Kennedy Abwao is a journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. With 18 years experience covering the Horn of Africa region for international publications including the New York Times, DPA and PANAPRESS. He specialises on politics, economy and finance.

Cop 'death squads' targeting terror suspects in Kenya raise human rights concerns

07 Jul 2016  |  The Mail & Guardian  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article discusses the alleged involvement of Kenyan police in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly targeting terror suspects. It highlights the human rights concerns raised by these actions, especially in the wake of the Garissa University attack by al-Shabab, where 148 students were killed. The article includes admissions from a police officer involved in the killings and comments from human rights activists and officials. The recent murder of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client, and his driver, which sparked protests in Nairobi, is also covered. The National Police Service Commission denies knowledge of police death squads, while human rights advocates call for greater oversight and accountability of the police force.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Terrorism Police Conduct

Delali is a freelance journalist, researcher, and photographer based in Ghana. He has written on governance, health, education, the environment, the cocoa value chain, and film.

Delali has produced work for The Continent, SWI Swissinfo, Africa is a Country, Equal Times, ADP Rethink Quarterly and ...

Time does not always heal all wounds.

12 Oct 2020  |  Ubuntu Times  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article discusses the aftermath of the 2005 massacre of 44 Ghanaians in The Gambia, ordered by then-president Yahya Jammeh. The documentary 'I Cannot Bury My Father' highlights the enduring pain of the victims' families, particularly the Mensah family. The Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) in The Gambia provided evidence of Jammeh's orders for the killings. Despite a UN and ECOWAS investigation that cleared Jammeh and a compensation paid by The Gambia to Ghana, the families and human rights organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa and Human Rights Watch continue to seek justice. The article also covers the efforts of the sole survivor, Martin Kyere, and the perceived inaction of the Ghanaian government, criticizing President Akufo-Addo for his lack of meaningful response.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Violations Justice System Political Accountability

Radio clients: NPR News, PRI’s The World, BBC World Service, WNYC, NJPR, NPR’s Snap Judgment, Deutsche Welle

Phoners / two-ways / live-to-air: NBC, NPR; Sky News (UK); CBS Radio New York; Deutsche Welle (Germany); CBC News Radio; Radio New Zealand; WNYC (New York)

The Philippines’ new president Duterte promised bloodshed — and hundreds are now dead

29 Jul 2016  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Rodrigo Duterte's presidency in the Philippines has led to a surge in extrajudicial killings, with over 420 suspected drug dealers killed in the first month of his term. Despite a significant drop in overall crime rates, the rise in premeditated murders and homicides highlights the brutal consequences of Duterte's anti-drug campaign. The Philippine National Police's ineffective response and the justice system's shortcomings exacerbate the situation, leaving vigilantes to operate with impunity. The article underscores the disproportionate impact on the poor and questions the long-term efficacy of such violent measures.

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Extrajudicial Killings War on Drugs Philippine Politics

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Left

Political View

Kiyya Baloch is a freelance journalist from Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. He contributed to the Guardian, the Economist, Al Jazeera, the Diplomat Magazine and Daily Times. Baloch has more than six years’ experience working with various national and international media outlets ...

Kech chaos reflective of the larger Balochistan problem long ignored by the state

30 Jan 2023  |  www.dawn.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Mass protests erupted in Balochistan's Kech district following the alleged extrajudicial killing of Balaach Mola Bakhsh by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). The CTD claimed Bakhsh was killed during an armed clash with militants, but his family refuted this, accusing the CTD of forcibly taking him and killing him extrajudicially. The protests, marked by significant public participation, including women, demand an impartial inquiry and accountability for the CTD officials involved. The situation reflects broader issues in Balochistan, including mistrust between the Baloch people and state institutions, and the resurgence of insurgency due to unresolved grievances and perceived state brutality.

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Extrajudicial Killings Protests Balochistan Conflict

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Journalist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh for the last ten years writing for various international media including Al Jazeera, the Daily Telegraph, Scroll.in, New York Times. Previously, worked for Bangladesh newspaper, New Age, and as a TV documentary producer in the UK, and produced radio packages ...

Are Bangladesh activists being killed amid the war on drugs?

16 Aug 2018  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article investigates the alleged extrajudicial killings of activists in Bangladesh amid the government's war on drugs. It highlights the case of Alamgir Hossain Badsha, whose death is contested by his family and authorities. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is accused of fabricating stories and targeting opposition activists. Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned the killings, while the government maintains its stance on combating drug-related crimes. The article suggests that the government's actions may be politically motivated to instill fear and suppress dissent.

