Global Week in Review: Cameroonian LGBT Activist Tortured to Death

Plus, contaminated school meals kill 22 children in India.

Cameroon - In July 2013, Eric Ohena Lembembe, an outspoken gay rights activist in Cameroon, was tortured and killed in his home. As a journalist and executive director of CAMFAIDS, a human rights organization, he documented hate crimes against Cameroon’s gay community. He had issued a public warning about “anti-gay thugs” weeks before his death. (Photo: AP Photo/Erasing 76 Crimes)

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LGBT Activist Tortured to Death in Cameroon - Cameroonian LGBT activist Eric Ohena Lembembe was found tortured to death in his Yaoundé home on July 15. As Executive Director of Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS (CAMFAIDS,) Lembembe had recently spoken out against a series of break-ins at the offices of gay rights groups. “We will continue to support activists, like Mr. Lembembe, who stand up for the human rights of all people, regardless of who they are or who they love,” said the U.S. Department of State in a statement. (Photo: AP Photo/Erasing 76 Crimes

Contaminated School Meals Kill 22 Children in India - School lunch meals possibly contaminated with insecticides killed 22 children in one of India’s poorest states. Forty-eight children who had also eaten the contaminated food were being treated in Patna. Dozens of protesters stormed the local police station, blaming the government for not hospitalizing the children quickly enough.  (Photo: AP Photo)

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Contaminated School Meals Kill 22 Children in India - School lunch meals possibly contaminated with insecticides killed 22 children in one of India’s poorest states. Forty-eight children who had also eaten the contaminated food were being treated in Patna. Dozens of protesters stormed the local police station, blaming the government for not hospitalizing the children quickly enough. (Photo: AP Photo)

Syria Refugee Crisis Worst Since Rwandan Genocide, Says U.N. - During a rare public briefing in New York, U.N. officials reported that at least 92,901 people have been killed in Syria — including more than 6,500 youths — between March 2011 and April 2013. The subsequent refugee outflow has heightened to 6,000 people per day, mirroring an unheard of rate since the Rwandan genocide two decades ago, officials claimed.  (Photo: AP Photo/Manu Brabo, File)

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Syria Refugee Crisis Worst Since Rwandan Genocide, Says U.N. - During a rare public briefing in New York, U.N. officials reported that at least 92,901 people have been killed in Syria — including more than 6,500 youths — between March 2011 and April 2013. The subsequent refugee outflow has heightened to 6,000 people per day, mirroring an unheard of rate since the Rwandan genocide two decades ago, officials claimed. (Photo: AP Photo/Manu Brabo, File)

Cuba Caught Sending Weapons to North Korean - Two-hundred forty tons of “obsolete defensive weaponry” belonging to Cuba was discovered hidden in shipments of sugar aboard a North Korean cargo ship in Panama. Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli criticized Cuba’s violation of U.N. resolutions, which prevent arms trafficking. "The captain has tried to commit suicide, and the crew rioted," the president said, adding that the captain also had a heart attack. (Photo: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

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Cuba Caught Sending Weapons to North Korean - Two-hundred forty tons of “obsolete defensive weaponry” belonging to Cuba was discovered hidden in shipments of sugar aboard a North Korean cargo ship in Panama. Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli criticized Cuba’s violation of U.N. resolutions, which prevent arms trafficking. "The captain has tried to commit suicide, and the crew rioted," the president said, adding that the captain also had a heart attack. (Photo: AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)

Malaria and TB Run Rampant in Africa as HIV/AIDS Deaths Decline - Despite most media spotlighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, more Africans die every day from malaria and tuberculosis, according to a recent Al Jazeera report.(Photo: REUTERS/Simon Akam /Landov)

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Malaria and TB Run Rampant in Africa as HIV/AIDS Deaths Decline - Despite most media spotlighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa, more Africans die every day from malaria and tuberculosis, according to a recent Al Jazeera report.(Photo: REUTERS/Simon Akam /Landov)

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Italian Politician Compares First Black Minister to Orangutan - In yet another racial slur hurled at Italy’s first-ever Black cabinet minister, Cecile Kyenge was likened to an orangutan by Italian senator Roberto Calderoli. While Kyenge has accepted Calderoli’s apology, his remarks have been met with calls to step down. — Patrice Peck and LaToya Bowlah (Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

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Italian Politician Compares First Black Minister to Orangutan - In yet another racial slur hurled at Italy’s first-ever Black cabinet minister, Cecile Kyenge was likened to an orangutan by Italian senator Roberto Calderoli. While Kyenge has accepted Calderoli’s apology, his remarks have been met with calls to step down. — Patrice Peck and LaToya Bowlah (Photo: AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)

