According to the Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG), Chen Guangcheng, a lawyer and rights activist imprisoned after exposing rights abuses, was recently freed from prison after finishing a 51-month prison sentence, but was then immediately placed under de facto house arrest. Chen and his wife have been prevented from leaving their house at all, even to purchase food or to see a doctor. The house is constantly surrounded by law-enforcement personnel and monitored by surveillance technology, as it had been for much of Chen’s imprisonment. This inhuman and degrading treatment of Chen and his family is in direct violation of Chinese law, as well as international standards enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. CHRLCG is deeply concerned about Chen’s health and the well-being of his family. Chen and his family should be immediately released from their “second detention” and allowed to exercise their rights freely as guaranteed under the Chinese Constitution and universally recognized standards of human rights and dignity.

 

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) awarded Chen its 2008 Democracy Award in recognition of his courageous rights-defense work when he was still in prison. Chen won global acclaim as one of a new generation of public-interest lawyers who took up the cause of the disabled, victims of China’s one-child policy, and those farmers and citizens who had property illegally expropriated by the state. He has represented hundreds of villagers in rights-violation cases.

 

For more information from CHRLCG, go to: www.chrlcg-hk.org/?p=560

 

For more information from NED, go to: www.ned.org/for-reporters/blind-rights-advocate-chen-guangcheng-should-be-set-free

 

 

World Movement Participants Mark International Day of Democracy

On September 15, the World Movement for Democracy, its Steering Committee, and its related networks issued a statement recommitting themselves to the fundamental idea that “democracy is a universal value based on the freely expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives,” as stated in UN Resolution 62/7 on December 13, 2007, which led to the creation of International Day of Democracy. Several World Movement participating organizations likewise issued statements celebrating International Day of Democracy.

 

The Latin America and Caribbean Network for Democracy issued a statement raising awareness of the undemocratic practices that are developing in many countries in the region, and renewing its commitment to the defense and promotion of democratic values and democracy as a way of life. The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) celebrated the day with other organizations in the Netherlands by presenting Democracy Ribbons to Mercedes Zandwijken, a local developer of social cohesion think tanks; to List 17, a political party created by a Dutch youth television program; and to the Palestinian-Israeli Peace NGO Forum, a bridge between Palestinian and Israeli civil societies. Also, International IDEA celebrated its 15^th anniversary, as well as International Day of Democracy, with a booklet, “15 Years of Supporting Democracy Worldwide,” which includes 15 stories of individuals and organizations who have committed to bringing about democratization in theircountries.

 

To read the statements or about the activities of the World Movement and its participating organizations on International Day of Democracy, go to the following links:

 

The World Movement has posted two new DemocracyVoices interviews with Member of Parliament Matteo Mecacci (Italy) and with Yuri Dzhibladze, President of the Center for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights (Russia). In both interviews, the wrongful imprisonment of World Movement Steering Committee member Yevgeniy Zhovtis (Kazakhstan) and the current Kazakh chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are discussed. Mecacci actually visited Zhovtis in prison earlier this year and reports on his condition in his interview. He also discusses how parliamentarians and the OSCE can support civil society efforts to improve human rights and freedom of expression in Kazakhstan. Dzhibladze discusses some of the efforts civil society has made to express solidarity with Zhovtis, as well as efforts to encourage that his case be reviewed. He also elaborates on plans to hold an alternate civil society meeting in Kazakhstan with CIVICUS, Freedom House, the World Movement, and several other organizations during the OSCE ministerial meeting in late November.

 

To see the latest DemocracyVoices interviews, go to: www.wmd.org/about/democracyvoices

 

To read about the trial and imprisonment of Yevgeniy Zhovtis (in English), go to: www.wmd.org/networking/central-and-eastern-europe-eurasia/spotlight/central-asia#zhovtis

 

To read about the trial and imprisonment of Yevgeniy Zhovtis (in Russian), go to: Russian Page

 

Go to (in Polish): http://wyborcza.pl/1,75478,8400062,Brodaty_harcmistrz__nowy_minister_u_Sikorskiego.html

 

The Public Interest Law Institute based in New York will host the 2010 European Pro Bono Forum on November 18-19 in Paris, France. The Forum brings together lawyers seeking to volunteer their legal expertise with non-profit and nongovernmental organizations from Europe and beyond that are seeking legal assistance to support their work. This year’s agenda features several workshops with diverse subjects including the rule of law in China, combating poverty and social exclusion in Europe, and pro bono work and the environment. Registration is now open.

