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With the crucial second reading on alternative Service scheduled for 14 June in the State Duma, human rights activists warned at the press conference on 29 May that the bill might be passed that makes alternative service not very different from military service. Several amendments give reasons for concern. (03-JULY-2002)
 

Judges in the Russian Federation have begun sentencing petty offenders to community service as an alternative to prison in a pilot project aimed at exploring ways to relieve overcrowding in the country’s dilapidated prison system. (3-JULY-2002)
 

During his visit to Moscow George Bush made an important public speech. He stopped at the issue of the Chechen Republic, which is sensitive for the Russian Federation, by drawing parallels with operations in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (03-JULY-02)
 

The Helsinki Foundation is making efforts to organize in Warsaw the second International Film Festival “Human Rights in Film”. On 29 June HFHR´s representative Darek Kowalski returned from New York, where he had watched about 50 films presented at various festivals by Human Rights Watch. (2 July 2002)
 

HFHR’s publication entitled “Report on Monitoring of Access to Legal Aid Paid for by the State” was delivered to the participants of an international forum on legal aid in the Republic of Poland. The event took place in the Houses of Parliament in Warsaw.  (2 July 2002)
 

The City Council Duty Officer, Anne-Grete Strøm-Ericksen, had the honour of opening the Kurdish Human Rights Project’s (KHRP) Scandinavian representation office. A seminar accompanied the opening, which was held in Raftohuset. (2 July 2002)
 

The Helsinki Foundation is making efforts to organize in Warsaw the second International Film Festival “Human Rights in Film”. On 29 June HFHR´s representative Darek Kowalski returned from New York, where he had watched about 50 films presented at various festivals by Human Rights Watch. (2 July 2002)
 

On 19 June, after four hours of heated debate, the Russian State Duma approved the government-backed bill on alternative military service in a crucial second reading. About 300 amendments – mostly from liberals – have been submitted to the Duma since the bill was passed in the first reading in April. However, the four pro-Kremlin centrist factions that form the Duma majority blocked the passage of most of them. (01-JULY-2002)
 

The Human Rights House Foundation distributes a leaflet which contains information on the different Houses, the concept of a Human Rights House, the aims of the Foundation etc. The leaflet is now available online.
 

Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday will be celebrated on 19 June. (17 June 2002)
 

In connection with its 25th anniversary the Norwegian Helsinki Committee will arrange two one-day conferences: “The Power of Words” – Human Rights Work in a Changing World  (29 August), and  “Grave abuses” – International reaction repertoire (30 August). To participate call (+47) 23 30 11 00. (6 June 2002)
 

Visit Norwegian P.E.N’s new website on http://www.norskpen.no. The website will bring you updated information on the organization’s activities, as well as background information. (3 June 2002)