Archive for the 'EMHRN' Category
October 1, 2014
The Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) today released its 2013 Annual Report detailing its activities in support of individuals, groups and NGOs who are defending human rights in a wide variety of distinctly challenging contexts across the Arab region. In 2013, when access to internal and external funding sources in the region remained limited and difficult, the Foundation faced the dual challenges of protecting defenders in increasingly repressive and violent environments and of consolidating positive civil society dynamics in countries where tentative steps were taken toward democratisation.
In countries such as Syria, Libya, Algeria and Egypt, Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in EMHRN, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: annual report 2013, Arab region, Arab spring, Civil society, EMHRF, Euro-Mediterranean Foundation, Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, freedom of association, Human Rights Defenders, international protection, Middle East
July 4, 2014
Although I try to be as complete as possible on international human rights awards (see http://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/), there is a plethora of interesting awards at the national level of which follow here two examples:
1. Uganda: The annual “European Union Human Rights Defenders Award” is given by the EU Member States, Norway and the EU Delegation in Uganda to recognise the achievements of Human Rights Defenders in Uganda. In 2014 the award (which could be named more clearly) is shared among:
- Ms. Gladys Canogura, Executive Director of Kitgum Women Peace Initiative.
- Ms. Christine AlaloC, Head Uganda Police Child and Family Protection Unit.
- Mr. Mohammed Ndifuna, Chief Executive Officer Human Rights Network Uganda.
Dr. Simone Knapp, Head of the Austrian Development Cooperation in Uganda and host of the 2014 Ceremony stated the following: “Human rights defenders and civil society organisations are indispensable partners for governments, the European Union and equally the United Nations in highlighting violations of human rights and analysing their causes. The internet and social media tools have enabled sharing of information and concerns even more effectively. They are the ones that work in the field every day and experience first-hand what the great challenges are to the realisation of all human rights. At the same time, human rights defenders, the same as journalists, face increasing harassment, inhibition and even violence as a consequence of their commitment to human rights. We must better protect human rights defenders and promote their work. Civil Society can help us develop policies and instruments for tackling these challenges.”
http://www.norway.go.ug/News_and_events/pressrelease/Winners-of-the-2014-EU-Human-Rights-Defenders-Award/#.U7b5tyjKzZQ
2. West Papua: Two New Zealanders have been awarded the 2014 John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award for their work pushing for improved human rights in Indonesia’s Papua region. The West Papua Advocacy Team says the Green Party’s Catherine Delahunty has challenged the New Zealand governments community policing project in Papua and sought to provide a platform for Papuan rights advocates in the New Zealand Parliament. The Advocacy Team says the second recipient, activist Maire Leadbeater, has worked tirelessly to inform New Zealand about the human rights crisis in West Papua. Ms Delahunty says she is honoured to be considered.”There are many people working all around the world and the Pacific to support the campaign for human rights and independence in West Papua. Im one of the small players, have got the privilege of working in Parliament with the Green Party fully supporting my work. So yes, it’s an incredible honour, I was most surprised to receive it and very, very humbled.” John Rumbiak had worked in Papua for many years, raising concerns on human rights issues.
via NZers win West Papua advocacy award | Radio New Zealand News.
Posted in awards, EMHRN, EU, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: awards, EU, European Union Human Rights Defenders, human rights awards, Human Rights Defenders, Indonesia, John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award, New Zealand, Norway, Uganda, West Papua
March 16, 2014
While the whole of the Syrian population suffers terribly, it is important to recognize that human rights defenders, activists, media and humanitarian workers have been particularly targeted for their work since the beginning of the Syrian uprising three years ago. Many have been arrested or abducted by either government forces and pro-government militias or by non-state armed groups. The channels for obtaining reliable information are drying up and that is certainly not a coincidence.
Now several international NGOs such as Amnesty International, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, FIDH, Frontline Defenders, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders have come together to work jointly, with other international, regional and Syrian organizations, to campaign for the release of these Silenced Voices of Syria. The campaign is starting with the documentation of 37 emblematic cases.
