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On 8 March the US Department of State published a report concerning the observance of human rights in the Republic of Poland in 2005. According to this report Republic of Poland is a country in which civil rights are generally being observed, there are however certain areas, in which violations do occur. (17-MAR-06)

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has released its annual report on the Norwegian human rights situation. -The worst violations in 2005 happened in relation to the handling of refugee cases. Once again, Norway does not act in accordance with UNHCR’s recommendations. -We are particularly concerned about the consequences for the Chechen refugees that are being returned to the Russian Federation, says deputy Secretary General Gunnar M. Karlsen, right. (17-MAR-06)
 

Russian PEN has become the latest victim of Putin´s campaign against free speech. Free speech defenders at Russian PEN Centre have been hit with an order freezing their organisation´s assets and threatening the group´s future ¨C a step widely seen as both unjust and probably politically motivated. The order came after allegations that the organization has failed to pay land tax. The charges come at the height of an apparent crackdown on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the Russian Federation, particularly those with an international dimension. (17-MAR-06)
 

Index on Censorship has announced the shortlists for its annual Freedom of Expression Awards in London on 22 March 2006, honouring journalists, writers, lawyers, campaigners, filmmakers and whistleblowers who have made a significant contribution to free expression over the past year The awards, in their sixth year, will be presented at a special reception hosted by Anna Ford and sponsored by Bloomberg LP. (16-MAR-06)
 

The Belarusian Association of Journalists expresses solidarity and support to all its colleagues, including the foreign ones, who have met difficulties with access to information in the Republic of Belarus and are facing restrictions of their professional activity.(16-MARCH-06)

Today, 16 March, marks the first anniversary of Rebiya Kadeer’s, right, release from Chinese prison. During Kadeer’s first year in freedom we have experienced increased international awareness on the plight of the Uyghurs. But the mission is far from accomplished: Uyghurs are still facing tremendous difficulties within the Xinjiang province, and innocent men are still caught in a limbo on Guantanamo. (16-MAR-06)
 

Under the name Belarus16,  a unique coalition of 15 organisations, of which 13 were youth organisations, on 16 March voiced solidarity with the opposition in the Republic of Belarus by organising a rally in the centre of Oslo. During the demonstration, people were reminded of the fact that the political situation in the Republic of Belarus, which is as close to Norway as for example Belgium, is a European problem. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kjetil Skogrand said he is doing everything he can to liberate the people of Republic of Belarus. (16-MAR-06)
 

The creation of a new Human Rights Council by the United Nations General Assembly is a major step forward for the protection of victims worldwide, Human Rights Watch said today. The group urged U.N. members to make the new body as effective as possible by electing the best candidates from all regions of the world and by establishing strong rules and procedures. (16-MAR-06)
 

The electoral campaign in the Republic of Belarus started more than three weeks ago. During this time the police detained more than 300 persons. More than 40 of them (including Valiantsin Viachorka, the chair of the BPF Party and the proxy of the candidate to the presidential position Aliaksandr Milinkevich) were sentenced to 15 days of arrest by ‘fair and independent courts’. (13-MARCH-06)

The Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian PEN strongly condemn the beating and arresting of journalists that were covering the arrest of presidential candidate Aleksandr Kozulin’s on Thursday 2 March. The police actions consider a severe violation of the right that all people have to practice their profession as a journalist according to article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reads the statement (15-MARCH-06).
 

Every year, hundreds of Kurdish women commit suicide, most commonly by burning themselves to death, in Kurdistan. What are the reasons why so many young women chose such a painful and dramatic way to end their lives, ask freelance journalist Abdollah Hejab and Liv Kjølseth, right, of the Norwegian Council or the Rights of the Kurds. (15-MAR-06)
 

The overall position of women in Croatian society, in spite of Government efforts and  accepted international standards in domestic legislation, remains to be one of the greatest obstacles for combating discrimination in the Republic of Croatia. Consequently, the media in particular show low level of gender sensitivity, often portraying women in a sexist manner and relying largely on soft pornography as an advertising strategy. (14-MAR-06)