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On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Rafto Foundation, a declaration was presented by the Rafto Laureates who were present in Bergen: Vo Van Ai on behalf of Tich Quang Do, Lidija Jusupova, Rebiya Kadeer, Paulos Tesfagiorgis, Shirin Ebadi, Ian Hancock, ECPAT, Peter Molnar, Leyla Zana, Trivimi Velliste and Jan Hajek on behalf of late Jiri Hajek. (09-NOV-06)
 

The Rafto Foundation is glad to announce that many former Rafto Laureates will attend the historical event that is to take place this weekend in Bergen. The event wants to celebrate the work the Rafto Laureates has performed during the last 20 years. The guests include Trivimi Velliste from Estonia, Leyla Zana from Kurdistan/Turkey, Palermo Anno Uno from Italy, Ian Hancock representing the Romani people, Shirin Ebadi from Iran, Paulos Tesfagiorgis from Eritrea, Rebiya Kadeer from Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and Lidia Yusupova from the Chechen Republic. (02-NOV-06)
   

Yoduk Story, a musical depicting life in a North Korean consentration camp, premiered in Washington on Oct. 5th. In an article on Oct. 6th, The Washington Post describes it as an “energetically performed musical” comparing it to “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Les Misérables” and “a large-scale Passion play/moral plea.” Yoduk Story will be set up in Los Angeles on OCt 19-22.  The Rafto Human Rights House has contributed to the production of the musical, and is working on a documentary about the project. (08-OCT-06)
 

Burma Military regime arrested 5 student leaders including the country’s second most prominent leader, Min Ko Naing. The arrest took place as the UN Security Council met to discuss Burma for the first time in history on Friday, 29 September. Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe were arrested by Special Police Force on 27 September as they prepared to attend the 18th anniversary of the founding of the National League for Democracy, the political party led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that won 82% of the seats in parliament in Burma’s last democratic election. (8-OCT-2006)

A Joint Statement on the recent arrest of 88 Generation Students Group leaders was issued on 3th October by Burmese democratic forces in Norway. The statement was signed by 6 Burmese exile groups and calls for an immediate release of political prisoners, a meaningful dialogue between all concerned parties and a a lift of all suppressive measurements. (8-OCT-2006)

First Deputy Chairman Mrs Erna H. Solberg, right, (The Conservative Party) yesterday called on Vietnamese authorities on behalf of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Norwegian Parliament to release this years Rafto Prize recipient, Thich Quang Do. (26-SEP-06)
 

The board of the Rafto Foundation has decided to award the 2006 Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize to one of Vietnam´s most prominent defenders of democracy, religious freedom and human rights: Venerable Thich Quang Do. He receives the prize for his personal courage and perseverance through three decades of peaceful opposition against the communist regime in Vietnam, and as a symbol for the growing democracy movement in the country. (21-SEP-2006)

In a statement 13. September 2006, The Uyghur American Association (UAA), which represents the collective voice of the Uyghur people in the United States of America, expresses delight by the recent news that its current president, Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Rebiya Kadeer was awarded the Rafto Prize in 2004. (21-SEP-2006)

A press release from the Uyghur Human Rights Project states that the organisation has learned that Alim Abdureyim, one of Rebiya Kadeer’s sons arrested by Chinese police, has been tortured in detention. UHRP is not aware of the extent or nature of any injuries Mr Abdureyim may have sustained, but the organization is extremely concerned that he may be in need of urgent medical attention, and is at risk of further abuse. (26-JUNE-06)