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September 2006
CONTENTS
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Arab Democracy Network Condemns Syrian Regime's Actions against Democracy Activists
2. Human Rights Watch Appeals to Chinese Government to End Crackdown on Lawyers
3. CIVICUS Calls for Charges Against Zimbabwean Activists to be Dropped
4. East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders' Network Condemns Murder of Newspaper Editor in Sudan
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
5. New World Movement Web Site Installment: "What's Being Done On…Memory Projects?"
6. IFES Launches Monthly E-newsletter on Democracy Development
7. September – November DEMOCRATIYA Available Now
8. John Smith Fellowship Program Seeks Applications
9. U.S. Department of State Introduces New Feature on Freedom of Religion
10. African Democracy Forum (ADF) Seeks Applicants for Coordinator Position
11. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
12. TRANSCEND Peace University Fall 2006 Semester
13. Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information Holds Meeting on Right of Entry
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
14. Singapore Government Restricts Civil Society Participation in IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings
15. World Bank Releases Annual Doing Business Report
16. Center for International Private Enterprise Features Article on Corporate Governance in Russia
HUMAN RIGHTS
17. Sixth Human Rights Folks School of the Asian Human Rights Commission Held
18. Human Rights Tools Web Site Launched
19. Syrian Human Rights Groups and Amman Center for Human Rights Studies Sign Bilateral Cooperation Protocols
20. Vietnam Committee Calls for Release of all Dissidents and Abolition of Anti-Human Rights Laws
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
21. New Clingendael Book 'Promoting Democracy in Post Conflict Societies'
22. Solidarity and Democracy Mission to Timor-Leste
23. Committees for the Defense of Democracy Freedoms and Human Rights Holds Second General Assembly
24. UN Democracy Fund Gives First Grants to Benefit Civil Society
25. International Coalition Urges UN Democracy Caucus to Lead Action on Human Rights and Democracy
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
26. Tenth Highway Africa Partnership in Grahamstown, South Africa
27. 2006 International Press Freedom Awards to Honor Journalists from Colombia, Egypt, and Pakistan
28. ARTICLE 19 Report on Defamation Law and Practice in Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
29. Bahrain Center for Human Rights Issues Report on Political Naturalization
WOMEN'S ISSUES
30. Panel and Campaign for Women's Rights of Equal Citizenship in the MENA
31. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
DEMOCRACY ALERTS/APPEALS
1. Arab Democracy Network Condemns Syrian Regime's Actions against Democracy Activists
The Arab Democracy Network (ADN) has issued a statement condemning the actions of the Syrian government and its security forces against Syrian democracy and civil society activists on August 11. On that day, Mr. Aktham Niassi, an active member of the ADN and board member and spokesman of the Committee for the Defense of Democratic Freedom and Human Rights in Syria, was holding a meeting with Syrian civil society and democracy activists at his home in Damascus to promote and establish a Syrian chapter of the ADN. Syrian armed security forces broke into his house and surrounded the area, searching all arriving activists, seizing their documents, taking their names, and forcing them away while Mr. Niassi was kept under house arrest. He was not allowed to leave his home or contact anyone for two days. Mr. Niassi has explained that during that time he was ordered to meet with three different Syrian security forces as they investigated his activities on behalf of democracy and his role in starting a democracy network in Syria within the framework of the ADN. The ADN is calling for a broad solidarity effort to condemn the actions of the Syrian government and requests that letters be sent to Syrian embassies around the world expressing support of freedom and democratic rights in Syria. The Arab Democracy Network emerged from the World Movement's Fourth Assembly in Istanbul, Turkey in April of this year.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/sept06-2.doc
2. Human Rights Watch Appeals to Chinese Government to End Crackdown on Lawyers
On August 23, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued an appeal to the Chinese government to end its crackdown on human rights lawyers. HRW urged the central government to respond to the recent wave of harassment, detentions, and physical attacks on human rights lawyers. The organization also urged the central government to state publicly that attacks against lawyers will not be tolerated, and to take immediate steps to ensure their protection. HRW suggests that the arrests of two of China's most prominent lawyers, both facing prosecutions, appear to be politically motivated. Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng, an advocate of the rights of victims of government abuse of power, was detained on August 15 on charges of alleged involvement in criminal activities. On August 18, legal activist Chen Guangcheng's lawyers were physically assaulted and then forcibly detained by Public Security to prevent them from attending their client's trial. Human Rights Watch said the pattern of abuses against lawyers contravenes China's obligations under international law, as well as its stated commitment to the rule of law. Human Rights Watch called on the Chinese authorities to release Gao, declare a mistrial in Chen's case, and ensure that lawyers are free of intimidation and interference as they carry out their professional duties.
