Newly banned Shiite group, IMN, appeals in court

New York Times

A newly banned Shiite group in northern Nigeria said on Thursday that it was appealing in court against the government ban. The Islamic Movement in Nigeria said the ban by Kaduna state officials violates Nigerians’ rights to religious freedom. The ban, announced earlier this month, was made official with its publication on Wednesday.

HRW: Severe impact of harsh law on LGBT community

Human Rights Watch

Nigeria’s Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, 2013 (SSMPA) has made a bad situation much worse for Nigeria’s beleaguered lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Human Rights Watch said in a report released yesterday.

Civil society worried over Malawi sliding back to 'dark era'

Nyasa Times

Two prominent human rights groups, The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) said they felt compelled to arrive at this decision after a recent detention of a Zodiak broadcasting Station (ZBS). The two have said that they condemn the government for acting ‘out of step’ with the country’s hard- won democracy.

Opinion: Atheists have the right to remove 'God' from their national anthem

Standard media

In Kenya, the line ‘Oh, God of all creation’ is creating a storm right now. An organisation called Atheists in Kenya (AIK) are advocating for a separation of religion and state in Kenya. A petition was filed on the 16th of October by the organisations president, Harrison Mumia, to remove the word ‘God’ from the national anthem.

Kenya to announce international intersex day

The Star

Kenya will, for the first time, celebrate the International day for the intersex child next week. There will be several campaigns with Parliament and other governmental institutions.