The Ugandan army is accused of human rights violations in the fishing communities around the shore of Lake Albert. Community members have witnessed assault, battery, and detentions without charge. Soldiers have allegedly forced families to abandon their homes, boats, and fishing equipment, depriving communities of their most basic means for survival. The expanding oil operations… Continue reading Mass arrests and forced evictions reported as Chinese state oil major expands in Uganda
Category: News
Despair among Serbian farmers when their land is confiscated
The Chinese mining company Zijin is rapidly expanding its copper and gold exploration in the Serbian cities Bor and Majdanpek. Community members, farmers and landowners say the company has confiscated their property while the Serbian state and justice system turns a blind eye. For 200 years Ivica Jovic and his ancestors have been cultivating vegetables,… Continue reading Despair among Serbian farmers when their land is confiscated
High price for China’s investments in Serbian steel plant
In the years since the Smederevo Iron and Steel Factory was acquired by Chinese owner, the smog has grown heavier. In the morning, residents wake to everything covered in red dust and doctors say cancer rates are on the rise. Despite these alarming issues, there has still been no action from the Serbian government to… Continue reading High price for China’s investments in Serbian steel plant
“I Am Ready to Be Killed!”: Snipers, Informants, and Persecution Ahead of Mandalika MotoGP Event
Leading up to the Mandalika International Street Circuit race, Indonesian state security forces imposed extreme intimidation and restrictions on local villagers, including unjustified arrests, restricted movement, and the recruitment of informants to spy on one another. These actions highlight a significant escalation in the government’s coercive tactics, contradicting prior promises of moderation. Amaq Bengkok, an… Continue reading “I Am Ready to Be Killed!”: Snipers, Informants, and Persecution Ahead of Mandalika MotoGP Event
Fishermen boats confiscated in Uganda’s KingFisher oil field
A video reviewed by Just Finance International shows a group of uniformed men removing fishing boats from a shore in Lake Alberts KingFisher oil field. Community members say the boats were confiscated by members of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) in order to reduce traffic on the lake for China National Offshore Oil Corporation’s… Continue reading Fishermen boats confiscated in Uganda’s KingFisher oil field
Confusion and misconduct as Ugandan government prepares to evict Karuma dam affected communities
On July 6, the government of Uganda announced in an English-language national newspaper that local communities around the Karuma hydro project reservoir would have to leave their homes within 30 days from the publication date of notice. This was an unusual action—negligent in the best case, if not outright deceptive. The public notice was published… Continue reading Confusion and misconduct as Ugandan government prepares to evict Karuma dam affected communities
Ugandan families displaced and left to struggle by China’s mega dam
Construction of the Karuma dam has deprived hundreds of people in Uganda’s Nile delta of their land, homes, and livelihoods. Many people have been waiting a decade for relocation, with some left to live under high voltage transmission lines for lack of safer alternatives. From a height above the riverbank, you can watch the massive… Continue reading Ugandan families displaced and left to struggle by China’s mega dam
Serbian village left to suffer as Chinese-backed coal mine expands
Serbia’s Drmno coal mine is expanding rapidly without anyone knowing what its impact will be. Houses next to the open cast mine are slowly falling apart and sliding into it. Windblown dust from the coal ash piles is a hazard to everyone in the area. Sladan Ivanović (35) and Džemail Demirovski (53) are sitting on a… Continue reading Serbian village left to suffer as Chinese-backed coal mine expands
“The oil operations broke families and brought tears”
Early this year Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni officially launched the oil drilling activities at the Kingfisher Development Area. This was celebrated as an important milestone in Uganda’s multibillion-dollar pipeline and oil drilling project. But in the villages located next to the oil wells, nobody is praising the drilling. In front of Uganda’s Lake Albert, a… Continue reading “The oil operations broke families and brought tears”
Growing number of human rights defenders harassed after monitoring Uganda’s oil pipeline project
Recently the Ugandan government approved the construction permit for the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which will allow a future export of 246,000 barrels of oil per day. The consortium behind the project is now seeking additional financing. Meanwhile, there is growing harassment of civic actors monitoring development of the EACOP. Defenders are being… Continue reading Growing number of human rights defenders harassed after monitoring Uganda’s oil pipeline project