Latest
Polish immigrant given the Fritt Ord award
Last night, Professor Nina Witoszek was awarded Fritt Ords Pris for her more than two decades’ long contribution to Norwegian and international public debate, all through her valuable utilisation of the freedom of expression she left Republic of Poland in the early 80s to regain. Ever since, and through both her fictional and academic writing, she has been among the most prolific, original and interesting participants in numerous debates, especially on cultural myths and national identity. (11-MAY-05)
Union of trade unions condemns Norwegian companies’ trading with Burma
-Get out of Burma! The Norwegian Petroleum Fund’s investments in companies that are doing business in Burma must be withdrawn immediately, says deputy leader of the orwegian union of trade unuons, Finn Erik Thoresen. The messages is conveyed directly to the Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik. (11-MAY-05)
The Feminist Movement in Tunisia, 1920 – 2000
Women, and the women’s movement, have suffered severe suppression in Tunisia. Recently, Khedija Arfaoui presented a paper outlining th history of the feminist movement in Tunisia from the 1920s to 2000s at the Sixth Mediterranean Social and Political Research Meeting in Florence and MOntecatini, Italy. HRH has had regular contact with human rights organisations in Tunisia, and is pleased to refer our readers to this and other papers from the conference. (10-MAY-05)
UN rights forum slams systematic abuse in Myanmar
From the Norwegian Burma Committee, a member of the Human Rights House in Oslo, HRH has received the following article, originating from the French news agency AFP: The UN’s top human rights body sharply criticized “systematic” abuse by Myanmar’s military junta, calling on it to restore democracy and free all political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (8-MAY-05)
Burmese army uses chemical weapons against the Karenni minority
Strong evidence has emerged of the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Burma Army against the Karenni people. A draft report from Christian Solidarity Wordlwide International President Dr Martin Panter presents evidence of chemical weapons use during an incident which is alleged to have happened near Burma’s north western border with Thailand on 15 February. (29-APR-05)
Srebrenica: A wound in European history – 10 years on
The massacres in Srebrenica constitute the first genocide in Europe to be recognised by an international legal mechanism since World War II. On 21 April, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee hosted a seminar on Srebrenica at the Norwegian Human Rights House. (26-APR-05)
PEN calls for Turkish Government Condemnation of Attacks on Writer
Throughout April, Orhan Pamuk, one of Turkey?s most internationally acclaimed authors, has suffered threats from extremists calling for his books to be seized from public libraries and, in some cases, burned. At the same time, Adolf Hitler?s ?Mein Kampf? is once again a best-seller in the Republic of Turkey. From International PEN, HRH has received the following appeal on Pamuk?s behalf. (25-APR-05)
Dalai Lama at the Norwegian Human Rights House
On 14 June, a press conference with His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be held at the Norwegian Human Rights House. Tibet’s spiritual and political leader has been invited to Norway by the Norwegian Tibet Committee and the Norwegian Parliament’s Tibet Committee. (21-APR-05)
Panchen Lama – Tibet’s stolen child
This year marks the 10th anniversary of China’s abduction and detention of the Panchen Lama, Tibet’s stolen child, who will turn 16 on 25 April. On May 14,1995, six-year-old Gedun Choeky Nyima was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the 11th Panchen Lama of Tibet. Determined to control religion in Tibet, the Chinese authorities kidnapped this young boy and his family three days later. (20-APR-05)