Auteur/autrice : TimesNews2

PRESS RELEASE: Guinea: Horrific cases of rape and murder of girls must urge authorities to strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat sexual violence Guinean authorities must take immediate measures to ensure thorough and impartial investigation of recent rapes and sexual assaults followed by murders committed over the course of just eight days and bring perpetrators to justice, Amnesty International and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today. They must also increase their efforts to fight sexual violence by strengthening prevention, supporting access to justice for survivors and adopting a special law on violence against women. Six girls aged between three and 16, and a woman were sexually assaulted, and some were raped between 25 November and 2 December 2021. Two of the girls have died as a result of the violence. “Rape is all too commonplace in Guinea. Authorities should urgently strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat sexual violence in Guinea,” said Samira Daoud, Amnesty International West and Central Africa director. Rape of girls On 2 December 2021, the Office for the Protection of Gender, Childhood and Morals (OPROGEM in French) presented a 24-year-old man charged with the rape of a three-year-old girl in the district of Gbessia in the capital Conakry. On 30 November another three-year-old girl was raped in Batè-Nafadji in the eastern region of Kankan. On 27 November, a 12-year-old girl was raped by two men on her way home in the town of Sanoun. This came just a day after the death of another 12-year-old girl in the north-eastern town of Siguiri. In the urban commune of Labé, west-central region of Guinea, a three-year-old girl was gang raped on 26 November. Local organization, “Agir pour le Droit Féminin“, which met with the three-year-old girl’s parents on 7 December, told the organizations that she was abducted when going to buy candy not far from the family home. She was then taken to an uninhabited house and sexually assaulted until she died. The girl’s father who met with the prosecutor confirmed his demand for justice for his daughter. One of the alleged perpetrator’s father requested forgiveness from the girl’s family but they refused. The rapes of girls followed the rape of a woman on 25 November while she was in a hospital in the north-western town of Kamsar for a surgery. The hospital management announced three days later they had “arrested the alleged perpetrator” -who is an external service provider- and taken him to the gendarmerie. The same day, a 16-year-old girl was also raped by several men in Kankan. “The authorities must ensure thorough and impartial investigations of these rape cases without delay and anyone found guilty must be brought to justice,” said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. “Survivors must receive access to medical care and psychosocial support as well as legal aid to access justice and redress.” More than 331 rape cases reported since the beginning of the year Since the beginning of the year, OPROGEM and the Special Brigade for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons (BSPPV in French) have already dealt with 331 rape cases. In 2020 alone, they dealt with 374 cases, a number which reflects only the tip of the iceberg according to NGOs working on sexual violence survivors, journalists, police and gendarmerie. This is due to the stigma associated with rape in Guinea, which often leads to not reporting the crime and not filing complaints, and often such cases are handled through mediation and out-of-court settlements between the victims or their families and the alleged perpetrators or their families. The recent rape cases follow another case that sparked a strong public reaction across the country last month.  M’Mah Sylla, a 25-year-old woman, was allegedly raped by doctors at a non-licensed clinic in Conakry, where she went for treatment. She got pregnant as a result, and the same perpetrators raped her again when she returned to the clinic to seek an abortion. The rape caused injuries that could not be healed despite seven surgeries. The victim died on 20 November in Tunis (Tunisia) where she was medically evacuated following a government intervention. Following M’Mah Sylla’s death, women staged protests on 22, 24 and 30 November in the towns of Labé, Kindia and N’Zérékoré, demanding justice for all victims of rape.  On 21 November, the Ministry of Justice said three of the four alleged perpetrators of M’Mah Sylla’s rape had been detained in Conakry prison. The government also presented its condolences to her family on behalf of the head of state. Activists spoke out on the surge in rape cases Djenab Boiro of “Mon Enfant, Ma vie” a local organization, told Amnesty International during a meeting in Conakry: “Even dead, M’Mah Sylla deserves justice. I am convinced that the day the perpetrators will be sentenced to the punishment they deserve, her soul will finally rest in peace. We have had too many cases like M’Mah Sylla’s and we hope and dream of not having any more.” “Authorities have taken some steps in the right direction in recent years which we welcome, such as the creation in 2020 of a special unit within the gendarmerie to fight sexual violence. In addition, local women’s rights organizations have played and continue to play a major role in speaking up against sexual violence, together with some media,” said Samira Daoud “Despite this situation, the persistence of rape cases, especially of girls, calls for much greater efforts to raise awareness among the public to prevent sexual violence, to protect the survivors, and ensure their timely access to justice and reparations as well as to bring perpetrators to account. This includes but is not limited to the adoption of a special law on violence against women, as recommended by the CEDAW Committee,” concluded Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. From Amnesty International and IPPF

