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Azerbaijani Journalist is Shortlisted for a Special Award
Amnesty International shortlists Yemeni and Azerbaijani journalists for 2008 “Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat”, part of the organisation´s annual media awards. Abdul Karim al-Khaiwani (Yemen) and Aqil Xalil (Azerbaijan) shortlisted for this award. (05-JUN-08)
HRHF expresses regret over imprisonment of human rights defender
The Human Rights House Foundation has sent a letter today to the General Prosecutor´s Office of the Republic of Belarus, expressing regret over the decision of the Vitebsk Court on 27 May to sentence Paval Liavinau, member of the Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC), to 10 days´ administrative imprisonment and a fine of 700.000 rubles (328 USD). Read the full letter below. (05-JUNE-08)
One more shipping company quits Western Sahara assignments
The third “Norwegian” shipping company in half a year says it will no longer visit ports in occupied Western Sahara. Jinhui Shipping, registered on Oslo Stock Exchange, says to South the People´s Republic of China Morning Post that it will not contract any more business in the country. (05-JUNE-08)
The law on public control in places of imprisonment has been adopted by the State Duma in the third
21 May 2008 the State Duma passed in its final, third reading, the law “On Public Control for Ensuring Human Rights in Detention Facilities and Assisting Persons in Detention Facilities”. Should the law e approved by the Federation Council and signed by the president it is assumed that it will to come into force on 1 September 2008. (23-MAY-08)
Spring Draft 2008
The spring draft began in the Russian Federation on 1 April and will run till 15 July 2008. As of today human rights defenders have fixed numerous infringements of the draftees’ rights. This was stated by the nongovernmental organization, Committee of Soldier´s Mothers, which gives consultations for citizens and holds weekly assemblies consulting people concerning issues of the draft. (20-MAY-08)
Freedom of the Press
Annual reports were prepared by the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Freedom House for World Press Freedom Day which is celebrated annually on 3 May. (15-MAY-08)
Arbitrary arrest of three LGBT activists in Uganda
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), has been informed by reliable sources about the arbitrary arrest of Mr. Onziema Patience, Ms. Valentine Kalende and Mr. Auf, three Ugandan LGBT activists. The Observatory requests your urgent intervention in the situation. (05-JUNE-08)
The Security Council must break the silence on Sudan!
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and its member organisation the Republic of the Sudan Organisation Against Torture (SOAT) call for an immediate firm response by the Security Council to the International Criminal Court´s (ICC) report denouncing the failure of the Sudanese government to cooperate with the Court and the consequent breach of its obligations under Security Council Resolution 1593.
Belarusian HR defender released from mental institution
The Human Rights House Foundation (HRH F) is pleased to inform that Valerij Misnikov, right, is released from the mental hospital where he was being held since November 2007. Several houses in the Human Rights House Network protested against Misnikov’s sentence, which according to local defenders was an attempt to silence him. (05-JUNE-08)