Despite opposition from the majority of African and Islamic countries, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has granted consultative status to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) after a 29 to 14 vote.

On July 26, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a US government aid agency, announced it would place an operational hold on all money intended for Malawi while it reviews the agency’s partnership with the country. This announcement comes as a response to the violent crackdown by the Malawian government on demonstrators protesting rising food and fuel prices, as well as what many citizens view as increasingly authoritarian moves by President Bingu wa Mutharika. Nineteen people were killed after Malawian authorities opened fire on assembled protesters and 500 people have since been arrested and detained by authorities, with many civil society leaders and media professionals hiding in fear for their life.

On July 23, participants and journalists observing a Zimbabwean parliamentary hearing were harassed and assaulted by Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party supporters. Nearly 300 supporters of the political party intentionally disrupted a hearing held to assess public viewpoints on the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission Bill (ZHRC), and initially prevented the public and civil society organizations from making submissions. The unruly mob harassed and assaulted parliamentary members and journalists Aaron Ufumeli, Lev Mukarati and Nqaba Matshazi. ZANU-PF supporters forcefully removed Mukarate and Matshazi from the room, demanding that Ufumeli delete his pictures after attempting to steal his camera. The three journalists were also accused by the group of ZANU-PF supporters of falsifying information.

Dima Bondarenko, a Belarusian political prisoner, will be forced by prison authorities in Belarus to undergo spinal surgery without sufficient recovery time before being returned to prison according to human rights groups. Bondarenko has reportedly been subjected to inhumane conditions in prison that have led to multiple health problems including stomach ulcers and spinal disease. According to his wife, Bondarenko was not given an option with regards to having the surgery and will be sent back to his cell after only two weeks, despite a need for months of rehabilitation. Bonadarenko is in extreme pain and his right leg partially paralyzed. Surgery could permanently cripple him if prison authorities send him back before he has had time to fully recover.