DemocracyNews
Monthly Electronic Newsletter of the World Movement for Democracy

February 2008

CONTENTS

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Global “Defending Civil Society” Report Published
2. World Movement for Democracy Steering Committee Members Accept New Positions

DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
3. Civil Society Organizations Work towards Peace in Kenya
4. Human Rights Group Condemns Murder of Somali Journalist
5. South East Europe Media Organization Calls for Investigation into Attack on Macedonian Journalist

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
6. European Democracy Foundation Through Partnership Established
7. Freedom House Releases Report on Freedom in the World
8. Centre for Democratic Institutions Holds Ninth Annual Pacific Parliamentary Dialogue
9. Call for Papers: Political Islam and Democracy
10. Democracy Courage Tribute Recipient Hoang Minh Chinh Dies

CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS
11. Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations Welcomes Steps to Distance Military from Civilian Sphere in Pakistan

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING
12. CIVICUS Publishes Second Volume of Global Survey on State of Civil Society

CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
13. Summer Program on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Offered in Boliva
14. Professional Networking Website Publishes Career Guides

ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
15. Heritage Foundation Releases 2008 Index of Economic Freedom Survey
16. Center for International Private Enterprise Publishes Strategies for Policy Reform
17. Russian Organizations Offer Guide to Doing Business without Corruption
18. African Civil Society Organizations Demand African Union Address Election Concerns in Zimbabwe

ELECTIONS
19. Georgian Political Parties Agree to Make Information More Accessible to Voters

GOOD GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY, AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
20. Civil Society Coalition Calls for Nigerian Government Intervention in Conflict in Niger Delta
21. Transparency International Releases Report on Monitoring Corruption
22. Global Integrity Publishes 2007 Report

HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY, AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE
23. Human Rights Watch Declares Atrocities Often Overlooked by Western Democracies
24. Human Rights Watch Recommends Investigation of Alleged Torture in Bahrain
25. Human Rights Defenders Adopt "Bangkok Statement of Commitment" on Minorities
26. Prague to Host International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
27. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Issues October-December 2007 Newsletter

LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS
28. Global Action Day on March 6 to Show Solidarity for Iranian Workers

MEDIA, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
29. Committee to Protect Journalists Releases “Attacks in the Press in 2007”
30. Human Rights Watch Advocates Freedom of Assembly in Kyrgyzstan
31. UN Releases 2008 E-Government Survey
32. Closure of Iranian Women’s Magazine Reported
33. Speaker Announced for February 2008 International eParticipation Symposium in London
34. Committee to Protect Journalists Demands Freedom of Press in Belarus

YOUNG PEOPLE’S POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATIONP
35. Liberian Youth Organization Issues Newsletter
36. Global Youth Service Day Celebration to Be Held in April

37. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Global “Defending Civil Society” Report Published
The World Movement for Democracy is pleased to announce that its global “Defending Civil Society” report is now available in English online. Recent years have witnessed proliferating efforts by various governments to restrict the space in which civil society organizations in general, and democracy assistance groups in particular, operate. In response, the World Movement for Democracy, under the leadership of its international Steering Committee and in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), has undertaken the Defending Civil Society project to identify and promulgate a set of international principles, already rooted in international law, that should inform proper government-civil society relations and protect NGOs and other civil society groups. The “Defending Civil Society” report is now being translated into five other languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish), and will be available in those versions shortly.

To read the report, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/WMD_Defending_Civil_Society-Global.pdf

2. World Movement for Democracy Steering Committee Members Accept New Positions
The World Movement for Democracy is pleased to share exciting news about four members of its Steering Committee. Over the last several months, the following Committee members have been appointed to serve in governmental positions in their respective countries: Riad Malki, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Information, Palestinian Authority (previously Director General, Panorama Center) ; Zainab Bangura, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sierra Leone (previously Executive Director, National Accountability Group); Krzysztof Stanowski, Deputy Minister of Education, Poland (previously Director of International Programs, Foundation for Education for Democracy); and Ghia Nodia, Minister of Education and Science, Georgia (previously Chairman of the Board , The Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development). Under the Steering Committee Charter, these members must leave the Committee once they enter government service. However, they will remain active in the World Movement by participating in various activities and networking efforts. We congratulate them on their new appointments!

DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS

3. Civil Society Organizations Work towards Peace in Kenya
The recent deadly riots that have spread throughout Kenya following the country’s disputed December 27, 2007 presidential election have generated a growing number of responses from civil society organizations unified in their efforts to bring an end to the violence. In an open letter to Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, the Ugandan-based Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) pleads for the help of these leaders in managing the crisis. In particular, FHRI urges both to unequivocally denounce the use of violence in all its forms; to give the Kofi Annan initiative a chance; to listen to all world leaders, mediators, human rights defenders and ordinary Kenyans; and to keep all options open with respect to holding new elections. Moreover, in a statement, the World Movement’s Africa network, the African Democracy Forum (ADF) maintains that the outbreak of violence is being used to justify the curtailment of fundamental freedoms and human rights. The ADF asserts that the violence in Kenya includes not only the disorganized protests of Kenyan citizens responding to the recent elections, but also actions undertaken by reactivated organized militias and Kenya’s police and military force. The ADF statement urges Kenyan political leaders to remain restrained in their messages to supporters; calls on Kenyan leaders to institute a Neutral Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission to address current injustices incurred by Kenyan citizens; requests increased international humanitarian assistance; and recommends that the government of Kenya ratify the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

Representatives of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) were in Kenya on January 22-23, 2008 to meet with leaders of political parties and civil society representatives to discuss the local political and humanitarian crisis. According to its statement, NIMD believes that the current conflict in Kenya is not ethnic but political, and maintains that the structural solution to the conflict lies in reforming the political and electoral system to prevent one group from ever again gaining absolute power. According to NIMD, mediation attempts by Kofi Annan and other former presidents from Africa currently represent the best hope of resolving the conflict.

To read the open letter by FHRI, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Feb08demnews3a.pdf

To read the statement by ADF, go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Feb08demnews3b.pdf

To read the statement by NIMD, go to: www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=14&type=newsitem&contentid=474&special

4. Human Rights Group Condemns Murder of Somali Journalist
On January 28, 2008, Hassan Kafi Hared, a journalist working for the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) and gedonet.com, was killed when a remote-controlled mine exploded in the city of Kismayu, Somalia. According to a statement released by the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net), Hared’s death, following the murder of at least eight other journalists in 2007, continues a dangerous trend in Somalia. EHAHRD-Net maintains that these murders exacerbate the problems of an already impoverished media that regularly denies the Somali population of their right to information. EHAHRD-Net urges a series of reforms, appealing to the new Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein to implement his promise to ensure freedom of expression in Somalia.

Go to: www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/index.html

5. South East Europe Media Organization Calls for Investigation into Attack on Macedonian Journalist
OOn the night of January 25, 2008, Goran Gavrilov, a journalist and General Manager of a private radio station network with national coverage in Macedonia, was brutally attacked in front of his home in Stip, eastern Macedonia. The Vienna-based South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO)—a network of editors, media executives, and journalists from South East Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI)—strongly condemns this attack, maintaining that every threat against a journalist in Macedonia is a threat against the fundamental principle of freedom of expression in the country. SEEMO has called for a full investigation by Macedonian authorities into this incident.

Go to: www.seemo.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

6. European Democracy Foundation Through Partnership Established
Democracy organizations from the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Spain, Norway, Portugal, and Finland have formally established the European Foundation for Democracy through Partnership (EFDP). The new foundation is meant to serve as a European hub in the complex field of democracy building. An immediate goal of the EFDP is to put democracy assistance higher on the EU foreign policy agenda—which is currently dominated by issues of security, trade, and economic development. The EFDP will be officially launched in Brussels on April 15, 2008 in the presence of EU Commission president José Barroso and EFDP president of the Council of Patrons, Václav Havel. Prior to its official launch, the EFDP will organize a workshop, “From Principles to Performance: How Can Europeans Enhance their Support for Democratization Processes Worldwide?,” at the Fifth Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 6-9, 2008.

Go to: www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=14&type=newsitem&contentid=472&special

7. Freedom House Releases Report on Freedom in the World
On January 16, 2008, Freedom House released the findings from the latest edition of “Freedom in the World”—the organization’s annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the survey’s findings, the year 2007 was marked by a notable setback for freedom worldwide. The decline was most pronounced in South Asia, but also reached significant levels in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa. It affected a substantial number of large and politically important countries—including Russia, Pakistan, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and Venezuela—whose declines have wider regional and global implications. Furthermore, results for 2007 marked the second consecutive year in which the survey registered a decline in freedom, representing the first two-year setback in the past 15 years.

