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Welcome to Civil Society Watch Monthly Bulletin, an e-newsletter of updates and analyses concerning civil society's rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression around the world. The Bulletin is compiled by the staff at Civil Society Watch, a programme of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Please feel free to forward the Bulletin to friends and colleagues. We welcome your comments and contributions!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FRONT PAGE Interview with Henri Valot, CIVICUS Millennium Development Goals Campaigning Manager
IRAN: CIVICUS expresses concern about ban of human rights organisation SINGAPORE / INDONESIA: Civil society calls for space during WB-IMF meetings ZIMBABWE: CIVICUS urges Attorney General to drop charges against activists
Transparent Money: Must donations always be disclosed? CIVICUS Civil Society Watch
SYRIA: Government signs regional human rights charter
CSW COUNTRY UPDATES BANGLADESH: NGO shuts down offices after arrests BELARUS: NGO tests constitutionality of law COLOMBIA: Paramilitary threatens newspaper and NGOs ETHIOPIA: Trial of anti-poverty activists to resume in October INDIA: Activists detained and tortured JORDON: Parliament endorses anti-terror law KAZAKHSTAN: Youth NGOs harassed MALAYSIA: Human rights defender receives death threats MOLDOVA: Activists arrested at peaceful demonstration PHILIPPINES: Fair trade organisation harassed by rebel group RUSSIA: Two activists charged for exercising freedom of expressionSOMALIA: Civil society groups banned in Mogadishu SOUTH KOREA: New acts of repression against trade union SUDAN: Peaceful protesters arrested and charged TURKMENISTAN: Activists sentenced to prison terms UZBEKISTAN: Religious organisations under threat
Freedom House: Worst of the Worst report 2006 CIVICUS: What do you think? Have your say on the CIVICUS Blog
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SINGAPORE: Action despite restrictions at IMF/WB meetings Interview with Henri Valot, Millennium Development Goals Campaigning Manager, CIVICUS
Henri Valot attended the International Peoples' Forum, a civil society meeting in held in Battam, Indonesia from 15-17 September in the lead up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (WB) meetings in Singapore. Along with many other civil society activists also planning to attend, he was detained and questioned by authorities. Other less fortunate attendees, however, were completely denied entry or not even granted visas in the first place. Despite the IMF and WB's stated wish to engage with civil society, many activists boycotted the IMF and WB meetings, insulted by the institutions' apparent hypocrisy. CSW interviews Valot on the restrictions on civil society, and their response.
To read the full interview, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/FRONTPAGE-Valot_interview.htm
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CIVICUS ALERTS! | |||||||
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IRAN: CIVICUS expresses concern about ban of human rights organisation 22 August - CIVICUS expresses concern about intimidating and threatening actions of the Iranian authorities that endanger the existence of civil society in the country. Threats to Kanoon Modafean Hogooge Bashar (the Defender of Human Rights Centre), headed by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi, are of particular concern. Attempts to intimidate the Centre and its members include claims that DHRC is operating illegally, threats to prosecute its members and arbitrary detention of members. To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/Iran_alert_22.08.06.htm
SINGAPORE / INDONESIA: Civil society calls for space during WB-IMF meetings 9 September - CIVICUS supported the statement by the Global Call to Action against Poverty, in condemning the reports that some civil society representatives were “blacklisted” and denied entry into Singapore for the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF. The statement also expressed concern and indignation over the recent moves of governments in Singapore and Indonesia to prevent the peaceful assembly of civil society representatives in time for the annual meeting of the IMF-WB. Although GCAP welcomed the recent decision of the Indonesian government to allow the events to actually take place, it said this whole situation has clearly been an attempt to undermine civil society’s ability to discuss the IMF and WB. To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/new/media/GCAPPRESSRELEASE-OurVoicesMustBeHeard.doc
ZIMBABWE: CIVICUS urges Attorney General to drop charges against activists 25 August – CIVICUS wrote to the Attorney General of Zimbabwe, Sobuza Gula-Ndebele, to express its concern about the charges facing 153 members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) for their participation in a peaceful march on 21 August 2006. CIVICUS feels the charges against these courageous activists are excessive, and are another example of the systematic violation of fundamental human rights in Zimbabwe, as a result of repressive laws aimed at stifling civic space. To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/Alert2_Zim_WOZA_23.08.06.htm
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Transparent Money: Must donations always be disclosed? CIVICUS Civil Society Watch
“Transparency” and “accountability” have become buzzwords among policy-makers and activists and increasingly we demand transparent and open governance not just from our elected representatives but from other sectors as well, including business and civil society. This means full exposure of all financial dealings, whether they be donations or contractual agreements for provisions of goods or services. But is this demand for exposure an absolute, or should there be circumstances under which discretion is allowed? Information is power, as the adage goes, and in certain circumstances, information can also be dangerous.
