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To mark the release of the book ´To be a Chechen – testimonies from the children of war,´ the Norwegian Helsinki Commitee and the publishing House Humanist forlag invite Wednesday 22 November to a seminar on this topic at the Human Rights House in Oslo. The editors of the book, Irina Stsjerbakova and Grigorij Sjvedov from the Russian human rights organisation Memorial, will be present to tell about the project that lead to the making of the book. (13-NOV-06)
 

A seminar devoted to the observation (monitoring) of court hearings was held on 10 November 2006 within the confines of the program: “Court monitoring as a method for activation of students of law and economics in the Republic of Poland and other Central-Eastern European and former CIS countries”. Leaders of nongovernmental organizations from Slovakia, Bulgaria, Moldova, the Ukraine and Romania were the seminar’s participants. (11-NOV-06)

If you or anyone you know wishes to learn a little bit more about Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), this is the best gift this Xmas. But be quick, the Norwegian Burma Committee sells the book ´Prisoners in their own country´ at a reduced price only until its official release in a few weeks´ time. At the heart of the book stand two peace prize laureates; Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Ko Naing. (10-NOV-06)
 

On Thursday 23 November, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) hosts a seminar at the Human Rights House in Oslo, asking such crucial questions as: How do Russian journalists experience their everyday working conditions? Was the murder of Anna Politkovskaya a unique incident? What can Norwegian journalists do to support their colleagues in Russia? (10-NOV-06)
 

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Rafto Foundation, a declaration was presented by the Rafto Laureates who were present in Bergen: Vo Van Ai on behalf of Thich Quang Do, Lidija Jusupova, Rebiya Kadeer, Paulos Tesfagiorgis, Shirin Ebadi, Ian Hancock, ECPAT, Peter Molnar, Leyla Zana, Trivimi Velliste and Jan Hajek on behalf of late Jiri Hajek. Their declaration calls for a renewed international commitment to human rights. (09-NOV-06)
 

The Rafto Foundation in cooperation with the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration (NHH) invites to the open symposium on “Human Rights and Economic Development”. The symposium takes place on Thursday, November 23 from 9:30-16:00 at NHH. (09-NOV-06)

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Rafto Foundation, a declaration was presented by the Rafto Laureates who were present in Bergen: Vo Van Ai on behalf of Tich Quang Do, Lidija Jusupova, Rebiya Kadeer, Paulos Tesfagiorgis, Shirin Ebadi, Ian Hancock, ECPAT, Peter Molnar, Leyla Zana, Trivimi Velliste and Jan Hajek on behalf of late Jiri Hajek. (09-NOV-06)
 

On 26 September Berlin´s Deutsche Oper cancelled the performances of Hans Neuenfels’ production of Mozart´s 1781 opera Idomeneo (pictured right) because of a police tip-off that the show could incur Muslim displeasure. Despite speculation that the opera will be rescheduled with extra security measures the action has led to renewed concern in the West that fundamentalism and the threat of violence has led to increased self censorship and is threatening one of our most valued fundamental rights – freedom of expression. (10-NOV-06)
 

The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) has released another issue of its magazine ´Tema Kurdistan ,´ this time focussing on the dual pressure for democratization and increased respect for human rights that Republic of Turkey is subjected to these days, both from within, most notably over the Kurdish issue, and from outside, where the EU question remains the most dofficult to answer. In this issue, says its editor Liv Kjølseth, right, the authors of many of the articles argue in favour of a stronger emphasis on the Kurdish issue within the EU. (09-NOV-06)
 

As a country that has restricted religious freedom since its Soviet days, Republic of Uzbekistan now plans to increase punishment for those who express their religious beliefs. The proposal released by the Religious Affairs Committee threatens a fine of 200 to 600 times the monthly minimum wage (which is about US $10) for anyone who shares their beliefs outside of their religious communities. Repeat offenders could face three to eight years in prison along with the leader of their religious community. (03-NOV-06)
 

The current series of attacks of Azerbaijani authorities on mass media causes serious alarms not only in the country, but also outside of its borders. The list of forms of pressure, such as assassination of journalists, imprisonment of reporters, huge amounts of fines from independent media outlets, attempts to evict the occupants of Azadlig building , seems to be added one more significant point – ban the BBC from its domestic airwaves, a move that is designed to impose an information blockade on the ex-Soviet state. (30-OCT-06)
 

The building at 33 Khagani street, hosting Azadlig Newspaper, Turan Information Agency, the Institute for Reporter Safety and Freedom, KIV.AZ Internet Newspaper, Bizim Yol Newspaper, Yeni Nesil Journalist Union´s Printing Office, Azerbaijan´s Democracy Development Organization, Popular Front Party of Republic of Azerbaijan is to be released from its occupants according to the #1 Economic Court’s Decision of Republic of Azerbaijan Republic. Remaining the last stronghold of Azerbaijan’s independent media, the eviction of the occupants from the building cannot be curtained under the pretexts of rent contracts. The majority of national and international organizations think that it is a part of the pressure of the authorities on the independent media. (26-OCT-06)