Top Running Stars Fail Drug Tests - Former world champion American Tyson Gay and Jamaica’s former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell tested positive for banned stimulants in May and June, respectively. "I don't have a sabotage story... I basically put my trust in someone and was let down," said Gay, who has withdrawn from next month’s World Championships.  (Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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Top Running Stars Fail Drug Tests - Former world champion American Tyson Gay and Jamaica’s former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell tested positive for banned stimulants in May and June, respectively. "I don't have a sabotage story... I basically put my trust in someone and was let down," said Gay, who has withdrawn from next month’s World Championships. (Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Top U.S. Official Meets with Egypt Caretaker Leaders - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met with Egypt’s interim leaders, President Adly Mansour and Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi, in Cairo on July 15. Reuters reported that local Islamists and their opponents allegedly snubbed Burns’ arrival — the first of a top U.S. official since former leader Mohamed Morsi’s ousting — and declined invitations to meet. (Photo: AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

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Top U.S. Official Meets with Egypt Caretaker Leaders - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns met with Egypt’s interim leaders, President Adly Mansour and Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi, in Cairo on July 15. Reuters reported that local Islamists and their opponents allegedly snubbed Burns’ arrival — the first of a top U.S. official since former leader Mohamed Morsi’s ousting — and declined invitations to meet. (Photo: AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

Kenya Dismisses U.N. Accusations  - A U.N. report accused Kenyan troops of aiding in the export of charcoal from Kismayo port in Somalia despite a U.N. Security Coucil ban. Kenya however has dismissed such accusations as lacking objectivity and proper research. (Photo: REUTERS/Richard Lough)

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Kenya Dismisses U.N. Accusations - A U.N. report accused Kenyan troops of aiding in the export of charcoal from Kismayo port in Somalia despite a U.N. Security Coucil ban. Kenya however has dismissed such accusations as lacking objectivity and proper research. (Photo: REUTERS/Richard Lough)

Kenyan Prisoners Learn the Law - A team of prisoner paralegals in Kenya has launched more than 3,000 successful appeals for fellow inmates since 2007, BBC News reported. Training offered by the legal aid and advocacy group Kituo Cha Sheria has enabled inmates at two local prisons to take the law into their own hands. (Photo: REUTERS/Joseph Okanga)

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Kenyan Prisoners Learn the Law - A team of prisoner paralegals in Kenya has launched more than 3,000 successful appeals for fellow inmates since 2007, BBC News reported. Training offered by the legal aid and advocacy group Kituo Cha Sheria has enabled inmates at two local prisons to take the law into their own hands. (Photo: REUTERS/Joseph Okanga)

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Pakistani Teen Shot by Taliban Addresses U.N. - Having survived a gunshot to the head by the Taliban, Pakistani education advocate Malala Yousafzai recently celebrated her 16th birthday at the United Nations. “They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed,” Yousafzai said in her first major public appearance.  (Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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Pakistani Teen Shot by Taliban Addresses U.N. - Having survived a gunshot to the head by the Taliban, Pakistani education advocate Malala Yousafzai recently celebrated her 16th birthday at the United Nations. “They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed,” Yousafzai said in her first major public appearance. (Photo: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Spain's Prime Minister Under Pressure to Resign - Outraged Spaniards have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy after text messages reportedly connecting him to a secret funds scandal were published. Denying any wrongdoing, the 58-year-old leader has refused to comment.  (Photo: AP Photo/Paul White

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Spain's Prime Minister Under Pressure to Resign - Outraged Spaniards have called for the resignation of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy after text messages reportedly connecting him to a secret funds scandal were published. Denying any wrongdoing, the 58-year-old leader has refused to comment. (Photo: AP Photo/Paul White

Bangladesh Islamist Leader Found Guilty of War Crimes - A Bangladesh war crimes court sentenced 90-year-old Islamist leader Ghulam Azam to 90 years in prison for mass killings, rape and other crimes committed during the nation’s war of independence in 1971. The verdict has sparked violent clashes between anti- and pro-Azam groups, resulting in at least three deaths thus far.  (Photo: AP Photo)

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Bangladesh Islamist Leader Found Guilty of War Crimes - A Bangladesh war crimes court sentenced 90-year-old Islamist leader Ghulam Azam to 90 years in prison for mass killings, rape and other crimes committed during the nation’s war of independence in 1971. The verdict has sparked violent clashes between anti- and pro-Azam groups, resulting in at least three deaths thus far. (Photo: AP Photo)

