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The mass hunger strike lasts for already 9 days in the Republic of Belarus. 40 young people demand to stop criminal proceeding of activists of “Young Front” organization and political arrests of oppositionists. (06-JUN-06)

A mass hunger strike that started 9 days ago, is continuing in the Republic of Belarus. Some 40 young people are demanding hat the authorities stop the criminal proceeding against activists of the organisation “Young Front” and no longer arrest people on political grounds. Lately more than 20 people political prisoners have been sentenced. (06-JUN-06)
 

After almost two years Maria Dahle, the Executive Director of the Human Rights House  Foundation visited Zagreb to follow-up the establishment of a Human Rights House in Zagreb. Five years of continuos efforts to set up the House finally yield fruits as the emergence of HRH Zagreb reached it´s final stages. (21-JUN-06)

Homophobia has been rapidly increasing in the Russian Federation. Homosexuals fall a prey to violent attacks from politicians, representatives of Orthodox church and members of extremist groups. On May 27th, the International Day for the Struggle against Homophobia, skinheads again disrupted a peaceful gay-action. Deputies have prepared a bill establishing criminal responsibility for ‘propaganda’ of homosexuality. (04-JUN-06)

Dr. Soh Changrok is a professor of international relations at the Graduate School of International Studies at Korea University, and a trustee of the Citizens´ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights. In this article, which he wrote after having participated at the 7th Conference on North korean Human Rights and Refugees, he shares his thoughts about a possible new approach to human rigths challenges for the 21st century. (03-JUNE-2006)

Homophobia has been rapidly increasing in the Russian Federation. Homosexuals fall a prey to violent attacks from politicians, representatives of Orthodox church and members of extremist groups. On May 27th, the International Day for the Struggle against Homophobia, skinheads again disrupted a peaceful gay-action. Deputies have prepared a bill establishing criminal responsibility for ‘propaganda’ of homosexuality. (04-JUN-06)
 

Helsinki Committee in Poland is concerned by the current suggestions that the Lustration Court should be abolished and to transfer the burden of proof onto individuals who challenge allegations of their having collaborated with the security agencies of the PRL in court. (02-JUNE-06)

Between 4 and 7 June, the World Editor Forum will take place in Moscow, the Russian Federation, organised by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). More than 1,500 publishers, chief editors, managing directors, and senior newspaper executives from 90 countries are expected at the event which is one of the major meetings of the world press. Andrej Dynko, editor-in-chief of the Belarusian Nasha Niva, will give a lecture on the state of the Belarusian media landscape and the difficulties of independent journalism in the Republic of Belarus. Read his lecture here. (02-JUN-06)
 

On Monday night, May 29, three of Kadeer’s children were detained in Urumchi, the capital of the Xinjiang province in north western the People´s Republic of China, also known as East Turkestan. Speculations are that they were detained before the arrival of a delegation from the US Congress on Tuesday the 30th. The two sons Ablikim and Alim Abdiryim, and the daughter Rushangul have not been allowed to contact their families or their lawyers. (31-May-2006)

The activist of oppositional candidate’s Milinkevich regional headquarters was convicted for 5 months of prison. Sergey Liashkevich’s case is the first court case in Belarus  with the use of so called ’antiterroristic’ amendments, which were moved to Criminal Code  just before elections on the initiative of KGB.(30-MAY-06)

On Monday night, 29 May, three of Rafto laureate Rebiya Kadeer´s children were detained in Urumchi, the capital of the Xinjiang province in north western the People´s Republic of China, also known as East Turkestan. Speculations are that they were detained in advance of the arrival of a US Congress delegation on 30 May. The two sons Ablikim and Alim Abdiryim, and the daughter Rushangul have not been allowed to contact their families or their lawyers. (31-May-2006)
 

English PEN, the worldwide association of writers committed to promoting literature, protecting writers´ freedoms, and providing a platform for the free exchange of ideas, runs a lively and diverse events programme. Recent events included a celebration of International Writers’ Day, bringing together eight  international writers to explore writing, identity, community, and cultural exchange. Monica Ali and Jung Chang, pictured right, contributed to the event (30-MAY-06).