Go to: www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=395

8. Centre for Democratic Institutions Holds Ninth Annual Pacific Parliamentary Dialogue
The Canbarra-based Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI)—whose work focuses on strengthening political parties and systems of parliamentary governance in Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu—has issued its February-March 2008 newsletter, focusing on its recent ninth annual CDI Pacific Parliamentary Dialogue held on December 11-13, 2007, in Papua New Guinea. “The Dialogue,” which brings together senior parliamentarians from the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand, examined the role of parliaments in managing conflicts. The newsletter also details other recent and forthcoming CDI activities and provides information on recent publications of relevance to the Centre.

Go to: www.cdi.anu.edu.au/cdinews/D_P/2007-08/2008_01_CDI.News_FEB_MAR.pdf

9. Call for Papers: Political Islam and Democracy
The Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) invites writers and researchers to submit papers for its upcoming conference “Political Islam and Democracy: What do Islamists and Islamic Movements Want?,” which will be held on May 14, 2008 in Washington, DC. The ninth annual conference will be devoted to exploring the diversity of Islamic movements in the context of democratization processes in the Islamic world. Paper proposals of no more than 400 words in length are due by February 20, 2008.

Go to: www.csidonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=386&Itemid=91

10. Call for Papers: Political Islam and Democracy
It was with great sadness that the World Movement for Democracy learned that former Vietnamese politician and Buddhist dissident, Hoang Minh Chinh, has died after a long struggle with prostate cancer. Hoang Minh Chinh, who died on February 7, 2008 in Hanoi, was a high-ranking and well-known member of the Communist Party in Vietnam before becoming highly critical of his party and a vocal advocate of democratic reform. Despite being imprisoned on multiple occasions for his views, Hoang Minh Chinh continued to disseminate messages defending human rights, increased pluralism, and the rule of law in Vietnam. In April 2006, the World Movement for Democracy presented one of its “Democracy Courage Tributes” to Hoang Minh Chinh, together with his colleague and spiritual mentor, Thich Quang Do, at the World Movement’s Fourth Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey.

Go to: www.queme.net/eng/news_detail.php?numb=942

To read about the Democracy Courage Tribute, go to: www.wmd.org/fourth_assembly/fourthAssemblyReport.pdf (page 10)

CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS

11. Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations Welcomes Steps to Distance Military from Civilian Sphere in Pakistan
The Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations, facilitated by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), has commended recent steps by the new Pakistani military leadership to distance the military from civilian and political domains. The Dialogue Group has also expressed concern for the expanding militancy in the tribal areas and growing violence in other parts of the country, stressing the need for a review of the Government’s policy and strategy. In making this announcement, the Dialogue Group reiterated its stance that the Pakistani armed forces should be subject to civilian control as expressed in the will of a democratically elected Parliament.

Go to: www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=234

CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING

12. CIVICUS Publishes Second Volume of Global Survey on State of Civil Society
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation has announced the publication of “CIVICUS Global Survey of the State of Civil Society, volume two: Comparative Perspectives,” edited by V. Finn Heinrich and Lorenzo Fioramonti. According to CIVICUS, this survey is a wide-ranging analysis of key issues facing civil society worldwide. The book draws on the information collected by the CIVICUS Civil Society Index project in more than 45 countries to explore such issues as civil society’s accountability, its relations to the state and corporate sector, and its role in governance and development. The book also includes regional overviews of the state of civil society on different continents.

Go to: www.civicus.org/new/content/CIVICUSGlobalSurvey-State-CivilSociety.html

CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

13. Summer Program on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Offered in Bolivia
The Alliance for Conflict Transformation (ACT), in partnership with Nur University, has announced the Summer Institute on Peacebuilding & Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in Bolivia, June 14-July 12, 2008. IPCR is an intensive four-week, six-credit residential program intended to build the capacity of current and future professionals in a variety of fields to make a critical difference in furthering peaceful relations in the world. IPCR is for English speaking professionals, graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in peace and conflict resolution, international affairs, political science, Latin American studies, anthropology, development, and related fields.

