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Kurdish prisoners suffer terrible serving conditions in Iranian prisons
Kaveh Aziz-pour, a Kurdish political prisoner, died on Friday, 16 May 16, from a brain stroke, reports Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency (INA) (16 May). Aziz-poir, who came from Mahabad, was only 25 years old. The Department of Intelligence in Islamic Republic of Iran arrested and imprisoned Aziz-pour two years ago for having connections with Kurdish opposition groups. He was hospitalized in Urumieh after suffering the stroke and underwent surgery twice in this regard. After 20 days of coma, he passed away in the morning of 16 May. (20-MAY-08)
Ban Ki-moon pledges to do utmost to speed aid efforts in Burma
As he prepared to leave for Myanmar today, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, said he will do all he can to reinforce the immediate relief effort in the cyclone-devastated country and will also draw attention to the need for long-term reconstruction and development. (20-MAY-08)
Norwegian govt. at collision course with its own inaugural declaration
Today, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) presents a report documenting that the situation in the Russian parts of Northern Caucasus remains the worst human rights crisis in Europe. A Regional System of Torture, Forced Confessions and Fabricated Trials shows how Russian authorities abuse the court system in their ongoing anti-terror operation. (14-MAY-08)
-Not a step in the direction of democracy
-Despite the tragedy that hit Burma a week ago, the junta has been determined to carry through the national referendum on the constitution as planned, today. Only the hardest hit areas will instead cast their vote on 24 May. Exile media report that the turnout was low, and that many who actually showed up to vote were told that they had already been voted for and that the punishment for voting against the junta’s proposition is three years’ imprisonment, says Inger Lise Husøy, right, Director of the Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC) (10-MAY-08)
Burmese diaspora pays tribute to victims of the cyclone Nagris
This afternoon, many of the 2100 Burmese living in Norway paid tribute to the dead and expressed concerned for the survivors of the cyclone Nagris that recently hit Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), to devastating effect. The public moment of mourning arranged in front of the Norwegian parliament was also a protest against tomorrow´s totally undemocratic referendum on a new constitution in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). (09-MAY-08)
NBC highlights the HR aspects of the cyclone disaster
A natural disaster doesn´t in itself amount to a violation of human rights. It is the authorities´ handling of the situation that sometimes does. This certainly applies to the current situation in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), argues Marte Graff Jenssen, right, the Norwegian Burma Committee´s (NBC) information officer. (07-MAY-08)
COHRE calls for urgent action to protect housing rights in Burma
The Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions (COHRE) today called on the Burmese regime to immediately allow international relief agencies unrestricted access to Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), to deal with the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the cyclone that hit the country on 2 and 3 May 2008. (07-MAY-08)
Governments should not endorse vote on new constitution in Burma
-Burma’s May 10 referendum on a new constitution is a sham process aimed at entrenching the military, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report released today. -So far all independent reports tell the same story. HRW’s report is just one more reason why the people of Burma should tell the regime ‘NO’ in the upcoming referendum, says Marte Graff Jenssen, information officer in The Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC). (01-MAY-08)
Somalians in Norway to demonstrate against Oslo summit
The International Contact Group (ICG), a loose network of countries trying to affect the situation in the Republic of Somalia meets in Oslo tomorrow to discuss the political process, the security situation and the humanitarian conditions in the country. To address ICG´s disputable role, representatives of many of the different Somali organisations in Norway will demonstrate outside the meeting. (29-APR-08)