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Issue No 32 |
January 2008 |
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
BAHRAIN:
Arrests, website bans and a restrictive NGO
law
ETHIOPIA: Anti-poverty campaigners convicted of incitement
GOOD NEWS
Arab Charter enters into force, but UN expresses concern
EGYPT: Court rejects request to ban 51 websites
INDIA: Clothing manufacturers drop charges against NGOs
JORDAN: Government withdraws controversial NGO law
USA: Parts of Patriot Act found unconstitutional
BELARUS: 40 arrested during protest
CHINA: HIV/AIDS activist arrested, family and lawyers harassed
COLOMBIA: Trade union leader murdered
COTE D' IVORE: NGO activist sentenced to one year in prison
CROATIA: Smear campaign orchestrated against women's NGO
CUBA: Less political prisoners, but arbitrary detentions on the rise
GABON: Government lifts suspension of 22 NGOs
HAITI: NGO leader threatened by armed gang
KAZAKHSTAN: President warns against 'foreign missionaries'
KENYA: Police use excessive force against protesters
KYRGYZSTAN: Decree restricts freedom of assembly
NICARAGUA: Clarification - Nine women's rights activists charged
NIGERIA: Trade union leader murdered
PAKISTAN: Electronic crime law could curb rights
RUSSIA: NGO charged with extremism
SYRIA: Human rights activists charged
UZBEKISTAN: Human rights activist sentenced, later released
CIVICUS: Call to implement the CSI project
Freedom House: Annual report released
Reporters Without Borders: 2007 report released
CIVICUS: What do you think?
BAHRAIN: Arrests, website bans and a restrictive NGO law
An interview with Ghada Jamsheer, Head of the Women's Petition Committee in Bahrain
Bahrain is a precarious place for civil society. While independent civil society organisations are allowed to operate, their activities are severely restricted and activists are frequently harassed. Many human rights websites as well as blogs are blocked, and their writers have often been sentenced on criminal charges. The government has also recently introduced a controversial draft NGO law. CIVICUS Civil Society Watch speaks to Ghada Jamsheer, the head of the Women's Petition Committee in Bahrain, about some of the challenges facing civil society, as well as restrictions on her work.
Read the full interview, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/FRONTPAGE_BAHRAIN.htm
ETHIOPIA: Anti-poverty campaigners convicted of incitement
26 December - Anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were sentenced to two years and six months in prison by the Federal High Court in Addis Ababa for provocation and preparing incitement in the aftermath of the May 2005 elections. They were, however, acquitted of the more serious charges and CIVICUS is hopeful of their early parole.
For more information, visit http://www.civicus.org/csw/CIVICUS.GCAP.Ethiopia.PR.26.12.07.htm
Digital Security and Privacy for Activists
An introduction, by Wojtek Bogusz, Front Line
Email, Internet, web posting, text messaging, phone calls – all of these make activism easier, but for many living in highly restrictive states, they also make it ever more dangerous. During 2008, each CSW Monthly Bulletin will feature a special column examining Digital Security and Privacy for Activists. This will provide hints and advice on how to make your use of the Internet and communications safer and more secure. The column will be edited by members of the project “Security Edition of NGO in a Box”. In this month’s column Wojtek Bogusz from Front Line provides a general overview and introduction to the issues activists and other should think about when considering greater digital security.
For more information, visit http://www.civicus.org/csw_files/SECURITY_INTRO1.htm
Arab Charter enters into force, but UN expresses concern
30 January - The Arab Charter on Human Rights received it's seventh ratification on 24 January, bringing the Charter into force. In a statement, however, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed concern about the Charter, including the incompatibility of some of its provisions with international norms and standards, particularly those addressing the death penalty for children and the rights of women and non-citizens, as well as the equation of Zionism with racism.
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/6C211162E43235FAC12573E00056E19D?opendocument
EGYPT: Court rejects request to ban 51 websites
2 January - The Administrative Judicial Court rejected a request by Judge Abdul Fattah Murad to ban 51 Egyptian websites, reports HRinfo. The court emphasised support for freedom of expression and the importance of not restricting the freedom of websites as long as they do not undermine fundamental beliefs or public order.
INDIA: Clothing manufacturers drop charges against NGOs
29 January - The Indian clothing manufacturer Fibre and Fabrics International and subsidiary JKPL have withdrawn all court cases against the Clean Clothes Campaign, the India Committee of the Netherlands, a number of local Indian labour rights organisations and internet/ADSL-providers Antenna and XS4ALL. The Clean Clothes Campaign and others had previously accused the clothing companies of violations of labour rights.
http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/ffi.htm
JORDAN: Government withdraws controversial NGO law
11 January - The Government of Jordan Government has withdrawn a controversial draft law on NGOs from the Lower House of Parliament, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The Bill contained a number of provisions that would have severely restricting the operation of NGOs in the country, including provisions on funding and registration.
http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5095
USA: Parts of Patriot Act found unconstitutional
January - On 10 December, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled several provisions of the Patriot Act unconstitutional, reports OMB Watch. The portions of the 2001 law in question reportedly criminalised any support for non-violent activities of groups deemed by the Bush administration to be "terrorist organisations."
http://www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/4127/
BELARUS: 40 arrested during protest
18 January - More than 40 protesters were detained on 10 January, during a demonstration against a decree prohibiting entrepreneurs to hire workers except their close relatives, reports Charter 97. 23 people were reportedly sentenced to 15 days of detention.
http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2008/1/18/3105/
CHINA: HIV/AIDS activist arrested, family and lawyers harassed
18 January - Mr. Hu Jia, a Beijing-based HIV/AIDS activist currently has been arbitrarily detained since 27 December because of his involvement in human rights activities, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Since his arrest, his lawyers and family members have been threatened and harassed.
http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5117
COLOMBIA: Trade union leader murdered
29 January - The leader of a prison officer's trade union, Yebrain Suarez, was murdered at his home on 28 January, reports the International Trade Union Confederation. Colombia is reportedly the most dangerous place in the world for trade unionists, with dozens of killings taking place every year.
http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article1777
COTE D'IVORE: NGO activist sentenced to one year in prison
10 January - The head of a local NGO, Antoine Assale Tiemoko, was given a one year prison sentence on 4 January 2008 for libel and contempt of court because of an op-ed piece about judicial corruption he wrote for the daily "Le Nouveau Reveil," writes Reporters Without Borders.
http://www.ifex.org/fr/content/view/full/89459/
CROATIA: Smear campaign orchestrated against women's NGO
25 January - A smear campaign has reportedly been undertaken in the Croatian media against the women's organisation BaBe, and its head Sanja Sarnavka since October 2007. The campaign was instigated by the owner of weekly magazine Nacional, Ivo Pukanić, whose wife had sought the help of BaBe because of her husband's alleged abuse, reports Front Line.
http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1333/action
CUBA: Less political prisoners, but arbitrary detentions on the rise
18 January - While the number of political prisoners in Cuba has fallen, arbitrary detentions have increased, to at least 325 people last year, reports the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation.
http://www.ipsnews.net/print.asp?idnews=40848
GABON: Government lifts suspension of 22 NGOs
16 January - After earlier barring them from operating, the government has lifted the suspension of 22 Gabonese NGOs, reports Publish What You Pay. The suspension, which froze their legal status, came soon after they hosted a press conference on the appointment of the new government and a variety of public interest issues, including oil revenue management and mining.
