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March 2002
CONTENTS
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. Democracy Activist Leaves Cuba
2. Update on the case of S.K. Pradhan
3. Update on "What's Being Done on...Breakthrough Elections?"
4. Resolution from 3rd International Conference on North Korean Human Rights & Refugees Adopted
5. Student Group Calls Attention to North Korea Human Rights Violations
6. Sri Lankan Members of Parliament Support Democracy in Burma
7. Newsletter: Ukraine Regional Report - Election Newsletter
8. Newsletter: ZimWatch Bulletin
9. Newsletter: South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre produces Human Rights Features
10. Publication: 2001 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM REVIEW from International Press Institute
11. Publications: Three New USAID Publications
12. Publication: GIVE & TAKE: A DECADE OF NGO INTERACTION
13. Publication: Burmese Language Biography of Dictator Ne Win
14. Publication: WINNING THE NEW COLD WAR ON TERRORISM: THE DEMOCRATIC-GOVERNANCE IMPERATIVE
15. Publications: Two New Activist Handbooks
16. Publication: OPTIMIZANDO SUS RELACIONES CON LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACION from the Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action
17. Report: Corruption in Latin America in 2001 by Probidad and Journalists Against Corruption
18. Report: Spring 2002 Internews Report - Focus: Media, War and Peace
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
19. World Movement Networking Produces Book on Post-Communist Transitions
20. Center for International Private Investment Technical Paper Series Launched
21. New Cuban Libraries Web Site
22. Web Site on Upcoming Colombian Elections
23. New Coalition to Promote Secure Technology in Human Rights Work
24. Digital Freedom Network Hosts On-line Chats with Activists
25. Workshops: Central Asian and Central and Eastern Europe Journalism Workshops
26. Awards: Columbia University's Journalism Awards
27. Award: Fellowship for Threatened Scholars
28. Training Course: 20th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights - San José, Costa Rica, July 22 - August 2, 2002
29. Training Course: 2002 Youth Summer Session on Federalism
30. Virtual Course: Institutions, Citizenship and Democracy - International Institute of Governance and Open University of Catalonia, May 15 - August 30, 2002
31. Position Available: Assistant Program Officer for Asia, National Endowment for Democracy, Washington, DC
NEWS and PUBLICATIONS
1. Democracy Activist Leaves Cuba
Maritza Lugo Fernandez, former president of the Frank Pais November 30th Democratic Party, arrived in the United States on January 11, 2002, after Cuban officials allowed her to leave the country despite a history of repeatedly denying previous requests. She has fought tirelessly to promote democracy in Cuba and has been detained or imprisoned more than 30 times since 1996. In November 2000, Lugo was prohibited by Cuban authorities from attending the World Movement for Democracy's Second Assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
For more information on Lugo's case, go to: www.wmd.org/lan/documents/lugo.html.
Also, visit the Frank Pais November 30th Democratic Party page at www.30november.org.
2. Update on the case of S.K. Pradhan
Mr. S.K. Pradhan, arrested on charges of conspiracy to murder in September 2001, has been denied release on bail after a second and final hearing before the Supreme Court of Nepal on the grounds that he is a refugee and not a Nepali citizen. He has now been held in prison for nearly three months while Nepalese authorities have conducted their investigation.
The World Movement continues to urge Nepalese authorities to guarantee that Mr. Pradhan be afforded a fair hearing before an impartial judicial body in keeping with international standards of justice and the due process of law.
For background information on the Pradhan case, go to: www.wmd.org/democracyalert/feb502.html.
3. Update on "What's Being Done on...Breakthrough Elections?"
News on recent developments related to the upcoming March 9-10, 2002 Zimbabwe elections have been added onto the World Movement's Web section, "What's Being Done on... Breakthrough Elections." This section features a brief background of the elections, a list of organizations working on election-related issues, and recent news.
Go to: www.wmd.org/wbdo/feb-mar02.html.
The April/May theme for "What's Being Done On...?" will be "Cross-Border Assistance: Helping Democrats in Closed Societies." If your organization works in this area, please send us the information about your activities by March 22, 2002 so that we can include a profile on your work for the new "What's Being Done On...?" section.
Send your information to: world@ned.org.
4. Resolution from 3rd International Conference on North Korean Human Rights & Refugees Adopted
The Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights has posted the resolution adopted at the Third International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees held February 9-10, 2002 in Tokyo, Japan. The conference brought together hundreds of participants from South Korea, Japan, and other countries around the world, to discuss strategies to promote human rights in North Korea. Three defectors from North Korea testified during the conference and informed participants about the current situation in the country.