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Extrajudicial Killings War on Drugs Human Rights Violations

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A regional specialist, Jon Boone has been covering Pakistan for The Guardian and The Economist since 2012. Before moving to Islamabad he spent four years in Afghanistan reporting for The Financial Times, The Guardian and The Economist.

Pakistan police accused of illegally killing hundreds of suspects a year

26 Sept 2016  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Human Rights Watch has accused Pakistani police of conducting hundreds of illegal extrajudicial killings annually, often under the guise of 'encounter killings.' The report highlights that many of these deaths occur in police custody and are not genuine armed confrontations. Senior officers admitted to the practice, which is seen as a way to eliminate hardened criminals without due process. The report also details widespread use of torture and corruption within the police force, contributing to a lack of trust and fear among the public. HRW calls for better resources, training, and accountability for the police.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Police Brutality

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Anna-Catherine Brigida is a journalist covering immigration, human rights and gender violence in Mexico and Central America.

El Salvador’s Tough Policing Isn’t What It Looks Like

06 Jul 2019  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

El Salvador's tough policing measures, particularly the enfrentamientos, are often extrajudicial killings disguised as legitimate confrontations. Despite public support for these measures due to gang violence, evidence suggests they exacerbate insecurity and violence. Human rights organizations and investigative media have revealed numerous cover-ups and abuses by the police. The newly elected President Nayib Bukele has promised a new approach focusing on the root causes of violence, but his initial actions suggest a continuation of past policies.

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Extrajudicial Killings Police Brutality Gang Violence

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Center-Right

Political View

Ermias Tasfaye Daba is a news reporter, analyst and manager at Ethiopia Insight, an independent website established in 2018 that focuses on detailed reporting and analysis of Ethiopian affairs.

Extrajudicial killings by Ethiopia’s security forces: rule or exception?

31 Mar 2022  |  Ethiopia Insight  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article discusses the widespread extrajudicial killings by Ethiopian security forces, focusing on incidents in the Benishangul-Gumuz and Oromia regions. It highlights the involvement of various government and regional security forces in these acts, often in response to inter-communal conflicts and insurgencies. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have reported on these violations, which include burning people alive and targeting ethnic minorities. The article underscores the government's failure to address these human rights abuses and the growing normalization of extrajudicial punishments across the country.

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Extrajudicial Killings State Violence Human Rights Violations

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I am passionate about sharing great stories in the most innovative and engaging way possible. 

An Irish/New Zealand national, my career as a senior broadcast journalist now spans more than 30 years. I worked as a senior journalist, presenter & producer at EuronewsNBC for 14 years and at numerous ...

Trudeau talks human rights at ASEAN, others stay quiet

14 Nov 2017  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised concerns about the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and extrajudicial killings in the Philippines at the ASEAN summit, contrasting with other countries' reluctance to address these issues. Trudeau emphasized Canada's commitment to finding a sustainable solution for the Rohingya and highlighted human rights concerns in discussions with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump did not address human rights issues with Duterte, drawing criticism. The summit faced protests and criticism over ASEAN's non-interference policy.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Rohingya Crisis

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Center-Left

Political View

MOHAMMAD KEPAYET ullah is a Bangladeshi journalist and a regular contributor to international opinion platforms like Modern Diplomacy, South Asia Journal and South Asia Monitor. More than a dozen of his opinion articles on different burning issues like the Rohingya crisis, food safety, COVID 19 ...

Extrajudicial killings needs to stop in Bangladesh; authorities must ensure accountability

27 Oct 2020  |  South Asia Monitor  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

US senators have called for sanctions on senior commanders of Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) due to extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. Despite a recent decrease in such killings following the intervention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the issue remains prevalent, particularly in the context of the war on drugs. The article criticizes the Bangladeshi media for uncritically accepting police narratives and calls for greater accountability and transparency from law enforcement and government institutions.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Violations Law Enforcement

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Left

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Reuben Kyama is a seasoned broadcast and print journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya.
During his career spanning over 15 years, he has covered developments in Africa for leading media both locally and internationally, including The New York Times, Germany’s Deutsche Welle and the Voice of America (VoA)...

Photos of Shot Kenyans Spur Calls for Police Reform

21 Jan 2011  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Three Kenyan police officers were suspended and placed under investigation after photographs published by The Daily Nation showed undercover officers allegedly murdering three men who had surrendered on a busy Nairobi highway. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for police reform in Kenya, with Amnesty International Kenya criticizing the lack of accountability for police shootings. The Daily Nation has called for an impartial investigation into the killings and the broader issue of extrajudicial actions by the police.

