The ACtHPR Monitor

Independent news, comment and debate on the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights🔸Founder @oliverwindridge🔸 Associate Editor @MPlagis 🔸#Africa #ACtHPR

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Honoured to appear before the @CommonsForeign yesterday with the wonderful @MariaNizzero to discuss #sanctions, #corruption & #kleptocracy. Thanks to chairperson @aliciakearns and all Committee members for their probing questions https://t.co/CU51MeLaEe https://t.co/SkQy0WiBni

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Delighted to be appearing before the @CommonsForeign tomorrow. I’ll be talking about UK #sanctions, international coordination on illicit finance, #corruption and #kleptocracy. Details below 👇

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

🆕 #Humanrights #sanctions 🎯 On the day the SCC-CAR starts it’s first trial, the US announces sanctions on UPC militia leader Ali Darassa. Designation is under CAR country program, more details below👇#CAR #Accountability #ICL https://t.co/C0lFNmnsdg

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Big day for #internationaljustice, as the Special Criminal Court for the Central African Republic (SCC-CAR) begins its first trial. Let’s hope the court can deliver on its promise of #justice and #accountability. #ICL #CrimesAgainstHumanity #CAR ht @pilabuda

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

For many, probably the least exciting #sanctions news ever, but kudos to the ⁦@FCDOGovUK⁩ sanctions teams for making changes to simplify and standardize the format of their sanctions lists. For those working on sanctions this is very exciting! 🤓 https://t.co/1Smju9bpWa

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

🆕 Important #humanrights #sanctions news. EU adopts sanctions against the #WagnerGroup and individuals & companies linked to it. The entity has reportedly been involved in serious human rights violations across the world including #Libya, #CAR, #Mali & #Ukraine.

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

If you follow me here, there’s a good chance you are involved in #humanrights  or related fields. Today, I want to thank you; the lawyers, activists, researchers, administrators et al for whom #humanrightsday  is everyday. Thank you for your incredible work 🙏

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

For those interested in #Australia’s new #Magnitsky-style bill, see link below. Note the scope of “#humanrights” & “#corruption” mirrors the UK’s GHR & GAC regimes and is therefore limited. Regs to be published early next year should add more detail. https://t.co/jFYsSafKAm

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

🆕Australia’s #Magnitsky-style sanctions bill has passed! #Australia joins the US, Canada, UK and EU in adopting thematic #sanctions regimes that allow designations based on serious #humanrights abuses & (not EU) #corruption. All eyes on regs to follow that will add more details

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Unwilling or unable? Thanks to @pilabuda et al for continuing to highlight the case of Hassan #Bouba before the CAR SCC. Very hard to see how a court can continue its mandate when authorities release those it detains. The CAR government must provide a full explanation.

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

🆕 Important #sanctions news. The Australian government has introduced its new sanctions bill into parliament. This bill allows #Australia to impose sanctions based on serious #humanrights violations and/or #corruption. Read the bill here https://t.co/DRh7vgcw5R

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Who precisely was behind the release (and why) remains unclear, but it is assumed such a move must have involved government blessing. If correct, what chance does the SCC have to fulfill its mandate & deliver #justice if it’s efforts are undermined by those in power in #CAR? 2/2

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

ICYMI👇Protest by CAR lawyers today follows one of the most extraordinary weeks for the CAR SCC (and int justice). Last week, UPC militia leader Hassan Bouba Ali was arrested & detained under SCC authority. It appears he was then released/freed/let out and is now a free man. 1/2

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

It’s official! #GuineaBissau has deposited it’s Art 34(6) Additional Declaration. This means individuals and NGOs from Guinea-Bissau can now directly petition the African Court. #Africa #HumanRights #Litigation

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Really important new report from @raidukorg👇Increasing #electricvehicle usage is a necessary step to tackle the #ClimateCrisis, but it cannot be done at the expense of those helping provide the materials such as #colbalt. #humanrights #DRC #EVs

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Ongoing confusion re #Tanzania’s status before the @court_afchpr. The latest is this headline (yellow article) from Saturday’s @The_EastAfrican. It’s critical that Tanzania makes a single, clear public statement on whether it has withdrawn its Art 34(6) Additional Declaration.

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Thoughts and prayers are with the Sudanese people as we receive further news about today’s Burhan-led coup in #Sudan. The next 24 hours will be absolutely critical for the future of Sudan and the promise of a civilian-led democracy so many fought so hard to achieve. #SUDAN_COUP

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

I often talk of the need to break down silos between #humanrights, #corruption and #economic work, as key to progress in post-conflict situations. Practicing what I preach, my latest piece for @TheSentry_Org looks at #bankingreform and #assetreturn as crucial steps for #Sudan👇

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Deeply concerning to see today’s vote against the renewal of the Group of Eminent Experts on #Yemen and the accountability vacuum that it may create. The work of civil society including @MwatanaEn becomes even more important with this disappointing outcome.

[Oliver Windridge @oliverwindridge]

Despite recent reports, the fate of former #Sudan leader Al-Bashir appears to remain unresolved, with Sudan’s Foreign Minister indicating ongoing division in ruling Council on whether to hand #Bashir over to the @IntlCrimCourt https://t.co/RpYoOpVPNz via @TheNationalNews