Andrew Philip, Amnesty International researcher, blogging from the field
Today we spent the day at Nakivale camp, 300km away inside Uganda from the Congolese border, speaking to more refugees, including a 14-year-old boy who was on his own in the camp. Crying his eyes out, he told us how he has found his father, mother and sister shot dead inside a hospital in Eastern DRC. A man described to us the killing at point-blank range of his neighbour and friend. There are a lot of very traumatised people at the camp and at Ishasha.
Continuar leyendo ‘Fear and trauma at Nakivale refugee camp’ »
Concluding a one-week visit to Chile, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Irene Khan has today issued an assessment of the human rights situation in the country and submitted a series of recommendations for President Bachelet’s last year in office.
“Despite some positive steps taken over the last 18 years, much remains to be done if Chile is to demonstrate commitment on human rights. In the time that she last left in office, President Bachelet has an opportunity to create a long lasting legacy for human rights in Chile,” said Irene Khan.
Continuar leyendo ‘Recommendations to President Bachelet to improve human rights in Chile’ »
Indigenous leaders and activists meet the Amnesty International Delegation in Calama. ©Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s delegation travelled to Calama, in the North of Chile, in the most arid partof the world.
The dryness is unimaginable. It is a bit overwhelming to be in the middle of the Atacama desert, dealing with human rights problems that epitomize Chile: the unfinished business of the past and the very pressing marginalization and discrimination of Indigenous Peoples nowadays.
The daykicked off with a meeting with Atacameños and other Indigenous Peoples sharing their problems with us:
Continuar leyendo ‘Human rights in the most arid part of the world - part 1′ »
Mapuches meet the Amnesty International delegation. ©Amnesty International
On Tuesday, the Amnesty International delegation traveled to Temuco, 700 kilometers south of Chile’s capital, Santiago. Temuco is an amazing place, where the ever present Andes, with their large snowed tips, meet vast woods and green lands.
Some of those lands are home to thousands of Mapuche Indigenous peoples to whom the earth is not only a place to live in, but a way of living
I had the opportunity to meet many of these Mapuche Indigenous peoples. They told me many stories of abuse and suffering. The key message that came through was that they are prevented from participating in decisions that will impact in their communities; that no one listens to them.
Continuar leyendo ‘“I have no money, I have no power and I’m dark skinned” – hearing the unheard in Temuco’ »
