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At the conclusion of the ninth session of the Human Rights Council, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) remains deeply concerned by the lack of mobilisation of a majority of Member States to protect victims of human rights violations in countries where they are the most vulnerable. (24-SEP-08) 
 

On 18 September the Council of Europe (PACE) Pre-election Evaluation Mission conducted a press conference in the office of Council of Europe in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Head of the Mission Andreas Herkel (right) and mission members revealed a statement about the results of their visit to Republic of Azerbaijan.    

26 September marks the 1st anniversary of the Saffron Revolution in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). It is one year since we all dressed in red to support the tens of thousands of saffron-robed monks who marched peacefully through the streets of Rangoon. The Burmese people’s frustration with the regime began with the dramatic rise in fuel prices in early August 2007 because it had a direct effect on their everyday lives. The Junta responded with a brutal crackdown on the demonstrators. Many monks and activists are still in prison. (22-SEP-08)
 

Navanethem Pillay, right, the top United Nations human rights official, has called for ensuring the protection of Afghan civilians, as new figures show an almost 40 per cent increase in conflict-related deaths in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period last year (22-SEP-08).
 

-We know that human rights are essential to peace, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, said in his message to mark the International Day of Peace, which is observed every year on 21 September. This year´s celebrations held special meaning since 2008 also marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (21-SEP-08)
 

18 September, a preliminary meeting of the litigants on the case initiated by Hrodna Regional Department of KGB, asking the court to classify a newspaper, some books, human rights newsletters and music CDs as «extremist materials» took place at the District Court of Hrodna (Western Belarus). Human Rights activists are concerned about the troubling precedent such a clasification might have, if articles of the ´Law on Counteraction of Extremism´ could be used against dissidents. (20-SEP-08)
 

On 18 September in the Republic of Azerbaijan Press Council’s office a ceremony was conducted to distribute special vests (illustrated right) designated for media representative covering mass actions to distinguish them from action participants.  OSCE and IRFS have distributed the press vests to the journalists as well.
      

On September 18, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) and its local Ethiopian organization, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), held a panel in coordination with key Geneva-based NGOs to discuss and analyze the Draft Proclamation on Charities and Societies (the CSO Bill), which will be under review by the Ethiopian Parliament when it reconvenes in October. (20-SEP-08)
 

The Republic of Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has released itsa follow-up report on the so-called Mungiki killings, the large scale extra-judicial killings and disappearances that have taken place, predominantly in and around nairobi, but also elsewhere in the country, as the report documents. The report leaves no doubt that the several hundred killings were ordered, directed or coordinated by the top leadership of the Kenyan police, acting jointly with a common purpose. Read KNCHR´s key findings below. (20-SEP-08)