In advance of their summit in Libya, Human Rights Watch writes to AU Heads of State to ask them to address a few of Africa's most pressing human rights concerns - security in Somalia, accountability for crimes in Chad, and support for the International Criminal Court.

Human Rights Watch writes to the UN Security Council in advance of their visit to Africa to highlight key human rights concerns relevant to the Great Lakes region, Liberia, and in meetings with the African Union, with suggested action points.

Human Rights Watch writes to Chairman of the African Union (AU), H.E. Jean Ping, preceeding the AU summit. We urge more attention to be paid to the countries of Somalia, Guinea, Chad, the DRC, and Zimbabwe. A call for action is also included asking to assist Senegal in moving forward with proceedings for former President of Chad, Hissène Habré.

Human Rights Watch writes in advance of the Security Council’s mission to Africa on June 1-10, 2008, urging the Council to use this opportunity to address pressing human rights issues in Sudan, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.

Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism. In particular, the OIC should consider two amendments to the Convention to narrow its overbroad definition of terrorism and make absolutely clear that there is no sanction in Islam for deliberately attacking civilians, whatever the circumstances or justifications.

Human Rights Watch writes to Secretary Gates on widespread human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Somalia. The conflict in Mogadishu has steadily intensified since January 2007, after Ethiopian forces supporting the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) ousted the Islamic Courts Union from the city. To date, hundreds of civilians have been killed and up to 600,000 people are estimated to have fled the city, particularly following surges in violence in March, April and November. Since November, renewed clashes in Mogadishu have been marked by increasing brutality toward civilians, including further summary executions and enforced disappearances of individuals by Ethiopian and TFG forces conducting counterinsurgency operations.