HAITI: NGO leader threatened by armed gang
14 January - Frantzco Joseph, president of the Grand Ravine Community Council for Human Rights has been threatened and intimidated by armed members of a gang operating in Grand Ravine, reports Amnesty International. Testimony from the Council had previously led to the arrest of four members of the gang for rape and extortion.
http://www.protectionline.org/Frantzco-Joseph-Threats,5898.html?pmv_nid=1
KAZAKHSTAN: President warns against 'foreign missionaries'
24 January - In a nationally televised address to a senior membership meeting of the ruling Nur Otan party, President Nursultan Nazarbayev on 17 January warned of the threat from the “uncontrolled activities” of “foreign missionaries” operating in Kazakhstan, reports the Times of Central Asia.
KENYA: Police use excessive force against protesters
13 January - Since the disputed 27 December 2007 presidential elections, Kenyan police in several cities have used live ammunition to disperse protesters and disperse looters, killing and wounding dozens, reports Human Rights Watch. Some observers and even police have described the police response as an unofficial "shoot to kill" policy.
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/01/13/kenya17731.htm
KYRGYZSTAN: Decree restricts freedom of assembly
24 January – A decree “On the rules of holding public meetings, marches, demonstrations, manifestations, and pickets in the city of Bishkek” recently adopted by Bishkek city council restricts the rights to freedom of assembly, reports the Kyrgyz news agency AKI Press. Requests by an NGO coalition to repeal the decree have been denied.
NICARAGUA: Clarification - Nine women's rights activists charged
10 January - The General Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation into nine prominent leaders of the women's rights movement in Nicaragua. In the previous CSW Monthly Bulletin, their charges were mistakenly said to be related to the case of Zoilamerica Narvaez. CSW regrets the error.
http://www.article19.org/pdfs/press/nicaragua-women-s-rights.pdf
NIGERIA: Trade union leader murdered
16 January - Alhaji Saula Saka, the Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers was assassinated on 6 January, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.
http://www.fidh.org/spip.php?article5108
PAKISTAN: Electronic crime law could curb rights
23 January - The Electronic Crime Ordinance, introduced on 10 January has come under criticism for clauses that seem to be aimed at censoring free speech and cutting civil liberties, reports IPS. The ordinance encompasses 18 different offences that carry punishment as severe as life imprisonment and even the death penalty.
http://www.protectionline.org/Cybercrime-Law-Infringes-on-Rights,6054.html
RUSSIA: NGO charged with extremism
14 January - The Voice of Beslan, a victims' group led by women who lost children in the hostage drama in September 2004, has been charged with extremist activities, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The organisation is carrying out its own investigation into the tragedy.
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/01/c2f7d98e-af21-447b-a7b7-346855c6dbf1.html ]
SYRIA: Human rights activists charged
30 January - Six members of various human rights organisations have been charged with “weakening the national sentiment,” "illegal activities of associations," as well as "racial hatred and sectarian incitement," reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Their charges follow their participation in the creation of a national coalition of human rights and political activists.
UZBEKISTAN: Human rights activist sentenced, later released
9 January - Member of the Ezgulik (Goodness) organisation, Karim Bozorboyev was sentenced to six years and three months in prison on 3 December 2007, but freed on 4 January under an amnesty celebrating the 15 anniversary of the country's constitution, reports Front Line.
CIVICUS: Call to implement the CSI project
The CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) team is pleased to announce its open call for statements of interest to implement the CSI around the world. Organisations interested in strengthening their national civil society are encouraged to submit an application before 31 March.
For more information, visit http://www.civicus.org/new/media/CSI_Call_for_Statements_of_Interest_2008.doc
Freedom House: Annual report released
In its annual "Freedom Of The World" report, Freedom House found that one-fifth of the 193 countries it studied suffered setbacks last year.
For more information, visit http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=395
Reporters Without Borders: 2007 report released
The number of journalists killed has risen 244% in five years, says the annual press freedom report released by Reporters Without Borders.
For more information, visit http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=24025
CIVICUS: What do you think? Have your say on the CIVICUS Blog
Have your say, visit http://civicus.civiblog.org
CONTACT US
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CIVICUS is an alliance of members and partners in over 100 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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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.