To read the full article, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/ANALYSIS-financial_transparency.htm
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SYRIA: Government signs regional human rights charter Syria, whose record on democracy and political freedom has come under frequent Western criticism, signed the Arab Charter on Human Rights adopted by the Arab League in Tunis in 2004, reports the Gulf Times. The 17 August signing was reportedly welcomed in Damascus by human rights organisations who said they hoped it would be a prelude to the authorisation of non-governmental organisations and human right organisations within Syria. Activists encouraged the government to immediately implement the Charter's clauses.
The National Organisation of Human Rights in Syria, one of the NGOs which welcomed the government's signing of Charter, however, was reportedly denied registration on 30 August without explanation. The group's statement said that it operates "within the framework of the law" and it vows to continue its work in defence of "human rights and political detainees." http://www.achrs.org/english/FullPhotoNews.asp?PNID=172
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BAHRAIN: Anti-terror law comes into force 30 August - Despite concern and dismay voiced by the United Nations and both international and Bahraini civil society, King Al Khalifa ratified the "Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts" bill and brought it into force at the beginning of August 2006. Particularly concerning is the overly broad definition of terrorism, and what type of organisation is considered a terrorist body, reports the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights. http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/76777/
BANGLADESH: NGO shuts down offices after arrests 12 September - Government harassment and arrests led to the temporary closure of 200 branch offices of the largest NGO in the country, Proshika, on 11 September. Proshika's 15,000 staff were allegedly afraid to go to the offices for fear of government actions. Around 137 staff members were reportedly arrested as of 12 September. Government officials apparently arrested staff under suspicion that the organisation was going to participate in an opposition rally. http://www.thedailystar.net/2006/09/12/d6091201033.htm
BELARUS: NGO tests constitutionality of law 12 September - The Belarusian Helsinki Committee has applied to the Constitutional Court with the request to evaluate the constitutionality of article 191-3 of the Criminal Code (activity on behalf of unregistered organisation), reports BelaPAN. Four activists belonging to the NGO Partnership were recently sentenced under this article. http://www.spring96.org/en/news/4259/
COLOMBIA: Paramilitary threatens newspaper and NGOs 14 August - The weekly newspaper Voz, the Medios Para la Paz media group and 37 NGOs were declared "military targets" on 4 August by a paramilitary group known as "Autodefensas Colombia Libre Mesa Nacional Unificada de Mando Bloques Sur, Caribe, Llanos, Centro, Capital, Oriente, Nueva Generación, Pacífico," in a communiqué sent to the e-mail addresses of these institution, reports IPYS. The group reportedly threatened the weekly and the NGOs because it believes they collaborate with guerrilla forces in Colombia. www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/76333
ETHIOPIA: Trial of anti-poverty activists to resume in October 15 September - The trial of society activists Netsanet Bekele and Netsanet Demissie has been adjourned until 5 October. Both are charged with involvement in a conspiracy to overthrow the constitutional order, along with over 100 opposition activists. Before the court adjourned, Daniel and Netsanet rejected the Prosecution's evidence, saying it was fabricated and irrelevant. Despite continued international pressure, both Daniel and Netsanet were denied bail on appeal in early August. For more information about the case, visit the Ethiopia page in the Take Action section of www.civilsocietywatch.org.
INDIA: Activists detained and tortured 8 September - Two activists of the Threatened Indigenous Peoples’ Society (TIPS) were arrested on 23 and 24 August, and allegedly tortured in detention, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. They were both charged under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (1967), which relates to being a member of and providing support for a terrorist organisation. The Observatory fears that their detention may be linked to a rally organised on 23 August 2006 to protest against a bomb attack at a Hindu temple in Manipur on 16 August. http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3619
JORDON: Parliament endorses anti-terror law 28 August - The Lower House of the Jordanian Parliament on 27 August endorsed a controversial anti-terrorism law which allows security forces to put suspects under tight surveillance, detain them and ban them from leaving the country, reports IRIN News. The draft law reportedly allows suspects to be detained without a court order and to be tried at the State Security Court. The law will come into force once approved by the Upper House of Parliament. http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55301
KAZAKHSTAN: Youth NGOs harassed 11 August - The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights expresses concern about the ongoing difficulties that independent youth organisations face in Kazakhstan. Youth activists are reportedly still being oppressed and intimidated, while the Nazarbaev administration continues to maintain pressure on youth movements through administrative measures such as registration procedures. http://www.kub.kz/print.php?sid=13977
MALAYSIA: Human rights defender receives death threats 25 August - The President of the National Human Rights Society of Malaysia, Malik Imtiaz Sarwarhas, received serious death threats, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. He has been involved in defending the right to freedom of religion, in particular by participating in the proposal of the setting up of the Inter Faith Council mooted by the Bar Council and by speaking in a series of public forum on constitutional rights and freedom of religion organised by Article 11, a coalition of 13 NGOs.
