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  • Lamin M. Manneh : We must promote human rights for all

    Lamin M. Manneh : We must promote human rights for all

    Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights 65 years ago. This year’s observance also marks 20 years since another bold step was taken to make rights a reality for all: the adoption by the World Conference on Human Rights of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

    Member States adopted a far-reaching vision and created the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

    For the UN, promotion of human rights for all is not only a justice issue for all human beings, but it is also essential for conflict prevention.

    But it has not been an easy journey. In the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon : “Promoting human rights is one of the core purposes of the United Nations, and the Organization has pursued this mission since its founding. Then, as now, the key to success is the political will of Member States. It is States, in the first instance, that are obliged to protect human rights and prevent violations at a national level, and to stand up when other States fail to live up to their commitments.

    This is not always easy, and over the past 20 years we have seen genocide and many other appalling and large-scale violations of international human rights and humanitarian law “.

    Nevertheless, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights has had a truly important and lasting impact on the world as a whole as a general philosophy and as guidance. To date, it has been translated into 416 national and local languages in the world, including Kinyarwanda, illustrating its global appeal.

    In Rwanda, the rights included in the Rwandan Constitution have been inspired to a large extent by this Declaration, even though it is firmly grounded on Rwanda core values. In particular, it is noteworthy, according to the constitution, that international human rights law provisions supersede national legislation.

    One of the main pillars of the UN’s work in Rwanda is based on access to justice and the protection of human rights. It is our wish to ensure that the population is well informed about all their rights.

    In Rwanda, the Government, with support from the United Nations and other development partners, has further integrated these rights and principles into national laws and policies. The process of decentralization in Rwanda is an outstanding example on how to build a society premised on the participation of all, and participation as we know is key to the attainment of human rights.

    Rwanda’s commitment to human right is also illustrated by the country’s willingness to implement the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
    Over the last few years, we at the United Nations in Rwanda have made significant contribution to promote human rights through support to the Government in the ratification of virtually all the important human rights conventions.

    The citizens of Rwanda were educated about their rights and preserved these rights through a continued dialogue between the justice sector, the districts levels and citizens. The country targeted and ratified all the eight key human rights instruments and most of their additional protocols. Most importantly, Rwanda has made tremendous progress in ensuring the basic rights of all of its citizens: the right to education, to good health, to human security, protection of the rights of children, gender equity etc.

    Under the new United Nations Development Plan (UNDAP), 2013 – 2018, for Rwanda, there is a new flagship programme called “Access to Justice, Human Rights and Peace Consolidation” under which the UN System in Rwanda commits itself to working even more closely with Rwandan authorities and other development partners to consolidate the gains already made in the protection and promotion of human rights.

    Finally, I would like to pay tribute to one of the great symbols of human rights of our time: Nelson Mandela, whose lifelong commitment to human dignity, equality, justice and compassion will forever remain an inspiration as we continue to build a world of all human rights for all. Although he has passed, his spirit will remain an inspiration for generations to come.

  • President Obama’s Message to the People of the Central African Republic

    President Obama’s Message to the People of the Central African Republic

    {In recent weeks, government affiliated armed groups and independent “self-defense” militias have committed shocking and horrific atrocities against innocent civilians in the Central African Republic. }

    The United States is actively supporting the international community’s efforts to end the violence, protect civilians, prevent atrocities, provide humanitarian assistance, and help create an environment that allows constitutional and democratic governance to be restored.

    In an audio message taped in Dakar, Senegal, today, President Obama sent a clear and important message to the people of the Central African Republic: that they should reject the violence currently threatening their country, and move together toward a future of security, dignity, and peace.

    {{Transcript}}:

    Mbi bala ala kouè. This is President Barack Obama, and today I want to speak directly to you—the people of the Central African Republic.

    I know that in your lives you have faced great hardship. But I also know that you’ve lived together in peace—as diverse and vibrant communities, Christian and Muslim. Together, you celebrate a proud history and a land of extraordinary beauty. Together, you emerged from colonialism and achieved independence. Together, you realize that we are all children of God and that—whatever our faith—we all deserve to live in peace and dignity.

