Responding to the news that Botswana and Namibia have agreed to allow people to move freely between the two countries, Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa, said: “This agreement, which marks the first of its kind in Southern Africa, is a step in the right...

Responding to the government of Botswana’s announcement that two people were executed on 8 February at Gaborone Central Prison after being sentenced to death in 2019 and losing their appeals in 2020, Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for East and Southern Africa said: “The continued...

President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s first year in office has been characterized by a steep rise in executions, with four people put to death since his inauguration, Amnesty International said today. “The alarming rise in executions under President Mokgweetsi Masisi has cast a chilling shadow over his...

In the year since the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights gave fresh impetus to the global campaign for the abolition of the death penalty by declaring the mandatory death penalty “unfair” and a “failure in due process”, at least four countries – Botswana, Egypt, Somalia and South Sudan –...

Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders must urgently take concrete measures to fix the human rights crisis in the region when they meet at their annual summit next week, Amnesty International said today.  COVID-19 is still tearing through the region, exposing stark inequalities and...

Southern African governments must ensure the protection and well-being of persons with albinism, who are increasingly vulnerable amid the COVID-19 crisis as lockdowns across the region hinder access to healthcare facilities and skin cancer clinics as well as vital sunscreen, Amnesty International...

By Oluwatosin Popoola, Legal Adviser at Amnesty International As the world battles the deadly COVID-19 virus, countries across sub-Saharan Africa have taken a number of measures aimed at stopping the spread of the virus in their territories. However, while efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic...

Botswana’s president-elect Mokgweetsi Masisi must prioritize abolishing the death penalty in the country, Amnesty International said today ahead of his inauguration tomorrow. “Mr Masisi has a chance to immediately demonstrate strong leadership by abolishing the death penalty. Justice is not served...

Today’s judgement by the Gaborone High Court to decriminalize consensual same sex relations is a victory in the battle for equality and freedom to love whoever you choose, Amnesty International said as it called on other African countries to follow Botswana’s inspiring example.  “Today’s court...

The use of the death penalty – the world’s ultimate cruel punishment – has decreased in sub-Saharan Africa according to the Death Sentences and Executions 2018 report by Amnesty International. This is good news for sub-Saharan Africa and an indication that the region continues to turn against the...

In response to the hanging of 28-year-old Joseph Tselayarona for the 2010 murder of his girlfriend and three-year-old son, Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, said: “Joseph’s execution is a step back for Botswana and it shows the government’s contempt for...

Persistent attacks against journalists and media owners are threatening press freedom and the growth of independent media across Southern Africa, Amnesty International said today to mark World Press Freedom Day. “From Angola to Zambia, we have seen disturbingly brazen attacks on press freedom which...