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The Feminist Movement in Tunisia, 1920 – 2000
Women, and the women’s movement, have suffered severe suppression in Tunisia. Recently, Khedija Arfaoui presented a paper outlining th history of the feminist movement in Tunisia from the 1920s to 2000s at the Sixth Mediterranean Social and Political Research Meeting in Florence and MOntecatini, Italy. HRH has had regular contact with human rights organisations in Tunisia, and is pleased to refer our readers to this and other papers from the conference. (10-MAY-05)
Trafficking in women from North Korea
From Anti-Slavery International, HRH has received the following article on trafficking of women from North Korea to the People´s Republic of China, and China´s subsequent repatriation of those caught. The story confirms previous accounts of severe mistreatment, including torture, lengthy labour camp imprisonment and, in some instances, execution. (10-MAY-05)
Human rights defender arrested on eve of receiving international award
Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the Sudanese Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, who was arrested yesterday in Khartoum on the eve of his departure to Ireland to receive an award from the Dublin-based Front Line, the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. HRH has cooperated closely with Frontline on several occasions. (10-MAY-05)
Neostalinism starts in Russia
“The rehabilitation of Stalin can’t be allowed”, – members of society express their resentment.
Russian society is insulted by the decision of the councils of many towns of the Russian Federation to place a monument to Stalin. A lot of representatives from the Russian scientific and liberal intelligentsia wrote, to no avail, a letter to Mr. Putin to not allow the placement of Stalin´s monument anywhere in the Russian Federation. (09-MAY-05)
UN rights forum slams systematic abuse in Myanmar
From the Norwegian Burma Committee, a member of the Human Rights House in Oslo, HRH has received the following article, originating from the French news agency AFP: The UN’s top human rights body sharply criticized “systematic” abuse by Myanmar’s military junta, calling on it to restore democracy and free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (8-MAY-05)
Rafto House runs role play about UN Commission on Human Rights
On April 15th a local school class did the UNCHR role-play at the Rafto House by voting the North Korea resolution. At the very same time, the ‘real’ UNCHR voted the North Korea resolution in Geneva. The reality of the role-play and the authenticity of the situation seemed to hit the student who dug into their roles with gravity. Given that the Rafto Human Rights House has special focus on North Korea this year, including the hosting of the 7th international conference on North Korean human rights, it becomes natural to use the case of North Korea in the teaching. (06-MAY-2005)
The human rigths situation in Western Sahara is critical
Several reports about police violence connection with peaceful demonstrations etc. have reached the Rafto Foundation. Right now, the 2002 Rafto Prize laureate, Sidi Mohammed Daddach (picture) and his immediate circle of associates are the only ones who can publicly air discontentment and criticism regarding Morocco’s policy in Western Sahara. The Rafto Prize has afforded Daddach and 14 of his associates protection. Hence, they are able to speak up about the human rights violations taking place in the occupied territories. (06-MAY-2005)
Norwegian Ambassador called back from Morocco.
As a reaction to comments made by the Norwegian Ambassador to Morocco in a documentary on Norwegian Broadcasting Network (NRK) aired yesterday (03.05.05), the Ambassador, Arne Aasheim, has been called back to Norway. He has to answer to critizism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regard to his statements in the documentary. The prominent Saharawian human rights activist, Sidi Mohammed Daddach, was awarded the 2002 Rafto Prize. (05-MAY-2005)