Also known as: HRW
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The Namibian
Human Rights Watch says Trump administration policies could lead to World Cup defined by exclusion and fear
“Human Rights Watch says the Trump administration's immigration, demonstrations and press freedom could lead to a World Cup defined by "exclusion and fear."”
World Cup nears kickoff after pre tournament turbulenceThe Namibian
Human Rights Watch has said World Cup risks being defined by exclusion and fear due to Trump's crackdowns
“Human Rights Watch has said the World Cup risks being defined by "exclusion and fear" due to Trump's crackdowns on immigration, demonstrations and press freedom, while Amnesty International warned the tournament could become a "stage for repression".”
Anxiety, anticipation as Fifa World Cup one-month countdown beginsThe Namibian
Non-government organisation Human Rights Watch conducted a study finding government forces in Burkina Faso responsible for more than twice as many civilian deaths as militant jihadist groups over a two-year period
“Two months ago, German news outlet DW reported that a study by non-government organisation Human Rights Watch found that government forces in Burkina Faso are responsible for more than twice as many civilian deaths as that of militant jihadist groups over a two-year period.”
Beware False Gods and PretendersThe Namibian
Human Rights Watch reported more than 1 800 civilians killed in Burkina Faso since Traoré seized power in 2023
“On Thursday, a report by Human Rights Watch said more than 1 800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since Traoré seized power in 2023.”
Burkina Faso must ‘forget' about democracy, military leader Traoré saysThe Namibian
Campaign group Human Rights Watch noted a rise in hostility toward LGBT people
“Campaign group Human Rights Watch has recently noted a rise in "hostility toward LGBT people", adding that MPs had twice – in 2022 and 2024 – unsuccessfully sought to raise jail terms and penalties against same-sex relationships.”
Senegal president signs tough new anti-LGBT law doubling jail termsThe Namibian
Human Rights Watch said recruitment is grave violation of children's rights and war crime when under 15
“In a report on the recruitment campaign, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it was a "grave violation of children's rights and a war crime when the children are under 15".”
Iran using children in security roles in war, reports and witnesses sayThe Namibian
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over due process and treatment of prisoners accused of being Islamist
“Human Rights Watch has previously raised concerns over due process and the treatment of prisoners accused of being part of an Islamist armed group.”
‘We will go wherever they hide': Rooting out IS in SomaliaThe Namibian
Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the proposed changes were worrying
“Human Rights Watch researcher Larissa Kojoué said the proposed changes were worrying.”
Senegal approves tougher anti-gay law as rights groups raise concernsThe Namibian
Campaign group Human Rights Watch said it had seen a copy of an agreement providing for Eswatini to accept deportees
“In September, campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had seen the copy of an agreement, providing for Eswatini to accept up to 160 deportees from the US in exchange for $5.1m to build its "border and migration management capacity".”
Eswatini confirms receiving $5.1m from the US for accepting deporteesThe Namibian
Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the authorities had responded to the widespread protests with lethal force and other abuses
“Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the authorities had responded to the widespread protests following the elections "with lethal force and other abuses".”
Curfew lifted in Tanzania's main city after election unrestThe FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The FIFA World Cup kicks off Thursday with the first tournament co-hosted by three nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) featuring a record 48 teams. The opening match pits co-host Mexico against South Africa in Mexico City, while the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The one-month countdown to the 2026 Fifa World Cup begins Monday with a record 48 teams descending on the United States, Canada and Mexico, though soaring ticket prices, political tensions, and conflict in Iran have cast an early shadow over the tournament.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Kenyan political analyst Nanjala Nyabola warns that African military leaders like Burkina Faso's Ibrahim Traoré present themselves as anti-imperialist "saviours" while actually implementing authoritarianism, dissolved political parties and cracking down on dissent. The Namibian editorial argues that Namibians should be equally wary of the rise of populist personality-driven politics over substantive governance.
18 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2021 coup, declared that democracy "kills" and said Burkina Faso must abandon it in favour of an unspecified alternative approach. The junta leader, who broke a pledge to restore elections by July 2024, has dissolved political parties, suppressed dissent, and extended his rule for five additional years.
3 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Senegal's President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signed legislation doubling the maximum prison sentence to 10 years for sexual acts by same-sex couples and criminalising the "promotion" of homosexuality with sentences of three to seven years. The law was approved by parliament with an overwhelming majority and reflects a campaign promise, though it has drawn criticism from UN officials and international human rights groups.
2 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Iran is deploying children as young as 12 in security roles including checkpoints and patrols, a practice confirmed by eyewitness accounts and highlighted by an 11-year-old's death at a checkpoint in Tehran. Human rights organisations say the recruitment programme violates international law and constitutes war crimes when children under 15 are involved.
1 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Somalia's Puntland Defence Forces, supported by US drone strikes and intelligence, are conducting sustained military operations against Islamic State fighters entrenched in the al-Miskad mountains. Though IS-Somalia's local threat capacity has diminished, the group remains a resilient organisation and continues to serve as a hub supporting Islamic State affiliates across Africa and beyond.
16 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Senegal's parliament has approved legislation that doubles the maximum prison sentence to 10 years for same-sex sexual acts and criminalises the "promotion" of homosexuality. UN human rights officials and rights groups have warned the move could worsen discrimination and violence against sexual minorities, and could undermine the country's efforts to control HIV transmission.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →