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On September 16, 1999 in the Republic of Belarus a vice-speaker of the Supreme Soviet Viktar Hanchar and his friend businessman Anatoly Krasouski were abducted. The fates of the former Minister of Internal Affairs Yury Zakharanka and a cameraman of the ORT channel Dzmitry Zavadsky are unknown as well. Representatives of the civil society of Republic of Belarus proposed holding Days of Solidarity in the country. They called upon the citizens SIMPLY TO SWITCH OFF THE LIGHT at 8 p.m. on the 16th day of every month, and to light candles of Freedom for 15 minutes, as a sign of solidarity with political prisoners, disappeared oppositionists, their families, and independent journalists, with all who fight for freedom and democracy in the Republic of Belarus. (16-JAN-06)

Tuesday 17 January, the Norwegian Council for Africa and HRH co-hosted a seminar called ?Aid and the troubled democracies of East Africa?. The four speakers coming from Republic of Kenya and Republic of Uganda, including the well-known human rights defender Beatrice Kamau and the former editor at the Monitor, Republic of Uganda, Charles Onyango-Obbo all agreed upon the importance of a strong civil society for the functioning of a democracy (18-JAN-06)
 

The I edition of the Refugee and Migration Law Clinic organised by the Helsinski Foundation for Human Rights will begin on 1 March. Recruitment for the clinic will be held until the end of February. (14-JAN-06)

Tuesday 17 January, the Norwegian Council for Africa and HRH co-hosted a seminar called ‘Aid and the troubled democracies of East Africa’.at The Human Rights House in Oslo. The four speakers coming from Republic of Kenya and Republic of Uganda, including the well-known human rights defender Beatrice Kamau and the former editor at the Monitor, Republic of Uganda, Charles Onyango-Obbo all agreed upon the importance of a strong civil society for the functioning of a democracy (18-JAN-06)
   

The hunger strike targeted at restoration of the education rights of two expelled students – Turan Aliyev and Namik Feyziyev continues for 16 days. The health condition of Emin Huseynov deteriorated so much, that he has urgently been hospitalized today. The other 3 strikers have serious pains and weakness. Nevertheless, there is still no action taken by the Ministry of Education or the Ombudsman in the direction of protecting the strikers’ rights. The picket of the young activists in front of the Ministry of Education has been dispersed today. (12-JAN-2006)

Turkish authorities have done little or nothing to inform the Kurdish population about the bird flu disease, currently spreading across the country. When bird flew was detected in the non-Kurdish western Republic of Turkey last year, however, the authorities instantly presented information on how life stocks were to be killed. Follow-up guidance on possibly infected people was also given. (12-JAN-06)
 

On December 27, Georgian authorities sentenced Mahomed Mahaev to three months preliminary imprisonment on suspicion of al-Qaeda-membership. Mahaev is a Chechen refugee and founder of the humanitarian organisation Imedi (‘Hope’) that assists Chechen refugees. Local members of the Human Rights House Network are worried about the serious risk of extradition and torture. (12-JAN-06)
 

The Human Rights House Foundation is deeply concerned about the condition of the 6 students that are in hunger strike in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan. Therefore a letter was sent to both the Minister of Education and the Ombudsman, asking for the immediate restoration of their rights to education. After 15 days without food some of the strikers are at the end of their reserves. There are strong indications that their expulsion from university was politically motivated. Read the letters here. (11-JAN-06)
 

Baku: The hunger strike of the activists of the youth movements in the Republic of Azerbaijan continues even though some of the strikers have been without food for 14 days. The strike is directed to restore the education rights of two students Turan Aliyev and Namiq Feyziyev expelled from the universities on political motives. (10-JAN-2006)
 

Kjell Magne Bondevik, (right, pictured at the opening of the Norwegian Human Rights House, August 2004), until last September Prime Minister of Norway, launched his plans today for an independent centre for peace, reconciliation in conflict-ridden areas and international human rights. (09-JAN-05)
 

The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurdish People (RKR) has now published its first magazine with a thematic focus. As an ethnic minority the Kurds has been oppressed and harassed, both politically and militarily for decades. Women are especially endangered by violence and harassment in time of war and conflict. This together with the fear for new assaults affects Kurdish women in a special way and this makes out the thematic focus addressed in this new Norwegian publication. The magazine costs NOK 50,- and orders can be placed at www.kurdistan.no. (09-JAN-06)
 

The hunger strike of activists of youth movements in the Republic of Azerbaijan continues for 11 days. The strike is directed to restore the education rights of two students Turan Aliyev and Namiq Feyziyev expelled from the universities on political motives. (07-JAN-2006)