According to the New York Times, on October 21, the European Court of Human Rights fined Russia for banning homosexual parades in Moscow. The decision was made after gay rights activist Nikolai Alekseev lodged three cases with the court arguing that Russia had violated the European Convention on Human Rights. The court has ordered Russia to pay Mr. Alekseev $41,090 in damages and for legal fees.

 

In September, the World Movement issued a DemocracyAlert about Mr. Alekseev. On September 15, he was arrested in Moscow six days before a planned protest by GayRussia against the mayor of Moscow. Once Mr. Alekseev was detained, authorities confiscated his mobile phone and would not make his whereabouts known. The following day, he turned up in Minsk, Belarus. Mr. Alekseev asserts that he was arrested by police in an attempt to force him to withdraw his European Court of Human Rights cases challenging bans on gay rights marches in Russia.

 

To read more about the landmark case in the New York Times, go to: www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/10/21/world/europe/international-us-russia-gay-court.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

 

To read the previous alert regarding Mr. Alekseev’s case, go to: www.wmd.org/alerts/gay-activist-arrested-moscow-found-minsk

 

On October 18, the World Youth Movement for Democracy (WYMD) held several events around the world to mark International Youth Day for Democracy. This year marked the 7th year since our Movement initiated World Youth Day for Democracy. To raise awareness on challenges confronting young democracy activists, this year’s theme was: Recognizing Young Activists at Risk. In particular, the WYMD wanted to draw the world’s attention to the plight of young people who have been detained, or who face possible detention because of their activism. Groups from India, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe wearing “Change Your World” t-shirts sent pictures of their activities, and these photos are available on the World Movement’s new Facebook page.

 

For more about World Youth Day for Democracy, go to: www.wymdonline.org

 

To view photos from World Youth Day for Democracy 2010, go to: www.facebook.com/pages/World-Movement-for-Democracy/159727167385451

In October, the World Movement for Democracy created a Facebook page. The page features pictures from the Sixth Assembly, updates on the World Movement, links to participating organizations, and links to articles that have been or will be highlighted in DemocracyNews. Participants are encouraged to leave comments and discuss information on the World Movement’s wall.

 

Go to: www.facebook.com/pages/World-Movement-for-Democracy/159727167385451

 

In October, the World Movement posted three new DemocracyVoices interviews with Steering Committee member Asma Khader of the Sisterhood is Global Institute (Jordan), Mohsen Marzouk of the Arab Democracy Foundation (Qatar), and Mahnaz Afkhami of the US-based Women’s Learning Partnership (Iran). Ms. Khadar’s interview focuses on integrating women into all aspects of government, society, education, and economic growth in Jordan and how media can influence that process. Mr. Marzouk elaborates on the goals of the Arab Democracy Foundation and discusses democratization efforts in the Arab region. Finally, Ms. Afkhami talks about the global trends affecting women’s equal participation in all realms of society, the usefulness of cultural sensitivity in teaching gender equality, and the growing interest of men and young people in gender issues. Along with each video is a full transcript of the interview with links relevant to the subjects discussed.

 

Go to: www.wmd.org/about/democracyvoices

 

On October 8, imprisoned activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. Among his many contributions to the advance of democratic ideas and values in China are his work as editor of Democratic China magazine for several years until his arrest in 2008 and his two terms as President of the Independent Chinese PEN Center from 2003 to 2007. According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), Mr. Liu is serving an 11-year prison sentence for “inciting subversion of state power,” primarily for his support of “Charter ‘08," a citizens’ manifesto calling for democratic reform, which was published online in December 2008 to mark the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Of the 303 original signatories to “Charter ‘08,” many were interrogated by the police, and several had their homes raided and personal property confiscated. Others were been put under house arrest or police surveillance. The government has also tried to censor the document within China by removing it from Web sites and online forums.

