share information on human rights defenders, with special focus on human rights awards and laureates
On July 12 Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Mike Posner, gave a elaborate statement before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the House of Representatives. Of course, we are biased because Mike was for many years the founder-leader of the NGO Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, now called Human Rights First. It is clear that he has not lost his sharpness in this overview of the Syrian situation..
Assistant Secretary Posner’s Testimony on Syria « humanrights.gov.
From the NGO Front Line comes the following case. As I am a resident of Greece and many if not most Greeks show unashamedly open sympathy for the Cypriots, I wonder what they make of this (follow the link below):
Cyprus: Charges against human rights defender Doros Polykarpou | Front Line.
As the human rights crisis in Bahrain continues Front Line and other NGOs express their deep concern about the ongoing prosecution and persecution of doctors and nurses who are facing the prospect of prison sentences simply because they treated injured demonstrators during the recent disturbances. Severe sentences have handed down on human rights defenders, including Abdulahadi Al Khawaja who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment.
In no other country in the world have we witnessed doctors and nurses persecuted on such a scale as a result of their legitimate humanitarian actions, says Front Line: 47 members of the medical profession were arrested, several of them reportedly tortured, and all of whom are currently being subjected to an unfair trial. They feel abandoned by the international community.
Please – show your support for these brave men and women – add your name to the open letter to the King of Bahrain via the link below and which will be published in The Guardian and the London Independent this Friday
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/petitions/bahrainopenletter#sign>
EU High Representative Catherine Ashton released a statement on 5 July condemning the recent arrests of women’s rights defenders. She specifically refers to the arrests of photographer Maryam Madj, film-maker Mahnaz Mohammadi, journalist Zahra Yazdani, and women’s rights advocates Maryam Bahrman and Mansoureh Behkish.
Ashton demands release of Iranian women prisoners – New Europe.
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
The FIDH in Paris reported that Dr. Vo Van Ai, a life-long independent Vietnamese human rights defender, has been awarded the 2011 Special Prize for Freedom (Premio Speciale alla Liberta) by the Italian organisation Società Libera. The Prize was presented in Lucca on June 24, 2011. Dr. Vo is the President and founder of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR), a member organization of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). The Vietnam Committee aims to monitor human rights in Vietnam, mobilise support for victims of human rights abuses and promote efforts to advance democracy in Vietnam. The Special Prize is a deserving recognition of Dr. Vo’s tireless efforts to demand greater respect and protection of human rights and to lend a strong voice to the silent majority in Viet Nam where the mere exercise of, and aspirations for, fundamental freedoms is stifled or, even worse, criminalised, the FIDH added.
Yesterday we received the good news that Emad Baghi (Iran), MEA Laureate 2009, has been released from prison. He had started a hunger strike again which may have contributed to him having been released ‘normally’ at the end of his one-year term.
With the liberation of Muhannad Al-Hassani (Syria) on 3 June, this is most encouraging news and the postcard campaign for them is suspended for the time being.
According to a press release issued by Amnesty International on 19 June 2011 Papuan human rights activist Yones Douw, in the Indonesian province of Papua, was beaten by military officers on 15 June and has been denied medical treatment. He fears for his health and safety, as he has previously been detained and assaulted as a result of his human rights activities. A protest took place at the 1705 District Military Command (Kodim) base in Nabire, Papua province, on the morning of 15 June, to call for accountability for the stabbing and killing of Papuan Derek Adii on 14 May 2011, reportedly by military officers from the 1705 District Military Command. At about 9am on 15 June, Yones Douw , a 42-year-old human rights activist, heard that a protest, which included family members of Derek Adii, was about to take place, and he went to the base to monitor it. Thirty minutes after he arrived, a group of protesters turned up in three trucks, broke into the front entrance of the base and started to shatter the windows and throw objects. Yones Douw immediately rushed into the base to calm the protesters. In response, the military fired shots into the air and started hitting the protesters. Yones Douw was struck on the head with pieces of wood many times. He also sustained injuries on his shoulder and wrists from the beatings. As he was beaten he heard the military threaten to shoot the protesters saying “these animals should be taught a lesson”. A military officer also hit the father of Derek Adii, Damas Adii, with a piece of wood. After the beatings, Yones Douw travelled to the Siriwini hospital for treatment and to obtain a medical report, but was told by medical staff that he required a letter from the police before they could treat him. He then decided to go home and is still suffering from the injuries. He fears for his health and safety. Yones Douw is a respected human rights activist in Papua and has been documenting human rights violations by the police and military over the last decade. For the more information and suggestions on whom to write to please go to: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1106/S00429/papuan-activist-at-risk-following-beating.htm
E-learning course: Security and protection for human rights defenders and social organisations is designed for NGOs, social organisations and individuals. It lasts for 60 hours over 3 months approximately 5 hours per week and is hosted by Protection International training staff protection experts with extensive training experience in many countries. The first course, in Spanish, is to due to start in mid 2011, English and French courses will follow.
Education and training for Human Rights Defenders is a broad subject with different needs. One such crucial need is security. The present course aims for human rights defenders to develop various skills, capacities and strategies to allow them to improve the level of security and protection, both for themselves and also for the people they work with.
Proof of experience working in these fields is required, along with the existence, or possible existence, of a risk to their security, because of their work activities. Armed conflict or political repression, due to their activities as human rights defenders, could be examples of suitability. The admission criteria will give priority to those people having the largest potential impact on human rights defenders’ security. The enrolment fee will depend on various factors – such as country of origin or residence, the institution the participant is involved with, the course duration, etc. For more information visit: http://www.protectionline.org or write to: e-learning@protectioninternational.org
I received this via E-learning course: Security and protection for human rights defenders and social organisations | HURIDOCS.