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Extrajudicial Killings Police Reform

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Left

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Faisal Mahmud is a journalist with over a decade of experience in working with three national English daily newspapers of Bangladesh—The Independent, Dhaka Tribune and The Business Standard.  Before switching his career to professional journalism, Faisal worked in the IT industry for two years. He ...

‘Hercules’ vigilante kills suspected rapists in Bangladesh

05 Feb 2019  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

A series of vigilante-style murders of rape suspects in Bangladesh has sparked concerns over extrajudicial killings amid rising rape cases. Three suspects were found dead with notes confessing their crimes, signed by a vigilante named 'Hercules.' Local police have not identified the perpetrators, and families of the victims allege police involvement. Human rights activists highlight the alarming increase in rape cases and criticize the government's record on extrajudicial killings. The government is urged to conduct proper investigations to prevent further unlawful killings.

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Extrajudicial Killings Vigilantism Rape

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Martin Mwaura is a journalist based in Mombasa, Kenya.

Dozens of Bodies in Kenyan River Shed Light on Epidemic of Police Murders

25 Mar 2022  |  www.vice.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article highlights the systemic issue of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Kenya, focusing on the discovery of bodies in the Yala River. It discusses the routine use of torture and forced disappearances by the police, particularly targeting Muslim communities, under the guise of counterterrorism efforts. Human rights organizations and victims' families express frustration over the lack of accountability and justice, with the police denying involvement. Despite reforms, police misconduct and corruption persist, undermining public trust and security.

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Extrajudicial Killings Police Brutality Human Rights

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Left

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I'm a freelance journalist, based in Bogotá, Colombia. I cover human rights, gender equality, social movements, culture and the environment. My work has appeared in The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Vice, NACLA, Women's Media Center, Remezcla and more. 

As a Texas-born Colombian-American, I strive to ...

Her son was killed by the Colombian military. Now, she’s getting an apology

06 Oct 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Nearly two decades after the Colombian military killed her son, Beatriz Mendez received a public apology from Defence Minister Ivan Velasquez, President Gustavo Petro, and army head Luis Ospina Gutierrez for the extrajudicial killings of 19 civilians. The scandal, known as the 'false positives' case, involved the military murdering civilians and falsely labeling them as rebels to inflate combat kill statistics. The Special Peace Jurisdiction (JEP) has placed over 3,500 military members under investigation, revealing systemic issues within the military. Despite the apology, controversy persists, with right-wing politicians denying the systematic nature of the crimes. Former President Alvaro Uribe and his successors have been criticized for their lack of accountability, while human rights advocates continue to push for justice.

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Extrajudicial Killings Human Rights Colombian Conflict

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Khonani Ontebetse is a journalist(more than 13 years experience) , researcher and novelist. My articles have appeared in a number of international publications, covering business, economy and politics. I also specialise in investigative journalism and most of my articles are on policy, governance ...

Namibians feel let down by ICC over BDF shootings of their own

20 Sept 2022  |  Sunday Standard  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Namibians express frustration over the International Criminal Court's refusal to prosecute Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Botswana Defence Force Commander Placid Segokgo for the deaths of four suspected poachers. The Caprivi Concerned Group vows to continue seeking justice, escalating the matter to the United Nations and planning to submit additional evidence to the ICC. The ICC's decision was based on jurisdictional limitations, but the court remains open to reconsideration if new evidence is provided. The case highlights ongoing tensions and calls for accountability in extrajudicial killings by the Botswana Defence Force.

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Extrajudicial Killings International Justice Human Rights

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Shujauddin Qureshi is a freelance journalist based in Karachi, Pakistan. I have been writing in newspapers, magazines in Pakistan and international publications. I worked for the Associated Press, and Dow Jones and work published in the Pakistani monthly magazine Newsline: ****
My work can be seen ...

Shaikh Azizur Rahman is a journalist based in Kolkata, India. He has produced news stories, features and multimedia reports for several global media outlets, including the Guardian, Voice of America, New York Times, London Telegraph, Sydney Morning Herald and Toronto Star.

Shootings by Indian Police Lead to Calls for Investigation

13 Apr 2015  |  www.voanews.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

A series of police shootings in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, India, has led to calls for independent investigations by human rights groups and community leaders. The incidents, involving the deaths of five Muslim prisoners and 20 suspected smugglers, have raised concerns about extrajudicial killings and police accountability. Amnesty International and India's National Human Rights Commission are among the organizations demanding inquiries. Critics argue that the police acted as judge, jury, and executioner, and there are calls for international bodies to intervene if justice is not served domestically.

