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On 11 February, with the initiative and support from Human Rights House Network, there was conducted the Round Table on “Advocacy Strategies” in the International Press Center of Baku. The round table was lead by Danuta Przywara, director of Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights in Warsaw, and Lubov Vinogradova, the director of Russian Research Center for Human Rights. (13-FEB-08)
    

On 08-12 February 2008 the international delegation of Human Rights House Network had a visit to Republic of Azerbaijan. The delegation represented the Human Rights House in Oslo, Minsk, Warsaw and Moscow. During the 5 days meeting, the HRHN representatives had meetings with representatives of national NGO-s, international organizations, embassies and mass media outlets. (12-FEB-08)
   

On 07 February Parliament Assembly of the Council of Europe Monitoring Committee co-rapporteurs Andreas Herkel and Yevgeniya Jivkova held a press-conference on the results of their trip to Republic of Azerbaijan. Andreas Herkel emphasized that the resolution of the journalists’ problem depends on the government and especially on the president. (08-FEB-08) 
   

According to the annual report 2007 released by Human Rights Watch “The government continues to use defamation and other criminal charges to intimidate independent and opposition journalists, some of whom have also been assaulted by unknown men. Media freedoms rapidly deteriorated in 2007, with at least ten journalists imprisoned.” (02-FEB-08)
    

The Political and Cultural Center for Republic of Azerbaijan Women with support of Global Fund for Women started the project, titled “Influence of Gender Equality Law: Changes Occurred in Public Life of Women during Last Year”. The multi-level project contains the elements of research, within which the competition for journalists’ investigation has been announced. (25-JAN-08)
   

The campaign for the erection of memorial in honor of the slain Azerbaijani journalist Elmar Huseynov continues. The organizer – Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety – launched the second stage of the campaign and highlighted the results so far. (18-JAN-08)
    

On 15 January 2008 a roundtable on “Media and Courts” was held, at the initiative of the Institute for Peace and Democracy. The institute’s director Leyla Yunus (right) opened roundtable noting that last year the press condition was too severe, journalists were imprisoned, there was pressure on the press and court decisions was adopted against mass media institutions and journalists. (16-JAN-2008)
     

On 28 December 2007 Iham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued a decree on the release of some of the imprisoned people. The decree freed 119 prisoners including five journalists. The decree was welcomed by a number of national and international actors, still the issue of political prisoners remain of concern. (10-JAN-08)
                 

The Council for Support of NGOs under President was set up in December 2007. However all the questions related to its activity remain open. The selection of
members must take place within the months of February. (04-JAN-08)
              

The Russian authorities claim to close the head office of the Russian Union of Journalist (RUJ) in Moscow due to violations of fire regulations. In its statement below, RUJ stresses that the claims are part of a united campaign which has been carried on almost one year against the Union, the biggest non-governmental organization in the Russian Federation. The Union has occupied the building since 1980. (20-FEB-08)
 

The Helsinki Committee in Poland in its position from 20 February 2008 reminds again that personal freedom from encroachment by the state is the superseding principle and limitations on freedom may occur solely in thoroughly-warranted cases. In particular wiretapping may constitute an unwarranted violation of personal freedom. (22-FEB-08)

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the Ugandan government to investigate the brutal killing of Ugandan journalist Rebecca Wilbrod Kasujja. “We condemn this shocking attack on Rebecca, which underscores the danger that journalists face in Africa,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. “We are calling on authorities to conduct a full investigation and bring her attackers to justice.” (20-FEB-08)