Newsletter from the Human Rights House Network, 8th October 2004
www.humanrightshouse.org

1 Nobel Peace Prize to Wangari Maatha i
The Human Rights House Foundation congratulates the Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai with the Nobel Peace Prize. -The award is a tremendous inspiration for the huge, but largely over-looked efforts of non-governmental organizations world- wide, not only for the environment and sustainable development, but also for peace and human rights, says Niels Jacob Harbitz, Project Manager for East Africa at the Human Rights House Foundation in Oslo.

2 Speaks out against violations in Russia
The Helsinki Commission has released a report on violations of human rights in OSCE member states that are taking part in the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation meeting that starts in Warsaw on Monday. In particular, the authors of the report surveyed the plight of people from the Caucasus region and the Romany minority in Russia.

3 Belarus: Employees' memberships checked
The Belarusian government registers all state employees´ travels and memberships in parties and NGOs, according to the Human Rights Center "Viasna". - A return to the Soviet past, says Valiantsin Stefanovich at "Viasna". The parliamentary election in Belarus takes place 17 October.
4 Bosnia - Local Elections 2004: Fair and democratic, with low voter turnout
The basic characteristic of the local elections held in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 October 2004 was low level of interest and low voter turnout: out of 2,327,014 registered voters, 45.52% of BiH citizens with the right to vote in Bosnia and Herzegovina turned out to vote at 4057 polling stations in total.
5 Aung San Suu Kyi Asia's Online Hero for 2004
For her steadiness and her steadfast belief in the powers of democracy and peaceful protest, 40.4% of voters nominated Aung San Suu Kyi as Asia´s Online Hero for 2004, organized by Time Asia. In 1990 she was awarded the Rafto Prize, and in 1991 she was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. She remains the only living recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize who is still incarcerated.

6 Activists under attack: Conference 13-14 October in Oslo
Representatives of governments, grass-root organisations and international experts will participate at the international conference, and discuss how to improve the situation for human rights defenders worldwide.

7 Human Rights House Network Annual Report 2003
The 2003 Annual Report of the Human Rights House Network is available in PDF. Read more about the activities of organisations at established human rights houses in Oslo, Moscow, Warsaw, Bergen, Sarajevo, Bergen, and London, and at emerging human rights houses in Zagreb, Baku, Nairobi, Kampala, and Minsk.

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Borghild T. Krokan
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The Human Rights House Foundation
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