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On 16 – 17 November, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance organized an expert seminar devoted to the exchange of views on the topic of: combating racism (hate speech) while respecting freedom of expression. Halina Bortnowska participated in the seminar as the representative of the informal group “Viridarium”, operating alongside the HFHR. (24-NOV-06)

As the death toll reaches an estimated 154 since the allied invasion in 2003, the Iraq war is proving to be the deadliest for journalists and media workers since World War II, and Baghdad claims the title of the world’s most dangerous city for journalists. And as the allied offensive subsides, the death toll is rising; 2006, a record year in itself for the number of journalists killed worldwide, is proving to be the most violent year in Iraq since the war began. Over 50 journalists and media workers had been killed by November. Murder accounts for the predominant cause of death in a country where little or no protection is offered to journalists, and the security situation continues to worsen. (24-NOV-06)
 

The former candidate for the presidency Mr. Kazulin was arrested on 25 March 2006. He was sentenced to 5.5 years of prison. The oppositionist was admitted the prisoner of conscience by Belarusian and International society. Mr. Kazulin announced the hunger strike on 20 October to protest against ‘lawlessness in Belarus’ and to demand consideration of the situation in the Republic of Belarus at the UN Security Council. (24-NOV-06)
 

On 16 – 17 November, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance organized an expert seminar devoted to the exchange of views on the topic of: combating racism (hate speech) while respecting freedom of expression. Halina Bortnowska participated in the seminar as the representative of the informal group “Viridarium”, operating alongside the HFHR. (24-NOV-06)
  

Human Rights Watch released a 45-page report on 2 November detailing the UK’s manoeuvres around bans on torture. The US-based international human rights organisation said that Britain is supporting torture policies, while at the same time continuing its long-time support of anti-torture agreements. According to the report, the government has sought to reinterpret laws which ban court evidence gained from torture, has tried to deport detainees to countries that are known to torture, and has provided information that has led to the torture of suspects. Human rights advocates have spoken out against these recent actions, stressing the importance of retaining the basic principles of human decency. (17-NOV-06)

Two months ago, on 19 September, the well-known Norwegian film director Anja Breien published her first book. ´Kaniaw´ is a photographic essay about a young Norwegian-Kurdish woman. When the book was launched at the Nobel Peace Centre, the sociologist Rasool Awla said that it brings some of the worst aspects of Kurdish culture, but also an undisputable love for Kurdistan, to the reader. (20-NOV-06)
 

On September 30, a group of over 70 Tibetans were attempting to cross the Nangpa Pass into Nepal from Tibet when they were fired upon by China´s People´s Armed Police. Eyewitness reports confirm the death of Kelsang Namtso, a 17 year old Tibetan nun who was shot in the back. Video footage of the shooting shows that at least two other Tibetans were shot during the incident, but the injuries do not appear to have been fatal. (20-NOV-06)
 

The Law on Protection of National Minorities entered into force in 2003 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This law is based on the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities which was ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina. BiH has not yet ratified the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages. The Law it not being applied both because the necessary by-laws were not passed and because of the lack of political will. (16-NOV-06)
 

The Law on Protection of National Minorities entered into force in 2003 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This law is based on the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minorities which was ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina. BiH has not yet ratified the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages. The Law it not being applied both because the necessary by-laws were not passed and because of the lack of political will. (16-NOV-06)