Latest

“Front Line” is deeply concerned that on 19 October 2009 human rights defender, Mrs Tran Khai Thanh Thuy was reportedly moved to prison in Hanoi, following her arrest on 8 October on charges of assault. Members of her family have reported she was the victim of an assault at the hands of police agents, and the photograph used as evidence against her has been doctored.

Journalist from Republic of Azerbaijan Malahat Nasibova gave her speech at the Rafto Symposium about the fight for freedom of expression on October 30. Yesterday she received the Rafto Prize. Almost simultaneously, two journalists were sentenced in the Republic of Azerbaijan on defamation charges.

Amnesty International activists campaigned yesterday on Shell stations across the country with the requirement: Clean up in Nigeria. Starting with the kick-off yesterday, over 300 activists will take part in actions near 60 petrol stations during the promotion month.

Kerry Max Cook, US, spent 22 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.

Kerry Max Cook, US, spent 22 years on death row for a crime he did not commit.

When: Monday, 16. November 2009 Where: Bergen, Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI) Host: Amnesty International Region West, Jekteviksbakken 31 More info: www.amnesty.no/web.nsf/pages/8B84871584AAFBDAC12573D00045AF9C Chr. Michelsen InstituteP.O. Box 6033, N-5892 Bergen, NorwayStreet address: Jekteviksbakken 31Phone: +47 47 93 80 00Fax: +47 55 31 03 13E-mail: cmi@cmi.no

Both EU and US are pressed to change attitude towards the issue of occupied Western Sahara. Neither the long-time American friendship with Morocco, nor EU’s fishing interests can be an excuse for human rights violations, claim HR activists – a standpoint supported by an Australian firm’s announcement about a phasing out of phosphate imports from the occupied country.

The Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety and Media Rights Institute have condemned the government’s announcement that the ban on broadcasts by foreign radio stations via local FM frequencies in the Republic of Azerbaijan will remain in effect.

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) strongly condemns the decision to sentence six Uyghur men to death without fair trial. Ca. 500 more are waiting for their final sentences, more than three monthes after massacre in Urumqi where hundreds of protesters were killed.