The Rafto Foundation is glad to announce that many former Rafto Laureates will attend the historical event that is to take place this weekend in Bergen. The event wants to celebrate the work the Rafto Laureates has performed during the last 20 years. The guests include Trivimi Velliste from Estonia, Leyla Zana from Kurdistan/Turkey, Palermo Anno Uno from Italy, Ian Hancock representing the Romani people, Shirin Ebadi from Iran, Paulos Tesfagiorgis from Eritrea, 
Rebiya Kadeer from Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and
Lidia Yusupova from the Chechen Republic. (02-NOV-06)

Text: HRH F, Nina Luhr

Program- Friday 3rd of November 9.am-4.30pm
Scandic City Bergen Hotel

Chairman: Dr. Gunnar M. Sørbø
Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Rafto Foundation and Director of the Chr. Michelsen Institute

PART I: To end political repression in Vietnam
Representing the 2006 Rafto Prize laureate: Vo Van Ai
President of the Action for Democracy in Vietnam & Vietnam Committee on Human Rights
Special Guest Speakers: Dan Duy-Tu Hoang
Vice-President for the Vietnamese-American Public Affairs Committee (VPAC), Washington DC
Thich Tri Luc
Former political prisoner from Vietnam, now a refugee in Sweden

PART II: Human Rights Challenges in a Globalized World – 20 Years of Rafto Laureates
Parallel sessions:
Session I: Vietnam: Economic Friend – Political Foe?
Session II: Fighting Minorities = Fighting Terrorism?
Session III: Human Rights in Repressive Regimes
Session IV: Organised Crime and Trafficking

PART III: Looking Ahead – Crucial Human Rights Challenges
Speech by Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Rafto Laureate 2001

More information and full program

Saturday, November 4, the illumination of the Rafto Foundation´s work throughout the last 20 years, will be the focal point. The program will include artistic performances (songs, dance), short documentaries etc. By this we wish to honor the former Rafto Prize Laureates.

More information and full program