Latest

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.

This year’s big AFS happening will take place on 28-30 October at Sørmarka Conference Centre in Norway. AFS welcomes new and old volunteers to a rich and social weekend!

The 2011 Rafto Prize laureate will be announced at a press conference at the Rafto Human Rights House in Bergen, Norway.

Vietnamese dissident’s appeal against a harsh jail sentence was turned down on 2 August by Appeals Court in Hanoi. As a result legal scholar Cu Huy Ha Vu will spend seven years in prison for “propagandizing against the Vietnamese government”. Roman Catholic priest Father Nguyen Van Ly was sent back to prison on 25 July to serve a sentence for political dissent despite very poor health condition.

Dalai Lama, Rafto laureates and many friends of Norway and its human rights organisations express their sympathy and condolences to the people of Norway. Secretary General of Norwegian Helsinki Committee Bjørn Engesland regrets that the attacks targeted the best Norwegians have: youth, openness, democracy.

The Rafto Alumni has been created for the first time and in November 2011 a get-together will be taking place in Bergen when Rafto Foundation celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Rafto Prize. The Rafto Alumni will comprise of former members of the Rafto student group. The idea of a new initiative is to give former members a place to meet.

Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have detained at least six people following the appearance of leaflets in Aksu city calling for independence from Beijing on July 1, as the ruling Communist Party marked its 90th anniversary. Radio Free Asia reports that Uyghur students studying in eastern China are expelled for practicing their religion. The relatives of Uyghur political prisoners complain they too are living out a sentence.