 

For more information from the Nobel Foundation, go to: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2010/xiaobo.html

 

For more information from CHRD, go to: http://chrdnet.org/2010/10/08/chrd-hails-decision-to-award-nobel-peace-prize-to-liu-xiaobo

 

For more information from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), go to: www.ned.org/for-reporters/the-national-endowment-for-democracy-extends-its-warmest-congratulations-to-grantee-li

 

Between November 15 and December 21, 2010, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) will be accepting online applications from civil society organizations for projects that aim to advance and support democracy. UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. This is the fifth round of Funding to be launched by UNDEF, which provides grants of up to US$500,000 per project. This year, UNDEF has supported more than 330 projects in 115 countries.

 

Go to: www.un.org/democracyfund

 

The Kokkalis Program at Harvard University is now accepting applications for its annual fellowship. The Kokkalis Fellowships fund individuals from Southeast Europe who are committed to the public interest. Candidates from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, or Turkey with professional backgrounds in the non-profit sector are welcome to apply. The deadline for fellowship applications is January 7, 2011.

 

Go to: www.hks.haravrd.edu/kokkalis/fellowship_instructions.html

 

The John Smith Memorial Trust is currently seeking applications from potential candidates for its 2011 Fellowship Program, to take place over four weeks in June and July 2011. The aim of the fellowship is to enable exceptional individuals to visit the United Kingdom and learn about political, judicial, constitutional, and other institutions and procedures in the UK, as well as sharing experiences of their own institutions with each other and with British hosts and experts. The Trust aims to foster leadership qualities in an outstanding group of individuals who, on completion of their Fellowship, will return home to apply what they have learnt during their time in the UK. Applications are invited from individuals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.

 

Go to: www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/Programme/how_to_apply.asp

 

In October, Transitions Online (TOL) released “Kyrgyzstan: Revolutionary Cycles,” a collection of 13 articles on Kyrgyzstan chronicling events in the country since before the Tulip Revolution in 2005. The articles primarily focus on ethnicity, geographical divisions, and abuse of power in Kyrgyzstan. The collection also includes eye-witness accounts of the recent ethnic unrest that erupted in the country in April 2010.

 

Go to: www.tol.org/client/tol-store/tol-products

 

According to the Daily NK, on October 10, Hwang Jang Yop, President of the Committee for Democratization of North Korea and former Chosun Workers’ Party secretary, died of natural causes. He was 87. Hwang had been working diligently and making numerous personal appearances to criticize the third generation succession of Kim Jong Eun.

 

Go to: www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk00100&num=6887

On November 10-11, CIVICUS and Accountability Alert will hold a workshop to strengthen the legitimacy, transparency, and accountability of civil society in Sierra Leone. The workshop will be an opportunity for CSOs, beneficiaries, donors, NGOs, and government officials to identify ways to strengthen accountability in the NGO sector. It will also be an opportunity for civil society to define the models of legitimacy, transparency, and accountability they want to adopt to enhance their efficiency and improve their reputation.

 

Go to: http://lta.civicus.org/component/content/article/62-cso-accountability-workshop-in-sierra-leone

UNIFEM recently initiated an online petition to “Say No to Sexual Violence in Conflict.” Women rarely are involved in fighting conflicts, but increasingly, sexual violence against women is deliberately used as a tactic of warfare. Moreover, women are a generally a small minority in peace negotiation processes, and perpetrators of sexual violence against women in conflict are rarely brought to justice. Ten years ago, in resolution 1325, the United Nations Security Council called for women's full and equal participation in all elements of peacemaking and for prevention of this kind of violence. Unfortunately, implementation of this resolution has been slow. Thus, UNIFEM has started this online petition for individuals to call on their governments to implement the resolution.

 

Go to: http://saynotoviolence.org/make-women-count-for-peace

In October, the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), an independent research institute based in Kabul, issued “Parliamentarians and Local Politics in Afghanistan: Elections and Instability,” which takes a closer look at ways in which members of parliament (MPs) fit into the political systems on a local level and questions the relationship between elections and stability in Afghanistan. According to AREU, the role of MPs and the competition created by elections varies significantly in each of the local districts. Political tactics also vary by region, social custom, and ethnicity, as well as for historical reasons, but each reflects the distinctive choices of local political actors and their vision of the future of governance in Afghanistan. In all areas studied, this array of political strategies has tended to increase both political tensions and instability.

 

Go to: www.areu.org.af/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=26&task=doc_download&gid=808

On October 13, the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IHRHL) issued a statement claiming the Rivers State Government in Nigeria is exhibiting fiscal irresponsibility and financial recklessness in paying 100% of the remaining contract sum to the banks of contractors handling road projects. The law clearly states that only 30% of contract sums are to be paid up front, and then subsequent payments are to be made at milestones of completing such projects. The IHRHL notes that it is these illegal public procurement practices that are responsible for the vast number of uncompleted and below standard projects that is prevalent all over Port Harcourt city. The IHRHL calls on the government to stop such practices for these projects.

 

Go to: www.wmd.org/sites/default/files/1110dn14.pdf

On October 26, Burmese activists in Bangkok protested the elections set for November 7, which they believe will not be free and far and will consolidate the Junta’s control in Burma. The activists also delivered a letter to the UN expressing its disappointment with the UN’s “fruitless efforts” to resolve the issues facing Burma after several years of military dictatorship. In the statement, the activists demand that political prisoners in Burma be released; that the Junta stops its attacks on ethnic communities; and that an open dialogue be initiated to resolve the conflicts in Burma.

 

Go to: www.burmapartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Statement-Final.pdf

 

On October 16, the Political Party Chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court held a hearing to review Anwar Esmat el Sadat’s appeal of the Chamber’s rejection of the establishment of his party, the Reform and Development Party. Judge Mohammed Abdel-Ghani, Chairman of the State Council, ruled to postpone the consideration of the appeal until January 2011. Since this decision will be made well after the November 28 parliamentary elections this year, Mr. el Sadat is now unable to run.

 

Go to (in Arabic only): www.rdpegypt.org/view_news.asp?news_id=1287

Women’s Learning Partnership’s partner in Mauritania, Association des Femmes Chef de Famille (AFCF), has launched a new effort promoting women’s political participation. In addition to workshops and debates discussing the participation of women in the legislative decision-making process, AFCF plans to evaluate progress following the implementation of women’s quotas in 2006. AFCF has also issued a renewed call to confront human-trafficking in Mauritania, which has grown to unprecedented levels, while going largely unchecked by the government. The culture of impunity surrounding human-trafficking has led to horrifying stories of violence and rape.

 

Go to: www.learningpartnership.org/blog/2010/10/mauritania-human-trafficking

 

Activists around the world are calling on media to play a crucial role in educating people about the “16 days of activism against gender violence,” an international campaign held annually from November 25 to December 10 aimed at raising awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional, and international levels. The campaign originated from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Centre for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Key dates to note during the campaign are November 25: International Day of No Violence against Women; December 2: World AIDS Day; December 3: International Day for the Disabled; and December 10: Human Rights Day. In October, participants who attended the Fourth Gender and Media Summit and Awards in South Africa also discussed providing the media with kits and thematic sheets to help them in their coverage of gender-based violence during the campaign period.

 

Go to: www.genderlinks.org.za/article/harnessing-the-media-during-16-days-of-activism-2010-10-13

 

In “Gender, Journalism, and Democracy in Southern Africa,” Claudia Forster-Towne from Consultancy Africa Intelligence’s Gender Issues Unit asserts that by dominating the decision-making positions in various media outlets in the region, men control the means of expression and are able to convey the ideas and values of a patriarchal order. Foster-Towne points out several key findings in her research, namely, media practitioners in Southern Africa are primarily male, and females rarely hold senior positions in the media sector. Moreover, women are paid considerably less than their male colleagues, and sexual harassment in the newsroom is still an ongoing problem.

 

Go to: www.ngopulse.org/article/gender-journalism-and-democracy-southern-africa

On October 26, the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) and the Parliamentary Centre Canada sponsored a study visit for a Pakistan parliamentary delegation to visit with Canadian parliamentarians in Ottawa to discuss parliamentary and budgetary accountability. The objective of the study visit was to facilitate interaction among the parliamentarians and to learn about the role of Canadian Parliament and Parliamentary Committees in the Budget Process of Canada, so as to strengthen and accelerate the process of reform in enhancing the role of Parliamentary input, scrutiny and oversight of the Budget in Pakistan.

