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Human Rights Watch report on the situation in the Republic of Ingushetia
On 25 June the International Human Rights Organization Human Rights Watch presented a report on the fight against terrorism and infringements of human rights in Ingushetia. The report’s author is the well-known human rights defender Tatyana Lokshina. (29-JUN-08)
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is celebrated on 26 June. This date, proclaimed in 1997 by the United Nations, was directed towards the full eradication of torture and guaranteeing the effectiveness of the “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”. (29-JUN-08)
Human Rights Watch reports on cruel infringements in Ingushetia
On 25 June the International Human Rights Organization Human Rights Watch presented the report ‘As If They Fell From The Sky’ Counterinsurgency, Rights Violations and Impunity in Ingushetia that documents cruel infringements of human rights by members of power structures. The report’s author is the well-known human rights defender Tatyana Lokshina, right. (29-JUNE-08)
Employees of the Human Rights center “Memorial” have been detained in the Chechen Republic
On 17 June, four employees of the Human Rights Center “Memorial” were detained while photographing a building in the Chechen Republic where, according to human rights defenders, kidnapped people were illegally. The Human Rights Center “Memorial” intends to address this incident to the Prosecutor and the Court. (28-JUN-08)
It is still difficult to have a legal abortion in Poland
Disputes quite regularly break out in the Republic of Poland over the issue of abortion. The Polish society recently carried on a heated discussion after the media publicized the case concerning the refusal to perform an abortion for a fourteen-year-old, who was impregnated as a result of a crime. In such a case Polish law permits an abortion to be performed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. As usual Poles were divided over this issue. (27-JUN-08)
New law on mass media approved by parliament
The Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) expresses its protest in relation to the adoption of a new Law «On Mass Media» after the 2nd reading by the Chamber of Representatives at the National Assembly of Republic of Belarus on 25 June. The Bill will considerably limit the rights of independent mass media and for the websites, which for the first time will be covered by a media law in the Republic of Belarus (25-JUN-08).
Euskal / Basque PEN awards two Kurdish journalists facing execution in Iran
Human rights defenders in many countries have expressed their appreciation over Euskal / Basque PEN´s selection of Mr. Hiwa Buimar and Mr. Adnan Hassanpour, right, for the Idazluma award for their efforts for freedom of speech in Islamic Republic of Iran and the “oppressed Kurdish language and culture”. (27-JUNE-08)
ICC Prosecutors detail grim DRCongo war crimes accusations
War crimes prosecutors detailed Friday a grim case of mass murder and sexual enslavement against two Congolese militia leaders accused of seeking to wipe out an entire village in 2003. Germain Katanga and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui “deliberately planned, orchestrated and ordered their respective troops to execute their plan to attack, wipe out or erase the village of Bogoro,” deputy prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, right, told the International Criminal Court in The Hague. (27-JUNE-08)
Coalition of NGOs urges Belarus not to pass media law
International human rights and freedom of expression organisations have joined their voices in protest against the Belarusian Draft Law on Mass Media, which imposes further restrictions on an already severe regulatory regime for Belarusian mass media. They have called for an immediate withdrawal of the law. (27-JUNE-08)
Concerns with the Proposed Draft Law on Mass Media
The draft Law on Mass Media, which would impose restrictions on freedom of expression beyond what is permitted by international law, causes grave.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture tomorrow
Six United Nations entities regularly involved with issues relating to the prevention of torture and helping its victims say that, despite a strong international legal framework outlawing torture, much remains to be done “to ensure that everybody is free of this scourge,” and urge that special attention be paid to ensure better protection for women. (25-JUNE-08)
Press Council Regulation is Changed
On 20 June Azerbaijani Journalists conducted the Fifth Congress during which Aflatun Amashev (right) was re-elected as Press Council Chairman. The new chairman of the Press Council was chosen by the members of Administrative Staff in accordance to the council’s procedures. (23-JUN-08)