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Investigative authorities of Belarus prolonged an investigation into the case of Belarusian independent journalist Andrzej Poczobut. Poczobut, the correspondent for the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza, is accused of libelling the Belarusian president. The investigation states that some of his articles posted on the Internet “contain libelous statements concerning the head of state”.

The Supreme Administrative Court dismissed the complaints of four judges not appointed to office by the Polish President. The cases of six more judges are yet to be heard. The claimants are represented pro-bono by Mr Marcin Ciemiński, Clifford Chance, and Mr Patrick Radzimierski, Salans.

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights sent a letter to the Minister of Interior calling for explanations regarding the situation of foreigners without a valid travel document issued by their home country. The absence of such a document substantially hinders the process of obtaining a fixed-term residence permit from the Polish authorities.

The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group are holding preliminary peace talks in Norway that are expected to set the stage for formal talks in Cuba next month. However, there are already signs of some disagreement, with the government saying it will not stop military operations against the rebels during the talks and FARC saying it is willing to discuss the issue any time.

FIAN International welcomes the adoption of the Global Strategic Framework for Food Security and Nutrition (GSF) as an important achievement for the human rights-based approach to food security policy. Adopted during the 39th session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) on 17 October 2012, the GSF, as the overarching framework, will be the primary global reference for coordination and coherence in decision making on food and agricultural issues.

In this letter, the Human Rights House Foundation, thanks the Ombudsperson in Voronezh for taking the time to meet in Voronezh, October. The Human Rights House Foundation appreciate the Ombudsperson`s moral support to the Human Rights House Voronezh and the Ombudspersons effort to solve the issues with the lease of municipal facilities.

Следчыя органы Беларусі прынялі рашэнне працягнуць расследаванне па справе журналіста, якога абвінавачваюць у паклёпе на прэзідэнта, да 21 лістапада. 21 кастрычніка тэрмін расследавання крымінальнай справы журналіста скончыўся. За час следства ніякіх следчых дзеянняў з ім не праводзілася, яго нікуды не выклікалі.

To mark the 40th birthday, Index on Censorship is partnering with Poet in the City for a special celebration of Index’s remarkable literary heritage and the continuing role of poetry in free expression.

In December 2012 the World Conference on International Communications will be taking place in Dubai with a view to reconsider the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) for the first time since 1988 under the aegis of the International Telecommunications Union. One of the key questions that will be examined at the Conference is whether or not the Internet should fall within the scope of the ITRs.

On 15 October the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU renewed the sanctions against Belarus till 31 October 2013.

The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and Amnesty International Poland issued an opinion to the Ministry of Interior on the draft premises of the new act on the use of physical force by law enforcement authorities. This is the third opinion given by the HFHR and AI on this law. Last week the bill was discussed at a consensus conference held by the Ministry of Interior.

On 29-30 September a regional HRHN conference “Freedom of Speech and Association: From Theory to Practice” was held in Moscow, Russian Federation. The conference was attended by lawyers, human rights defenders, journalists and experts from five countries – Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.