 

Go to: www.pili.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=666&Itemid=274

 

The Future of Africa Summit will occur during the Global Peace Festival in Abuja, Nigeria, at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Conference Hall on November 4-6. Participants in the summit will attend from the private sector, civil society, research and academic institutions, faith-based groups, women groups, youth organizations, media, international organizations, and government bodies. The theme for this year’s Summit is “Africa in the 21^st Century and Beyond: Prospects, Challenges & Actions.”

 

Go to: www.gpfnigeria.org/FOASummit/Summit.html

 

The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program at the Washington, D.C.-based National Endowment for Democracy invites applications for fellowships in 2011-2012. 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. Dedicated to international exchange, this five-month, residential program offers a collegial environment for fellows to reflect on their experiences; consider best practices and lessons learned; conduct research and writing; engage with counterparts; and develop professional relationships within a global network of democracy advocates. The program is intended primarily to support practitioners, scholars, and journalists from developing and aspiring democracies; distinguished scholars from established democracies may also apply. A working knowledge of English is required. All fellows receive a monthly stipend, health insurance, travel assistance, and research support. The program does not fund professional training, fieldwork, or students working towards a degree. The program will host two five-month fellowship sessions in 2011 - 2012: October 1, 2011 - February 28, 2012 (Fall 2011) and March 1 - July 31, 2012 (Spring 2012). The deadline for applications is November 1, 2010.
 

Go to: www.ned.org/fellowships/reagan-fascell-democracy-fellows-program

On September 30, 2010, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a Resolution on “The Rights of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association.” Sixty-three countries sponsored the landmark human rights resolution on “the Rights of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association,” the result of a drawing to an end a hard-fought campaign by civil society groups. The resolution calls upon States to ensure the rights of individuals to assembly and association by taking all necessary measures to abide by obligations under international human rights law. Most importantly, the resolution also calls for the appointment of a UN Special Rapporteur to monitor and study trends, developments, and challenges in relation to the exercise of these rights, and to make recommendations on ways and means to ensure the promotion and protection of these rights. Among other duties, the Special Rapporteur will report on violations and discrimination, as well as threats or use of violence, harassment, persecution, intimidation, or reprisals directed at persons exercising these rights.

 

In its “Defending Civil Society” report, the World Movement establishes six international principles for protecting civil society. The first principle asserts the right to freedom of association.

 

To read the resolution, go to: www.icnl.org/knowledge/news/2010/FOA%20Final.pdf

 

To read more from CIVICUS about the resolution, go to: www.civicus.org/media/Press%20Release%20-%20FoA%20resolution.pdf

 

To read more from International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) about the resolution, go to: www.icnl.org/knowledge/news/2010/09-30.htm

 

To learn more about the Defending Civil Society project, go to: www.wmd.org/projects/defending-civil-society 

Project Citizen, an education curriculum that teaches students about the public policy process, will be featured as one of the 10 best practices in K-12 education in citizen diplomacy at the US Summit and Initiative for Global Citizen Diplomacy in November in Washington, DC. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will serve as honorary chair of the summit and initiative, which seeks to illustrate the value of citizen diplomacy and encourage further resource allocation to related initiatives. Project Citizen is an initiative of the Center for Civic Education based in California and is one of its most widely internationally implemented civics projects.

 

For information on Project Citizen, go to: www.projectcitizen.org

 

For information on the Center for Civic Education, go to: www.civiced.org

In September, CIVICUS Civil Society Watch (CSW) launched an interactive database and online platform for action on its Web site. With the new online features, CSW aims to make it easier for civil society organizations to report threats; allow reported threats to be shared instantly around the world; and enable CIVICUS and other allies to better support local civil society in advocacy and in responding to reported threats. The Web site is currently in an evaluation phase, and CIVICUS invites participants to explore the site and provide information on threats to civil society around the world. The site is currently available only in English, but Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish versions will be made available soon.

