Latest
Legal advisers before European Court of Human Rights
In the days of 10-11 June 2010 a two-day training for lawyers on the application of the European Convention of Human Rights in the proceedings before national courts and European Court of Human Rights took place in the premises of the District Chamber of Legal Advisers in Warsaw. The seminar was the last one of the set of training courses organized by the National Chamber of Legal Advisers and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights.
Judgment in the case of Polish journalist – liability for quotation
On the 15th June 2010, the District Court in Cracow dismissed a lawsuit against Mr. Paweł Wodniak – journalist of the portal “Fakty Oświęcim” for violation of personal interest. The Court ruled that a news report that merely mentions an individual’s involvement in a criminal proceeding does not constitute a violation of press laws, the rule of innocence, or journalism ethics.
Serious violations of human rights in Democratic Republic of Congo continue
The letter by the 2008 Rafto Prize laureate, Pastor Bulambo Lembelembe Josué, reveals the shocking level of safety and the human rights situation in South-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The author fears a destabilisation of the democratic regional institutions and urges the government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the citizens and their property.
New NHC report: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have to implement their OSCE commitments
Norwegian Helsinki Committee presents new report “Broken promises: freedom of religion or belief issues in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan”. The report details freedom of religion or belief issues and presents recommendations in order to bring the countries in line with relevant international human rights standards.
Demonstrators in London attacked new online legislation in Belarus
On 1 July a group of journalists, artists and campaigners gathered outside the embassy of Republic of Belarus in London to express their dissatisfaction with recent measures taken by the Belarusian regime to increase censorship in the internet. Presidential decree that went into force on 1 July in the Republic of Belarus allows the monitoring of all national internet usage and empowers the authorities to block websites that provide information from independent sources.
Executions of Kurdish political prisoners in Iran imminent
International PEN and ARTICLE 19 condemn the recent executions of Iranian Kurdish political prisoners and warn more executions are imminent.
Satellite images reveal violence in Kyrgyzstan
New satellite images and video footage show the dramatic impact of the recent violent events on the city of Osh in southern Kyrgyz Republic. Comparison of satellite images of the Cheremushki neighborhood in Osh in 2007 and 2010 indicate destruction by fire. Houses are without roofs, dozens of large SOS signs are visible.
Leading Tibetan environmentalist and art collector gets 15 years in jail
A Chinese court in the western region of Xinjiang has sentenced on 25 June 2010 a leading Tibetan collector of antiquities, environmentalist, founder of the award-winning Three Rivers Environmental Protection group, Karma Samdup to 15 years in jail for robbing graves.
Human rights organisations welcome PACE resolution on Azerbaijan, call for monitoring efforts
On 24 June, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted Resolution on the functioning of democratic institutions in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Article 19, the Human Rights House Foundation, the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee welcome the adoption of the resolution and call upon the Azerbaijani government to implement the recommendations contained in the resolution.
Thomas Hammerberg unveils report regarding Azerbaijan
On 29 June, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Thomas Hammarberg, unveiled his report on Republic of Azerbaijan. Following his visit carried out on March 1 to 5, the report focuses on freedom of expression and association, conduct of law enforcement officials, administration of justice, and contains some observations on the visit to the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan.
Election in Poland: polling in disarray, but votes are counted
“In the Republic of Belarus everything is the other way around – during the E-day procedures are more-less followed, but in the evening, during the count, there is total lawlessness at polling stations,” some observers from the team of more than 30 participant of the international observation mission at the presidential election in the Republic of Poland shared. The joint Belarusian, Lithuanian, and Swedish mission was organised by the Election Observation: Theory and Practice project with support of Belarusian HRH in Vilnius.
Andreas Herkel speaks about release of imprisoned journalists
“I feel the existence of a certain lobby that is engaged in this issue,” said Andreas Herkel, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Special Co-rapporteur on Republic of Azerbaijan, according to Turan News Agency.