This campaign will use a three-pronged strategy of 1. Research and Documentation, 2. Information/Sensitisation and 3/ Mobilization.
via FREE SILENCED VOICES OF SYRIA | Civil society activists, media and medical workers targeted for their work.
https://thoolen.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/one-more-disappearance-in-syria-roshdy-el-sheikh-rasheed/
Posted in AI, Amnesty international, EMHRN, FIDH, films, Front Line, HRW, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | 2 Comments »
Tags: AI, Amnesty International, campaign, civil society organisations, coalition, disappearance, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, FIDH, Front Line (NGO), Frontline Defenders, HRW, human rights campaign, Human Rights Defenders, Human Rights Watch, humanitarian workers, illegal detention, journalists, lawyers, media, Reporters without Borders, RSF, Silenced Voices of Syria, Syria, Syrian Civil War, Syrian population, Syrian uprising
February 13, 2014
Here two recent examples of non-cooperation in relation to requests for access by international human rights mechanisms:
- On 11 February 2014 five international human rights organisations issued a statement decrying Algeria’s lack of cooperation in allowing UN human rights experts and international human rights organizations to visit the country. Algeria may have joined the UN Human Rights Council in January 2014, but it has not agreed to visits by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, despite their repeated requests. Similarly the Algerian authorities have refused to grant visas to nongovernmental human rights organizations for several years. “Algeria remains the only country among its neighbors that generally restricts access to human rights organizations,” said Eric Goldstein, of Human Rights Watch. [The 5 NGOs making the appeal are Amnesty International, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Human Rights Watch and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights FIDH, and the World Organization Against Torture OMCT].
- Today, 14 February it became known that the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, was denied a request to visit prisoners during his visit to Egypt [he announced this on Twitter after meeting with Prosecutor General Hisham Barakat.] Lambrinidis described the refusal as a “direct contradiction” to the Ministry of Interior’s “press release promising greater openness to such visits”. Only two days earlier – amid mounting allegations of torture inside places of detention – the Ministry of Interior had issued a statement welcoming requests from NGOs wishing to visit prisons. [Lambrinidis held an open discussion with 30 human rights defenders from local and international NGOs earlier this week, stating that the Egyptian government must respect peaceful free expression and human rights communities.]
via:
http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2014/02/13/eu-human-rights-envoy-denied-access-prisoners/#sthash.hEciHx9r.dpuf
Algeria: Allow Rights Groups to Visit – No Response from Algiers to Requests from UN Bodies / February 11, 2014 / Urgent Interventions / Human rights defenders / OMCT.
Posted in AI, EMHRN, FIDH, HRW, human rights, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Defenders, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, OMCT, UN | Leave a Comment »
Tags: access, AI, Algeria, Egypt, EU, EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, FIDH, HRW, human rights, human rights mechanisms, human rights organizations, Lambrinidis, NGOs, non-cooperation, OMCT, prison visits, special rapporteurs, UN Human Rights Council
January 11, 2014
While all attention is focused on the political power struggle in Turkey, human rights defenders there continue to be harassed and detained. A glaring example is the case of Muharrem Erbey who is in pre-trial detention since 4 years. On 13 January 2014, the trial against Muharrem Erbey, the recipient of the Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize for 2012, will resume. On 24 December 2009, Mr. Muharrem Erbey was arrested by the Anti-Terror Unit of the Diyarbakır Security Directorate as part of an operation launched simultaneously in 11 provinces in Turkey. His arrest and detention Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in awards, EMHRN, FIDH, human rights, Human Rights Defenders, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, OMCT | Leave a Comment »
Tags: anti terrorism legislation, Diyarbakır, EMHRN, FIDH, freedom of expression, human rights award, Human Rights Defenders, illegal detention, Kurdish cause, Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize, minority rights, Muharrem Erbey, Observatory for the Protection of HRDs, OMCT, PKK, pre-trial detention, Turkey
October 15, 2013
Almost three years after the onset of its “Revolutions”, the Arab region continues to bear stark contrasts within its democratic track. Whereas a new era has been instigated and elections have been held in five countries Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Libya and Algeria, major violations of human rights persist on multiple levels and by different actors including non-governmental players. On 8 October The Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) released its Annual report on 2012. Driss El Yazami, President of the EMHRF, notes that “an irreversible process is ongoing and involves emancipating countries from authoritarianism and political despotism. The Arab people have entered a new and decisive era for the future of democracy and human rights. Beyond the complexity of this transition, the initiated process is strongly influenced by the strengthened role played by human rights defenders. They are key players in overcoming new challenges and working peacefully towards the realization of a democratic and citizen-driven model for living together.”
The civil society movement continues to prove to be extremely dynamic and effective in guaranteeing respect for fundamental freedoms and preventing any appropriation of the newly acquired freedoms. Nonetheless, this movement is weakened by significant threats, shortages in human and financial resources and difficulties in joining forces. Particular attention was paid to Syria, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt.
