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Media Freedom, one of the fundamental principles of democratic society, has permanently been violated in the Republic of Azerbaijan in the last two years. This situation makes the democratic institutions of the world be concerned about the reality of Republic of Azerbaijan. “The current press situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan resembles the situation in Belarus”, said Andreas Herkel, the co-reporter on Republic of Azerbaijan from the PACE. The Norwegian Ambassador (on the right) thinks that “Impunity for those who use violence against journalists encourages new attacks on media representatives” (18-SEPT-2006)

During last few months, the situation of media in Republic of Azerbaijan has been within the attention of national and international society. The persecution and arrest of journalists, doubtful trials and lack of partiality still leaves the media freedom in the list of unrealizable dreams of Azerbaijani society. Currently there are 4 imprisoned journalists, 1 journalist on probation and dozens of journalists regularly threatened, attacked or persecuted. The number of murdered journalists within last two years is 2, still without any progress in criminal investigation (16-SEPT-2006)

Receantly the leaders of three Russian parties – Motherland, the Party of Life and the Party of Pensioners – have announced merger plans and their aim to become an opposition force. They agreed in principle that one of the main goals of the new party would be a political fight against United Russia’s Party monopoly on power. However, human rights activists believe that the merger is nothing more than Kremlin´s pet project. They believe that it is the President’s Administration that creates the new united party, which will present no opposition to the present regime. (16-SEP-06)
 

English PEN´s Writer in Prison Committee supports more than 700 writers persecuted worldwide for exercising their right to freedom of expression. As part of their campaigning work, PEN has been highlighting an individual case each month since 2003, initiating appeals to heads of state and relevant government departments and providing vital background information about the country and the writers concerned. In September, PEN is focusing their campaign on Aref Dalila, arrested in 2001 after appealing for democracy and transparency in Syria. (14-SEP-06)

Part of President Kibaki’s, right, re-election strategy is to weaken, if not altogether kill, the once powerful civil society. This is in addition to the Government’s publicly stated intention to reduce the powers of the Electoral Commission of Republic of Kenya (ECK), the Republic of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) and the Republic of Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). (14-SEP-06)
 

The US House of Representatives today passed a bill to award the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled leader, the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor.  The award is in recognition of the Dalai Lama’s advocacy of religious harmony, non-violence, and human rights throughout the world and for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Tibet issue though dialogue with the Chinese leadership. Right, Dalai Lama at his visit to the Human Rights House in Oslo last year.(13-SEP-06)
 

On the 11th of September 2006 three journalists of Belarusian independent editions have got Dzmitry Zavadsky Award. This is a prize to their professionalism and courage, because only courage people can give objective information, knowing that they can be beaten or arrested in any moment. Here are these heroes’ names- Aleg Ulevich, Andrei Dinko and Yulia Darashkevich.(11-SEP-06)

On the 11th of September 2006 three journalists of Belarusian independent editions have got Dzmitry Zavadsky Award. This is a prize to their professionalism and courage, because only courage people can give objective information, knowing that they can be beaten or arrested in any moment. Here are these heroes’ names- Aleg Ulevich, Andrei Dinko and Yulia Darashkevich.(11-SEP-06)
 

On 29 August 2006, the daily “Zycie Warszawy” published an article, which stated a thesis that Jacek Kuron cooperated with the Secret Police in the 1980s. This article caused an avalanche of comments aimed at discrediting not only Jacek Kuron, but the entire political line that he represented. The politicians of the ruling coalition, in particular the politicians from the League of Polish Families (Liga Polskich Rodzin), have excelled at this. (08-SEP-06)

The Karelian town of Kondopoga was consumed by ethnic violence over the weekend, with angry and often drunken bands of Slavs waging an uncoordinated series of attacks on natives of the Caucasus. The situation in Kondopoga remains strained and far from peaceful. Human rights activists appeal to the Russian authorities to do utmost to prevent the nationalist attacks and xenophobia that is spreading in the Russian society and thoroughly investigate events in Kondopoga.  (07-SEP-06)
 

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a lone 23-year-old Tibetan monk staged a short demonstration calling for freedom in Tibet on 3 September 2006 at the busy Barkhor street in Lhasa, right, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”). Within minutes, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials and security personnels deployed by the Lhasa Neighbourhood Committee hastily moved him away from the area. (06-SEP-06)
 

According to confirmed information received by the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), a lone 23-year-old Tibetan monk staged a short demonstration calling for freedom in Tibet on 3 September 2006 at the busy Barkhor street in Lhasa, right, “Tibet Autonomous Region” (“TAR”). Within minutes, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials and security personnels deployed by the Lhasa Neighbourhood Committee hastily moved him away from the area. (06-SEP-06)