Go to: www.conflicttransformation.org

14. Professional Networking Website Publishes Career Guides
The Peace and Collaborative Development Network has developed several free guides to careers, internships, and scholarships in conflict resolution, social entrepreneurship, human rights, international development and related fields. The Peace and Collaborative Development Network is a free professional networking site with over 1700 members from around the world designed to foster dialogue and the sharing of resources.

Go to: www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org

ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR

15. Heritage Foundation Releases 2008 Index of Economic Freedom Survey
The Washington-based Heritage Foundation has released its 2008 "Index of Economic Freedom." The Index reflects data compiled in 10 categories of economic freedom. Among other highlights, the index indicates that although the economies of North and South America collectively scored slightly ahead of the world average, many of the economies in this region are actually stagnating. Only 12 economies in the Americas improved their level of economic freedom in this edition of the Index, while 17 lost ground. The Index is jointly published by the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal and rates 157 countries worldwide.

Go to: www.heritage.org/Press/NewsReleases/nr011508b.cfm

16. Center for International Private Enterprise Publishes Strategies for Policy Reform
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) recently published “Strategies for Policy Reform: Experiences From Around the World.” This book presents case studies of reform programs implemented worldwide by business associations, think tanks, and other independent organizations in partnership with CIPE. CIPE maintains that these reform programs have improved democratic governance and the business climate to deliver tangible benefits to citizens. Each chapter in this book is intended to illustrate an important theme in the development of democratic, free market societies.

Go to: www.cipe.org/publications/papers/pdf/PolicyReform_2007.pdf

17. Russian Organizations Offer Guide to Doing Business without Corruption
Two Russia-based organizations—OPORA and INDEM Foundation—have produced a report “Business Without Corruption: An Action Guide.” This report is meant to give small business owners the tools to resist corruption and, at the same time, survive and grow in an extremely aggressive economic climate. The guide gives specific advice on such topics as how to avoid problems when dealing with bureaucrats and how civil society institutions can be used to protect businessmen.

Go to: www.cipe.org/programs/corruption/pdf/INDEM-OPORA-ENGLISH.pdf

ELECTIONS

18. African Civil Society Organizations Demand African Union Address. Delegates of the Citizen’s Continental Conference on the African Union Summit—which took place from January 23-24, 2008—agreed to a series of recommendations for the African Union (AU). The final communiqué included specific recommendations for the AU concerning Zimbabwe in light of the country’s recent decision to hold elections on March 29, 2008. Participating civil society organizations expressed concern that the current social and political environment is not conducive to free and fair elections and that more time is needed to prepare. Delegates are urging the AU to prevail upon Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to implement broad reforms before pressing ahead with the planned elections. The specific recommendations for AU leadership are to implement the African Chapter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) resolution of November 28, 2007, encouraging Zimbabwe to hold free and fair elections; to dispatch an elections observation team to Zimbabwe to monitor the 2008 elections; to monitor the human rights situation in Zimbabwe closely and to urge the government of Zimbabwe to uphold human rights standards set out in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights; and to exercise oversight of SADC’s mediation efforts in Zimbabwe.

Go to: www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5150

19. Georgian Political Parties Agree to Make Information More Accessible to Voters
The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) has announced that NIMD and the Dutch Institute for Political Participation (IPP) will develop a tool to help Georgian voters decipher which parties’ plans and positions match their views on a variety of issues. NIMD and IPP were asked by the main political parties in Georgia to develop the online “VoteMatch” program for the nation’s upcoming parliamentary elections. This request follows the November 2007 protests in Georgia and the ensuing turbulent presidential election of January 2008.

Go to: www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=0&type=newsitem&contentid=470&special

GOOD GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY, AND ANTI-CORRUPTION

20. Civil Society Coalition Calls for Nigerian Government Intervention in Conflict in Niger Delta
Following reports that former Rivers State governors Dr. Peter Odili and Dr. Abiye Sekibo have been named as significant financiers of Ateke Tom— the prominent leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, an ethnic Ijaw militia in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria—the Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition (NDCSC) has released a report calling on the Nigerian Federal Government and National Assembly to intervene immediately and investigate more convincingly the blatant abuses of power throughout the region. NDCSC maintains that the recent naming of the two former governors in a sworn affidavit filed in the Port Harcourt High Court by the traditional ruler of Konuji in Okirika, Captain Nemi Ihyala Oputibeya X, is further proof that local leaders are corrupt and incapable of resolving the continuing violence. NDCSC argues that the current state of anarchy has become so lucrative to both local leaders and militants that neither side wants to see it end. NDCSC is firm in its conviction that leaders of Rivers State militant groups be seen as criminals and prosecuted immediately regardless of the genuine and painful Niger Delta situation.

Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Feb08demnews20.pdf

21. Transparency International Releases Report on Monitoring Corruption
Transparency International (TI) has published a policy position paper arguing for the necessity of an effective monitoring process to track country implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The report suggests that the current lack of a global structure that effectively provides assessment and offers support will ultimately undermine the credibility of the UNCAC. In anticipation of the January 2008 Second UNCAC Conference of the State Parties (CoSP) held in Bali, Indonesia, TI made specific recommendations for when, how, and by what means such monitoring should proceed. TI recommended the establishment of a three-part review mechanism—which includes the CoSP, the Secretariat, and a board of experts. In addition, TI recommended a two-phase approach to the review process. The first phase (2008-2009) is to include the continuation and expansion of present information gathering practices, pilot programs, and intergovernmental support structures. The second phase (beginning in 2010) will include the task of structuring a program of country reviews based on recommendations from the Secretariat and Board made during the first phase. Finally, TI recommends the advance implementation of asset recovery provisions and the establishment of specific technical assistance and funding measures.

Go to: www.transparency.org/publications/publications/ti_pp_01_08_uncac

22. Global Integrity Publishes 2007 Report
Global Integrity, an independent, non-profit organization tracking governance and corruption trends around the world, has published its 2007 Global Integrity Report. The report is an investigative study of 55 countries meant to assess the strengths and weaknesses of national accountability mechanisms and transparency measures needed to prevent corruption and promote good governance. The authors of the report contend that elections alone do not indicate a government’s commitment to democracy arguing, instead, that longer-term benefits offered by elections are often undermined by a lack of government accountability and the absence of strong anti-corruption mechanisms. Other major findings of the report include: the United States and other G8 countries suffer from many of the same corruption challenges as developing countries, especially in election and campaign financing; several countries exhibited significant improvements or backsliding from 2006-2007; several close allies of the United States, and countries in which the United States has competing security interests, were found to have rated poorly; and aid agencies continue working primarily with the same executive branches that often hinder democratic reforms.

Go to: http://report.globalintegrity.org

HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY, AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

23. Human Rights Watch Declares Atrocities Often Overlooked by Western Democracies
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has announced the release of its World Report 2008. In summarizing the findings of the report, HRW accused established democracies of sometimes overlooking questionable elections, providing the outcome is strategically or commercially favorable. HRW censured the United States and other European democracies for not demanding of other governments that they uphold the civil and political rights that make democracy meaningful beyond staging successful elections. World Report 2008 surveys the human rights situation in more than 75 countries. This year’s report identifies the following challenges in need of attention: atrocities in Chad, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia’s Ogaden region, Iraq, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Sudan’s Darfur region; and severe repression in Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Libya, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. HRW found abuses related to the “war on terror” in France, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among others.

Go to: http://hrw.org/englishwr2k8/docs/2008/01/31/usint17940.htm

24. Human Rights Watch Recommends Investigation of Alleged Torture in Bahrain
In a statement released January 21, 2008, Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls upon the Bahraini government to investigate the alleged sexual assault and torture of several opposition political activists. As part of the investigation, HRW demands that the Bahraini government allow an independent physician to examine those detainees claiming abuse. This demand comes after a senior Interior Ministry official in Bahrain denied on January 18, 2008 that there had been any mistreatment of the detainees and a lawyer representing several of the detainees received no response to his request for a second examination of the detainees by an outside physician. The alleged victims were originally detained in December 2007 after political protests in Manama marking past abuses by Bahraini security forces grew more violent.

Go to: www.hrw.org/doc?t=mideast&c=bahrai

25. Human Rights Defenders Adopt "Bangkok Statement of Commitment" on Minorities
Human rights activists working in Southeast Asia have adopted the “Bangkok Statement of Commitment” to strengthen and protect rights of regional minorities. The statement was adopted on January 21-23, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand, at the First Regional Workshop on Minorities Issues in Southeast Asia. The statement contains the collective pledge to participate in the United Nations mechanisms and procedures, and communicate with the United Nations Independent Expert on Minority Issues (IEMI). Participants of the workshop identified discrimination, statelessness, language policy and conflict as the most pressing issues affecting minorities in their countries. The workshop was sponsored by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA).

