Latest
-Burmese student leaders arrested. Norway must react
Key democracy campaigners and many other activists were arrested late last night in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). Min Ko Naing, right, the most well-known democracy campaigner in Burma after Aung San Suu Kyi, was among the arrested. -We fear for the security of the arrested, and that many more will be taken by the police, says Inger Lise Husøy, the Director of the Norwegian Burma Committee. (22-AUG-07)
Child labour still being abused in Macedonia
On Monday, August 20 the 13 year old Avni Ademi died working in a car wash service. The case provides sad and solid evidence that child labour remains a reality in FYR Macedonia. As such, it is abuse of the worst kind, where child labour results in the death of the child. This violates the Convention of children’s rights, the 182 Convention against worst forms of child labour, and also national laws in Macednonia, criticises Dragi Zmijanac, right, the Founding Director and Ambassador of Megjashi, the first children’s embassy in the world. (21-AUG-07)
Praise for documentary questioning Statoil’s business in Azerbaijan
The Norwegian documentary film maker Erling Borgen´s, right, latest output, ´In the shadow of Statoil,´ is receiving very positive reviews at the ongoing Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund. The film features footage brought to Borgen from contacts within the HRH Network from the crackdown of the demonstrations following the rigged 2003 elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. HRH also helped facilitate some of Borgen´s meetings with human rights activists in Baku. (20-AUG-07)
Praise for documentary questioning Statoil’s business in Azerbaijan
The Norwegian documentary film maker Erling Borgen´s, right, latest output, ´In the shadow of Statoil,´ is receiving very positive reviews at the ongoing Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund. The film features footage brought to Borgen from contacts within the HRH Network from the crackdown of the demonstrations following the rigged 2003 elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. HRH also helped facilitate some of Borgen´s meetings with human rights activists in Baku. (20-AUG-07)
Azeri journalists at risk of infections
Imprisoned journalists are at risk of catching infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis said Emin Huseynov, the director of Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety during a roundtable at the organization´s press center 17 August. Several human rights defenders attended the meeting and the participants agreed to send an information request on the matter to the Justice Ministry to achieve health examination of all imprisoned journalists. (17-AUG-07)
English PEN calls for the release of six Cuban journalists
Concerned about the deteriorating health of journalists held in Cuban prisons, English PEN has highlighted the cases of six of them, calling for their immediate release. Cuba is the world´s second most prolific jailer of journalists — second only to the People´s Republic of China. (17-AUG-07)
Refugee status for Iraqis cooperating with Polish armed forces?
Recently, you might have read in the Polish press that the authorities of Denmark, which soon plans to withdraw its troops stationing in Iraq, have brought home around 60 Iraqi interpreters and other workers employed by the Danish armed forces in Iraq, along with their families. Most of these people are to receive refugee status in Denmark. (16-AUG-07)
UN Human Rights Committee declares liquidation of Viasna illegal
Following Belarusian authorities’ liquidation of the Human Rights Center Viasna in October 2003, members of the organisation appealed sent an appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee in April 2004, suggesting that the liquidation was illegal and asking the UN committee for its opinion. After careful consideration, the UN responded earlier this month with unconditional support. Belarusian authorities have violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (16-AUG-07)
Criticised abuse of psychiatry as punishment, was hospitalised herself
5 July the United Civic Front activist Larissa Arap (right) was hospitalized against her will on the grounds that she poses threat for herself and her surroundings. This matter brought forth a lot of attention from the media and human rights organizations all over the world. The Special Commission suggested by Independent Psychiatric Association and created by Vladimir Lukin, the ombudsmen of the Russian Federation, concluded that her hospitalization violated her civic rights. (15-AUG-07)