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RKR marks third anniversary of murder of Syrian-Kurdish HR activist
The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) will observe the third anniversary of the murder of Masuq al-Khaznawi, right, with a memorial meeting at the Human Rights House in Oslo tomorrow, Thursday 5 June, at 5 pm. al-Khaznawi was murdered 1 June 2005. (04-JUNE-08)
Meeting on the situation in Iranian Kurdistan
The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds invites to an open meeting today at 16.15 at the Human Rights House in Oslo. Keynote speaker at the meeting is Hemen Saidi, who represents KDP and teaches in exile at the University of Arbil. Saidi will give a presentation of the political situation in Islamic Republic of Iran in general, and about the situation for the Kurds in particular. (29-MAY-08)
Dialogue with islamists
Some time ago, the Norwegian playwright Erling Kittelsen’s, right, play ‘På himmelen’ (‘On the sky’) (2000) was staged in Amman, Jordan. The title, the production and the reception / interpretation all contributed to Kittelsen and his director Bani Hani being subjected to a fatwa. Kittelsen´s response was to write about it, in Jordan, and enter into dialogue with the islamists. He achieved to have the fatwa called off. (28-MAY-08)
Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest extended
Today, Burmese autrhorities announced that Aung San Suu Kyi´s, right, house arrest has been renewed for another six months. -This shows the junta´s true face, says Inger Lise Husøy, Director of the Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC) . -They don´t want dialogue and they don´t want transition to democracy. On the contrary, they fear Suu Kyi´s enormous public support, adds Husøy. (27-MAY-08)
Seminar on freedom of expression in Afghanistan
In recent years, several Afghani journalists, writers, activists and publicly elected leaders have experienced serious threats. Some have been harassed to silence, others have been killed. The Norwegian Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Committee and Norwegian PEN jointly invite to a seminar that addresses the difficult working conditions for working conditions and independent media in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Waheed Warasta, author and leader of Afghan PEN, is the keynote speaker. (27-MAY-08)
HRH F supports appeal by Russian NGOs to free political prisoners
All-Russian Nongovernmental Movement “For Human Rights,” a coalition of Russuan NGOs, has sent an open letter to the President of the Russian Federation Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, to grant pardon to a number of Russian citizens who have fallen victim to politically motivated persecution. The letter reminds Medvedev of his repeated references to the importance for the Russian Federation to follow the principle of the rule of law. Human Rights House Foundation (HRH F) has added its name to the list of signatories. (22-MAY-08)
Burmese human rights lawyer honoured with award
A lawyer in Burma has been awarded a prestigious European human rights award in recognition of his struggle for labour rights under extremely adverse conditions. U Aye Myint, right, who has set up a legal aid group in Burma to handle cases of forced labour, illegal land confiscation and workers´ rights, was awarded the European Bar´s Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize on 17 May 2008. (23-MAY-08)
Burmese junta pushes cyclone victims back to their ravaged villages
The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), constituted and endorsed by representatives elected in the 1990 elections in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), has been alerted about the expulsion of cyclone victims from towns and suburban areas and repatriated back to their deserted, cyclone devastated villages by the Burmese authorities. (21-MAY-08)
RKR condemns violations of freedom of expression in Kurdistan
The Norwegian Council for the Rights of the Kurds (RKR) condemns all attempts to limit freedom of expression in Kurdistan Iraq as reported by The US-located Committee to Protect Journalists in its special report entitled ‘The Other Iraq’. Civil and political human rights should be respected for all citizens, including individuals or opposing political factions within the Kurdish region, says Per Thorsdalen, right, Information Officer at RKR´s office at the HR House in Oslo. (20-MAY-08)