Go to: www.forum-asia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1442&Itemid=132

26. Prague to Host International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival. The tenth annual “One World: International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival” is set to take place on March 5-13 in Prague, Czech Republic, to be followed by engagements in 28 other cities and towns throughout the Czech Republic during the months of March and April. Around 135 documentaries from nearly 40 countries are scheduled to be shown. “One World” addresses primarily young people, students, and secondary school students through films that are being promoted as inspiring the belief that personal civic engagement can bring about true and positive change. The organizer of the film festival is People in Need (PIN), a Czech-based NGO that provides relief aid and development assistance while working to defend human rights and democratic freedom.

For more information, go to: www.oneworld.cz; www.peopleinneed.cz

To view the trailer, go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZFzdodwH84

27. Foundation for Human Rights Initiative Issues October-December 2007 Newsletter
The Ugandan-based Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) issued its October –December 2007 newsletter. Highlighted in this issue is FHRI’s participation in the third Commonwealth Human Rights Forum (CHRF), entitled “Transforming Societies– Realizing People’s Potential: Living up to Human Rights Commitments.” The forum provided an opportunity for commonwealth civil society to adopt a human rights communiqué for presentation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). FHRI’s newsletter also draws attention to the recent launch of an FHRI report titled “Freedom of Expression: In Defense of Media Freedom in Uganda.” The report reveals that freedom of expression in Uganda is under threat due to legislative restrictions, underlying economic and political pressure and the unfavorable working conditions for media practitioners.

Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Feb08demnews27.pdf

LABOR UNIONS AND WORKER RIGHTS

28. Global Action Day on March 6 to Show Solidarity for Iranian Workers
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITWF), along with Amnesty International, are designating March 6, 2008, as a Global Action Day to express solidarity with Iranian workers and to once again call for the release of imprisoned Iranian labor leaders Mansour Osanloo and Mahmoud Salehi. They are also demanding that fundamental workers' rights be respected in Iran, in accordance with International Labor Organization (ILO) core conventions. Outside Osanloo’s and Salehi’s case, nine education workers were recently accused of posing a threat to national security and sentenced to 90 days in prison. Oppression of the independent workers' movement in Iran is escalating, which has led global unions, together with human rights activists, to send a strong message to the Iranian government. March 6 falls two weeks prior to the Iranian New Year and parliamentary elections. Concerned individuals can show their support by joining the campaign and by signing the online petition.

Go to: www.itfglobal.org/campaigns/osanloo-action.cfm

MEDIA, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

29. Committee to Protect Journalists Releases “Attacks in the Press in 2007”
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)—an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending press freedom worldwide—has released its “Attacks in the Press in 2007.” This report is a reference guide to press freedom worldwide, providing analyses of media conditions in 120 nations. The report identifies the top ten backsliders—where press freedom has deteriorated—in the last five years: Ethiopia, the Gambia, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco, and Thailand. In conjunction with the release of this report CPJ announced the launch of a comprehensive campaign to combat impunity. CPJ demands that human and financial resources be garnered to investigate journalist murders thoroughly and in a timely manner; that killings and findings of official inquiries be publicized; that law-enforcement authorities and prosecutors be pressured to enforce the rule of law; and finally, that the families of victims be given assistance to help them win justice.

Go to: www.cpj.org/attacks07/pages07/index.html

30. Human Rights Watch Advocates Freedom of Assembly in Kyrgyzstan
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the government of Kyrgyzstan to review an ordinance passed by the city of Bishkek on November 30, 2007 that HRW maintains undermines the right to freedom of assembly protected in the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and in international law. According to HRW, the ordinance essentially establishes a licensing regime for public assembles and is therefore at odds with the Constitution, which requires that local authorities only receive notification – not grant permission – of planned public actions. In a letter to Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, HRW also urges the government to address the recent arrest and conviction of 18 peaceful protesters; specifically, HRW recommends an investigation into the arrests; exoneration of those found to have been arbitrarily arrested; provision of adequate compensation; and appropriate disciplinary action against officials who acted improperly.

Go to: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/17/kyrgyz17802.htm

31. UN Releases 2008 E-Government Survey
The United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs has published “e-Government Survey 2008: From e-Government to Connected Governance.” The first part of this report evaluates the e-government readiness of the 192 Member States of the UN according to a quantitative composite index of e-readiness based on Web site assessment, telecommunication infrastructure, and human resource endowment. The second and final part of this report includes e-government initiatives directed at improving operational efficiency through the integration of back-office functions.