The Edward Snowden Saga Continues - Despite informing human rights activists on July 12 that he would seek asylum in Russia, fugitive National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden has yet to submit an application, according to Russian immigration officials. Meanwhile, a Swedish professor has nominated Snowden for a Nobel Peace Prize. (Photo: AP Photo/Human Rights Watch, Tanya Lokshina)

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The Edward Snowden Saga Continues - Despite informing human rights activists on July 12 that he would seek asylum in Russia, fugitive National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden has yet to submit an application, according to Russian immigration officials. Meanwhile, a Swedish professor has nominated Snowden for a Nobel Peace Prize. (Photo: AP Photo/Human Rights Watch, Tanya Lokshina)

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Rebel Violence in Congo Pushes 55,000 Refugees to Uganda - More than 55,000 people who fled the ongoing rebel attacks in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo took refuge in Uganda. Thousands crowded into makeshift shelters at the school compounds in Bundibugyo just 20km from the border. (Photo: ISAAC KASAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)

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Brazil Will No Longer Seek Out Cuban Doctors - In an effort to improve public health services, Brazil’s government has dropped its plan to hire doctors from Cuba. Brazilian medical professionals criticized the standards at Cuba’s medical schools as being lower than Brazil’s and, in some cases, equivalent to a nursing education.  (Photo: REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)

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Brazil Will No Longer Seek Out Cuban Doctors - In an effort to improve public health services, Brazil’s government has dropped its plan to hire doctors from Cuba. Brazilian medical professionals criticized the standards at Cuba’s medical schools as being lower than Brazil’s and, in some cases, equivalent to a nursing education. (Photo: REUTERS/Pilar Olivares)

U.N. Women Appoints a New Head - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the former deputy president of South Africa, will now lead U.N. Women. She is replacing Michelle Bachelet as the organization's executive director. Bachelet has resigned to run for another term as Chile’s president.  (Photo: Handout FAO/Getty Images)

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U.N. Women Appoints a New Head - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the former deputy president of South Africa, will now lead U.N. Women. She is replacing Michelle Bachelet as the organization's executive director. Bachelet has resigned to run for another term as Chile’s president. (Photo: Handout FAO/Getty Images)

Rights Group Denounces Sudanese President Trip to Nigeria - President Bashir of Sudan plans to travel to Nigeria for the summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria despite being charged by the International Criminal Court with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch calls Nigeria’s decision to welcome Bashir “shameful.” (Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde)

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Rights Group Denounces Sudanese President Trip to Nigeria - President Bashir of Sudan plans to travel to Nigeria for the summit on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria despite being charged by the International Criminal Court with war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch calls Nigeria’s decision to welcome Bashir “shameful.” (Photo: REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde)

Did a Chinese Woman Die From an iPhone 5 Shock? - Apple Inc. is investigating a deadly accident in which Ma Ailun, a 23-year-old Chinese woman, was electrocuted by answering a call on her iPhone 5 while it was charging. Ma's sister is urging users to be careful. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images) 

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Did a Chinese Woman Die From an iPhone 5 Shock? - Apple Inc. is investigating a deadly accident in which Ma Ailun, a 23-year-old Chinese woman, was electrocuted by answering a call on her iPhone 5 while it was charging. Ma's sister is urging users to be careful. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images) 

Sierra Leone Pursues Improvements in Maternal Health Services - An initiative to speed up improvements of maternity success rates in Sierra Leone has been launched with the backing of the U.K.'s Department for International Development. Local communities are encouraged to rate their clinics as part of the process. Currently, one in every 21 women in Sierra Leone is at risk of death during childbirth. (Photo: REUTERS/Katrina Manson)

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Sierra Leone Pursues Improvements in Maternal Health Services - An initiative to speed up improvements of maternity success rates in Sierra Leone has been launched with the backing of the U.K.'s Department for International Development. Local communities are encouraged to rate their clinics as part of the process. Currently, one in every 21 women in Sierra Leone is at risk of death during childbirth. (Photo: REUTERS/Katrina Manson)

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U.S. Woman Gets 10 Years in Rwandan Fraud Case - A U.S. federal judge sentenced a New Hampshire woman to 10 years in jail for lying about her role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwandan native Beatrice Munyenyezi, a 43-year-old mother of two, had served as a commander of one of the notorious roadblocks where Tutsis were singled out for slaughter, AP reported. (Photo: REUTERS/Themistocles Hakizimana)