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Two years ago, the Bush administration admitted that the 15 uigurs currently serving at Guantanamo were sent there by mistake. Now, however, the same administration does not want to release them out of fear that they might have been influenced by other prisoners or in other ways developed misleading ideas. (31-AUG-05)
  

Mr. Arne Lynngard, Chairman of the Rafto Foundation has organized a fundraising campaign to get medical treatment for 20 year old Sidi Elfakraoui. The young man was thrown out of a window in the 4th floor of a building by Moroccan police, and consequently broke his back, arm and both his legs. The police started to follow him for no obvious reason, and Mr. Elfakraoui ran from them, fearing what they might do to him. (16-AUG-2005)

For the second time the Rafto Foundation, in collaboration with Kurdish Human Rights Project (UK), medico international (Germany) and Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, will arrange a two-day conference, September 19 – 20, 2005, debating the Turkish accession process to the EU. The conference in Brussels will focus on the human rights situation in the Republic of Turkey, especially focusing on the conditions for the Kurdish people. (15-AUG-2005)

On July 6th, representatives of “Peace Boat”, a floating university for peace,  paid The Rafto Human Rights House a visit. “Peace Boat” is a Japanese organisation, but the crew changes from voyage to voyage, and represents different nations each time. People from Japan, Germany, Ireland, Palestine and Israel were among the 30 visitors to the Rafto House. They were interested in learning how the Rafto House Foundation works to spread knowledge about human rights. (07-JULY-2005)

Mr. Arne L. Lynngaard, leader of the Rafto Foundation was deported from Western Sahara last night. Together with four other Norwegians, he was escorted by Moroccan police  to Agadir. The Norwegian delegation is urging Norwegian authorities to respond to the deportation, and to the arrest of Saharawi human-rights activist. (6-JULY-2005)

On the Liberation Day, May 8th, the Rafto House was involved in arranging a special program at Espeland prison camp outside of Bergen, to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation in 1945. Hundreds of visitors showed up to see Minister of Justice, Odd Einar Dørum, unveiling a memorial over the camp’s prisoners. Other activities included an open air service, a classical concert and the Amalie Laksov prize award ceremony. Throughout the day, the focus was upon the appeal never to forget. (19-MAY-2005)

Norway has rejected a request to help North Korea with long-term development because of Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. The Norwegian Embassy in Korea and Norway’s state-run radio station NRK said a delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Vidar Helgesen visited North Korea from Saturday to Tuesday to discuss the reclusive country’s nuclear program with its Foreign Minister Paek Nam-sun. (12-MAY-2005)

On April 15th a local school class did the UNCHR role-play at the Rafto House by voting the North Korea resolution. At the very same time, the ‘real’ UNCHR voted the North Korea resolution in Geneva. The reality of the role-play and the authenticity of the situation seemed to hit the student who dug into their roles with gravity.  Given that the Rafto Human Rights House has special focus on North Korea this year, including the hosting of the 7th international conference on North Korean human rights, it becomes natural to use the case of North Korea in the teaching. (06-MAY-2005)

Several reports about police violence connection with peaceful demonstrations etc. have reached the Rafto Foundation. Right now, the 2002 Rafto Prize laureate, Sidi Mohammed Daddach (picture) and his immediate circle of associates are the only ones who can publicly air discontentment and criticism regarding Morocco’s policy in Western Sahara. The Rafto Prize has afforded Daddach and 14 of his associates protection. Hence, they are able to speak up about the human rights violations taking place in the occupied territories. (06-MAY-2005)