Go to: http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/un/unpan028607.pdf

32. Closure of Iranian Women’s Magazine Reported
Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) reports that ZANAN—a monthly Iranian magazine that reports on and analyzes women’s issues, problems, and achievements in Iran—has been closed down. According to WLP, the Press Supervisory Board of Iran, backed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the license of ZANAN revoked on January 28, 2008 after 16 years and 152 issues published. The current status of the magazine is unknown. ZANAN’s publisher and others in the press are involved in a process of internal lobbying as well as generating public pressure to reverse a decision that they maintain was neither based on law nor necessarily made by the whole Press Supervisory Board.

Go to: www.learningpartnership.org/en/advocacy/alerts/zanan0208

33. Speaker Announced for February 2008 International eParticipation Symposium in London
The International eParticipation Symposium has announced that the Minister for Communities and Local Government in the United Kingdom, RT Hon Hazel Blears MP, will address the Opening Plenary at the second annual “International eParticipation and Local Democracy Symposium: Empowering Citizens through Technology and Participation” in London on February 28-29, 2008. Citizen engagement is a key priority for the UK Government, as demonstrated by the 2007 launch of the Communities and Local Governments (CLG) Action Plan for Community Empowerment. The RT Hon Hazel Blears will explain and expand upon the Action Plan at the Symposium.

Go to: www.empowerment-symposium.com

34. Committee to Protect Journalists Demands Freedom of Press in Belarus
Following the arrest and detention of a journalist in Minsk, Belarus, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling on Belarusian authorities to stop their persecution of the independent press. On January 10, 2008, Arseny Pakhomov, a freelance photo-correspondent, was arrested and sentenced to 15 days in jail after covering a rally staged by about 2,000 business people protesting government tax policy and hiring restrictions. According to the deputy chairman of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, Pakhomov had a press card and did not participate in the rally. Two other journalists were interrogated in connection with the rally.

Go to: www.cpj.org/news/2008/europe/belarus14jan08na.html

YOUNG PEOPLE’S POLITICAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION

35. Liberian Youth Organization Issues Newsletter
The Liberia-based National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections—Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD) issued its June 2007- January 2008 edition of their bi-annual newsletter. NAYMOTE-PADD highlights their participation in the World Youth Day for Democracy held on December 18, 2007. In conjunction with this celebration, NAYMOTE-PADD organized a longer campaign on October 15-19, 2007, which targeted over 1,000 Liberian youth across four counties. As part of this campaign, several fora were held at various schools throughout these regions during which young Liberians were given the opportunity to listen to and participate in presentations on topics as varied as human rights, tolerance, the role of the media within a democratic system of governance, and the responsibilities of democratic citizens.

Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/Feb08demnews35.pdf

36. Global Youth Service Day Celebration to Be Held in April
The Ninth Annual Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) will be held on April 25-27, 2008. GYSD is an annual worldwide event organized by Youth Service America and the Global Youth Action Network together with numerous international organizations. The event is intended to celebrate the year-round contributions of young people and their attempts to build their communities through voluntary service. All schools, faith-based groups, and youth-related organizations are encouraged to plan and highlight youth-led community service projects.

Go to: www.gysd.org

37. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE

• International Center for Not-for-profit Law (ICNL) – www.icnl.org
• Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) – www.fhri.or.ug
• African Democracy Forum (ADF) –  www.africandemocracyforum.org
• East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) – www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/about.html
• South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) – www.seemo.org
• Centre for Democratic Institutions (CDI) – www.cdi.anu.edu.au
• Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy – www.csidonline.org/index.php
• Hoang Minh Chinh – 2006 Democracy Courage Tribute Recipient
• Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) – www.pildat.org
• CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation – www.civicus.org
• Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) – www.cipe.org
• OPORA – www.opora.ru
• INDEM Foundation – www.indem.ru
• Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) – www.nimd.org
• Niger Delta Civil Society Coalition
• Transparency International (TI) – www.transparency.org
• Freedom House – www.freedomhouse.org
• Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) – www.forum-asia.org
• People in Need – www.peopleinneed.cz
• Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace (WLP) – www.learningpartnership.org
• National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections—Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD)