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The opposition leader, deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the 13th Convocation Andrei Klimau, right, was arrested on 3 April 2007 for an article of 25 January 2007 that was published by the web-site of the United Civil Party. A criminal case was brought before the court under part 3 of article 361 of the Criminal Code ‘Public calls to seizure of the state power or forced change of the state order of the Republic of Belarus committed with the use of mass media’. (14-SEP-07)
 

Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, returned to the Human Rights House in Oslo today and presented a very grave picture of the human rights situation in her home country Islamic Republic of Iran. -It is deteriorating by the ay, she said, as she also made it clear that the HRH Network has a crucial role to play for human rights defenders like herself, working at high risk and under pressure from authorities and others. (14-SEP-07)
 

Over 120 civil society organizations of Republic of Azerbaijan joined to the action of appealing to the European Union about the current situation of human rights and democratic values in Republic of Azerbaijan. The recent cases of pressure on media are particularly emphasized in the appeal, which calls the European Union to take actions during the talks with the highest level of Azerbaijan’s government. (26-JUN-07)

The local independent Azerbaijani news agency Turan was awarded the prestigious Freedom of Expression 2007 international prize today in a ceremony that took place in Norway. The prize, which is given by the Freedom of Expression Foundation jointly with the Ebelin and Gerd Bucerius ZEIT Foundation, includes ˆ30,000. (24-JUN-07)

The National Radio and TV Council (NRTC) proposed the creation of the special structure to regulate and control internet space. The local Azerbaijani NGO “Azerbaijan Internet Forum” (AIF) expressed serious concern about this step and called it a form of “censorship”. This “absurd” step violates articles in Azerbaijan’s Constitution and international norms related to freedom of the press and expression, as well as information exchange”, reads the statement. (22-JUN-07)

“The Azerbaijani government jailed Eynulla Fatullayev (right) on a spurious libel charge, then filed a vague terrorist charge against him, and harassed and intimidated his staff to the point they could no longer work. Now they have forced him to suffer while in their custody,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “We call on the Azerbaijani authorities to end their relentless persecution of a critical journalist and release Eynulla immediately.” (21-JUN-07)

The Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety opened the press center in its office within the framework of legal assistance project. IRFS Director, Project Coordinator Emin Huseynov (right) said that the project and the press center are funded by the United States’ National Endowment for Democracy. Huseynov also noted that for a year any journalist or journalism organization that wishes will be able to conduct events for free in IRFS’ press center. (20-JUN-07)

On the 18-th of June, there was released the Presidential Decree about the establishment of Human Rights Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan. However, the human rights activists do not trust the sincerity of this intention. Many of them believe that the establishment of this day does not guarantee the respect for human rights, neither does it ensure the fundamental freedoms. (19-JUN-07)

On Tuesday 11 September, the French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Maryse Berniau, handed over the Medal of the Legion of Honour to Srdjan Dizdarevic, the president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights and vice president of the International Helsinki Federation. (12-SEP-07)
 

The Norwegian Tibet Committee has written to Chinese authorities regarding the arrests of Tibetans in Lithang, East Tibet, towards the end of August. -We hope to get a response to our letter, says Chungdak Koren, right, Chairwoman of the Norwegian Tibet Committee. Read the full letter below. (12-SEP-07)
 

The Norwegian Tibet Committee has written to Chinese authorities regarding the arrests of Tibetans in Lithang, East Tibet, towards the end of August. -We hope to get a response to our letter, says Chungdak Koren, right, Chairwoman of the Norwegian Tibet Committee. Read the full letter below. (12-SEP-07)
 

On Tuesday 11 September, the French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Maryse Berniau, handed over the Medal of the Legion of Honour to Srdjan Dizdarevic, right, the president of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights and vice president of the International Helsinki Federation. (12-SEP-07)