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Extrajudicial Killings Police Shootings Human Rights

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Guill Ramos is stringer/local producer based in Manila,Philippines.

Lost innocents

16 Nov 2016  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

The article delves into the human cost of President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs in the Philippines, focusing on the stories of families in Metro Manila's Malabon City who have lost loved ones to extrajudicial killings. It highlights the plight of children left behind, such as Koykoy, whose father Agustine da Silva was killed in an anti-drug operation, and Angelica, who dreams of becoming a doctor despite her father's death and her family's financial struggles. The piece also touches on the broader societal impact, with families unable to afford funerals or education for their children, and the fear and mistrust towards authorities among the youth. The narrative contrasts the government's stance on drug users with the harsh realities faced by impoverished communities, where the killings are predominantly occurring, and the support for Duterte's campaign despite the tragic consequences for many Filipino families.

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Extrajudicial Killings War on Drugs Human Impact Poverty Drug Abuse Philippines Social Issues

Ishfaq Reshi is an independent journalist based in Kashmir.

I want to bury him, says father of third Kashmiri killed in Hyderpora

21 Nov 2021  |  maktoobmedia.com  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Muhammad Lateef Magray, a resident of Jammu and Kashmir, expresses grief and anger over the death of his son Amir Ahmad Magray, who was killed by government forces in an alleged fake encounter in Hyderpora, Srinagar. Magray, who once killed a militant and was rewarded by the government, questions the labeling of his son as a militant and demands the return of his son's body for a proper burial. The incident has sparked protests and accusations of government indifference and extrajudicial killings in the region.

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Extrajudicial Killings Conflict in Kashmir

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Left

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Ian Schnaida is a journalist based in Medellín - Antioquia, Colombia.

Uribe saca un «todo fue a mis espaldas». Hace años decía que las víctimas «no iban a recoger café»

18 Sept 2024  |  www.laorejaroja.com  |  Spanish  |  Extrajudicial Killings

Former President Uribe addressed recent JEP hearings where ex-military personnel admitted responsibility for extrajudicial killings, contradicting Uribe's long-standing denials. Uribe's claim of ignorance and betrayal by the military is seen as implausible, given his previous dismissive comments about victims. The article criticizes Uribe's perceived indifference and the systematic nature of the killings, suggesting they could constitute public policy. The JEP hearings revealed a coordinated effort involving paramilitary groups, leading to widespread violence.

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Extrajudicial Killings Political Accountability Victims' Rights

Opinionated

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Left

Political View

Journalist covering East Africa with a focus on conflict, politics and US foreign policy.

Kenyans protest against police brutality

09 Jun 2020  |  the Guardian  |  English  |  Extrajudicial Killings

In Nairobi, up to 200 people marched through Mathare slum to protest police brutality and a rise in extrajudicial killings since the enforcement of a Covid-19 curfew. Organized by grassroots organizations, the march aimed to show solidarity with global movements against police violence. Protesters, including Rachel Wanjiku and Sobukwe Nonkwe, shared personal stories of loss and fear due to police actions. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority reported at least 15 deaths and 31 injuries by police since the curfew. The march ended with police using teargas to disperse participants.

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Extrajudicial Killings Police Brutality Protests

Informative

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Jerome is The Times Africa Correspondent, based in Nairobi. Before that he lived in Afghanistan and worked for various newspapers and broadcasters.

SAS soldiers ‘arrested over class A drug ring in dramatic raid at remote farm near forces HQ after lengthy surveillance’

12 Dec 2023  |  The US Sun  |  English  |  Extra-judicial Killings

Two SAS soldiers and one of their wives were arrested on suspicion of running a class A drug ring after a raid at a farm near the SAS headquarters in Herefordshire. The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed due to security concerns. They have been released on bail. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the investigation but has not commented further. This incident coincides with an ongoing judge-led inquiry into allegations of extra-judicial killings by SAS troops in Afghanistan, where it is claimed that more than 50 detainees were killed on night raids. The inquiry has also uncovered that SAS bosses may have deleted computer files to obstruct justice, using software called S-Delete to erase evidence. The investigation into the killings, known as Operation Northmoor, has been challenged by Leigh Day solicitors on behalf of affected families.

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Extra-judicial Killings Military Drug Trafficking Criminal Investigation