    But the awful violence of recent days threatens the country you love. Innocent men, women and children have been killed. Families have fled their homes. And we know from the bitter experience of other countries what happens when societies descend into violence and retribution. Today, my message to you is simple: it doesn’t have to be this way. You—the proud citizens of the Central African Republic—have the power to choose a different path.

    Respected leaders in your communities—Muslim and Christian—are calling for calm and peace. I call on the transitional government to join these voices and to arrest those who are committing crimes. Individuals who are engaging in violence must be held accountable—in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, as forces from other African countries and France work to restore security, the United States will support their efforts to protect civilians.

    Most of all, every citizen of the Central African Republic can show the courage that’s needed right now. You can show your love for your country by rejecting the violence that would tear it apart. You can choose peace. You can choose to live up to the rule that is at the heart of all great faiths— that we treat other people the way we want to be treated ourselves.

    That is how we honor our faiths. That is how reconciliation occurs. That’s how the Central African Republic can move forward—and return to a better path, toward a future where you and your fellow citizens can seek the security and dignity and peace you deserve.

    Singuila.

  • Peace Process Accelerates in Eastern DRC

    Peace Process Accelerates in Eastern DRC

    {After nearly a year of confrontation between the DRC Army and M23 rebels in the violence-ravaged east of the country, the United Nations authorized an intervention brigade to go beyond peacekeeping and support the government with offensive operations. By November, M23 had surrendered. Now government and U.N. forces are jointly tackling other militant groups in eastern Congo. }

    A year can make a big difference, even in eastern Congo. At the start of the year people there were still reeling from the shock of the M23 rebels capturing the provincial capital, Goma, in November.

    The M23 had pulled out of the city after regional leaders came under diplomatic pressure, and in February neighboring states signed a framework peace agreement with the DRC.

    Fighting flared again outside Goma in May, just days before U.N. Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon was due to visit the city. Undeterred by the violence, Ban arrived on schedule, with this message for the many women and girls who have suffered sexual violence in eastern DRC.

    “I am very angry that women and girls have to endure such barbarity, here and anywhere. This must stop. And I am humbled at their courage. I told them, have a strong courage. The United Nations stands with you and will always support you to overcome your wounds,” said Ban.

    Ban called for speedy deployment of an intervention brigade of 3,000 troops from Tanzania, South Africa and Malawi, to reinforce MONUSCO, the U.N. mission in Congo. The U.N. Security Council had given this brigade a tough mandate to neutralize armed groups.

    As this new force started deploying, the mission’s commander, the Brazilian Lieutenant General Alberto Dos Santos Cruz, tried to damp down expectations of what it could achieve.

    “It’s very important to know that the intervention brigade is one more tool in the mission in order to bring peace to this region. But we need to be very realistic, because it is not the magic solution to all the problems,” said Cruz.

    In August, the brigade went into action alongside the Congolese army and, after a week of heavy fighting, the M23 abandoned its positions overlooking Goma. In a ten day offensive in October, the Congolese army and U.N. forces finished off the M23, driving them out of the rest of their territory.

    Observers agree that the Congolese army has been much better led this year than last, and clearly it did most of the fighting. The army said 201 of its soldiers and three U.N. soldiers were killed in the October offensive.

    Nonetheless, many observers think MONUSCO’s contribution was vital. Timo Mueller is a security analyst in Goma for the U.S. based Enough Project.

    “I believe the intervention brigade and MONUSCO played an essential role in helping the Congolese army to defeat the M23 in early November. It provided above all logistical support to the Congolese army, such as gas and medical evacuations, secondly operational support, such as prior planning of operations and, thirdly, it participated in the fighting,” said Mueller.

    Mueller cautions that there are still dozens of other armed groups in eastern Congo, although none has as many troops or as much heavy weaponry and ammunition as M23 had. The two main foreign armed groups, the Rwandan rebel FDLR and the Ugandan rebel ADF-NALU, are more embedded in the local population, however, and pose a different challenge. Mueller expects one or other of those groups to be the next target.

