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The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) expresses its protest in relation to the adoption of a new Law «On Mass Media» after the 2nd reading by the Chamber of Representatives at the National Assembly of Republic of Belarus on 25 June. The Bill will considerably limit the rights of independent mass media and for the websites, which for the first time will be covered by a media law in the Republic of Belarus (25-JUN-08).
 

Human rights defenders in many countries have expressed their appreciation over Euskal / Basque PEN´s selection of Mr. Hiwa Buimar and Mr. Adnan Hassanpour, right, for the Idazluma award for their efforts for freedom of speech in Islamic Republic of Iran and the “oppressed Kurdish language and culture”. (27-JUNE-08)

War crimes prosecutors detailed Friday a grim case of mass murder and sexual enslavement against two Congolese militia leaders accused of seeking to wipe out an entire village in 2003. Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui “deliberately planned, orchestrated and ordered their respective troops to execute their plan to attack, wipe out or erase the village of Bogoro,” deputy prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, right, told the International Criminal Court in The Hague. (27-JUNE-08)
 

International human rights and freedom of expression organisations have joined their voices in protest against the Belarusian Draft Law on Mass Media, which imposes further restrictions on an already severe regulatory regime for Belarusian mass media. They have called for an immediate withdrawal of the law. (27-JUNE-08)
 

Six United Nations entities regularly involved with issues relating to the prevention of torture and helping its victims say that, despite a strong international legal framework outlawing torture, much remains to be done “to ensure that everybody is free of this scourge,” and urge that special attention be paid to ensure better protection for women. (25-JUNE-08)
 

On 20 June Azerbaijani Journalists conducted the Fifth Congress during which Aflatun Amashev (right) was re-elected as Press Council Chairman. The new chairman of the Press Council was chosen by the members of Administrative Staff in accordance to the council’s procedures. (23-JUN-08)
      

The OSCE Special Representative for Combating Human Trafficking, Eva Biaudet, commended Republic of Azerbaijan for passing important anti- trafficking laws, and encouraged authorities to step up co-operation with non-governmental organizations to better identify victims. (20-JUN-08)
     

In the wake of the the cyclone Nargis, right, that hit Burma on 2 May this year and, within a matter of days, caused enormous damage and suffering to millions of BUrmese, the Norwegian Burma Committee (NBK) invites to a conference addressing the role, both actual and potential, of the international community in pushing Burma´s current regime in the diretion of democratic reforms. (20-JUNE-08)
 

The three Ugandan LGBT/HIV human rights defenders that were arrested and detained on the 4th of June 2008 and charged with criminal trespass will face prosecution at 9 am on Friday, the 20th of June 2008 at the Magistrate’s court in Kampala. (20-JUNE-08)