Amnesty International said Tuesday that West and Central African nations must do more to fight corruption and stop “persecuting” human rights defenders who reveal and denounce it. In a report launched for African Anti-Corruption Day, the organisation denounced the “arrest, harassment, detention, hefty fines and even death” of human rights defenders who fight corruption in 19 West and Central African countries. “These individuals play a critical role in fighting corruption and thus defending human rights. Yet they routinely endure attacks, intimidation, harassment, and persecution for exposing the truth,” said Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International. In Togo, journalist Ferdinand Ayite was arrested on December 10, 2021, after having accused two members of the government of corruption.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 12, 2023 14:15 UTC