    “I hear mixed messages as to who might be the next target. FDLR is mentioned, but the ADF-NALU is increasingly receiving attention from the brigade,” he said.

    As for the Congolese armed groups, the U.N. believes there may be some 7,300 men and 3,600 children that will need to be demobilized. Around 1,500 have already volunteered for demobilization, according to Mueller.

    So far, there is no publicly announced government plan for what will happen to ex-armed group members. It is a very delicate issue, Mueller suggests.

    A Congolese civil society activist says he believes the government will not repeat mistakes it made in the past, when it allowed armed groups to be reconstituted as army units, sometimes under their former leaders.

    VOA

  • Tens of thousands attend Mandela Memorial Services

    Tens of thousands attend Mandela Memorial Services

    {Tens of thousands of South Africans and scores of world leaders are celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela at a memorial service in Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.
    }

    The event is bringing together an unprecedented number of dignitaries, who will commemorate the anti-apartheid icon alongside at least 80,000 South Africans who have queued since before dawn to secure a seat.

    The memorial was delayed as thousands of people who had travelled to the event on free buses in bad weather streamed into the arena after the planned 9am start time.

    But rain falling on Soweto has failed to dampen the spirits of those singing and dancing inside and outside the stadium, with one woman telling Sky News the downpour is a “shower of blessing” for Mr Mandela.

    President Barack Obama, the First Lady, Michelle Obama, and three former US Presidents – George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter – are attending the event.

    The British delegation includes Prime Minister David Cameron and his predecessors Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Sir John Major.

    Mr Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Sir John arrived at the stadium together at around 7.10am.

    Speaking shortly after his arrival, Mr Cameron told Sky News: “I think it’s very important to show our respects and say goodbye to a remarkable man who did extraordinary things in South Africa but has also been such an inspiration to people across the world.

    “It was an enormous honour to meet him and to talk to him and to be here today and to feel this atmosphere, I think will be a remarkable occasion.”

    Western leaders are brushing shoulders with the Iranian President, African heads of state and other leaders and royalty from around the world.

    U2 singer Bono and Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron were among the first celebrities to arrive at the stadium.

    Francois Pienaar, captain of South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup winning team, wore his Springbok blazer to the memorial.

    He told Sky’s Jeremy Thompson: “The ANC wanted the Springbok taken away for very good reasons but Mr Mandela had a vision.

    “He said ‘no, these are our boys, they’re playing for us, let’s embrace them,’ and if it wasn’t for that there is no doubt in my mind we would not have been able to wear our Springbok blazers to come and say goodbye and to say thank you to such a wonderful man.”

    President Jacob Zuma, who has never enjoyed his predecessor’s universal popularity, was greeted by a chorus of boos as he entered the stadium sheltering under umbrellas.

    Several of Mr Mandela’s grandchildren are scheduled to speak in what is likely to be the most poignant moment of the service.

    Graca Machel, the wife who nursed Mr Mandela through his later years and his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela embraced as they took their seats at the memorial.

    The event – perhaps the biggest in South Africa’s history – will be broadcast live on television around the globe.

    It is a huge security operation for South Africa’s military, which has been drafted in to protect the world’s most powerful men and women and control the crowds.

    The memorial service will open with the singing of the South African National Anthem – the version written for the birth of democracy in 1994, which includes verses in Zulu and Afrikaans.

    South Africans who are not able to gain entry to the stadium will be able to watch at several public venues around the country where big screens have been erected.

    Sky News

  • Kigali: 37 People admitted to Hospital after Milk consumption

    Kigali: 37 People admitted to Hospital after Milk consumption

    {37 people have been admitted to hospital after consumption of spoiled milk purchased at ‘Chez Hadji’ canteen which is located in Nyanza District in Mugandamure Sector. However an official from the Ministry of Health told this site that it is early to establish the real cause of their illness.}

    Affected patients complained of a stomachache and Diarrhea. They say that the probable cause is the consumption of spoiled milk purchased at ‘Chez Hadji’.

    The milk in question is contained in a plastic package of 5 liters.

