Newsletter from the Human Rights Network, 1st October 2004
Newsletter from the Human Rights Network, , 1st October 2004
www.humanrightshouse.org
1 Kenya: - Where are the reforms, Mr. Awori?
- The deaths, on Monday, of five inmates at the Meru GK Prison in Kenya have cast doubts over the reforms currently being undertaken on the countrys prisons by the Ministry of Home Affairs under which the correctional institutions fall. The shocking and saddening deaths bring us to a cruel conclusion that the reforms have been nothing but a fuss, says Center for Law and Research International (CLARION) in a press release from Nairobi.
2 New Centre for International Free Expression in London
Three prominent organisations have moved together in the new Centre for International Free Expression in London: Article 19, Index on Censorship, and English PEN. Index on Censorship, which recently joined the Human Rights House Network, says the Centre will monitor, record and oppose censorship, promote freedom of expression, openness, democracy, and the right of access to information.
3 Opposition activists in Azerbaijan accuse America of double standards on rights
Recently, The Guardianīs Moscow correspondent Nick Paton Walsh wrote an article, "US sidles up to well-oiled autocracy", about pressure and torture used against oppostion activists, and the depression and hopelessness among the Azerbaijani society after the disputed presidential elections of 2003 in Azerbaijan. With the consent of Nick Paton Walsh, HRH has published the article on its website.
4 Bosnia: Election campaign in the sign of religious leaders
The election campaigns for local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will take place on Saturday, 2 October 2004, were conducted mainly in a democratic atmosphere characterized by fairness and absence of any major incidents that might have put in question the validity of the elections.
5 The Uyghur American Association congratulates Rebiya Kadeer with the Rafto Prize
The Uyghur American Association and the Uyghur Human Rights Project is pleased to congratulate Rebiya Kadeer on winning this yearīs Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize. - Itīs a great day not only for Rebiya Kadeer, but for all Uyghurs as well, Nury Turkel, UAA President said. - Winning the Rafto prize is recognition of not only Rebiya Kadeerīs promotion of human rights for the Uyghur people, but it also is further recognition by the world community that China is mistreating the Uyghurs.
6 Recommendations to the Norwegian Government on Human Rights in 2004
Nineteen organizations from the Norwegian NGO Forum have made recommendations on human rights issues which the Norwegian Government should focus on in this yearīs meeting in the UN Human Rights Commission. The NGO forum has focused on five countries, - Afghanistan, Burundi, Israel and the Ocupied territories, Iran, and Russia, and on five issues, - anti-terror measures, IDPīs, torture, freedom of religion, and neutraliy of humanitarian aid.
7 Activists under attack: Updated conference program
This year, the Human Rights House Network celebrates its 10th Anniversary. An international conference on the protection of human rights defenders will be hosted by the Secretariat of the Human Rights House Network on 13-14 October 2004 in Oslo. Read the updated program.
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Borghild T. Krokan
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The Human Rights House Foundation
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