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The main part of non-governmental weekly’s “Nasha Niva” circulation didn’t reach the news stalls in the Republic of Belarus last week. The issue has only reached the subscribers and a few newsstands in the main cities of the country. It was reported about Russian NTV channel’s “God Father” newsreel in this issue of “NN”. In this documentary Belarusian leader is shown in a negative way. So disappearance of the issue of “NN” is nothing short of sad sign of Belarusian censorship.

At its 77th session, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) will review Bosnia-Herzegovina.
NGOs can submit information, too, and participate in a joint briefing of the members of CERD in Geneva.

on peace-building experience in ex-Yu countries

The Western Sahara conflict is now in the 35th year, with no sign of resolution. While the United Nations is ostensibly responsible for its resolution and defending the human rights, some states provide implicit support for Moroccan occupation of the territory, failing to support a referendum which might include the option of independence. The issue also continues to poison relations between Algeria and Morocco, blocking hopes of regional economic integration in the Maghrib.

The report “Broken Promises: Freedom of Religion or Belief issues in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan”, prepared by five human rights organizations, was launched during a side event at the Organization’s for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Conference on Tolerance in Astana on 30 June.

42 human rights organisations and members of the Human Rights House Network condemn the 6 July 2010 decision by a Baku district court to convict Editor-in-chief Eynulla Fatullayev of drug possession and sentence him to two years and six months imprisonment.

Join us for an evening benefiting the first ever Burmese Arts Festival, an event designed to highlight the role of artists in bringing about change in Burma. The Festival will take place on 14-17th October 2010 at London’s Free Word Centre.

Two Russian art curators, Andrei Yerofeev and Yuri Samodurov, who staged an exhibition titled Forbidden Art 2006 featuring censored Soviet and post-Soviet art works, were convicted on 12 July by a Moscow court for “inciting hatred or enmity” and “denigration of human dignity.” Human rights organisation Article 19 condemns the fines the two men received as an outright attack on the right to freedom of expression.

After the conference in Interlaken the Committee of Experts on the Reform of the Court published a document called Implementation of the Interlaken Declaration. Draft Report on the Access to the Court – Fees for Applicants. In the document the Committee presented a possibility of introducing fees for applicants to the Court. Helsinki Foundation for Human Right believes it may imply a significant limitation to access to the European Court of Human Rights.

Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe declared that there are still many European Countries that need to clarify the issue of their participation in CIA extraordinary rendition program. Since among these countries the Commissioner listed Republic of Poland as one, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights filled a letter to Prosecutor General reiterating the appeal for immediate and full explanation of the issue.

Большая частка накладу недзяржаўнага штотыднёвіка “Наша Ніва” не паступіла на мінулым тыдні ў кіёскі Беларусі. Нумар прыйшоў толькі падпісчыкам і ў асобныя шапікі сталіцы і буйных гарадоў. У гэтым нумары “НН” распавядалася пра фільм расейскага тэлеканала НТВ “Хросны бацька”, дзе беларускі лідэр падаецца ў негатыўным святле. Знікненне накладу газеты – ні што іншае, як сумная прыкмета беларускай цэнзуры.

In its report to the Human Rights Committee, the government of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia states that “to promote the operation of charities and societies and to ensure their transparency and accountability, a Proclamation for Registration and Regulation of Charities and Societies has been issued and is effective now.” This proclamation helped Ethiopian authorities strangle the country’s independent human rights organisations.