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International Civil Society Organizations Condemn Sentencing of Pakistani Human Rights Lawyers Under Anti-Terrorism Legislation

International Civil Society Organizations Condemn Sentencing of Pakistani Human Rights Lawyers Under Anti-Terrorism Legislation

International civil society organizations have strongly condemned the recent sentencing of prominent Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. They were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment under anti-terrorism legislation and three years' imprisonment under the Pakistan Penal Code. The convictions stem from an incident in October 2024, where the lawyers allegedly removed security barriers in Islamabad during the transportation of the visiting England cricket team. They were found guilty of 'serious coercion or intimidation of a public servant' to create terror, 'obstructing any public servant,' and 'assaulting or using criminal force to deter a public servant.' The organizations express serious concerns about the extensive misuse of the criminal justice system and anti-terrorism legislation to punish and intimidate lawyers engaged in human rights work. The trial, conducted inside Adiala prison, reportedly failed to meet fair trial standards, with the lawyers kept in a ...
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High Commission of India in Nairobi, Kenya, Streamlines Consular Services with Online Portal

High Commission of India in Nairobi, Kenya, Streamlines Consular Services with Online Portal

The High Commission of India in Nairobi, Kenya, has initiated the acceptance of applications for miscellaneous consular services through its new SEWA portal. This digital platform aims to modernize and streamline the application process for Indian citizens residing in Kenya. Applicants are now required to sign up and create an account on the portal, activate it via an OTP sent to their registered email, and then proceed to apply for various services online. The system facilitates the uploading of necessary documents and online submission. Upon successful submission, a provisional acknowledgment receipt is generated. The High Commission will then scrutinize the documents, and applicants will receive confirmation regarding the submission of physical applications and fee payments. This digital shift is part of an effort to enhance efficiency and accessibility for consular services, reducing the need for immediate physical visits to the High Commission until the online application is verified and approved.
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Rwanda Collaborates with East African Community on El Niño Preparedness

Rwanda Collaborates with East African Community on El Niño Preparedness

Rwanda, represented by Minister Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Albert Murasira, participated in an Extra-Ordinary Joint Sectoral Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on regional preparedness and response to the anticipated El Niño phenomenon. The meeting brought together East African Community (EAC) Partner States to enhance cooperation and coordinate measures against potential climate-related hazards. Minister Murasira highlighted Rwanda's vulnerability to climate-related events such as floods, landslides, and strong winds, noting that the country has already begun experiencing some impacts of extreme weather. He emphasized the necessity of collective action, timely information sharing, and proactive preparedness to address these cross-border challenges. The discussions aimed to provide strategic direction for coordinated regional action, building on technical preparations by permanent secretaries, senior officials, and experts from Partner States and the EAC Secretariat.
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Kenyan Lawyers Protest Disappearance of Colleague and Two Others, Demand Accountability from Security Agencies

Kenyan Lawyers Protest Disappearance of Colleague and Two Others, Demand Accountability from Security Agencies

Lawyers in Nairobi, Kenya, led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Charles Kanjama, staged a protest demanding answers regarding the disappearance of lawyer Abshir Ahmedsadak Abdi and two other men. The demonstration, which involved a march from Milimani Law Courts to police headquarters, highlighted concerns over abductions and the lack of accountability from security agencies. Abdi's disappearance occurred after his vehicle was pursued along Muchai Road, with CCTV footage showing occupants fleeing and Abdi reportedly seized by armed men. The two other missing men were believed to be with Abdi at the time. The High Court has issued urgent orders requiring security officials to produce Abdi and explain the circumstances of his disappearance. While the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit has made allegations linking Abdi to an extortion network, these remain unproven. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has stated an investigation is underway and denied police involvement, urging the LSK to provide ...
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Kenyan cult leader sentenced to 200 years in prison for mass starvation murders of children

Kenyan cult leader sentenced to 200 years in prison for mass starvation murders of children

By Vincent Mumo Nzilani and Jefferson Kahinju MOMBASA, Kenya, Nov 6 (Reuters) - A Kenyan court sentenced cult leader Paul Mackenzie on Friday to 200 years in prison for the murders of 190 children starved to death on his orders and buried in a forest, among 500 suspected victims of one of the
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Kenyan Waste Pickers Face Severe Health Risks Amidst Global Plastic Crisis

Kenyan Waste Pickers Face Severe Health Risks Amidst Global Plastic Crisis

In Nairobi, Kenya, thousands of waste pickers at the Dandora landfill site are enduring severe health risks while attempting to salvage recyclable materials from the 2,000 tonnes of waste dumped daily. These vulnerable workers frequently suffer injuries from sharp objects and are exposed to toxic fumes, highlighting the human cost of recycling in a country where the industry is still developing. Globally, 460 million tonnes of plastic are produced annually, yet only 9% of this total is recycled, according to the United Nations. Kenya, a pioneer in banning plastic bags on the African continent, faces a significant challenge in managing its waste, with only 7% of the plastic at Dandora being successfully recycled despite the immense efforts of these workers.
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Nairobi's Running Culture Flourishes with 'We Run Nairobi' Club, Promoting Accessibility and Community

Nairobi's Running Culture Flourishes with 'We Run Nairobi' Club, Promoting Accessibility and Community

Nairobi's Running Culture Flourishes with 'We Run Nairobi' Club, Promoting Accessibility and Community
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St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer Leads Delegation to Africa for Economic Partnerships

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer Leads Delegation to Africa for Economic Partnerships

St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer Leads Delegation to Africa for Economic Partnerships
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UN Committee Urges Kenya to Improve Justice Access for Women with Disabilities

UN Committee Urges Kenya to Improve Justice Access for Women with Disabilities

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has issued Concluding Observations on Kenya's ninth periodic report, calling on Kenyan authorities to take immediate steps to ensure access to justice for women and girls with disabilities. Organizations like United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcomed these observations, which highlight inadequate implementation of Kenya’s legal obligations under CEDAW. Specific concerns include the Persons with Disabilities Act permitting medical procedures leading to infertility without consent, the Health Act and Mental Health (Amendment) Act exposing women and girls with psychosocial and/or intellectual disabilities to forced sterilization, and restrictions on legal capacity in marriage and family relations. The Committee also emphasized the disproportionately high risk of gender-based violence faced by women and girls with disabilities and the barriers they encounter in accessing justice....
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Report: Money too good to turn down for Bayern Munich for January friendly vs Ajax in Kenya

Report: Money too good to turn down for Bayern Munich for January friendly vs Ajax in Kenya

Money was the main motivator here.
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Alliance for Financial Inclusion Faces Legal Challenge Over Employee Dismissal Immunity

Alliance for Financial Inclusion Faces Legal Challenge Over Employee Dismissal Immunity

The Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is currently involved in a legal dispute regarding the scope of its immunity from legal proceedings. In the case of Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) v Nazira binti Nasir, the Malaysian Court of Appeal examined whether AFI's status as an international organization granted it absolute immunity from an employee's unlawful dismissal claim. Nazira binti Nasir, AFI's former Manager of Human Resource, was dismissed in March 2021 and subsequently lodged a complaint with the Director General of Industrial Relations, leading to a referral to the Industrial Court. AFI attempted to strike out the claim, asserting immunity under the International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1992 (IOPIA). Both the Industrial Court and the High Court dismissed AFI's application, with the Court of Appeal ultimately upholding these decisions. The Court of Appeal ruled that AFI's immunity is functional, not a...