 doctors jailed because of political reasons, some of which had gone on hunger strikes, with more than 100 other prisoners. The situation of the fasters “is a matter of concern as it involves the lives of people,” said Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS, focal point of Social Watch) Secretary General Dr Abdulla Al Durazi.

(Photo: South-South News)

Source: Blog of the Conference, UN News Centre, South-South News

The annual joint meeting of the United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) convened this week in Bonn, Germany, concluded with the presentation of a lengthy declaration that calls heads of state or government to represent their countries in next year’s UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in Brazil, and for the adoption of an extensive and politically-binding set of international goals and national commitments.

Press conference of the Commission
against Femicide. (Photo: CEM-H)

Sources: CEM-H, Minga Informativa de Movimientos Sociales, El Heraldo

The civil society organizations that make up the Commission against Femicide (the murder of women) in Honduras expressed last week their indignation and concern at the increase in this phenomenon in the country and the fact that the authorities are showing "little or no interest" in it. They warned that “Femicide is an extreme expression of violence against women based on men’s power to control and dominate us, our bodies and our lives".

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