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Saharawi political prisoners in the Carcel negra (Black Jail) of El Aaiun, launched an appeal to the international community to pressure Rabat so as to conform with the principles of the “conventions, treaties and human rights accords Morocco has ratified”. The Saharawi political prisoners indicated, in a communiqué they publicised Friday, that “it is time to put an end to human rights violations in Western Sahara and to judge the persons responsible of crimes perpetrated against Saharawi population in occupied territories of Western Sahara”. (19-SEP-2004)
 

The Women´s League of Burma has released a new report System of Impunity exposing ongoing sexual violence by the regime´s armed forces throughout Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), as they continue to build up their military infrastructure and consolidate control in every part of the country. Women and girls in all the ethnic states, as well as in Central Burma have suffered experiences of rape by SPDC military personnel, including gang rape and murder, sexual slavery and forced ‘marriage.’ The report details ongoing incidents of sexual violence, as recently as July 31, 2004, when a 12-year-old Palaung ethnic girl was raped in Shan State. (13-SEP-2004)
 

In June 2004, Leyla Zana accepted an invitation from the Rafto Foundation to come to Bergen in September. She was also invited to a meeting with the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs in the Norwegian Parliament. On September 10 Leyla Zana’s daughter announced to the Rafto Foundation that her mother at present is not allowed to leave Republic of Turkey. (11-SEP-2004)
 

International Week in Bergen, to be held on September 18-24, will focus on the UN millennium goals for poverty reduction, aimed to be achieved within 2015. International Week is arranged and supported by The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the City of Bergen, the UN-Association – Western Norway in cooperation with several organizations and institutions, like the Rafto House. The Rafto House will especially emphasize the right to education as described in Art. 26 in the UN Declaration for Human Rights. (09-SEP-2004)
 

The International NGO, Peace Boat from Japan, made her visit to Bergen and the Rafto Human Rights House on 26 August 2004. Peace Boat is an educational and networking NGO, working for intercultural understanding, human rights, sustainable development and the environment. Around 950 young peace activists participate on this global voyage itinerary to 97 countries, the 46th cruise since the start in 1983. (30-AUG-2004)

AFS (worldwide) has been chosen the Overall Winner in the Social Achievement category of the 2003 Associations Make a Better World awards program. The program, run by the American Society of Association Executives, in coordination with the Global Forum of Societies of Association Executives “recognizes outstanding examples of associations who make a significant contribution to societies and economies world wide.” (17-AUG-04)

The Collective of Saharawi human rights activists, including Rafto Laureate Sahara Sidi Mohamed Dadach, recently sent a letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, expressing their warm thanks and sincere gratitude for “the praiseworthy efforts and the noble and brave position” undertaken by the Norwegian government in order to ensure respect and promotion of human rights in Western Sahara. (10-JULY-04)

Mr. Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, contributed an editorial on the North Korean human rights situation to the South Korean newspaper, Chosun Ilbo. In this editorial, which was printed in the Washington Post, as well, Mr. Havel urges the democratic countries of the world — the European Union, the United States, Japan, South Korea — to take a common position. (20-JUNE-04)

The Kurdish Joan of Arc, Leyla Zana, and three other prominent Kurdish MPs have been freed after ten years from Turkish jail pending on appeal. The 1994 Rafto Prize award recipient, said after her release; “Today is not the day to fuel sad feelings or pain, today is the day for brotherhood and understanding.”  (22-JUNE-04)