The newspaper “Novaya Gazeta” was raided by police in Nizhny Novgorod yesterday. 
  Russia’s key independent newspaper, where the famous journalist Anna Politkovskaya worked until she was shot dead last fall, was searched by police and had six computers seized. The journalists were not given opportunity to copy their materials. As a result of this police operation, their work was stalled. Read More

   9 Presidents and numerous other dignitaries flocked to the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek today to attend the 7th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
   The organization seeks to develop ties between its member-states in economic, social and cultural spheres, as well as coordinating work on battling terrorism and other security issues. The Summit itself focused on economic growth in the region, as well as the war on terrorism.   
   The importance of respect for basic human rights when dealing with international security threats was not awarded mention by either of the Presidents. Read More

   On July 27 Norwegian Helsinki Committee representative Julie Chadbourne panelled on the television show "Life in Kosovo" debating the position of the judiciary.
   The debate focused in particular on prolonged detention in cases such as that of Vetëvendosja leader Albin Kurti who were arrested after violent demonstrations in February.
   Chadbourne said the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and the International Helsinki Federation were denied permission to visit Kurti whilst in detention and that no proper justification was given for this. Other organisations and political officials were granted permission to visit Kurti which.
   - Such practice speaks about arbitrary application of the law, Chadbourne stated.
   The other panelists included Kujtim Kërveshi, advisor to the Kosovo Minister of Justice, Gjylbehare Murati from the Institution of Ombudsperson, Ismet Kabashi, prosecutor in Kosovo Supreme Court, Valon Murati from Prishtina University Centre for Human Rights and Vetëvendosja leader Albin Kurti who took part in the debate through a live feed.  Read TV debate summary

   A member of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), the NHC pays tribute to July 17th as the Day for International Justice.
   On that day in 1998, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was adopted. The Rome Statute establishes a new system of international criminal justice – now encompassing more than half of the world's nations – that ends impunity for the worst crimes in international law.
   - Unfortunately, war crimes and other major crimes against humanity committed in the last decade have only underscored the need for the ICC, says William Pace, Convenor of the CICC.
   - Several times a week I am reminded that had the CICC and governments not won adoption of the treaty on July 17, 1998 it would not have been completed in the turbulent years since. Read Letter by William Pace

   The Norwegian Helsinki Committee urges Rwandan authorities to correct breaches of fair trial standards in the case of Francois-Xavier Byuma.
   Mr Byuma heads a children rights organisation, which has been investigating a Gacaca judge for alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl. The same judge preseded in the hearing of Byuma's case in a Gacaca court in Kigali.
   On 27 May 2007 Byuma was sentenced to 19 years' imprisonment, and his appeal is scheduled to be heard on 14 July at the same court. In a letter to the Executive Secretary of the National Service of Gacaca Jurisdiction, Mrs Domitile Mukantaganzwa, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee argues that for Gacaca to play a positive role for justice and reconciliation in Rwanda, it is paramount that it adheres to fair trial standards. Read letter

   The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is concerned about children's rights in Kosovo, particularly the access to medicine.
   As part of its human rights monitoring work in Kosovo, the NHC visited the Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) community in Fushë Kosovë / Kosovo Polje in March 2007. One case in particular raised several concerns. Read More

   The 10th regional human rights school for youth organized by the Helsinki Committees in the Balkans and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee was held from 28th June till 5th July 2007.
   This school was different than the previous schools, because it was a 'school on wheels'. During that period 30 young people, aged 17-25, from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia visited concentration camps and memorial centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Read More

   A small grants fund has been established for Kazakhstan.
   The Norwegian Helsinki Committee office in Bishkek will administer the fund. All organizations with project proposals related to human rights and the promotion of democracy in Kazakhstan may submit applications in the period from June 22nd to July 31st 2007.
More information in English
More information in Russian

   A trial against human rights activists criticizing a police investigator for mistreatment in South Kyrgyzstan has been postponed.
   The police officer who sued the activists for moral injuries has left for Bishkek on a business trip. 
   - We urge international and local organizations not to lose interest in the case because of postponements such as the one on June 15th. On the contrary, this should be cause for increased concern and attention, says Ivar Dale, Norwegian Helsinki Committee representative in Central Asia.
   - The case could seriously harm the role of NGOs in protecting witnesses of human rights abuses, he says.
Read more Letter in Russian 

   The International Helsinki Federation and Moscow Helsinki Group appeals to President Putin to ensure that Russian civil society can engage in peaceful and legitimate protest activities.
   During the last couple of months, demonstrations organized by opposition groups in Russia have been prohibited or severely restricted, and assemblies have been violently dispersed. Journalists and civil society activists have been harrassed, threatened and detained during recent opposition rallies.
   - We appeal to President Putin to demonstrate his commitment to the fundamental rights and freedoms that the Russian Constitution safeguards, says IHF Executive Director, Aaron Rhodes.
   Today, Ludmilla Alexeeva, MHG Chair, met with the office of the Norwegian Prime Minister to voice her concern. Alexeeva visits Oslo and Bergen on 21-25 May to meet with politicians and organisations. Read the appeal