 

Go to: www.pildat.org/eventsdel.asp?detid=416

 

In August, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) produced “Destructive Beast,” a documentary on corruption in Yemen. The documentary exposes the economic costs of fraud, bribery, and abuse of power.  The film also presents concrete recommendations to address the issue, and will be used in CIPE’s anti-corruption programs in Yemen as an awareness-raising and educational tool. Also, on October 23, CIPE and the Human Rights Information Training Center (HRITC), an NGO based in Sana’a, launched a new anti-corruption project that will work with the Police Academy to train employees on the economic impact of corruption. At the launch event, a screening of the documentary was followed by a panel discussion with the film’s director Khadija al Salami, CIPE Middle East Regional Director Abdulwahab Alkebsi, and HRITC Chairman Ezzedine Al Asbahi.

 

Go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RxmlGFQJiw 

Equitas, a Canada-based NGO that focuses on human rights education, is now accepting applications for its International Human Rights Training Program (IHRPT), which will be held in Montreal, Canada, on June 5-25, 2011. The IHRTP is intended for human rights workers and educatorsfrom NGOs, national human rights institutions, government bodies, and educational institutions. The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of organizations to undertake human rights education efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The deadline for applications is November 21, 2010.

 

Go to: www.equitas.org/english/programs/IHRTP.php

 

In October, Odhikar issued a human rights monitoring report addressing issues and concerns in Bangladesh from January to September 2010. In the report, Odhikar covers how the government has limited media freedom, arrests made under the terrorism act, acts of violence against women, arrests of civic, allegations of forced disappearances, human rights abuses against ethnic and religious minorities, and the rights of laborers. In each case, the report lists specific instances of human rights abuses.

 

Go to: www.odhikar.org/documents/2010/English_Reports/Nine_months_Odhikar_Report_Eng_2010.pdf

On October 20, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued its 2010 World Press Freedom Index. The report reveals that several European Union (EU) countries have fallen in the index. While almost half of the EU countries are in the top 20 ranked countries, the other half has very low scores, and there is a widening gap been good and bad performers on the continent. RSF also stresses that dictatorships have further strengthened their repression of journalists. RSF draws particular attention to the bottom 10 countries: Rwanda, Yemen, China, Sudan, Syria, Burma, Iran, Turkmenistan, North Korea, and Eritrea. Press freedom in these countries is marred by persecution of journalists and a complete lack of news and information.

 

Go to: http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2010,1034.html

 

In a recent round table interview conducted by Al Jazeera, World Movement Steering Committee member Hisham Kassem (Egypt) discussed the Egyptian Government’s increasingly hostile attitude towards independent media outlets. The interview was conducted soon after Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Egypt 143^rd out of 175 countries for press freedom and after Ibrahim Issa, the editor-in-chief of one of Egypt's most popular opposition newspapers, was fired. During the interview, panelists discuss whether or not there is a plan to silence the voice of the opposition ahead of the parliamentary elections this November.

 

Go to: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/insidestory/2010/10/2010101273620918484.html

 

On September 2-3, in Cape Town, South Africa, Idasa: An African Democracy Institute hosted “Covering HIV and AIDS: Educating journalists as agents of democracy,” a workshop to assist teachers of journalism revisit the way HIV/AIDS is covered in the international media. Specifically, participants explored innovative ways of teaching journalists to cover HIV/AIDS in a way that focuses on the broader question of their role in democracy-building. Participants discussed at length ways in which media and communication practitioners can generate a public conversation about citizens’ common concerns around HIV and AIDS and how citizens can become co-creators in developing solutions to address those concerns.

 

Go to: www.idasa.org/index.asp?page=output_details.asp%3FRID%3D2195%26OTID%3D42%26PID%3D23

 

On September 16, Microsoft announced that it would offer software licenses to over 500,000 NGOs operating in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam in an attempt to prevent NGOs from falling victim to actions taken in the guise of anti-piracy enforcement. By offering NGOs in these countries licenses, authorities will have no legal basis for accusing NGOs of using pirated Microsoft software. Eligible NGOs must operate on a not-for-profit basis and have a mission to benefit the local community. Eligible organizations may also include small newspapers, independent media, or others that hold a local public communication license, are members of a local media association, or are recognized by an international media organization.

 

Go to: http://blogs.technet.com/b/microsoft_blog/archive/2010/09/23/microsoft-s-ngo-software-license.aspx

 

Kabissa, a network devoted to helping African civil society organizations to put information and communication technologies to work, is conducting a survey to gather information about how Civil Society Organizations in West Africa are using online communication and collaboration tools in their work. Kabissa hopes to use the results of the survey to better support use of the Internet by Civil Society Organizations in the region. All responses will remain anonymous.

 

For the survey in English, go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ICTWestAfricaCivilSociety

For the survey in French, go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/EnqueteTICAfriqueAssociations

 

In October, the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) released “The Pentagon, Information Operations, and Media Development,” by Peter Cary, a veteran journalist with extensive experience reporting about the U.S. military. As part of its post-9/11 strategy, the US Department of Defense (DoD) launched a multi-front information war, both to support its troops on the ground and to counter the propaganda of radical Muslim extremists. The DoD's global public relations war, however, has fostered criticism that the department has over-reached and tarred the efforts of non-DoD Americans doing media development work abroad. This report examines the impact of DoD information operations on international media development efforts and offers recommendations - including that the DoD leave media activities that could be considered public diplomacy to the State Department.

 

CIMA also recently released the Arabic translation of its report, “Shifting Sands: The Impact of Satellite TV on Media in the Arab World,” by Deborah Horan, a veteran journalist with extensive experience reporting from the Middle East. This report examines the positive effects satellite coverage has had on the media environment in the MENA region and the reasons why the region still lacks overall media freedom.

 

To read more about “The Pentagon, Information Operations, and Media Development,” go to: http://cima.ned.org/publications/research-reports/pentagon-information-operations-and-media-development

 

To read more about “Shifting Sands: The Impact of Satellite TV on Media in

the Arab World,” go to: http://cima.ned.org/publications/research-reports/shifting-sands-impact-satellite-tv-media-arab-world

In October, the Brookings Institution issued “Catalyst for Rights: The Unique Contribution of the U.N.'s Independent Experts on Human Rights,” a report by Ted Piccone that analyzes on-the-ground impact of the U.N.'s Special Procedures and assesses how this mechanism works to promote international human rights norms at the national level. Piccone concludes that the system of Special Procedures is one of the most dynamic, flexible, and independent tools for human rights promotion and has protected thousands of victims worldwide. As states undertake a five-year review of the Human Rights Council, he suggests ways to address some of the chronic weaknesses like inadequate funding and insufficient state cooperation.

 

Go to: www.brookings.edu/reports/2010/10_human_rights_piccone.aspx

 

On October 5, the Pontis Foundation posted four articles on reforms Slovakia enforced in last two years before entering the European Union (EU). The articles are aimed at a Serbian audience and meant to act as lessons learned in EU enlargement. The authors of the articles encourage Serbia to follow the Slovak model with regards to tax reform, but that the government should also consider reforms to the pension system, healthcare, and the labor market. All four articles are available in English and Serbian.

 

Go to: www.nadaciapontis.sk/en/15442

On October 31, the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), a network of NGOs from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, and Serbia, issued a statement calling on governments in the region to commit themselves to setting up of a Regional Exchange Fund. The purpose of the Regional Exchange Fund will be to forge new ties between young people from the countries of the former Yugoslavia and encourage youth exchanges among these countries. YIHR believes that such a fund could contribute to breaking down prejudices, improving cooperation and understanding among youth in the region, and overcoming the effects of the recent wars.

 

Go to: www.yihr.org/en/article/20/Demand-to-Governments-in-the-Region--Establish-Regional-Exchange-Fund

 

Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) has launched a new online course on children's rights. This introductory course gives an overview of the institutions and mechanisms that serve to protect children and guarantee their rights. The course is self-directed and self-paced and combines text with rich multimedia, including videos and podcasts. Knowledge checks and quizzes engage the learner and reinforce the knowledge learned.

 

Go to: www.hrea.org/child-rights