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Despite official pledges, harassment of journalists and censorship are still prevalent, says Human Rights Watch in a fresh press release on the media situation in the People´s Republic of China ahead of next year’s Beijing olympics. -The Chinese government is backtracking on new rules that allow much greater freedom to foreign journalists, and is continuing to deny comparable freedoms to Chinese journalists, Human Rights Watch said today. (31-MAY-07)
 

A ´Say Yes´ campaign for non-discriminatory marriage laws in Norway is gaining momentum. In 2008, a new marriage law, in which same-sex relationships will be granted the right to marry, will be discussed and voted over in the Norwegian Parliament. It is far from certain, however, that a majority will vote in favour of the Bill. (29-MAY-07)
 

Over the last two weeks, Sahrawi students at colleges and universities across Morocco and Western Sahara have been subjected to serious human rights violations. On 23 May, 43 Norwegian civil society organisations signed a letter to the Moroccan government, demanding that the attacks on Sahrawi students are stopped, and that their rights are respected. (24-MAY-07)
  

Ludmilla Alexeeva who founded the first human rights organisation in Russia; the Helsinki Committee in Moscow in 1976, is visiting Norway between 21 and 25 May. The members of the Moscow Helsinki Group were the one to inform the West about the Soviet Union’s violations of the Helsinki declaration from1975. This led to pursuit, imprisonment and forced exile. Their work led to the creation of several sister- and solidarity-committees in other parts of the world. (21-May-07)

At its recent annual meeting, Norwegian PEN elected publisher, writer and columnist Anders Heger, right, as the organisation´s new president. Heger succeeds Kjell Olaf Jensen, who chaired the organisation for ten years. Heger, a renowned publisher, author and columnist, has been an active member of PEN for years and shown great commitment to freedom of expression issues. (07-MAY-07)
 

The humanitarian work in Burma is becoming increasingly challenging as further restrictions have been put on international and local organizations the last year. The junta´s mismanagement and lack of respect for human rights have caused the difficult situation for the Burmese people. The Norwegian Burma Committee invites you to listen to Charles Petrie, right, from the United Nations Development Programme and Richard Horsey from the International Labour Organisation in Rangoon views on and visions for Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). (02-MAY-07)
  

According to the Norwegian Refugee Council´s new report Internal Displacement: Global Overview of Trends and Developments in 2006, there are more than 500.000 internally displaced persons in Burma (Republic of the Union of Myanmar). The estimate is considered modest. The report directs its criticism straight at Burmese authorities since the displacement is caused by the use of force of government troops. In its most recent newsletter, released today, the Norwegian Burma Committe sums up the situation. (18-APR-07)
 

Rabab Amidane (22), right, studies English at the Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech. Against the backdrop of one of Morocco´s livelier tourist destinations, her younger brother´s fate is to be decided today. She now pleads for Norwegian help to put pressure on Moroccan authorities so that he is not punished severely. Latest: El Oauli Amidane gets five years. (17-APR-07)
 

The Human Rights House concept was welcomed by Afghan human rights defenders when the Human Rights House Foundation visited Kabul last month together with the Norwegian PEN. Najia Haneefi (right) was one of many women working for women’s rights who said she feels isolated and stigmatized and needs a stronger regional and international network.(16-APR-07)