Go to: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/08/23/china14064.htm
3. CIVICUS Calls for Charges Against Zimbabwean Activists to be Dropped
The World Alliance for Citizen Participation, CIVICUS, issued an appeal for participants to write to the Attorney General of Zimbabwe, Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, to express concern about the charges facing 153 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) for their participation in a peaceful march on August 21, 2006. CIVICUS believes the charges against these activists are an example of the systematic violation of fundamental human rights in Zimbabwe. WOZA is a Zimbabwean nongovernmental organization that encourages women to speak out against unjust laws and hold their government accountable. Although its demonstrations have consistently been peaceful, over 800 WOZA members have been arrested and detained in its four-year existence. CIVICUS has appealed to the Government of Zimbabwe to drop the charges against the 153 WOZA members immediately, refrain from detaining and charging peaceful civil society activists, and repeal or revise laws that unjustly restrain citizens from fully enjoying their freedoms of assembly, association, and expression. Go to: www.civicus.org/csw/Alert2_Zim_WOZA_23.08.06.htm
4. East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders' Network Condemns Murder of Newspaper Editor in Sudan
On September 7, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders' Network (EHAHRD-Net) issued a public statement on the gruesome murder of an editor of a privately-owned newspaper in Sudan. Information received by the Network Secretariat in Kampala indicates that Mohamed Taha, editor of Sudanese daily, Al-Wifaq, was taken from his home on the night of September 5 by masked men, and his decapitated body was recovered the next day by police in Kalakala District, 25 kilometers south of Khartoum. Taha's murder is the second blow to the human rights movement in the sub-region barely three months after the murder of Swedish freelance journalist, Martin Adler, who was killed during a demonstration in Somalia. The Network calls upon the Sudanese Government not only to exercise its obligation of protecting the lives of its citizens, but to make all possible efforts to bring the murderers to justice.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/sept06-5.doc
For information on the EHAHRD, go to: www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS
5. New World Movement Web Site Installment: "What's Being Done On…Memory Projects?"
The World Movement is pleased to announce the Web site posting of "What's Being Done On... Memory Projects?," which focuses on Memory Projects and their relationship to democracy. This installment includes case studies and interviews with five organizations: the Omid Memorial in Iran (interview with Ladan Boroumand, Co-founder); the Documentation Center of Cambodia (interview with Youk Chhang, Director); the District Six Museum in South Africa (interview with Valmont Layne, Director); Memoria Abierta in Argentina (interview with Patricia T. de Valdez, Director); and the International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience (interview with Liz Sevcenko, Director, Secretariat). Each case study features a summary of the organization, the interview, and other information. The installment also includes a list of other memory projects around the world. Previous themes for this section of the World Movement Web site have included: Breakthrough Elections; Cross-Border Assistance; Internet and Other Media; Women's Participation in Politics; Strengthening Local Governance; Peace Building and Democracy; Civic Education for Democracy; Transparency, Accountability and Access to Information; Political and Civic Participation of Youth; Using Advocacy to Achieve Democratic Reform; Promotion of Labor Rights; and Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey (related to the Fourth Assembly held in Istanbul in April 2006). They are available in the "What's Being Done On...?" archives.
For "What's Being Done On… Memory Projects?" go to: www.wmd.org/wbdo/aug-sep06.html
For "What's Being Done On…" Archives, go to: www.wmd.org/wbdo/whatsbeingdone.html
6. IFES Launches Monthly E-newsletter on Democracy Development
IFES has launched a monthly e-newsletter, "Express", to offer the latest news on global elections, trends in democracy development, and a closer look at what drives the people who work in the development field. The newsletter also highlights IFES' products, including new publications, Web sites, upcoming events, and IFES job openings. The August issue contains articles on IFES projects, such as the vote count in the Congo, student local government in Tajikistan, and Afghanistan's electoral reform.
