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The Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings entered into force on 1 February and this day the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights sent a letter to Prime Minister of Republic of Poland Mr. Donald Tusk drawing his attention to the necessity for Republic of Poland to ratify this Convention. (01-FEB-08)

On 22 January, a young journalist was found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to death for downloading and distributing an article that insulted Islam. The upper House of Parliament issued a statement on 30 January backing the death sentence then withdrew it the following day.  Will Islamic Republic of Afghanistan remain defiant in the glare of the world’s media? (01-FEB-08)
 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on Ugandan authorities to put an end to the harassment of journalists in the country after five journalists and editors of the privately-owned Daily Monitor newspaper were charged with defamation after they published stories alleging the government’s Inspector General is involved in a salary scam.

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, who has been monitoring the Albin Kurti trial with the Danish Helsinki Committee since it began in autumn 2007, published a statement today criticizing the way in which the internationalized courts in Kosovo have handled the case so far. They suggest that the concerns are so serious that a retrial may be required. (31-JAN-08) 
 

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee, who has been monitoring the Albin Kurti trial with the Danish Helsinki Committee since it began in autumn 2007, published a statement today criticizing the way in which the internationalized courts in Kosovo have handled the case so far. They suggest that the concerns are so serious that a retrial may be required. (31-JAN-08) 
 

The established democracies are accepting flawed and unfair elections for political expediency, Human Rights Watch said today in releasing its World Report 2008 . By allowing autocrats to pose as democrats, without demanding they uphold the civil and political rights that make democracy meaningful, the United States, the European Union and other influential democracies risk undermining human rights worldwide. (31-JAN-08)
 

Blatant acts of impunity and violations of human rights in the Republic of Uganda, plunder and bloodletting in the Republic of Kenya following the disputed presidential elections there give reasons for concern, says Human Rights Network – HURINET – Uganda in a powerful statement today. Read the full statement below. (30-JAN-08) 
   

February 5, 2007 marks the 11th anniversary of a brutal crackdown on a peaceful demonstration in the city of Ghulja in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People´s Republic of China. Remembering the massacre, the Rafto Foundation invites to a ceremony at the Human Rights Plaza in Bergen on 5 February at 16:00. (30-JAN-08)
 

The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict is taking place in more than one dozen countries around the world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states in a new report, calling for further measures to combat the scourge. Half the countries listed are n or near East and Horn of Africa. Right, Sudanese child soldier. (30-JAN-08)