Latest
Belarusian human rights defenders arbitrarily detained. Express your concern
HRH F shares Front Line’s concern following the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders Vadim Borshchevskiy and Pavel Levinov; as well as raids on the apartment of human rights defenders Olga Karatch and Yelena Borshchevskaya and on the offices of the women’s rights organisation Female Centre “Adliga”. Vadim Borshchevskiy is a journalist and member of Female Centre “Adliga”and the Youth Centre “Seventh Side”. (05-APR-08)
Turkish army and police attack Kurds peacefully celebrating their New Year
From Kurdish human rights defenders, www.humanrightshouse.org has been alerted to video footage of the very violent conduct of the Turkish army and police during the recent Newroz celebrations. To view the Youtube placed coverage, click here. Newroz, the Turkish New Year, is celebrated on the spring equinox, 21 March. (02-APR-08)
-Give Tibetan protesters freedom of movement, assembly and association
The Chinese, Indian, and Nepali governments should release detained Tibetans and permit them to demonstrate peacefully, Human Rights Watch said today. Protesters in Lhasa, Tibet, Dharamsala, India and Kathmandu, Nepal who were attempting to observe “Tibetan National Uprising Day,” the anniversary of the Tibetan rebellion against Beijing´s rule in Tibet in 1959, were dispersed and arrested. The protests in Lhasa were the largest political demonstrations there since 1989. (14-MAR-08)
Armenian authorities must investigate clashes between police and demonstrators
The use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators by the Armenian police causes deep concern.
Genocide: The dark side of civilisation
-The 20th century demonstrated that genocide is not restricted to any particular period, ideology or part of the world. As such, it is rather a dark side of civilisation, and one that we have to build bulwarks against, over and over again, says Bernt Hagtvet, right, Professor of Political Theory at the University of Oslo. Hagtvet, a board member of HRH F, has edited a huge, comparative study on genocide that was launched yesterday. (11-MAR-08)
Norwegian Tibet Committee marks 49th anniversary of uprising in Tibet
The Norwegian Tibet Committee (NTC) and the Tibetan community of Norway demonstrated in front of the Chinese Embassy yesterday to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the Lhasa prising. The Embassy was angered, but all the fficials could do was close the Embassy and watch the demonstration from behind the curtains. (11-MAR-08)
-This honour reflects the reality that Tibet is not free
-On this occasion, which moves me deeply, I would like to express my thanks to the Norwegian Authors’ Union for conferring on me its 2007 Freedom of Expression Prize. I am also grateful to the Norwegian Tibet Committee for its whole-hearted support and assistance. And to my Tibetan countrymen who dwell in Norway, I offer the traditional Tibetan wish for good fortune: Tashi Delek! Read Tsering Woeser’s, right, speech, delivered by her husband upon accepting the Norwegian Author’s Association’s Freedom of Expression Award for 2007, below. (08-MAR-08)
HRH F and others recommend action from the Norwegian government
Last week, the Norwegian NGO-forum for Human Rights handed over its annual document called ´Recommendations to the Norwegian Government on Human Rights at the United Nations in 2008´. HRH F is an active member of the forum and notes that a number of our key concerns are worked into the document. (06-MAR-08)
Royal families in the hotspot about attending the Beijing Olympics
In a silent, yet powerful protest against China´s despiccable human right record, Prince Charles of England will not be going to the Beijing Olympics later this year. -Follow his example, says Chungdak Koren, right, Chairperson of the Norwegian Tibet Committee to the Norwegian king, queen and crown prince, who plan to travel. (04-MAR-08)