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Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, contributed an editorial on the North Korean human rights situation to the South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo. In this editorial, which was printed in the Washington Post, as well, Mr. Havel urges the democratic countries of the world — the European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea — to take a common position. (20-JUNE-04)

The Kenyan Activist Wangari Maathai was awarded the Norwegian Sophie Prize last week. Ms Maathai is one of the most outspoken and respected environmental activist in Africa, who for the last 30 years has fought fearlessly for the protection of the environment and human rights. – President Mois authoritarian regime is over, and Kenyans are free. But building democracy is a long process that has only just been allowed to begin, said Mr Niels Jacob Harbitz (picture) at the Human Rights House Foundation (HRH), who spoke at the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of supporting civil society.(21-JUNE-04)
 
 

The Belarusian Helsinki Committee (BHC) is under threat of being closed down because of tax evasion accusations brought against it by the Belarusian authorities. According to the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, these accusations follow an investigation conducted by tax inspectors of
the Moscow District of Minsk between August 2003 and January 2004. (21-JUNE-04)
 

The Kenyan Activist Wangari Maathai was awarded the Norwegian Sophie Prize last week. Ms Maathai is one of the most outspoken and respected environmental activist in Africa, who for the last 30 years has fought fearlessly for the protection of the environment and human rights. – President Mois authoritarian regime is over, and Kenyans are free. But building democracy is a long process that has only just been allowed to begin, said Mr Niels Jacob Harbitz at the Human Rights House Foundation (HRH), who spoke at the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of supporting civil society.(21-JUNE-04)
 

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has been nominated for the second time to serve the function of the National Focal Point in the European RAXEN network, which gathers information on the subject matter of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islam phobia and anti-Roman activity. It will serve this function until the end of 2004. (17-JUN-04)  

The Kurdish Joan of Arc, Leyla Zana, and three other prominent Kurdish MPs have been freed after ten years from Turkish jail pending on appeal. The 1994 Rafto Prize award recipient, said after her release; “Today is not the day to fuel sad feelings or pain, today is the day for brotherhood and understanding.”  (22-JUNE-04)

In the monthly programme Wednesday Dialogue, Raftohuset arranged a seminar about Palestine.
The seminar was held on the 2nd of June, with the title “Palestine – the Lost Land, the Palestinians
from one tent to another”.  Around 40 people attended the seminar and took part in the discussions on Palestine: the land, the people, the humanity and the hope. (11-JUN-2004)

The War and Children Identity Project (WCIP) in Bergen will soon release their third report
“The War Children of the World – Report 3 – 2004” which will summarize the latest accomplishments of the project, and present new selected articles concerning the situation of war children all over the world, as well as articles discussing the problems of research withing this issue. (10-JUNE-04)

The 4th edition of the Human Rights Workshops for Students, organised by the HFHR, has come to an end. On June 2, 30 people received their certificates. However, first they had to pass an examination on human rights theory and complete the practical part, which meant taking up activity in support of human rights. (04-JUN-04)