 

Go to: www.cswatch.org

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The International Peace and Development Training Center (IPDTC) is launching two new tracks in their Advanced Certificate Programs this fall. “Gender and Peacebuilding: Integrating Planning and Action in the Field,” to be held on October 25-29, is an advanced program that focuses on the role of women in improving the effectiveness of peace building, and will draw on practical case studies and lessons learned from peace building. “Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation, and Post-War Recovery and Reconciliation,” to be held on November 1-5, will provide a global policy overview of the latest lessons learned, tools, and methods in peace building, conflict transformation, and post-war stabilization and recovery. Both programs will be hosted in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, as a part of the IPDTC Advanced Certificate Programs.

 

Go to: www.patrir.ro/training

Business Women Forum (BWF) based in Palestine, a partner of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), was recently featured in the monthly magazine, Palestine Business Focus. BWF was established in 2006 as a not-for-profit association that focuses on the empowerment of female entrepreneurs in Palestine. BWF employs advocacy, networking, and business services to help women-owned and operated businesses become active participants in the Palestinian economy. This will be the first edition of Business Focus in the Palestinian region. Until now the periodical has primarily been published in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Gulf region.

 

Go to: www.cherieblairfoundation.org/our-work/business-development-center-for-women

 

The Global Political Trends Center (GPoT) and the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) will organize a workshop at the Seventh Forum for the Future in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 8-9.  The workshop, entitled "Private sector's role in the area of social responsibility," will aim to produce recommendations that aid the perception and application of corporate social responsibility on a regional level, as well as the relationship between the public and private sectors in the field of social responsibility. The workshop will bring together leading figures from civil society organizations working in the area of business and industry, as well as other experts, with the primary aim of sharing the Turkish experience with Arab civil society.

 

For more information, contact GPoT Center at info@gpotcenter.org.

 

According to the Women’s Learning Partnership, on September 22-23, Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, a prominent women’s rights activist and founding member of the One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality, was brought into Evin Prison Court, interrogated for several hours, and charged with "propagation activities against the regime.” Khorasani’s questioning is the most recent in a series of moves by the Iranian government specifically targeting One Million Signatures campaign members for persecution. The One Million Signatures campaign seeks to collect one million signatures in support of changing discriminatory laws against women in Iran. The country’s women’s rights defenders are facing a severe human rights crisis. While they protest peacefully to raise awareness and reform discriminatory laws, they are being persecuted with vigor.

 

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

On September 28, the Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI), in collaboration with Freedom of Information Coalition (FIC), organized an event to celebrate International Right to Know Day under the theme of “The urgency of promulgating the long awaited Freedom of Information Act-What next?” During the event, Chairman Falla Ensa-Ndayma stressed that access to information is key for the media and civil society to function well in any democratic society and for national socio-economic and political development. He also noted that Sierra Leone is plagued with corruption due to the absence of freedom of information laws. This celebration of International Right to Know Day launched an online discussion, and individuals interested in the topic are invited to leave comments.

 

Go to: http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200516421.shtml

 

On September 15, Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed its disappointment in the life sentence given to human rights activist Azimjon Askarov and his four co-defendants for their alleged role in the June violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, during which conflict between ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks erupted. The court hearings were marred by violence and threats against the defense. HRW urges the Kyrgyz government to guarantee a fair and public retrial for Mr. Askarov and his co-defendants, as well as guarantee the defendants' due process rights, including their safety and the safety of the defense lawyers and witnesses. The Bazar-Kurgan District Court found Askarov, an ethnic Uzbek, guilty on charges of hostage-taking, inciting ethnic hatred, participation in and organization of mass disorder, and complicity in murder. The court heard numerous witnesses for the prosecution, but none for the defense, because defense witnesses did not want to risk their safety. Askarov's lawyer tried unsuccessfully to have the trial hearings moved from southern Kyrgyzstan to ensure the safety of defense witnesses, lawyers, and the defendants themselves. Askarov and his co-defendants are among more than 250 people charged with criminal offenses in relation to the June violence. The vast majority, according to official data as of August, are ethnic Uzbeks.

 

Go to (in English): www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/09/15/kyrgyzstan-free-human-rights-defender-ensure-fair-retrial

 

Go to (in Russian): www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/09/15-0

 

Transitions Online and its partners recently launched, “Colorful but Colorblind,” a project that aims to counter prejudices against Roma with 25 stories featuring personal insights into the daily lives of Roma people. The project uses multimedia storytelling to promote social integration of Roma in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovakia. The stories reveal Roma life in some of the newest EU member states, exploring contemporary Roma identities and obstacles that Roma communities face in achieving equality.

