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The Collective of Saharawi human rights activists, including Rafto Laureate Sahara Sidi Mohamed Dadach, recently sent a letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, expressing their warm thanks and sincere gratitude for “the praiseworthy efforts and the noble and brave position” undertaken by the Norwegian government in order to ensure respect and promotion of human rights in Western Sahara. (10-JULY-04)

Human Rights Center “Viasna” has applied to Mr. Sidiki Kaba, President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) asking for juridical consultation and assistance in bringing of criminal cases against the duty officials of Belarus who are suspected in kidnaps and possible lynching of four opponents of Lukashenka´s regime.

Congregants of Baku´s Juma mosque are refusing to pray together with a new imam appointed by the Caucasus Muslims´ Office (QMI) in protest of the forcible evection of the Juma mosque congregation from the building on Wednesday. (03 JUNE 2004)

The incumbent power of Republic of Azerbaijan has launched a wave of arrests of opposition-minded people and oppositin activists. Consequently, a great number of poeple were jailed and while some have run to other countries for seeking political asylum. Currently, the big fish of the opposition parties are still been kept at the prisons. Just a few days before, the ruling regime ordered the police to attack the Juma mosque, which headed by highly educated imam Ilgar Ibrahimoglu.

Belarusian Parliament adopted the law about State Security Services, which gives new powers and guarantees to workers of secret services. (03-JULY-04)

This year, the Human Rights House Network celebrates its 10th Anniversary. An international conference will be hosted by the Secretariat in Oslo 13-14 October, titled “Activists under attack. Defending the right to be a human rights defender.” (30-JUNE-04)
Background 
Preliminary conference program
 

Buried bodies were what was found when the renovation of what was later to become the Human Rights House of Sarajevo began in 1997. Previously, it had served as an interrogation and torture centre. This week, representatives from 10 countries in the Human Rights House Network gather in Sarajevo, among other things to make preparations for an international conference to take place in Oslo in October on human rights defenders’ deteriorating working conditions and general security. (30-JUNE-04)
 
 

In a letter addressed to the president of Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, HRH expresses deep concern about the situation for the Imam and the believers of the Juma mosque in the Old Town of Baku.  HRH is also critical towards the treatment of civil society in the autonomous republic of Nakhichevan.  HRH also urges that opposition leaders currently under trial be secured a fair trial. (30-JUNE-04)
 

Buried bodies were what was found when the renovation of what was later to become the Human Rights House of Sarajevo began in 1997. Previously, it had served as an interrogation and torture centre. This week, representatives from 10 countries in the Human Rights House Network gather in Sarajevo, among other things to make preparations for an international conference to take place in Oslo in October on human rights defenders’ deteriorating working conditions and general security. (30-JUNE-04)
 

This year, the Human Rights House Network celebrates its 10th Anniversary. An international conference will be hosted by the Secretariat in Oslo 13-14 October, titled “Activists under attack. Defending the right to be a human rights defender.” (01-OCT-04)
Background 
Preliminary conference program
 

Jacek Kuron, one of the most outstanding Polish politicians and social activists, died on June 17. He was 70 years old. He was a member of the group of co-founders and main activists of the Polish democratic opposition. Because of his intransigence, courage and devotion, he enjoyed the greatest social respect and trust among all Polish politicians. (29-JUN-04)

Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, contributed an editorial on the North Korean human rights situation to the South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo. In this editorial, which was printed in the Washington Post, as well, Mr. Havel urges the democratic countries of the world — the European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea — to take a common position.(29-JUNE-04)