Latest

Poles are now seeking help in Strasbourg in nearly every domain. As regards the number of cases, we are in second place, just behind the Russian Federation. Citizens most often complain about excessive duration of remand and proceedings that go on for years. In recent years, the number of complaints has risen: from 66 in 2004 to 256 in 2006. (23-AUG-07)
 

When thousands of people are the victims of the most heinous crimes – war crimes and crimes against humanity – as they are in Bosnia and Herzegovina, justice must not only be done but, equally importantly, seen to be done,” stated Ambassador Douglas Davidson, right, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. (23-AUG-07)

Only two years have passed since a Norwegian delegation was expelled from Western Sahara. Sad memories resurface now as the two Norwegian youth politicians Andrea Gustavsson and Kamilla Eidsvik were detained and interrogated by Moroccan security forces earlier this week after meeting with Saharawi youth activists, among them Rabab Amidane, right. (23-AUG-07)
 

Concerned about the deteriorating health of journalists held in Cuban prisons, English PEN has highlighted the cases of six of them, calling for their immediate release. Cuba is the world´s second most prolific jailer of journalists — second only to the People´s Republic of China. (17-AUG-07)
 

In a resolution signed by 30 Ugandan NGOs last week, Ugandan authorities are called to account for the state of policing in the country, a cause of serious concern among the signatories. An increasingly heated political atmosphere and various concrete events show that the police force is still engaged in regime policing, says the resolution, co-initiated by HURINET Uganda. Read the full text below. (22-AUG-07)
 

Key democracy campaigners and many other activists were arrested late last night in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). Min Ko Naing, right, the most well-known democracy campaigner in Burma after Aung San Suu Kyi, was among the arrested. -We fear for the security of the arrested, and that many more will be taken by the police, says Inger Lise Husøy, the Director of the Norwegian Burma Committee. (22-AUG-07)
 

On Monday, August 20 the 13 year old Avni Ademi died working in a car wash service. The case provides sad and solid evidence that child labour remains a reality in FYR Macedonia. As such, it is abuse of the worst kind, where child labour results in the death of the child. This violates the Convention of children’s rights, the 182 Convention against worst forms of child labour, and also national laws in Macednonia, criticises Dragi Zmijanac, right, the Founding Director and Ambassador of Megjashi, the first children’s embassy in the world. (21-AUG-07)
 

The Norwegian documentary film maker Erling Borgen´s, right, latest output, ´In the shadow of Statoil,´ is receiving very positive reviews at the ongoing Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund. The film features footage brought to Borgen from contacts within the HRH Network from the crackdown of the demonstrations following the rigged 2003 elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. HRH also helped facilitate some of Borgen´s meetings with human rights activists in Baku. (20-AUG-07)
 

The Norwegian documentary film maker Erling Borgen´s, right, latest output, ´In the shadow of Statoil,´ is receiving very positive reviews at the ongoing Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund. The film features footage brought to Borgen from contacts within the HRH Network from the crackdown of the demonstrations following the rigged 2003 elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. HRH also helped facilitate some of Borgen´s meetings with human rights activists in Baku. (20-AUG-07)
 

Imprisoned journalists are at risk of catching infectious diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis and hepatitis said Emin Huseynov, the director of Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety during a roundtable at the organization´s  press center 17 August. Several human rights defenders attended the meeting and the participants agreed to send an information request on the matter to the Justice Ministry to achieve health examination of all imprisoned journalists. (17-AUG-07)
 

Concerned about the deteriorating health of journalists held in Cuban prisons, English PEN has highlighted the cases of six of them, calling for their immediate release. Cuba is the world´s second most prolific jailer of journalists — second only to the People´s Republic of China. (17-AUG-07)
 

Recently, you might have read in the Polish press that the authorities of Denmark, which soon plans to withdraw its troops stationing in Iraq, have brought home around 60 Iraqi interpreters and other workers employed by the Danish armed forces in Iraq, along with their families. Most of these people are to receive refugee status in Denmark. (16-AUG-07)