Go to: www.nkhumanrights.or.kr/newsletter_eng/news_view.html?no=18.
5. Student Group Calls Attention to North Korea Human Rights Violations
A group of Korean and Japanese students affiliated with the Network for North Korean Democracy and Human Rights have undertaken a 600km bicycle ride from Osaka to Tokyo, Japan, to raise awareness of the violations of human rights in North Korea. They are calling on the international community to increase its scrutiny of and pressure on the North Korean regime to guarantee the transparent distribution of humanitarian aid, the release of political prisoners, and the recognition of North Korean refugees in China.
Go to: www.nknet.org or contact rep@nknet.org for more information.
6. Sri Lankan Members of Parliament Support Democracy in Burma
Thirteen Sri Lankan Members of Parliament have signed the International MP Declaration on Burma. The Declaration, already endorsed by over 3,200 parliamentarians from nearly 100 different nations, calls for the immediate release of those National League for Democracy MPs who have been imprisoned or forced into exile since winning free and fair elections in 1990.
To learn more about the history and current situation in Burma, go to: www.ncgub.net.
Also, go to Mizzima News Group, a World Movement participating organization: www.mizzima.com.
7. Newsletter: UKRAINE REGIONAL REPORT on upcoming March elections
The Kyiv Centre of the East-West Institute has begun publishing a weekly newsletter on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Ukraine. The newsletter reports on events related to the electoral campaigns for over 400 contested seats in the parliamentary elections scheduled for 31 March 2002. The newsletter is available online in both English and Ukrainian.
To subscribe, contact Iryna Solonenko, Newsletter Editor, isolonenko@iews.org.
8. Newsletter: ZimWatch Bulletin
Zimbabwe Watch publishes a weekly e-mail newsletter, ZimWatch Bulletin. The newsletter collects news stories, features and analyses from different news media outlets related to the current political situation in Zimbabwe with a special focus on issues surrounding the 9-10 March 2002 presidential elections.
To subscribe to the newsletter, send an e-mail to zimwatch@niza.nl with Subscribe_to_ZimWatch_Bulletin in the subject field.
For the current bulletin and its old issues go to: www.niza.nl/zimbabwewatch/index.html
9. Newsletter: South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre produces Human Rights Features
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) has started a news feature service, called Human Rights Features (HRF). HRF will provide detailed information on three main topic areas: human rights, democracy and good governance. The objective of HRF is to address these areas by providing the public with independent and accurate information. HRF will produce a minimum of one news feature per fortnight.
Go to: www.hrdc.net/sahrdc/hrfeatures.htm or contact hrdc_online@hotmail.com to be placed on the SAHRDC e-mail list.
10. Publication: 2001 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM REVIEW from International Press Institute
The International Press Institute (IPI) announces the publication of the 2001 World Press Freedom Review. IPI's annual report details press freedom violations and other developments in the global media during the last 12 months - a year in which, according to the report's editors, a "war has been waged on the media."
Go to: www.freemedia.at/wpfr/world.html
11. Publications: Three New USAID Publications
The Democracy and Governance Office of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has published three new useful guidebooks: "Guidance for Promoting Judicial Independence and Impartiality" [PN-ACM-003, November 2001]; "Participation, Consultation, and Economic Reform in Africa: Economic Fora and the EG-DG Nexus" [PN-ACM-002, October 2001]; and, "The Enabling Environment for Free and Independent Media: Contribution to Transparent and Accountable Governance" [PN-ACM-006, January 2002].
To access publications go to: www.usaid.gov/democracy/pubsindex.html. You can also order hard copies by contacting docorder@dec.cdie.org.
12. Publication: GIVE & TAKE: A DECADE OF NGO INTERACTION
The Initiative for Social Action and Renewal in Eurasia (ISAR) has released the Winter 2002 issue of its quarterly journal, Give & Take. This issue looks back at ten years of civil society organization interaction since the break-up of the Soviet Union and focuses on partnerships in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia and Georgia.
Go to: www.isar.org/isar/givetake.html.
13. Publication: Burmese Language Biography of Dictator Ne Win
U Thaung, the editor-in-chief of KHIT PYAING (The New Era Journal), has just published an exhaustive Burmese-language biography of longtime Burmese dictator Ne Win.
For copies (US$15 each), please contact the author: U Thaung, 4959 NW 48th Terrace, Tamarac, Florida, 33319 USA.
14. Publications: Two New Activist Handbooks
The Action Station, a community action consultancy in Australia, has produced two publications for activists: The Community Action Skills Kit, a set of 40 leaflets covering a wide range of skills for activists, from letter writing to organising protests and direct action; and, How to Win an Election, written for grassroots candidates by a former local government councillor and parliamentary candidate.
For more information or to order a publication, contact Bob Holderness-Roddam, 155 Main Road, Austins Ferry, Tasmania, Australia, 7011, Tel: 61-3-6249-1579, bobhroddam@trump.net.au.
15. Publication: WINNING THE NEW COLD WAR ON TERRORISM: THE DEMOCRATIC-GOVERNANCE IMPERATIVE
The Institute for Global Democracy announces the publication of its inaugural policy paper. Written by Larry Diamond, the paper explores the linkages between democracy promotion and the international effort to combat terrorism.
Go to: www.globaldem.org.
16. Publication: OPTIMIZANDO SUS RELACIONES CON LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACION from the Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action
The Center for Sustainable Human Rights Action (CeSHRA) has recently made available a Spanish translation of their handbook, "Making the Most of the Media: Tools for Human Rights Groups Worldwide." The handbook's goal is to provide practical advice and strategies for building productive relationships between activists and the mass media. The CeSHRA hopes to publish the handbook soon in French and Arabic.
To order the handbook in Spanish or English, go to: www.ceshra.org/publications.htm
17. Report: Corruption in Latin America in 2001 by Probidad and Journalists Against Corruption (in Spanish)
Probidad, an El Salvadoran anti-corruption civil society organization, and Periodistas Frente a la Corrupción (PFC-Journalists Against Corruption) have collaborated to produce an on-line report chronicling corruption in Latin America during 2001. The report is in Spanish and profiles 16 Latin American nations including Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela and El Salvador.
Go to: www.probidad.org/regional/memorias/2001/index.html
18. Newsletter: Spring 2002 Internews Newsletter - Focus: Media, War and Peace
Internews, an international non-profit organization that supports open media worldwide, has just published its Spring 2002 Newsletter. This newest on-line newsletter includes pieces on media development in Afghanistan, journalism in regions of conflict, author Ahmed Rashid, and Georgian television station Rustavi-2.
Go to: www.internews.org/news/newsletter/newsletter.htm
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
19. World Movement Networking Produces Book on Post-Communist Transitions
Fredo Arias-King, founding editor of the U.S.-Russian academic journal DEMOKRATIZATSIYA: THE JOURNAL OF POST-SOVIET DEMOCRATIZATION and former aide to Mexican president Vicente Fox is finishing a book, in Spanish, that explores why there were only six outright success stories of the 32 post-communist transitions. The idea for the book emerged at the World Movement for Democracy's Second Global Assembly in Sao Paulo in November, 2000, when Fredo met with members of the Directorio Revolucionario Democratico Cubano as to what a post-communist scenario may look like for Cuba.
Contact the author at fariasking@yahoo.com.
20. Center for International Private Enterprise Technical Paper Series Launched
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) Feature Service is now offering a new service called the CIPE Technical Paper. The Technical Paper Series provides a forum for the discussion of various aspects of international development and aid programs. This series presents topics in greater length and more detail than CIPE Feature Service articles and is designed to foster debate on these issues.
Go to: www.cipe.org/fs/techpapers.
21. New Cuban Libraries Web Site
The Friends of Cuban Libraries, an independent nonprofit group of Cuba's independent librarians, announces the launch of its new Web site. The web site contains updates on the Cuban government's efforts to suppress the growth of uncensored independent libraries. Friends of Cuban Libraries can also provide guidance in how to donate books to Cuban libraries.
Go to: www.friendsofcubanlibraries.org.
22. Web Site on Upcoming Colombian Elections
Votebien.com is a new collaborative Web site sponsored by Candidatos Visibles, Transparencia en Colombia, and a number of mass media outlets that seeks to inform the public on issues surrounding the March legislative and May presidential elections. The Web site posts relevant news articles from various sources, conducts surveys, and provides political analysis of important topics related to the elections.
Go to: www.votebien.com.
23. New Coalition to Promote Secure Technology in Human Rights Work
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) announced the creation of Privaterra, a new coalition of computer professionals and human rights organizations that hope to utilize powerful new technologies to improve civil society organizations' efforts. The group will conduct training sessions on new technologies and how to secure information and communications for organizations working in dangerous environments.
For more information, go to: privaterra.cpsr.org.
