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The United Nations Human Rights Committee engaged on 24 and 25 October a dialogue with the Norwegian government on questions related to the implementation of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in the country. Discussions were enriched by the Norwegian NGO Forum for Human Rights that submitted a report and its replies to the List of Issues to the Committee.

The United Nations Human Rights Committee concluded its review of the 6th periodic report of Norway on questions relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

The human rights record of Norway will on Monday, 24 October, face the scrutiny of the United Nations Human Rights Committee in a meeting that will be webcast live on the Internet.

Frank Mugisha-Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) will be awarded Rafto prize on November 6th

The 2011 Rafto Prize is awarded to Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG). Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of SMUG, will receive the award on behalf of the organisation. The Prize is awarded to SMUG for its work to make fundamental human rights apply to everyone, and to eliminate discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Series of cross-border air strikes by Turkey has killed up to 100 Kurdish guerrillas in northern Iraq, according to the Turkish military leadership. However, government’s continued military action against Kurds is criticised both by the opposition and many Middle East analysts. The ruling party is also blamed for inability to stop the oppression of its ethnic minorities and silencing critical voices.

Chinese authorities made a false claim to convince the Thai government to extradite a Uyghur last month for his alleged involvement in ethnic riots, a Uyghur exile group claims. Nur Muhemmed was arrested by local police on 6 August for illegally entering Thailand and was handed over to China, following pressure from Beijing. In the recent years Chinese authorities have put constant pressure on foreign countries to extradite dissidents living abroad.

Mexico enacted a controversial law on 18 August, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and other drugs while encouraging government-financed treatment for drug dependency free of charge. The new law is a part of changing Mexican policy on drugs war. José López, last year laureate of Rafto Foundation, criticised ‘the war on drugs’ as ‘a mere simulation’.

Burmese nationals who fled the country following the 1988 popular uprising are allowed to return to their country, President Thein Sein, right, said in his recent speech. Human rights activists believe this statement is ‘nothing more than a PR exercise’. In today’s Burma, close to 2,100 political prisoners are behind bars, among them monks, journalists, politicians and relief workers.