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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)
 

As a reaction to comments made by the Norwegian Ambassador to Morocco in a documentary on Norwegian Broadcasting Network (NRK) aired yesterday (03.05.05), the Ambassador, Arne Aasheim, has been called back to Norway. He has to answer to critizism from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regard to his statements in the documentary. The prominent Saharawian human rights activist, Sidi Mohammed Daddach, was awarded the 2002 Rafto Prize. (05-MAY-2005)
 

The United Nations on Thursday censured North Korea for “widespread and grave violations” – including torture, executions and forced abortions – drawing a sharp rebuke from the secretive communist state. The U.N. Commission on Human Rights, whose 53 member states are holding an annual session, urged Pyongyang to cooperate with its special investigator on the Democratic Republic of Korea.  The resolution, brought by the European Union (EU) and Japan, was adopted by a vote of 30 countries in favor, nine against and 14 abstentions, including South Korea. (21-april-2005)

“I can talk to anybody I want, I can see anyone I want, I can walk on the
street with bigger steps. I can hug my relatives. I can kiss my children.
I can smile at my people. I can work for my people, and I can work for the
entire Uyghur nation. I can shout out ´Greetings´ to my people. For the
rest of my life, I will create my own history.” Rebiya Kadeer, Washington, 17 March 2005. (21-MAR-2005)

March 16th is the 17th anniversary of the chemical attack on the Kurdish town of Halabja in South-Kurdistan. Systematically terrorizing the Kurdish population, Saddam Hussein attempted to silence his critics and at the same time test his chemical and biological weapons. On March 15 th, the Kurdish Cultural Forum arranges a memorial day for Halabja at the Rafto Human Rights House (15-Mar-2005)

Minister of International Development, Hilde Frafjord Johnson will hold the annual Chr. Michelsen lecture on the prospets of peace in the Republic of the Sudan. A panel debate with renown international experts on Republic of the Sudan, including CMI director Gunnar M. Sørbø and Iqbal Jhazbhay, will follow. CMI, an important co-operation partner for the Rafto House, is an independent, non-profit research institution and a major international centre in policy-oriented and applied development research. The Rafto Human Rights House congratulates CMI with the celebration of its 75th anniversary. (15-MAR-2005)

Four months after being awarded the Rafto Memorial Prize, Rebiya Kadeer (picture) finally received the news last month. She cried with joy, her son Mustafa Rouzi told Bergens Tidende. 58 year old Kadeer is currently in prison. For years she has been fighting for the Uyghur minority’s basic rights in the Chinese province of Xinjiang. (01-MAR-2005)