 

Go to: http://roma.glocalstories.org/

 

In September, Bishop José Raúl Vera López of Saltillo, Mexico, was awarded the Rafto Prize 2010 for his struggle for human rights and social justice. The Rafto Prize is a human rights award established in memory of professor Thorolf Rafto. The Prize is awarded annually by the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, based in Norway. In a press release, the Foundation emphasized that Bishop Vera is an uncompromising critic of abuse of power and a fearless defender of migrants, indigenous peoples, and other groups at risk in Mexican society. While sharing the government’s concern for the power and violence of the drug cartels, Bishop Vera criticizes the methods used by the police and armed forces in their fight against crime, as well as the failure to address its underlying social causes. Unemployment and deep poverty secures steady recruitment. Widespread corruption among politicians, in the police force, and within the legal system has provided the drug cartels with political influence and near-total impunity.

 

Go to: www.rafto.no/?page=44&show=108

 

On September 13, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights, in connection with the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), published its 2010 Annual Report, “Steadfast in Protest.” The report is a detailed account of the situation that human rights defenders around the world faced in 2009, such as increases in the suppression of free media and opposition parties. The report also especially condemns the growing repression that human rights defenders face with the approach of elections.  

 

Go to: www.omct.org/pdf/Observatory/2010/annual_report/OBS_a_report2010_eng.pdf  

Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) will hold a new online course, “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” on October 4 – November 14. The course will focus on the development and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Participants will be encouraged to apply their knowledge of the CRPD in advocacy efforts.

 

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

 

On August 12-13, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and HURIDOCS convened a workshop, “ Bridging the gap between human rights advocates and scientists: improved measurement of the realisation of ESC rights,” which discussed the Indicators Benchmarks Scoping and Assessment (IBSA) procedure for monitoring economic, social, and cultural rights. The workshop sought to galvanize civil society representatives, contextualize indicators to the state level, and identify ways in which civil society can add to the IBSA process.

 

Go to: www.huridocs.org/resource/measurement-of-the-realisation-of-esc-rights

On September, 14, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued a report, “Disdaining press freedom, Kazakhstan undermines OSCE,” which exposes Kazakhstan’s unfulfilled promises to reform media laws and the possible risks to the reputation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In November 2007, when Kazakhstan’s foreign minister presented his country’s bid for chairmanship of the OSCE, he pledged Kazakhstan’s commitment to preserving the OSCE’s role as a guarantor of human rights in Europe and Central Asia. Among a number of promised reforms was that Kazakhstan’s media laws would be reformed in line with international standards and that libel would specifically be decriminalized. According to CPJ, halfway into its OSCE chairmanship, however Kazakhstan is holding at least one journalist and one prominent human rights activist in prison to suppress their work; at least two independent newspapers have been shut down under government pressure; censorship has crept onto the Internet; authorities have reported no progress in solving the December 2009 murder of a Kyrgyz journalist in Almaty; and the state has continued to use bureaucratic pressure to stifle critical news and information. To address these issues, CPJ makes several recommendations in the report to the OSCE, including putting Kazakhstan’s press freedom record on the agenda for the December 1-2 OSCE summit in Astana.

 

Go to: http://cpj.org/reports/2010/09/disdaining-press-freedom-kazakhstan-undermines-osc.php

 

According to the South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO), independent Ukrainian TV station Channel TVi is continuing its broadcasts despite having its frequencies canceled by the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting for alleged irregularities in the manner in which the station was awarded its licenses. TVi Chief Executive Mykola Kniazhytskyi asserts that in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, the Council lacks sufficient cause to terminate the station’s broadcasts. Concern for press freedom in Ukraine has risen in recent months. In August, both TVi and 5 Kanal had some or all of their licenses revoked due to alleged irregularities.

 

Go to: www.seemo.org/activities/pressfreedom/10/press1054.html

 

In September, the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) issued a new report written by journalists and international journalism trainer Bill Ristow, “Cash for Coverage: Bribery of Journalists around the World.” The report examines the impact of bribery on the credibility of news media, and offers recommendations to reduce the problem of cash for coverage. The bribery of journalists is a serious problem for the profession worldwide. Some journalists, editors, and media houses have accepted bribes and published paid material disguised as news stories, and have sometimes extorted money either for publishing favorable stories or for not publishing damaging ones.