Go to: www.ifes.org/newsletters/August.htm
To receive Express, enter your e-mail address at the IFES homepage: www.ifes.org
7. September – November DEMOCRATIYA Available Now
The September – November issue of Democratiya, a free bi-monthly online review of books, is now available. This issue includes articles on Islam and Liberty, Transatlantic Relations After 9/11, Democratic Geopolitics, and contains a transcript of Democratiya's symposium, "Progressive Foreign Policy after Blair". Democratiya's interests include war, peace, just war, and humanitarian interventionism; human rights, genocide, crimes against humanity and the responsibility to protect and rescue; the United Nations, international law and the doctrine of the international community; as well as democratization, social and labor movements, global civil society, and global social democracy.
Go to: www.democratiya.com/default.asp
8. John Smith Fellowship Program Seeks Applications
The John Smith Memorial Trust is currently seeking applications from potential candidates for its Fellowship Program to take place in June/July of 2007. The Program aims to strengthen democratic awareness and good governance through a study program in the UK and placements to show the workings of democracy organizations and their role within a democratic society. The program invites applicants for Fellowships from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine. The Fellowship Program is open to political leaders, government or local government officials, journalists/media experts, lawyers, and influential young leaders from civil society or the NGO sector in those countries. The "ideal" candidate will be 25-35 years old with a track record of concern for good governance and promoting democratic values. Good written and spoken English is essential. Deadline for applications is November 7, 2006.
Go to: www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/Web/Site/Programme/how_to_apply.asp
9. U.S. Department of State Introduces New Feature on Freedom of Religion
The U.S. Department of State has just introduced a new feature on freedom of religion, as part of its "Democracy Dialogues" initiative. The Web site materials include background essays, key documents (both U.S. and international), teaching resources, discussion questions, bibliographies, and photo galleries that expand and further illustrate freedom of religion, as well as links to other organizations working in this area. In addition to English, core Web site materials, are or will soon be, available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Persian, Russian, and Spanish. In conjunction with this new feature, over the next several weeks the State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) will sponsor a series of public Web chats addressing issues related to freedom of religion, including chats on "Church and State in Pluralist Democracies," "Freedom of Religion in Politically Closed Societies," and "The Role of International NGOs in Promoting Religious Freedom." The Department of State invites active participation in the Web chats and other inter-active discussions.
Go to: www.democracy.gov/dd/eng_democracy_dialogues/religion.html
10. African Democracy Forum (ADF) Seeks Applicants for Coordinator Position
The African Democracy Forum (ADF) is seeking a coordinator to facilitate networking efforts among African democracy activists. The position will be based at the ADF secretariat at the Kenya Human Rights Commission in Nairobi, Kenya. The ADF is an African regional network of democracy, human rights, and governance organizations, as well as individual activists. Over 120 organizations and individuals working on democracy issues in Africa currently participate in ADF activities. The position requires experience in setting up organizations and international advocacy, as well as a willingness to travel across the continent. Qualifications for the position include a university degree in the social sciences, preferably in political science, sociology, developmental studies, journalism, communications, law, or policy analysis; experience in organization management and fundraising in the field of human rights, democracy, or governance; and at least two years of work-related experience in organizational development. Applicants must be fluent in English and French (Portuguese language skills are a strong advantage). Interested and qualified candidates should submit applications including expected salary, a detailed CV, names of three referees, and a daytime telephone contact, by September 25.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/sept06-3.doc
For information on the African Democracy Forum, go to: www.africandemocracyforum.org
For information on the Kenya Human Rights Commission, go to: www.khrc.or.ke
11. Call for Applications: Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowships
The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, DC-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) welcomes applications from candidates throughout the world for fellowships in 2007-2008. Established in 2001, the program enables democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. The program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies; distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Projects may focus on the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural aspects of democratic development and may include a range of methodologies and approaches. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite for participation in the program. The application deadline for fellowships in 2007-2008 is Wednesday, November 1, 2006.
