Uganda, rebel LRA signs permanent ceasefire agreement in Juba

The Government of Uganda and Lord’s Resistance Army and Movement (LRA/M) rebels have, today at 2.30 pm, signed a Permanent Ceasefire Agreement in Juba the capital of southern Sudan to silent guns.The a permanent ceasefire commencing 24 hours after the signature of the final peace agreement expected to be concluded by 29th February this month.

Singapore FM: Suu Kyi to be Barred from Voting in 2010

Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi will not be allowed to take part in elections proposed by the country's military leaders in 2010 because she had been married to a foreigner, The Straits Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Ethiopia urges strong UN action against foe Eritrea

Ethiopia urged the United Nations on Saturday to take strong measures against "rogue regime" Eritrea, which Addis Ababa said was undermining the world body by cutting off food supplies to its troops.

Ugandan LRA rebels “on the move”

Hundreds of Ugandan rebels have left an assembly point on the border with Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, a southern Sudanese official says.

Declaration of the Committee of Ministers on Council of Europe action to improve the protection of human rights defenders and promote their activities

(Adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 6 February 2008 at the 1017th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies)
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe,
Noting the commitment made by Heads of State and Government meeting at their Third Summit in Warsaw 2005 that the Council of Europe “shall – through its various mechanisms and institutions – play a dynamic role in protecting the right of individuals and promoting the invaluable engagement of non-governmental organisations, to actively defend human rights”;

Chad rejects new Darfur refugees

Chad has refused to accept any new refugees from neighbouring Sudan's Darfur region. Nouradine Coumakoye, the prime minister, on Monday threatened to expel refugees if the international community did not send them home or find them a new host country.

How to negotiate lasting peace in Darfur?

The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), signed in 2006, has been a failure from the outset. It was backed by the Sudanese government and only one rebel faction in Darfur. Instead of bringing peace, the agreement had caused more fighting among the rebels and between the Sudanese government forces and rebel groups. What’s more, the rebel faction that signed the DPA immediately initiated combined military action with the government’s forces against the non-signatory rebel groups.

Uganda: LRA peace talks - The inside story

JUBA : After a four-month recess, peace talks between the government and the Lord's Resistance Army resumed on a dramatic note in Juba last week. The LRA delegates walked out accusing the United States, which has observer status, of trying to hijack the peace process.

Chad rebels vow fresh offensive

N'Djamena: Thousands of civilians fled Chad's capital N'Djamena on Monday after rebels broke off a two-day assault but threatened a fresh attempt to topple President Idriss Deby.

Heavy Fighting in Chad as UN Meets for Emergency Talks

The United Nations Security Council is holding emergency talks on the situation in Chad, where heavy fighting is raging between rebel forces and government soldiers.

Seeking a Path in Democracy’s Dead End

LATE in the afternoon of Jan. 24, an American military plane landed in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, carrying Adm. William J. Fallon, the commander of the United States Central Command.

China banks cut Iran business

TEHRAN: Chinese banks have cut back business with Iranian banks due to US pressure over Tehran's nuclear programme, an Iranian Foreign Ministry official said.

The Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings enters into force on 1 February 2008

The Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (CETS n° 197) enters into force on 1 February 2008. The Convention aims to prevent trafficking, protect the human rights of victims and prosecute traffickers. It applies to all victims of trafficking: women, men and children alike; to all forms of exploitation (sexual exploitation, forced labour, servitude, removal of organs etc.) and it covers all forms of trafficking: national and transnational, related or not to organised crime.