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Political activists are pressurized at work
In the Republic of Belarus many methods are used to persecute public and political activists. One of such methods is dismissal from work. For the first month of the new year two such cases have been registered. (22-JAN-05)
Struggle against information continues
Though the parliamentary election and the referendum are already over, the struggle of officials against “undesirable” information doesn’t stop. Less than a month has passed since the New Year, but even for this short period many facts of lawless limitation of the right to receive and distribute information were registered.
Belarus: Access to information restricted
Although the parliamentary election and the referendum are already over, the struggle of officials against “undesirable” information doesn’t stop. In January, a great number of lawless limitations of the right to receive and distribute information were registered. (22-JAN-05)
Employees against Supermarkets
There are more and more signals concerning the violation of employees’ rights by stores and supermarkets in the Republic of Poland. The employees demand compensation from companies mainly for: overtime, unused holiday and dismissals contrary to the regulations. The first of such lawsuits was brought by Mrs. Bozena Lopacka against the company Biedronka, which belongs to the Portuguese chain Jeronimo Martins Distribution (JMD). (21-JAN-05)
Theo van Boven receives the Univerity of Oslo’s Human Rights Prize
Professor Theo van Boven has been awarded the Lisl and Leo Eitinger Prize; the University of Oslo´ Human Rights Prize, for his long, beneficial efforts to eradicate torture, disappearances and other serious violations of human rights. Van Boven has worked for the UN, for the Christian World Council and for numerous non-governmental organisations. (21-JAN-05)
Poland: Employees against supermarkets
Violation of employees’ rights by stores and supermarkets seems to be an increasing trend in the Republic of Poland. Assisted by the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, employees now demand compensation. (21-JAN-05)
Zimbabwean journalists shrug off government’s media straitjacket
Media rights watchdogs have long criticised the conditions under which journalists in Zimbabwe operate. Since the start of the year, however, the circumstances of the country’s media have become bleaker still. Earlier this month, President Robert Mugabe signed into law amendments to the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).
Burmese workers in Thailand are the forgotten tsunami victims
Thousands of Burmese migrant workers lived and worked in the coastal provinces struck by the tsunami. At least 2500 Burmese are expected killed in only one of the provinces. Another 4000 are missing, according to Burmese NGOs in Thailand. (21-JAN-05)
Intense debate on constitutional reform in Zambia
Frustrated by government?s insistence to enact the new constitution in 2008, civil society groups and some opposition political parties in Zambia have resorted to demonstrations and honking as a way of pressurising President Levy Mwanawasa to change his constitutional road map. (21-JAN-05)