A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced to death four policemen for killing a prominent human rights activist. Floribert Chebeya, head of the Congolese charity Voice of the Voiceless, was murdered last June. His body was found in the back of his car near the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, after he had been summoned to police headquarters. Three of those sentenced to death were convicted in their absence. According to the AFP news agency, the court heard that they were the actual killers of Mr Chebeya and were still on the run. The court jailed another policemen for life, while three were acquitted. Continue reading DR Congo: Floribert Chebeya killers sentenced to death
Monthly Archives: June 2011
STATEMENT: Statement on President Obama’s announcement on troop reduction – A mere gesture
Pax Christi USA applauds the efforts of all citizens of conscience who have spoken out against the Afghanistan war in these days leading up to President Obama’s decision regarding July troop withdrawal. Sadly, this week’s announcement that 10,000 troops will leave Afghanistan by the end of the year and 23,000 more by the end of next summer was but a mere gesture and not a serious shift to bring this war to an end. Continue reading STATEMENT: Statement on President Obama’s announcement on troop reduction – A mere gesture
First lady focuses on women in South Africa but misses unemployment issue
By Krissah Thompson,
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — One of the first efforts Michelle Obama launched in the East Wing was a mentoring program for young women to drive home her message that success requires hard work. This week, Obama took that message to Africa for the first time. More
Interview with Marta Valéria Cunha, coordinator of the Pastoral Land Commission in Amazonas
“Many landowners also own the media”
Latin America Press
Paolo Moiola
The Pastoral Land Commission or CPT is well known for its advocacy efforts. The organization´s battles, research, and initiatives — like the “Referendum on limiting land ownership” held in September of last year, the “Campaign against slave labor”, as well as its annual reports on the conflicts over land — are never trivial, but on the contrary always leave a mark. Continue reading Interview with Marta Valéria Cunha, coordinator of the Pastoral Land Commission in Amazonas
US takes tough stance at climate change talks in Bangkok
Third World Network Africa
Written by Kwes Obeng
Monday, 04 April 2011 17:02
Developed countries led by the United States have kicked against an international regime of top-down rules for setting emission reduction targets and penalties for non-compliance at the post-Cancun climate change negotiations currently underway in Bangkok, Thailand.
At the start of a two-day pre-sessional workshop on the emission reduction targets by developed country parties (Annex 1 countries) the United States’ negotiator, Jonathan Pershing said the US made a pledge of 17 emission reductions by 2020 based on 2005 levels and would not be party to any international regime with possible consequences for not meeting set targets. Continue reading US takes tough stance at climate change talks in Bangkok
Rousseff’s dilemmas
Latin America Press
Lawmakers to vote on controversial Forest Law that could ease restrictions on deforestation.
Less than six months after taking office, President Dilma Rousseff and some Brazilian lawmakers are looking to trying to maintain Brazil´s reputation as the economic powerhouse of the Hemisphere, ensuring that it leads in growth. But some policies could have severe environmental and social costs, some warn. Continue reading Rousseff’s dilemmas
Africa: Mobile phones, radio promote rights, says advocacy group
Amnesty International has noted that the tide is turning for human rights abuse in Africa, and mobile phones and FM radio have arguably done more than most other conventional methods to pursue this objective. In many countries in Africa, there is now a vibrant civil society, which, although often still repressed, can no longer be ignored by those in power. Continue reading Africa: Mobile phones, radio promote rights, says advocacy group
Ecumenical Conference on Mining – Final Statement
Kairos Canada
Gathered under a banner bearing Psalm 24’s reminder – “The Earth is God’s, and all that is in it” – about 150 people from all parts of the Earth (50 from the south) considered the impact of Canadian mining companies on their communities and offered some signs of what must be done differently… We met in Toronto, Canada, as this country is home to 75 per cent of the world’s mining and mineral exploration companies, and Canadian stock exchanges raise 40 per cent of all mineral exploration capital worldwide…the participants commit to continue the process of reflection and action on resource extraction, and also call upon the Canadian churches, as well as churches globally, to take re sponsibility in speaking out more publicly on the issues and concerns raised during the gathering.” (see list of sponsors at the end) Continue reading Ecumenical Conference on Mining – Final Statement
Clifton priest calls for end to killings in Brazil
Independent Catholic News
A Clifton Diocese priest ministering in Brazil has called for an end to a series of killings after a community leader seeking justice for landless people in the Amazon region was murdered.
Father Leo Dolan, who has served in Brazil since 1970, is supporting the family of Adelino Ramos, who was shot to death in front of his wife and two of his daughters aged six and four. Dinho, as he was known, was gunned down in broad daylight. Continue reading Clifton priest calls for end to killings in Brazil
DR Congo: Floribert Chebeya killers sentenced to death
A military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced to death four policemen for killing a prominent human rights activist.
Floribert Chebeya, head of the Congolese charity Voice of the Voiceless, was murdered last June.
His body was found in the back of his car near the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, after he had been summoned to police headquarters. Continue reading DR Congo: Floribert Chebeya killers sentenced to death
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