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Russia Seminar by Norwegian PEN
When: Thursday, 22. April 2010 To: Thursday, 22. April 2010 Host: Norwegian PEN More info: www.norskpen.no/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=54
Karen Communities Worldwide call for action to stop attacks on civilians
Karen communities in 10 countries joined forces for a global day of action on 9 March 2010, calling on the international community to take action to stop new attacks by the Burmese Army against Karen civilians. According to them, more than 2,000 civilians have been forced to flee new attacks since mid January. Karen Communities Worldwide believes dictatorship is trying to crush all resistance forces to their rule before elections due later this year.
Tibet picket
10 March marks the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan people’s rebellion against the Chinese occupation.
Azerbaijan: On 5. anniversary of editor’s murder, Article 19 calls to bring perpetrators to justice
2 March 2010 marks the fifth anniversary of the unsolved murder of Monitor editor-in-chief Elmar Huseynov, who was fatally gunned down in his apartment building in a well-organised attack. ARTICLE 19 calls on the Azerbaijani government to redouble its efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, and to take immediate action to improve freedom of expression in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
International Women’s Day: Focus on Tunisia
On occasion of 8 March 2010, International Women’s Day, Norwegian PEN has joined a letter addressed to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, written by members of the Tunisia Monitoring Group (TMG), a coalition of 20 members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) and members of the IFEX Gender Working Group to draw her attention to the slander and abuse faced by women journalists and activists in Tunisia.
Obama met Dalai Lama: follow up actions expected
US President Obama met His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the White House on February 18, 2010, despite mounting pressure from the People´s Republic of China for Obama not to go ahead with the meeting. The Norwegian Tibet Committee (NTC) hopes the meeting can help to get the Chinese government to the negotiating table for a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibet issue.
Burma: UN envoy did not receive permission to meet Suu Kyi
A special UN Human Rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana visited Burma last week. After five days spent in the country Mr. Quintana returned back without having met opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and any information about the planned election in Burma later this year.
MALI: Threat of eviction
Dozens of families on the outskirts of Bamako, the capital of Mali, are under threat of being evicted from their lands by the Government in favour of a housing project. The cultivation ban, ordered in July 2009, jeopardizes their right to adequate food. Moreover, if the eviction is realized, it will hinder the ability of the families to feed themselves in the long run.