For further information about the program, available in English, Arabic, Russian, and Spanish, go to: www.ned.org/forum/fellows.html
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
12. TRANSCEND Peace University Fall 2006 Semester
TRANSCEND Peace University calls for applications for the Fall 2006 semester (October 2 - December 23, 2006). Since 1996, TRANSCEND has offered more than 800+ on-site training programs for over 12,000 participants around the world, using the TRANSCEND manual "Conflict Transformation by Peaceful Means", published by the United Nations. The October 2006 semester will offer 21 courses in 6 languages. Course listings include Peaceful Conflict Transformation; Conflict Care and Reconciliation; Democratization and Development; Dialogue; Negotiation and Mediation; Gender and Militarism; The Human Right to Food; Nonviolent Tools and Philosophy; Peace, Gender and Violence; Peace Journalism; and Peace Museums. Registration may be completed online. The deadline for registration for the fall semester is September 25. Courses cost OECD participants 300 Euros and non-OECD participants 150 Euros.
Go to: www.transcend.org/tpu
13. Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information Holds Meeting on Right of Entry
On September 6, the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) and the Campaign for the Right of Entry/Re-Entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territory organized a meeting at the Ambassador Hotel, Jerusalem on the policies and practices regarding entry and re-entry into the Occupied Palestinian Territories for non-resident Palestinians who have been living in the area for years, and for non-Palestinian foreign nationals who are spouses of resident Palestinians. Palestinian, Israeli, and International participants representing different sectors, along with journalists and representatives of different embassies, actively engaged in the proceedings.
Go to: www.ipcri.org
ECONOMIC REFORM AND THE BUSINESS SECTOR
14. Singapore Government Restricts Civil Society Participation in IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings
On August 27, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) expressed its grave concern about the decision of the Singaporean authorities to ban outdoor peaceful demonstrations, and impose a permit process for indoor events in which foreign participants are involved, in connection with the upcoming September annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Singapore. The decision was made despite appeals by civil society organizations around the world to allow such activities. In a news release on July 28, 2006, the Public Affairs Department of the Singapore Police Force stated that outdoor demonstrations and processions would not be allowed. Additionally, foreign civil society organizations that are not formally accredited by the IMF and World Bank must apply for police permits, even for indoor events. FORUM-ASIA urges the government of Singapore to rethink its restrictive orders and calls on the IMF and World Bank, as organizers of the annual meetings, to intervene with the Singaporean authorities to promote and facilitate civil society participation.
Go to: www.forum-asia.org/news/press_releases/fa/2aug06_nepal_icc.shtml
15. World Bank Releases Annual Doing Business Report
The World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) released their annual Doing Business report, Doing Business 2007: How to Reform. This year's report identifies top reforming countries and describes best practices on how to reform. It is the fourth in a series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it. The report measures regulations affecting 10 areas of everyday business: starting a business, dealing with licenses, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts, and closing a business. The indicators are useful for analyzing economic outcomes and identifying what reforms have worked, where, and why. Analysis of this year's data shows that three Latin American countries – Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala – made the list of top-10 reformers on the ease of doing business; two-thirds of African countries made at least one reform, and Tanzania and Ghana rank among the top-10 reformers; China and Eastern European countries were active and fast in reforming; and South Asia ranks behind all other regions on the pace of reform.
Go to: www.doingbusiness.org
16. Center for International Private Enterprise Feature Article on Corporate Governance in Russia
On August 30, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) released its feature article, "Corporate Governance in Russia: Past, Present, and Future", by Igor Belikov, Director of the Russian Institute of Directors. While corporate governance in Russia is a recent phenomenon, the article argues that following the collapse of the Soviet Union politically motivated privatization produced a system in which corporate governance was not valued and shareholders were unable to come together to restructure and develop their companies. At the end of the 1990s, businesses were still poorly governed and investors and minority shareholders had few rights under the law. Since then, corporate governance practices regarding shareholders' rights, board and management operations, and transparency and disclosure have been adopted. However, much work remains, as companies still face obstacles to business success and good governance. Although the legacy of communism is slowly weakening and the business environment is becoming more predictable, corporate governance practices must be implemented in all companies before the investment environment in Russia can be considered trustworthy. That being said, good governance does not become institutionalized overnight, and according to the article, progress made by many Russian companies demonstrates that businesses are determined to join the global economy.