MOLDOVA: Activists arrested at peaceful demonstration 11 September - Nine people in Moldova are at risk of being tried and sentenced for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and assembly, reports Amnesty International. The nine members of the Moldovan NGO, Hyde Park, were arrested on 30 August at a peaceful demonstration in the capital, for which they had been granted permission. They were reportedly demanding the erection of a statue to the famous Romanian writer Liviu Rebreanu. http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/document.do?id=ENGEUR590072006
PHILIPPINES: Fair trade organisation harassed by rebel group 16 August - The fair trade organisation, Alter Trade is facing harassment by the rebel group, the New People’s Army (NPA). The NPA burned Alter Trade's truck on 13 August, after it refused to pay the group's "revolutionary tax," reports the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates. The organisation's profits are used to provide production assistance to its growers, set-up alternative livelihood to the communities. http://www.philippinehumanrights.org/
RUSSIA: Two activists charged for exercising freedom of expression 1 September - The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights and the Moscow Helsinki Group are concerned that two Mari national activists have been prosecuted merely for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression in the Russian Republic of Mari El. Both face charges of incitement to ethnic, racial or religious hatred, for producing and distributing a brochure about the peculiarities of the Mari people at cultural events. http://www.ihf-hr.org/documents/doc_summary.php?sec_id=3&d_id=4294
SOMALIA: Civil society groups banned in Mogadishu 27 August - The Union of Islaimic Courts announced that it does not recognise any civil society organisations in Mogadishu, reports Shabelle Media Network. The Islamists' head for the social affairs reportedly said that NGOs under any name could not hold any meeting or a news conference without the Islamists' knowledge, adding that such organisations did nothing for the community. Later, the UIC retracted its comments, apologising to civil society. http://allafrica.com/stories/200608280379.html http://www.garoweonline.com/stories/publish/article_4803.shtml
SOUTH KOREA: New acts of repression against trade union 8 September - The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders reports new acts of repression against the Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU). On 3 August 2006, the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs reportedly issued a directive, requesting all local governments, ministries and agencies to take firm actions against KGEU, including the forceful closure of "illegal government employees’ organisations.” http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3620
SUDAN: Peaceful protesters arrested and charged 7 September - At least 35 protesters and bystanders were arrested following a peaceful protest in Khartoum on 30 August, organised by a coalition of political opposition parties and civil society groups to protest against rising prices in petroleum and sugar, reports the Sudan Human Rights Organisation. Of those arrested, 11 were reportedly found guilty of rioting and disturbance of public peace. http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17340 http://allafrica.com/stories/200609070709.html
TURKMENISTAN: Activists sentenced to prison terms 25 August - Three human rights activists were convicted and sentenced to six to seven years in prison for their peaceful work with the Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation, reports the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. The charges for which they were convicted remain unclear. The trial was conducted by a closed court and no access was given to international organisations or embassies wishing to monitor the proceedings. http://www.ihf-hr.org/documents/doc_summary.php?sec_id=3&d_id=4289
UZBEKISTAN: Religious organisations under threat 6 September - Uzbekistan is clamping down on religious groups, with congregations closed, harsh penalties for unregistered religious activity and activists deported, reports IRIN News. Heavy increases in penalties on unregistered religious activity were reportedly introduced last December. Administrative and criminal codes were changed in June, severely increasing penalties for the unapproved publication of religious literature. The government has also closed foreign NGOs it believed were involved or linked to religious activity. http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55431&SelectRegion=Asia&SelectCountry=UZBEKISTAN
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Freedom House: Worst of the Worst report 2006 The Worst of the Worst: The World's Most Repressive Societies 2006 is Freedom House's annual compilation of the most dictatorial regimes in the world. Freedom House has called on the UN Human Rights Council to address abuses in eight countries, including Burma, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. To read the report, visit: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=138&report=40
CIVICUS: What do you think? Have your say on the CIVICUS Blog Civil society must regularly confront controversial issues which affect both what we do and how we do it. Here is an opportunity to share your thoughts on these topics, to speak out and to make a difference! Help CIVICUS develop its vision of a global community of active, engaged citizens committed to the creation of a more just and equitable world. Have your say, visit http://civicus.civiblog.org/
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| We hope you enjoyed the Bulletin! If you would like to send an appeal or share information with us regarding issues affecting civil society in your region, please contact the Civil Society Watch (CSW) team at, cswatch@civicus.org To subscribe or unsubscribe please e-mail , cswcommunity@civicus.org CIVICUS House, 24 Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001, PO Box 933, Southdale, Johannesburg, 2135, South Africa, tel +27 11 833 5959 / fax +27 11 833 7997, info@civicus.org
| CIVICUS is an alliance of approximately 1000 members in 105 countries, dedicated to strengthening civil society and citizen action around the world. Civil Society Watch is a programme of CIVICUS, which seeks to expose, address and prevent threats to civil society's rights to freedom of association, expression and assembly. For more information, visit www.civicus.org and www.civilsocietywatch.org
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| DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this bulletin are a reflection of those contained in the original reports to which they are linked here, and are not necessarily those of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. |