La Cameroonian foundation for AIDS, CAMFAIDS a organisé le 10 décembre 2021 à Yaoundé un café-presse afin de briser le silence face aux nombreux cas de violations de droits humains au Cameroun. Parti du constat que les cas de violations des droits humains au Cameroun ne cessent de s’aggraver, la Cameroonian foundation for AIDS, CAMFAIDS a une fois de plus saisie l’occasion de la célébration de la journée internationale des droits de l’homme afin de prendre le taureau par les cornes. Cette association de défense des droits humains au Cameroun a tenu à marquer à sa manière la célébration de la 73eme édition de la journée internationale des Droits de l’Homme, le 10 décembre dernier, pour remettre sur la table les nombreux cas de violations dont font face les populations en générale et en particulier les populations clés. Et ceci, avec le cas récent de l’une de ses bénéficiaires qui a subi sans défense le courroux d’une bande de jeunes dans un quartier populaire de la cité capitale. Un traitement barbare et inhumain qui selon la CAMFAIDS appelle à se plancher davantage sur les droits de l’homme qui sont bafoues par certaines personnes dans notre pays. Il est question de restaurer la dignité et le respect des droits de l’être humain. Pour palier a ces nombreuses entraves dans un premier temps, CAMFAIDS a organisé en son siège à Yaoundé, un café presse avec des hommes et femmes de médias qui au quotidien travaillent sur les questions de droits de l’homme au Cameroun. Ledit café presse placé sous le thème : « Briser le silence, promouvoir et restaurer les Droits des personnes marginalisées », a permis au staff exécutif de la CAMFAIDS d’échanger avec les journalistes sur cette problématique et d’adopter en fin de compte des pistes de solutions pour accentuer la médiatisation contre les violations des droits des populations clés. Le panel qui a entretenu les journalistes était constitué de Nickel Kamen Liwandi, Directeur Exécutif, Aurélie Abanda, Directeur des programmes, Ebenezer Munkam et Jean-Marie Yene Nkoudou, Directeur du département sante a CAMFAIDS. D’entrée de jeu, les principes d’égalité et de non-discrimination qui sont cruciaux et tel que le relève la déclaration universelle des droits de l’homme ont été exposés par le Directeur du département des Droits Humains de la CAMFAIDS, Ebenezer Munkam. Celui-ci a aussi dans sa présentation parlé de l’exclusion des personnes d’un certain type de catégorie dans notre société. En tant que spécialiste des questions des droits humains avec sa casquette de juriste de formation, Ebenezer Munkam a indiqué que lorsqu’on parle des personnes marginalisées, celles-ci font parties des catégories de personnes mises en marge de la société. Il a ajouté dans ses propos que, bien que le code pénal en son article 347 censure des relations entre personnes de même sexe, il serait aussi bien de voir une censure à l’encontre de ceux et celles qui incitent aux violations de droits des personnes et infligent des traitements barbares. Selon Nickel Kamen Liwandi, Directeur Exécutif de la CAMFAIDS, cette thématique souligne jusqu’ici le silence de toute la communauté nationale face à certaines entraves subies par les populations clés. Nickel Kamen Liwandi a également souligné le fait que sur le terrain les droits des personnes ne sont pas respectées. Le constat est amer tel qu’il l’a indiqué dans ses propos à la presse. Il dit : « La question des Droits de l’homme doit rester une question d’actualité au Cameroun. Nous sommes un pays qui a un profil de pays a multi-crises et nous savons que les différents types de crises qu’elles soient sanitaires, sécuritaires ou bien politiques dans lesquelles nous sommes entrainent également une crise de droits de l’homme. Et cette crise de droits de l’homme entraine un déni de l’humanité de certaines catégories de personnes notamment les personnes marginalisées. Le choix de ce thème ici, est de rappeler à l’opinion publique, que du simple fait d’être un humain, chacun de nous a un ensemble de droits qui lui sont lies et de rappeler à l’Etat son devoir régalien de protéger et de garantir l’égalité de tous face à la loi… » Aux sorties des échanges, le staff de CAMFAIDS a souhaité que les hommes et femmes de médias brisent davantage le silence à travers leurs écrits et dénoncent ces nombreuses dérives observées dans notre société en ce qui concerne les violations et abus des droits humains. Des perspectives de collaboration entre CAMFAIDS et les journalistes ont été nouées, ceci dans le but de porter plus haut le plaidoyer de cette association. CAMFAIDS est une association créée en mai 2009 et légalisée le 20 Juin 2012 par des étudiants et employés camerounais soucieux d’apporter leur contribution afin d’enrayer la propagation rapide du VIH auprès de la communauté LGBT, et de lutter contre l’homophobie et les discriminations dont ceux-ci sont victimes dans la ville de Yaoundé et ses environs. La création de l’association intervient suite au constat fait de la propagation continuelle du VIH et du taux d’augmentation des arrestations arbitraires envers ceux-ci. Elise Kenimbeni