Go to: www.cipe.org/publications/fs/pdf/083006.pdf
For CIPE feature articles, go to: www.cipe.org/publications/fs/index.php
HUMAN RIGHTS
17. Sixth Human Rights Folks School of the Asian Human Rights Commission Held
On August 21-26, the Sixth Human Rights Folks School of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) was held in Hong Kong. Over 30 participants attended from Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The Commission expressed the common opinion that Asia still has a long way to go to uphold rule of law and basic human rights. The participants pointed to the prevalence of custodial torture and related abuses, along with a lack of opportunities to redress these infractions, as the key issues of concern for human rights defenders in Asia today. Participants expressed special concern about the lack of laws and unwillingness of judicial agencies in Asia to combat torture. Participants were encouraged by the commonality of their efforts and by joint recognition that change and progress is possible. They also reaffirmed their commitment to work together to rectify these problems; to utilize technology to advocate these issues at the domestic, regional, and global levels; and to build a common understanding of the problems that they face and the possibilities for change.
Go to: www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/709
18. Human Rights Tools Web Site Launched
Human Rights Tools, a Web site dedicated to Human Rights, was recently launched offering four services: first, a library of selected resources with monitoring and fact-finding tools, advocacy tools, and other essential resources for human rights work, as well as thematic resources on the protection of detainees, human rights defenders, and refugees; second, key resources for country analysis to rapidly establish the human rights profile of a particular country and to facilitate analysis and follow-up of developments; third, daily updated human rights headlines from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, FIDH, Human Rights Listings, Reliefweb, and JURIST's World Legal News. Human Rights Tools also offers a newsletter that includes updates on new tools and resources.
Go to: www.humanrightstools.org
19. Syrian Human Rights Groups and Amman Center for Human Rights Studies Sign Bilateral Cooperation Protocols On September 5, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) signed protocols for bilateral cooperation with human rights and other civil organizations in Syria. These protocols aim to establish a common vision of human rights and related issues among the signers, and are intended to strengthen cooperation in organizing training courses, symposia, conferences, lectures, workshops, and dialogue seminars, along with cultural activities aimed at spreading the culture of human rights. They will also strengthen the exchange of publications and educational materials, studies, and research relating to human rights. The human rights organizations and other civil signatories that signed the protocols with the ACHRS were Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria (C.D.F.), Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria, National Organization for Human Rights in Syria, Human Rights Association in Syria (M.A.F), Kurdish Committee for Human Rights in Syria, Damascus Center for Human Rights, Syrian Human Rights Organization (SWASIAH), Civil Society Revival, Kurdish Organization for Environment Protection, Center for Environmental and Social Development in Syria, Syrian Center for Media and Expression Freedom.
Go to: www.achrs.org/english/CenterNewsView.asp?CNID=211
20. Vietnam Committee Calls for Release of all Dissidents and Abolition of Anti-Human Rights Laws
On September 8, Mr. Vo Van Ai, president of the Paris-based Vietnam Committee on Human Rights and Vice-President of the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH), sent an open letter to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urging him to take the opportunity of the ASEM 6 Summit to announce radical measures to gain international legitimacy and to begin a process of national reconciliation in Vietnam. The letter called for the effective release of all dissidents in prison or under house arrest and the abolition of anti-human rights laws in Vietnam. Prime Minister Dung was in Europe with a delegation of the Vietnamese government, and was scheduled to address the ASEM Summit. The ASEM 6 Summit was held on September 10-12, in Helsinki, Finland (Finland holds the current EU presidency), and gathers 38 heads of state and governments from 25 EU member states, 10 ASEAN states (including China, South Korea, and Japan), as well as the European Commission.
Go to: www.queme.net/eng/e-news_detail.php?numb=658
INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY ASSISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY
21. New Clingendael Book 'Promoting Democracy in Post Conflict Societies'
The Clingendael Institute of the Netherlands Institute of International Relations has published a new book, PROMOTING DEMOCRACY IN POSTCONFLICT SOCIETIES, edited by Jeroen de Zeeuw and Krishna Kumar. This book is the result of a three-year, comparative research project by the Conflict Research Unit of the Institute in collaboration with national research institutes in eight post-conflict countries in Africa, Asia, and Central America. Focusing mainly on international assistance for elections, human rights, and media, the project comprised a qualitative assessment of the nature and impact of international democracy assistance on post-conflict societies.