 

Go to: http://cima.ned.org/publications/research-reports/cash-coverage-bribery-journalists-around-world

On September 8, Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) presented the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) with a report that outlined specific incidences and problems related to the alleged use of torture and other measures by the Chinese government. CHRD’s report included the use of torture to extract confessions, the harassment of human rights defenders, and several concerns about detention centers throughout China. The CAT requests that these issues be addressed in an upcoming report to the CAT. Before the Chinese government submits its fifth periodic report to CAT in November 2012, the CAT will present China with a List of Issues that it must address.

 

Go to: http://chrdnet.org/2010/09/16/chrd-report-to-un-committee-against-torture-highlights-issues-the-chinese-government-should-be-asked-to-address-in-its-next-periodic-report

On September 3, the International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) issued a report, “Collapse of the judicial system in Serbia,” which analyzes current events in Serbia with a special emphasis on Serbia's accession to EU membership and the functioning of its judicial system. Serbia's government promised to implement radical changes in October 2005, especially in the judiciary. However, the new authorities soon began defeating their opponents, and their power was often stronger than the legal order. This, in the opinion of IFIMES analysts, brought about the collapse of the judicial system in Serbia.

 

Go to: www.ifimes.org/default.cfm?Jezik=En&Kat=10&ID=547 

On September 22, the The American Muslim posted a statement signed by over 50 individuals, defending American and Canadian Muslims’ rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. With reference to the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the signatories unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats of violence directed against any individual or group exercising freedom of religion and speech. The signatories also express concern for threats made against writers, cartoonists, and others by a minority of Muslims for derogatory depictions of Islam, and call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada, and abroad to refrain from violence.

 

Go to: www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/a_defense_of_free_speech_by_american_and_canadian_muslims/0018241

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) recently announced the winners of its annual International Youth Essay Contest. CIPE senior staff and an international panel of judges determined the top three winners in each category: Democracy that Delivers, Entrepreneurship and Society, and Women and Participation. CIPE collected 616 2-3,000 word essays from youth ages 18-30 in 81 countries around the world. First place winners include Temitayo Olofinlua of Nigeria and Ioana Benjamin-Schonberger of Romania.

 

Go to: www.cipe.org/essay

 

On July 30, the National Youth Movement for Transparent Elections-Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE) collaborated with the Margibi Student Union to organize and conduct a one-day youth forum under the theme, “Promoting Dialogue on Democracy: What are Liberian Youths Saying?” The forum opened with a debate on whether or not democracy is the best form of government for Liberia; the debate team supporting democracy won the challenge. Throughout the day, participants heard from a number of presenters and had many discussions. At the end of the event, participants engaged in soccer and kickball games. In evaluating the event, participants expressed appreciation to NAYMOTE for creating the opportunity for young people to interact, share, and learn from one another by engaging with other young people from rural communities.

 

Go to: www.wmd.org/sites/default/files/1010dn30.pdf

 

On September 30, the Korea Democracy Foundation (KDF) and the Korea University Institute of Social Research hosted the Second Teenage Social Participation Presentation Contest. The participants chose social issues that emerged around them during the past school term. They conducted surveys on these issues at schools and in the streets, and they made on-site investigations to explore public policies for solving these issues. The issues of interest for the teenagers were wide in scope, ranging from the needed improvement of local roads to the global exploitation of child labor. Participants reviewed previous policies on the various issues and made new recommendations, which they then presented to policy makers.

 

Go to: www.kdemocracy.or.kr/mboard/mboard/mboard.asp?exe=view&board_id=notice&group_name=community&idx_num=84&page=1&category=0&search_category=&search_word=&order_c=bd_idx_num&order_da=desc

In the September 2010 issue of DemocracyNews, the World Movement included an item on a new report, "Broken Promises: Freedom of Religion or Belief issues in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,” which documents violations of religious freedom by Kazakhstan, the current Chair-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and by Kyrgyzstan, which together have made the current situation of increased violence and ethnic tensions hard to resolve peacefully. Unfortunately, in the email version of the DemocracyNews, the link to the report was incorrect. The correct link is available in the Web version of the newsletter.

 

To view the original item with the correct link to the report, go to: www.wmd.org/news/democracynews-2010/september-2010#broken