24. Digital Freedom Network Hosts On-line Chats with Activists
The Digital Freedom Network increases awareness of human rights issues on the Internet, makes technical information more readily available to activists, and provides an online voice to those not free to express themselves. They regularly hold online chats with prominent journalists, scholars, dissidents, and activists. Past guests have included Bill Schulz (Amnesty International/US), Ingrid Betancourt (presidential candidate/Colombia), and Anna Politkovskaya (exiled journalist/Russia).
To participate in a chat or read the full transcripts of previous ones, go to: www.dfn.org/chat/index.htm.
25. Workshop: Central Asian and Central and Eastern Europe Journalism Workshops
The Institute for War and Peace Reporting regularly conducts journalism training workshops in Central Asia and Central and Eastern Europe. Workshops are led by teams of local and international journalists, trainers and experts who provide practical training in areas such as interview techniques, international journalism standards, article source standards, and reporting in a conflict/war setting.
Go to: www.iwpr.net/development.html or contact Andrew Stroehlein, Training Coordinator, andrew@iwpr.net.
26. Awards: Columbia University's Journalism Awards The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is pleased to announce the Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism. Beginning in 2002, two $10,000 prizes will be awarded, one to a local reporter in a developing country or nation in transition, and the other to a freelance journalist covering international news, to recognize independent and professional reporting that sheds new light on controversial issues.
Go to: www.jrn.columbia.edu/prizes/schork or contact schorkawards@jrn.columbia.edu.
27. Award: Fellowship for Threatened Scholars
The Institute of International Education announces the creation of the Scholar Rescue Fund. The Fund will award up to 20 fellowships for academics, researchers, and independent scholars whose work or person have been threatened by displacement, discrimination, censorship, harassment, intimidation, or violence.
Go to: scholarsatrisk.uchicago.edu/IIESRF.htm.
28. Training Course: 20th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights - San José, Costa Rica, July 22 - August 2, 2002
The Interamerican Institute on Human Rights sponsors its 20th course on Human Rights in Costa Rica. The course, conducted in Spanish, will discuss subjects such as the Interamerican System, education and social inclusion, democratization, conflict resolution, and teaching methodology for Human Rights.
Go to: www.iidh.ed.cr.
29. Training Course: 2002 Youth Summer Session on Federalism
The Forum on Federations announces its first annual two week youth summer training session on Federalism to take place during August, 2002. Students will study critical issues related to federalism and will travel to Canada, the United States, and Belgium to compare three different federal models. The costs of participation for some students will be covered by the Forum. The deadline for submissions is April 8, 2002.
Go to: www.forumfed.org/Programs/youth/sumsess.html or contact Sara Newman at newman@forumfed.org.
The Forum on Federations will also host an international conference in Abuja, Nigeria in April, 2002, to discuss the themes of federalism, diversity and citizenship in Nigeria. Participants at this practitioner-focused conference will discuss issues including resource management and fiscal federalism, conflict management, the politics of oil, and decentralization.
For more information on participation, contact morton@forumfed.org or macdonald@forumfed.org.
30. Virtual Course: Institutions, Citizenship and Democracy - International Institute of Governance and Open University of Catalonia, May 15 - August 30, 2002
The International Institute of Governance and the Open University of Catalonia offer a specialist's course on Institutions, Citizenship and Democracy from May 15 to August 30, 2002. The goal of the course is to study and analyze the functioning of Latin American political institutions and how they relate to public policy in the region. Some background knowledge of political institutions and their importance in democratic consolidation is expected. The course will be conducted in Spanish.
Go to: www.iigov.org/evg/?p=ev27.php.
For more information on the course, contact pgdh@uoc.edu or pgdh@iigov.org.
31. Position Available: Assistant Program Officer for Asia, National Endowment for Democracy, Washington, DC
The National Endowment for Democracy is seeking qualified candidates to fill an assistant program officer position in its Asia division. Candidate should have excellent writing, analytic and administrative skills; a Bachelors degree; and two years' relevant experience. Fluency in an Asian language desirable. Candidate would support program officers in the promotion of democracy and human rights in Asia by assisting in review of funding proposals from non-governmental organizations, maintaining contact with Asian political activists, and managing information flow.
Please send a resume and three references to Asia Program, National Endowment for Democracy, 1101 15th St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005, USA. Or email: asia@ned.org. Closing date: March 15.
Please Note: Readers of DemocracyNews will often be referred to Web sites for further information. If you are interested in a particular item, but are unable to access the World Wide Web, please contact the or fax at (202) 378-9889, and we will try to provide the information to you by other means.
c/o National Endowment for Democracy
1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800,
Washington, DC 20004 USA
Tel: (202) 378-9700
Fax: (202) 378-9889
http://www.wmd.org
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