    The incident occurred on 9th December 2013, when passengers who were traveling to different destinations including Kigali, Butare, Cyangugu, Bukavu and Bujumbura purchased milk that, as they say, caused illness after its consumption.

    Currently a sample of milk is being tested in a laboratory to find out whether the purchased milk was contaminated.

  • US military to transport African Union troops to CAR

    US military to transport African Union troops to CAR

    {The United States will help transport African Union peacekeeping troops to the Central African Republic as part of a French-led intervention to restore security following an outbreak of inter-religious violence in the country.}

    US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who was in Qatar on a tour of the Middle East, ordered that forces be escorted from Burundi to the Central African Republic in coordination with France, his spokesman said in a statement.

    The Pentagon will make two C-17 planes available to transport roughly 850 Burundian soldiers, a US defense official said on condition of anonymity, adding that there were hopes the operation would begin Tuesday.

    The mission to airlift the troops and equipment should be completed in a matter of days, the official said.

    Hagel took the decision after conferring by phone on Sunday with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who requested “limited” US military assistance to support the international effort, Defense Department spokesman Carl Woog said.

    “In the near term, France has requested airlift support to enable African forces to deploy promptly to prevent the further spread of sectarian violence in the Central African Republic,” Woog said

    France 24

  • US Ambassador to Rwanda swore in 34 new Peace Corps Volunteers

    US Ambassador to Rwanda swore in 34 new Peace Corps Volunteers

    {On Friday, December 6, 2013, the United States Ambassador to Rwanda Donald W. Koran swore in 34 new Peace Corps Volunteers. This is the 10th group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Rwanda since Peace Corps returned to Rwanda in 2008. }

    The ceremony took place at 10:00 a.m. in Kacyiru at the residence of Ambassador Koran.

    The Peace Corps Volunteers sworn in today are Education Volunteers. They will be bringing their energy, skills and knowledge to Rwandans living in communities located throughout Rwanda.

    The focus of Peace Corps’ Education project with this group of volunteers is teaching English.

    Following the ceremony, the 34 new Volunteers depart for secondary schools, where they will be assigned to teach in classrooms as well as perform teacher training and mentoring and designing materials for school classrooms and libraries to improve teaching and learning.

    Peace Corps was invited to return to Rwanda for the first time since the 1994 genocide by President Paul Kagame, and the agreement between the governments of the United States and the Republic of Rwanda was signed on July 18, 2008. The first group of volunteers arrived in Rwanda on January 27, 2009.

    Other Peace Corps Volunteers in Rwanda work in the health sector, with the vast majority working in rural health centers throughout the country. With the addition of this group of 34 education volunteers, there are now a total of 109 Peace Corps Volunteers working in the city of Kigali and all four provinces of Rwanda.

  • New Study: Cell phone use linked to lower college grades, anxiety and Unhappiness

    New Study: Cell phone use linked to lower college grades, anxiety and Unhappiness

    {{Researchers in Ohio have found that frequent use of cell phones by college students is tied to poorer academic performance, anxiety and unhappiness. This is according to a study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior.}}

    The researchers, from the College of Education, Health and Human Services at Kent State University in Ohio, describe how they surveyed more than 500 college students about their cell phone use and compared their responses with their college grades and results of clinical tests they undertook for anxiety and life satisfaction or happiness.

    Not decrying the usefulness of the smartphone to today’s college students, which allows them to stay in touch with family and friends and easily browse the Internet, the researchers suggest there is merit in considering what potential harms they may pose.
    This is particularly relevant, especially as recent research like the Pew Center’s Internet and American Life Project suggests college students are the most rapid adopters of cell phone technology.

    The majority of the students who took part in the study were undergraduates, equally distributed by class (freshman, sophomore, junior and senior), and there were also 82 self-reported majors.

    First author Andrew Lepp, associate professor at Kent State, and colleagues compared the participants’ self-reported cell phone use against their college grades – the students gave them permission to obtain their cumulative college grade point average (GPA) from the university’s official records.Cell phone use linked to levels of happiness

    Their analysis showed that cell phone use was negatively linked to GPA – the higher the cell phone use, the poorer the grades – and positively linked to anxiety – higher cell phone use was linked to higher anxiety.