This report is available in Arabic, English and French.
http://www.emhrf.org/en/activityreports.php <http://www.emhrf.org/en/activityreports.php>
Posted in EMHRN, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Algeria, annual report 2012, Arab people, Arab spring, Arab world, Civil society, Driss El Yazami, Egypt, EMHRF, Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for support to Human Rights Defenders, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, uprising
July 5, 2013
On 25 June the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) published the trial observation report concerning its Executive Committee member, human rights defender and trade unionist M. Osman İşçi. He was arrested in Ankara, Turkey, one year ago on 25 June 2012, and detained at the high-level security prison of Sincan, Ankara, along with another 27 trade unionists arrested on the same date facing proceedings for allegedly supporting a terrorist organization.
The first hearing of Osman İşçi’s trial took place on 10 April in the Ankara Special Court, after ten months of pre-trial detention. Following this hearing, M. Osman İşçi and 21 other trade unionists and human rights defenders were released, however the charges against them remain and a new hearing is scheduled for the 8 July 2013. The trial observers noted that it had been conducted with courtesy by all participants, and defendants and their lawyers had been permitted to take an active part in the hearing. Nevertheless they noted with concern that a number of central features of international fair trial standards appeared to be absent from the hearing, and from the proceedings generally. To read the trial observation report please control/click here
via Observation of the trial of Osman İşçi, human rights defender and trade-unionist | Euromedrights.
Posted in EMHRN, human rights, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: Advocacy Organizations, Ankara, EMHRN, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, Hearing (law), human rights, Human Rights and Liberties, Human rights defender, labour movement, lawyers, Osman İşçi, terrorism, Trade union, trade unionists, trial observation
June 10, 2013
During the last week, Turkish citizens, human rights defenders, trade unions and civil society organisations have come under attack by the Turkish government. What started as a peaceful demonstration has turned into a violent clash with the Turkish police and security services. In the protests, at least 3 people died and more than 2800 people were injured in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Reports indicate that about 3000 people were taken into custody and Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in EMHRN, FIDH, human rights, Human Rights Defenders, OMCT | Leave a Comment »
Tags: EMHRN, European Parliament, European Union, FIDH, freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, human rights activists, Human Rights Defenders, illtreatment, Istanbul, NGOs, OMCT, peaceful protestors, police violence, Politics of Turkey, trade unionists, Turkey, Turkish, Turkish government
December 8, 2011
Amidst the many violations and massive repression reported from Syria, there is the risk that individual cases will go unnoticed. Therefore your attention is drawn to the arrest on 4 December of 31-year old Razan Ghazzawi at the Syrian-Jordanian border. She was arrested by the Syrian immigration police while she was heading to Amman in order to attend the “Forum of defenders of freedom of expression in the Arab region” in her capacity of media officer of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), a non-recognized Syria-based human rights organization. On her blog <http://razanghazzawi.com/> – note that she courageously uses her real name !– Razzan Ghazzawi has been advocating for freedom of opinion in Syria and in the Arab region. Since the beginning of the unrest in Syria, Razzan has extensively covered violations of freedom of expression, including arbitrary arrests of journalists, bloggers and covered the political situation from a cultural perspective.
The Euro-Mediterrean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) fears that Razzan Ghazzawi may be subjected to ill treatments or acts of torture.
For more information, please contact:
In Brussels, Hayet Zeghiche hze@euromedrights.net <mailto:hze@euromedrights.net>
In Cairo, Shaimaa Abou Elkhir shy@euromedrights.net <mailto:shy@euromedrights.net>
Posted in EMHRN, Human Rights Defenders | Leave a Comment »
Tags: blogger, EMHRN, HRDs, Razzan Ghazzawi, Syria
July 7, 2011
The Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) which has been supporting human rights defenders organized on 2-3 April a discussion seminar on democratic change in the Arab region. This seminar was among the first of its kind to be organized in the wake of the pivotal uprisings that have taken place in the region. I provided space for a preliminary exchange and reflection between key academics, civil society actors, donors, and government representatives working on and in the region. Discussions focused on four major axes: local state actors, international actors, civil society and non governmental actors, and the donors’ community. The resulting document “Democratic Change in the Arab Region: State Policy and the Dynamics of Civil Society” can be found at: http://www.scribd.com/full/59127297?access_key=key-2kvxq3fz0wim07987e8c
Posted in books, EMHRN, Human Rights Defenders | 1 Comment »
Tags: Arab region, NGOs
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 