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The alumni of “International Law in Advocacy – Electronic Human Rights Education for Lawyers” project made an educational visit to Strasbourg on 15-18 October 2013.

In July, the HFHR inquired about actions taken by the Ministry of Interior in response to the reports regarding PRISM, a US surveillance programme. Replying to the inquiry, Piotr Stachańczyk, the Ministry’s Secretary of State, observed that the issue was the subject of a discussion within the EU and the negotiations between the EU and the US held in a special ad-hoc working group. In consequence of the above, the MI will base its further activities on both outcomes of the working group talks and decisions of other EU bodies involved in the issue.

Halina Bortnowska, Board member of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, was presented with the Professor Zbigniew Hołda Award.

С 15 по 18 октября 2013 года проходил образовательный визит выпускников проекта “Международное право для защиты общественных интересов – Дистанционное обучение адвокатов правам человека” в Страсбурге.

In Azerbaijan, there is a new old president. According to the official results of the elections held in the country last weeek, Ilham Aliyev has received almost 85% of the votes and was re-elected for the third term. If we take into account the two presidential terms of his father, Heydar Aliyev, then the whole Aliyev era in the independent Azerbaijan lasts for twenty years now.

The European Parliament adopted another resolution on alleged transportation and illegal detention of prisoners in European countries by the CIA. The Parliament expressed regret over the failure of the Council, Commission and the governments of the Member States, candidate states and associated countries, NATO, and the US authorities to implement the recommendations contained in the relevant resolution of 11 September 2012.

W.W., a convicted felon with a spine condition has been transferred many times from prisons to courts holding criminal trials. As a result of the transfers, his health has deteriorated. In consequence, W.W. decided to sue the State Treasury represented by the Chief Commissioner of the Police and Director General of the Prison Service.

– Я глыбока расчараваны рашэннямі беларускіх судоў, якія працягваюць выносіць смяротныя прысуды грамадзянам краіны – заявіў Спецыяльны дакладчык ААН па становішчы ў галіне правоў чалавека ў Беларусі Міклаш Харасці, выказваючы шкадаванне ў сувязі з рашэннем Вярхоўнага суда краіны.

On 10 October the 11th anniversary of the World Day Against the Death Penalty was marked. Civil society activists from different countries reminded the international community about the absurdity of this kind of punishment and the cruelty of executions.