West and Central Africa

Refugee in the 3 x 5 metre hut he shares with seven other people, Erengeti, Democratic Republic of Congo, July 2003

Armed conflicts continue to bring widespread destruction to many parts of West and Central Africa. Refugees and internally displaced people face appalling conditions. Across the region, there is discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, the majority of whom are denied the right to medical treatment. Political repression is widespread and human rights defenders come under attack. Pervasive violence against women is exacerbated by poverty and lack of access to health care and education.

Killings, abductions and rape by government forces and armed opposition groups remain widespread in armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Armed political groups continue to carry out killings, rapes and torture of civilians.

The region continues to face severe economic conditions. Massive corruption and illegal exploitation of natural resources contributes to denying many their economic, social and cultural rights, in particular the rights to food, water, health, housing and education.

Guinea: Soldiers held in an unlawful place of detention

11 soldiers, believed to have served under President Lansana Conté, are being held in a place of detention known for ill treatment of prisoners. A twelfth has been injured in custody. Take action

News

Rwanda: "Living in fear of saying the wrong thing" 31 Aug 2010

Nigeria: Police refuse to investigate attack on 77-year old man 27 Aug 2010

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): Mass rape highlights failures in protection and justice 27 Aug 2010

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Stop gas flaring in the Niger Delta
Royal Dutch Shell, a UK-based company, has been the major oil producer in the Niger Delta for the past 50 years, making billions while polluting rivers and persisting in the prohibited practice of 'gas flaring'.

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Gambia: Journalist held incommunicado

'Where is Ebrima?' The great student festivity day in Sweden's foremost university city, April 30 2009. Thousands of people gather. But Ebrima is missing from the crowd. © Minna Salminen Journalist Ebrima B. Manneh was arrested in July 2006 and has been held incommunicado and without trial ever since. Call on the Gambian authorities to immediately release Ebrima

On 6 April the Attorney General of the Gambia made a claim before the National Assembly that Ebrima Manneh is not in state custody. Help us ask 'Where is Ebrima?' Join our 'where is Ebrima' photo campaign

Further information

Cameroon: Impunity underpins persistent abuse 29 January 2009
Mauritania: Torture at the heart of the state 3 December 2008
Gambia: Fear rules 11 November 2008

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