Friday 10 December 2021. Human Rights Day. This is the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR is a milestone document which proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, political or other opinion, national or social origin, or other status. This year’s Human Rights Day theme is ‘Equality, reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.’ IPPF Africa Region is committed to ensuring the protection and upholding of all people’s human rights, including that of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized populations. On this day, IPPFAR tells the story of how its Member Association in Uganda, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) works with partners to advocate for the rights of sex workers –a high-risk vulnerable group, and ensure they have access to quality sexual reproductive health services. When 28-year-old Nasiche* was introduced to sex work by her friend five years ago, she knew the risks involved. “I was scared I would be raped or beaten by male clients. I also feared arrest by police, thus leaving my children with no one to fend for them,” remembers Nasiche, a mother of four. But at that point in her life, Nasiche was desperate. “I had three children from two different men. Neither father was taking responsibility for their children, and I was struggling to put food on the table. My friend urged me to seriously consider sex work. She gave me insights into the trade, shared survival tips, and assured me I’d be fine. I took her advice,” says Nasiche, who dropped out of school in Senior 2. In no time, Nasiche was able to provide for her children. “I didn’t have to beg the fathers of my children for food or school fees anymore. I felt good about this and decided to make sex work my job.” Nasiche was however naïve about practicing safe sex, and soon became pregnant with her fourth child. “After I gave birth, I knew I had to protect myself from another unplanned pregnancy. My friends introduced me to a Drop-in Center (DIC) where I could access condoms and other health services including treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).” A Safe Space The Drop-in Center that her friends introduced her to is the Empowered at Dusk Women’s Association (EADWA) facility, a peach-colored house located along Bwaise’s streets. EADWA was founded in 2008 by female sex workers from the slums of Bwaise III parish in Kawempe division, Kampala district, who had experienced sexual and physical violence. They additionally faced stigma and discrimination, including in health centers. “It was difficult to access services from health facilities as we would be shamed and ridiculed by the health workers. We really suffered. EADWA became a safe space for us to meet, discuss our challenges and develop effective strategies about our work. We began inviting health service providers such as Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) to the center. RHU is an organization well known for its non-discriminatory services,” says Grace Kabayaga, EADWA’s Executive Director. We met Nasiche at this safe space, enjoying a boardgame with a friend. “I come here thrice a week. It’s a place where I meet my fellow sex workers and we talk about life, play games, exchange banter over a cup of tea, and just bond.” At the Drop-in Center, the ladies also have access to a wide range of reproductive health promotional material which help increase their knowledge on sexual health. Unfortunately, many sex workers, having come from poor backgrounds, can barely read and write. “It would be great if our ladies could enroll in adult literacy classes. It will help them negotiate better and avoid being conned. They can also engage in other income-generating activities. Having a television set at the center would be ideal, as the health education shows would help them gain more knowledge, especially for the illiterate ones,” says Grace. Threats of Violence at Work Just as she had initially feared, Nasiche’s work has not been without incident. Adamant about always using condoms, Nasiche has had to face constant threats of violence from clients who refuse to use condoms, or men who refuse to pay for services rendered. Nasiche however says that while the risks are still there, she feels better equipped to handle them. “I have attended trainings held at the Drop-in Center, facilitated by RHU where we are taught about survival tactics. For example, I’m now very particular about the bars or lodgings I go to. I only go to those whose managers are aware of the work we do and the related risks. Further, whenever I’m with a client who is threatening to be violent, I raise the alarm by screaming or blowing a whistle and the management quickly comes to my rescue. I must however ensure I pay my regular ‘protection fee’ to the lodge’s management. Such arrangements have saved our lives as sex workers,” says Nasiche. Sex workers’ rights are human rights Because sex work is illegal in Uganda, just like in many other African countries, women like Nasiche live in constant fear of their lives. They face threats of rape, battery, harassment, extortion, murder, abduction and trafficking, public humiliation, arrest, detention and denied justice. “I know of sex workers who have been murdered. Survivors of assault who go to police stations get there and are asked: ‘do you know the work you do is illegal, and we should arrest you because you are a criminal’? This prevents many victims from reporting assault cases,” says Hellen*, also a sex worker in Bwaise. Peter Ghali, RHU’s Project Coordinator in Bwaise, says RHU has initiated various strategies aimed at addressing the challenges faced by sex workers. “We educate them about their rights, and further link them to organizations that offer legal aid. We also work with other stakeholders such as lodging and bar owners, the police, local leaders and gate keepers, urging them to put in place measures that protect sex