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A lawyer in Burma has been awarded a prestigious European human rights award in recognition of his struggle for labour rights under extremely adverse conditions. U Aye Myint, right, who has set up a legal aid group in Burma to handle cases of forced labour, illegal land confiscation and workers´ rights, was awarded the European Bar´s Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize on 17 May 2008. (23-MAY-08)
 

A lawyer in Burma has been awarded a prestigious European human rights award in recognition of his struggle for labour rights under extremely adverse conditions. U Aye Myint, right, who has set up a legal aid group in Burma to handle cases of forced labour, illegal land confiscation and workers’ rights, was awarded the European Bar’s Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize on 17 May 2008. (23-MAY-08)
 

-In the months of April and May, we have witnessed government affront on the media in the Republic of Uganda or designs by the state to muzzle the media. HURINET- U is greatly concerned and in utter disbelief that the state has blatantly continued to disregard calls by different players to respect, protect and promote the Bill of rights especially the media freedoms which are now facing increased threat, reads the opening of a press statement issued by Human Rights Network Uganda today. (23-MAY-08)
 

According to press reports in Spain, the government and army of Morocco are making preparations for a military attack on the territories controlled by Western Sahara´s Polisario Front since a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. The alleged “preparations” are to be a reaction to the increased civilian activities by Polisario in its “liberated territories”. (22-MAY-08)
 

All-Russian Nongovernmental Movement “For Human  Rights,” a coalition of Russuan NGOs, has sent an open letter to the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, to grant pardon to a number of Russian citizens who have fallen victim to politically motivated persecution. The letter reminds Medvedev of his repeated references to the importance for the Russian Federation to follow the principle of the rule of law. Human Rights House Foundation (HRH F) has added its name to the list of signatories. (22-MAY-08)
 

According to press reports in Spain, the government and army of Morocco are making preparations for a military attack on the territories controlled by Western Sahara´s Polisario Front since a UN-brokered ceasefire in 1991. The alleged “preparations” are to be a reaction to the increased civilian activities by Polisario in its “liberated territories”. (22-MAY-08)
 

The Cabinet yesterday constituted a powerful special sub-committee to investigate radios and newspapers accused of giving bad publicity to the ruling NRM government. The ad hoc committee, to be chaired by Second Deputy Prime Minister Henry Muganwa Kajura, has been tasked to explore how such media organisations, acting as a “mouthpiece” for the opposition, can be whipped to toe a line more favourable to the government. (22-MAY-08)
 

The International Lesbian and Gay Association (Ilga) reports that 38 African countries still criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity between adults and there have been many cases of victimisation across the continent, with new laws passed to limit gay and lesbian activity. (22-MAY-08)
 

The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), constituted and endorsed by representatives elected in the 1990 elections in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), has been alerted about the expulsion of cyclone victims from towns and suburban areas and repatriated back to their deserted, cyclone devastated villages by the Burmese authorities. (21-MAY-08)
 

The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) condemns all attempts to limit freedom of expression in Kurdistan Iraq as reported by The US-located Committee to Protect Journalists in its special report entitled ‘The Other Iraq’. Civil and political human rights should be respected for all citizens, including individuals or opposing political factions within the Kurdish region, says Per Thorsdalen, right, Information Officer at RKR´s office at the HR House in Oslo. (20-MAY-08)
 

Kaveh Aziz-pour, a Kurdish political prisoner, died on Friday, 16 May 16, from a brain stroke, reports Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (INA) (16 May). Aziz-poir, who came from Mahabad, was only 25 years old. The Department of Intelligence in Islamic Republic of Iran arrested and imprisoned Aziz-pour two years ago for having connections with Kurdish opposition groups. He was hospitalized in Urumieh after suffering the stroke and underwent surgery twice in this regard. After 20 days of coma, he passed away in the morning of 16 May. (20-MAY-08)
 

As he prepared to leave for Myanmar today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, said he will do all he can to reinforce the immediate relief effort in the cyclone-devastated country and will also draw attention to the need for long-term reconstruction and development. (20-MAY-08)