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Norway should not support the demobilisation process that contributes to recycling of paramilitary violators in Colombia, says Borghild T. Krokan at the Human Rights House Foundation. (28-NOV-05) (Norwegian language only)
 

Oslo: – The parliamentary elections in the Chechen Republic on November 27 will not be democratic, because people are too scared, Aage Borchgrevink, advisor  in the Norwegian Helsinki Committee says. In a new report written together with International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Center “Demos” and the Human Rights Center ´Memorial´, the organisations analyse the political process in the Chechen Republic, described as a cynical and dangerous game, which has contributed to the establishment of a climate of fear. (25-NOV-05). Photo: NHC
 
 

Azeri riot police used violence against the opposition protesters who took part in a peaceful rally at the Qalaba square in Baku this afternoon.  According to BBC, truncheons, tear gas and water cannon were used to disperse the mass protest. Many activists are injured and 12 journalists have been beaten, reports the TURAN News Agency. Photo: Radio Free Europe (26-NOV-05). 
 

“We feel an obligation to remind the authorities and the public opinion that free civil debate, devoid of censorship, in which everyone can participate under equal rights presenting their argumentation and views for public judgment, is the foundation of democracy. The language of these debates consists in, among others, demonstrations, meetings and marches.” (26-NOV-05)

Baku: Azeri riot police used violence against the opposition protesters who took part in a peaceful rally at the Qalaba square in Baku this afternoon. According to BBC, truncheons and water cannon were used to disperse the mass protest. Many activists are injured and 12 journalists have been beaten, reports the TURAN News Agency (26-NOV-05). Photo:AzserNet.com
 
 

Belarus political authorities initiate a divide among intellectuals. After the constituent assembly of the new writers organization, the literati have in fact been divided into “good” and “bad” ones. On 18 November Belarusian society witnessed the cloning of the Union of Belarusian Writers, which resulted in the Union of Writers of Republic of Belarus. This is yet another attack on the non-governmental public organizations, and an attempt to isolate the most active part of the Belarusian-speaking writers”. (25-NOV-05)
 

By carrying out a street action entitled «Without Shame» the women activists celebrated International Day against Violence over Women on Friday and the first day of the campaign «16 days of activism against violence over women» which will last until December 10, the International Human Rights Day. (25-NOV-05)
 

Today, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to Women’s Rights in Africa enters into force. It is with a great delight that we celebrate the event, say women’s rights organisations across the continent. -This marks a significant turning point in the history of African women’s struggle for the recognition and respect of their basic human rights. (25-NOV-05)
  

Violence against women is the most pervasive violation of human rights, occurring every day, in every country and every region, regardless of income or level of development. Its true extent is unknown, owing to fear of reprisal for reporting, refusal by authorities to recognize, or knowledge that nothing will be done. (25-NOV-05)
 

Oslo: The Human Rights House Foundation and Norwegian P.E.N. have condemned the decision by the Belarusian state-owned newspaper distributor Belposhta to cease distribution of privately-owned newspapers. This is a new blow for the independent Belarusian press which has already been under increasing pressure recently. Read the letter below. (24-NOV-05)
 

Over the last months, HRH has learnt of several cases of harassment and violent persecution of Congolese refugees inside Republic of Uganda. -Those among us who were involved in human rights work back in the DRC are particularly targeted, says Charles Mukandirwa Wetemwami, right, whom HRH’s Niels Jacob Harbitz met at a HR defenders conference in Entebbe recently. (24-NOV-05)
 

The less time before the Presidential elections, the more active steps the authorities are taking to mop up the information space of Republic of Belarus. At the end of this week the Belarusian electorate lost a few more sources of uncensored information.The process of “mopping up” non-governmental media in the Republic of Belarus is coming to an end.(23-NOV-05)