Human Rights Watch, New York The United Nations Security Council should address protection of civilians, justice, and human rights during its upcoming visit to Africa from June 1-10, 2008, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the council Human Rights Watch highlighted critical issues that needed to be addressed at each of the stops on the council’s tour.

Human Rights Watch, New York The decision by Sierra Leone’s war crimes court to reject sentence reductions for two convicted militia members because they fought for a “legitimate cause” is crucial in ensuring justice for all victims of human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said today.

Executive Mansion, Monrovia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and delegation arrived Monday afternoon in the Japanese capital, Tokyo, ahead of the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which starts Wednesday.

Executive Mansion. Monrovia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has made the following nominations in Government, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate where applicable.

ECOWAS, Abuja The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) will provide 100 million dollars annually to support agricultural productivity in West Africa as part of the region’s contribution towards resolving the ongoing food crisis.

U.S.States Department, Washington, DC New U.S. regulations governing the import and export of rough diamonds were published on May 21 in the Federal Register. The new regulations enhance U.S. Government oversight of the rough diamond trade in an effort to strengthen the international Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

UN News Service, New York Fifteen countries from around the world have been elected to serve on the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for three-year terms starting next month after one round of balloting today among Member States at UN Headquarters in New York.

Executive Mansion, Monrovia A Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Mano River Union (MRU) opened Thursday morning in Monrovia, with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf speaking of the need to ensure that peace and stability prevails in the sub-region.

Executive Mansion, Monrovia A one-day Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Mano River Union (MRU) gets underway Thursday in Monrovia, with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf chairing.