To purchase the book, go to: www.rienner.com/viewbook.cfm?BOOKID=1563
22. Solidarity and Democracy Mission to Timor-Leste
On August 27 – September 1, members of three Asian regional networks dedicated to democracy and peace in Asia—the World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), and the Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)—visited Timor-Leste on a solidarity and democracy mission. They came to extend their solidarity to the people of Timor-Leste on the 7th anniversary of the referendum by which the people of Timor-Leste exercised their right to self-determination, as well as the 5th anniversary of the Constituent Assembly elections. The visiting members issued a statement that the self-determination and democratic development of Timor-Leste is important for the whole region, while difficulties in the country can have a negative impact on other countries in the region, such as the violence witnessed in recent months. The twelve members comprising the mission met the President, the current and former prime ministers, and other national leaders from various political persuasions; the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN; leading civil society organizations; and a number of groups of ordinary citizens, including internally displaced persons, to listen to their views and concerns.
Go to: www.wfda.net/news_detail.htm?id=242
23. Committees for the Defense of Democracy Freedoms and Human Rights Holds Second General Assembly
On August 24-26, the Committees for the Defense of Democracy Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria held their second General Assembly in Amman, Jordan. Forty-three participants representing members of the committees attended. The Assembly was convened after holding representative elections and was observed by representatives from the Euro-Mediterranean Network of Human Rights, the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, the Arab Network for the Monitoring of Elections, and the Federation of the Human Rights Center in the Arab World. The General Assembly asserted its belief that the only way to overcome Syria's current political situation is to formulate a new Social Contract based on governance by law and to introduce constitutional and legal reforms that are compatible with relevant international criteria and charters. The meeting reaffirmed the Committees' commitment to democracy.
Go to: www.wmd.org/documents/sept06-4.doc
24. UN Democracy Fund Gives First Grants to Benefit Civil Society
The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) has unveiled its first beneficiaries, awarding $36 million in grants to 125 projects around the world that range from promoting voter registration to encouraging judicial reform, from supporting female parliamentarians to teaching human rights awareness in schools. Secretary-General Kofi Annan approved projects that had been chosen by the UN Programme Consultative Group and the UNDEF's Advisory Board from a pool of more than 1,300 applications. The Fund defined six areas as funding priorities for the initial group of projects: strengthening democratic dialogue and support for constitutional processes; civil society empowerment; civic education, voter registration, and strengthening of political parties; citizens' access to information; human rights and fundamental freedoms; and accountability, transparency and integrity.
Go to: www.un.org/democracyfund
25. International Coalition Urges UN Democracy Caucus to Lead Action on Human Rights and Democracy
On September 11, a coalition of over 40 human rights and democracy leaders from around the world issued a statement calling on the United Nations Democracy Caucus to take urgent action to strengthen the world body's record on democracy and human rights. The group urged UN member states participating in the Democracy Caucus to ensure that the new Human Rights Council, at its session on September 18, will address the most serious human rights crises, calling particular attention to abuses underway in the Darfur region of Sudan, which they argue demands a special session of the Council, as well as in North Korea, Uzbekistan, Iran, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The statement also calls on the Community of Democracies to use their meeting on September 20 in New York to speak out against the alarming trend of assaults against democracy and human rights defenders and calls on the Democracy Caucus to reassert those rights and support greater international monitoring of abuses. The coalition asks Democracy Caucus states to work together at the Human Rights Council to support a credible universal periodic review mechanism through which every UN member state would be scrutinized for its adherence to basic international human rights standards. According to the statement, the details of the country review system, currently being negotiated in Geneva, must incorporate a significant role for independent experts and nongovernmental organizations for it to be effective and credible. The statement applauds the creation of the new UN Democracy Fund and encourages Community of Democracies governments to replenish the fund "to ensure continuity of this innovative program."
Go to: www.democracycaucus.net/html/appea.html
INTERNET, MEDIA, AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
26. Tenth Highway Africa Partnership in Grahamstown, South Africa
On September 11-15, 2006, Highway Africa will hold its 10th Partnership in Grahamstown, South Africa. The event will be a time for critical reflection on and celebration of the role that new media has played - and will continue to play - in democracy and development. The conference will assess the state of African media, especially with respect to new technologies. More than 500 journalists from 40 African countries are expected to attend. Highway Africa is a partnership between Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with the support of many partners, donors and sponsors. The Tenth Partnership will be an important occasion for networking, knowledge-sharing, and skills-development.
