Palestine
Riots rock Jerusalem —again
Palestinian women clashed with Israeli troops on the outskirts of Jerusalem, chanting “Jerusalem is Arab, our eternal capital.” Israeli forces dispersed the women with tear gas.
Author: CounterVortex
Palestine
Egypt uses “shoot-to-kill policy” on Israel border
Egyptian border guards shot and seriously wounded an Ethiopian migrant trying to cross illegally into Israel, in what UN human rights official Navi Pillay calls a “shoot-to-kill policy.”
Africa
DRC forces accused of “crimes against humanity”
Government troops—the FARDC—in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are to blame for much of the epidemic of sexual violence in the east of the country, according to US and UN reports.
Africa
US State Department: Ethiopia represses opposition
The US State Department’s annual human rights report charges that Ethiopia is holding several hundred political prisoners. Ethiopia responded that the report has “erroneous claims.”
Africa
US State Department: Eritrea backs Horn of Africa terrorism
In its annual human rights country report, the US State Department accuses Eritrea of systematically abusing human rights, as well as sponsoring terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
Palestine
Israeli troops charged over use of “human shield” in Gaza offensive
The Israeli military has charged two soldiers with endangering the life of a Palestinian boy by using him as a “human shield” during Israel’s Gaza Strip offensive last winter.
Palestine
Israeli warplanes strike Gaza —again
Israeli warplanes opened fire on the southern Gaza Strip early March 12, striking two targets near the Egyptian border. There were no immediate reports of injury in the attack, which an Israeli military spokesman said targeted sites in Rafah and… Read moreIsraeli warplanes strike Gaza —again
Palestine
Israel seals off West Bank —again
Israel has imposed a full closure of the occupied West Bank for 48 hours. Defense Minister Ehud Barak made the move amid reports about possible new protests at al-Aqsa mosque.
North Africa
Morocco “violently” repressed protests in Western Sahara: activist
Moroccan authorities “violently” put down peaceful protests in Western Sahara earlier this week, and blocked ambulances trying to take away the injured, activist Aminatou Haidar charges.
Palestine
New Jerusalem settlements could derail peace talks: Palestinian Authority
Israel’s plan to build 1,600 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem is “dangerous” and has the potential to thwart US efforts to restart peace talks, the Palestinian Authority said.
Afghanistan
Human Rights Watch urges Afghanistan to repeal amnesty law
The Afghan government should urgently act to repeal a law that provides an amnesty to perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch says.
North Africa
Mauritania’s Constitutional Council rejects elements of anti-terrorism law
In a surprise move, Mauritania’s Constitutional Council rejected 10 articles of a new anti-terrorism law that allowed warrantless surveillance and indefinite detention.