    They also found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that higher GPAs tended to correlate with more happiness, while more anxiety was linked to less happiness.

    Anxiety and happiness were assessed with two well-known questionnaires for assessing mental health: the Beck’s Anxiety Inventory and the Satisfaction with Life (SWL) index.

    Further statistical analysis (path analysis) on these associations encouraged them to suggest cell phone use is linked – via GPA and anxiety – to happiness.

    They also found that these links were statistically highly significant.Findings add to debate about high cell phone use by students

    However, it should be noted that the study was not designed to determine cause and effect, so no matter how good the statistics, they cannot show for certain that it is cell phone use that leads to anxiety, poorer grades and reduced happiness.

    While it is plausible that spending a lot of time calling and texting affects academic performance, it could equally be argued that these results suggest students who are more anxious, perform less well in class, and are more unhappy are more likely to use cell phones.

  • Young innovators rewarded during YouthConnekt 2013

    Young innovators rewarded during YouthConnekt 2013

    {Three young entrepreneurs countrywide were recognized for their innovations during the National YouthConnekt Convention 2013 that ended on Saturday. }

    Cephas Nshimyumuremyi, a science teacher from Musanze District who founded Uburanga Products Limited, a white oil jelly producing company, was best innovator winning a cash prize of Rwf 3 million and a BlackBerry phone.

    Jean-Bosco Bizimana, the founder of Paravita Company Ltd, a grain milling company, received Rwf 2 million and a phone. Thaddée Muhirwa, founder of Muvava Power Form in Ngororero District emerged third, taking home Rwf 1million and phone.

    “I am really glad to be the best and this really encourages me to work even harder and the money I have received will actually help me to further invest in my business as I continue looking around for more funds,” said Nshimyumuremyi.

    The best three received the above prizes in addition to the Rwf 500,000, and a certificate that was given to all the 30 youth entrepreneurs selected from the 90 contestants countrywide.

    Before the award convention, the 90 youth went for a two-day boot camp at Rwanda Red Cross headquarters in Kacyiru where they underwent intensive training in business skills. The training focused on basic skills and marketing.

    The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and ICT Rosemary Mbabazi thanked all partners of this awarding occasion including DOT Rwanda in collaboration with TechnoServe to organize the training for these young entrepreneurs.

    The Minister of Youth and ICT, Jean-Philbert Nsengimana, hailed the commitment and hard work demonstrated by the winners, “For those youth particularly working hard to contribute towards the economic development of this country, I am really grateful and I appreciate that spirit; but this should involve all of you (youth),” he noted.

    He challenged the youth to make good use of the available opportunities to engage in income generating activities to economically improve their welfare.

    The Ministry of Youth and ICT expressed thanks to different allies in the National YouthConnekt Convention 2013 such as the Imbuto Foundation, The One UN, TechnoServe, Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) Rwanda, BK, Private Sector Federation, MTN, media organizations, among many others.

    The National YouthConneckt convention is an annual event that gathers the youth from all districts of Rwanda not only to discuss on their development but also to showcase their achievements in Rwandan progress.

  • Alain Ndibwami enjoys a temporary release

    Alain Ndibwami enjoys a temporary release

    {Nyarugenge Intermediate Court ordered, Monday, a temporary release of Alain Ndibwami after weeks of detention at the Central Prison of Kigali}

    The court decision is motivated by the fact that there is no compelling reason that would keep him in custody.

    In addition, the prosecution said it is still looking for evidences to support the charges.

    Alain Ndibwami, a Kigali lawyer who has been representing the interests of the South Africa-based Mr Rujugiro, told the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court during his bail appeal hearing on Tuesday that he would let go of his legal power to defend the tycoon if that will guarantee him his own freedom.

    It is alleged that Mr Ndibwami used forged documents in a court case and, according to the Penal Code, he faced up to seven years imprisonment on top of heavy fines if found guilty.