Go to: www.highwayafrica.ru.ac.za
27. 2006 International Press Freedom Awards to Honor Journalists from Colombia, Egypt, and Pakistan
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) will honor three journalists for bravery at its 2006 International Press Freedom Awards banquet in Toronto on November 1, 2006. Hollman Morris, Abeer Al-Askary, and Hayat Ullah Khan have been named winners of this year's awards, which recognize journalists who have overcome great odds to cover the news. Morris, a Colombian journalist presents a television program, "Contravia", which addresses some of the most difficult and controversial issues in Colombian society, including atrocities committed by all sides of Colombia's long-running armed conflict. Al-Askary is a young Egyptian journalist who has published investigative reports on controversial issues such as corruption, election fraud, and the torture of prisoners. CJFE traditionally presents only two International Press Freedom Awards, but this year an exception was made to honor slain journalist Hayat Ullah Khan of Pakistan. Khan was a freelance journalist and photographer who reported on the military's operations in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. He was abducted in December 2005, and his body was found in June 2006 in North Waziristan. Khan disappeared after reporting that a senior al-Qaeda commander had been killed by a U.S. missile, contradicting official Pakistani accounts of the death. Al-Askary and Morris will each receive CAD$3,000 (US$2,700) in prize money from CJFE and will be flown to Toronto. Khan's family in the Afghanistan border regions of Pakistan will recieve CAD$3,000 in prize money, which CJFE hopes will help them to continue their fight for justice in his case.
Go to: www.cjfe.org/awards06/2006winners.html
28. ARTICLE 19 Report on Defamation Law and Practice in Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine
ARTICLE 19 published a new report, "Defamation Law and Practice in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine", which measures each country's laws against international standards and treaties on freedom of expression. The report finds Ukraine has made the most strides in respecting international standards, having abolished criminal defamation in the wake of the October Revolution in 2004, as has Moldova. In contrast, the relationship with the media in Belarus has taken a turn for the worse, where harsh criminal defamation laws against journalists are abundant. ARTICLE 19's report contains recommendations for reforming each country's defamation laws to better protect free expression.
Go to: www.article19.org/pdfs/publications/the-right-to-criticise.pdf
TRANSPARENCY AND ANTI-CORRUPTION
29. Bahrain Center for Human Rights Issues Report on Political Naturalization
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) issued a new report entitled "Political Naturalization in Bahrain: Various Violations of Citizens and Foreign Workers' Rights". The report expressed concern regarding political naturalization in Bahrain. Members of the Representative Council revealed that the authorities might have granted extraordinary citizenships to almost 10,000 residents, both Asians and Arabs. This number is added to approximately 30,000 who might have been extraordinarily granted citizenship during the last 10 years. The BCHR report believes there are political motives behind the extraordinary naturalization campaigns as they are not carried out openly and may be based on racial and sectarian criteria. BCHR concludes their timing might be related to the elections that will take place in Bahrain in a few months time.
Go to: http://www.bahrainrights.org/node/425
WOMEN'S ISSUES
30. Panel and Campaign for Women's Rights of Equal Citizenship in the MENA
On September 6, Women's Learning Partnership, in cooperation with the Dialogue Project of the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, convened a panel discussion, entitled, "Women as Equal Citizens: Advocating for Change in Muslim-Majority Societies," in Washington DC. The event launched an international campaign to support a seven-country regional campaign for Arab women's right to nationality in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria. Women's rights to equal citizenship are guaranteed by the majority of constitutions in Arab countries, as well as by international law, but many countries in the region deny women their right to nationality - a crucial component of citizenship. Women in the region who marry men of other nationalities cannot confer their nationality on their husbands or children.
To learn more about the campaign and participate, go to: www.learningpartnership.org/news/enews/2006/iss14/claiming
31. WORLD MOVEMENT PARTICIPATING NETWORKS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS MENTIONED IN THIS ISSUE
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Arab Democracy Network (ADN) - groups.yahoo.com/group/ArabDemocracyNetwork/
CIVICUS - www.civicus.org
National Endowment for Democracy - www.ned.org
IFES - www.ifes.org
Kenya Human Rights Commission - www.khrc.or.ke
TRANSCEND Peace University - www.transcend.org/tpu
Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI) - www.ipcri.org
Forum-Asia - www.forumasia.org
Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) - www.cipe.org
Asian Human Rights Commission - www.ahrchk.net
Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS) - www.achrs.org
Vietnam Committee on Human Rights - www.queme.net
World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA) - www.wfda.net
ARTICLE 19 - www.article19.org
Women's Learning Partnership (WLP) - www.learningpartnership.org
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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