Norwegian Helsinki Committee Annual Report 2010 Annual Report 2010

Norwegian Helsinki Committee Established in 1977

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) is a non-governmental organisation that works to promote respect for human rights, nationally and internationally. Its work is based on the conviction that documentation and active promotion of human rights by civil society is needed for states to secure human rights, at home and in other countries.

The work of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee is based on the Helsinki Declaration, which was signed by 35 European and North American states at the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) in 1975. The declaration states that respect for human rights is a key factor in the development of peace and understanding between states.

The main focal areas of the NHC are the countries of Europe, North America and Central Asia. The NHC works irrespective of ideology or political system in these countries and maintains political neutrality.

How we work

Human rights monitoring and reporting Through monitoring and reporting on problematic human rights situations in specific countries, the NHC sheds light on violations of human rights. The NHC places particular emphasis on civil and political rights, including the fundamental freedoms of expression, belief, association and assembly. On-site research and close co-operation with key civil society actors are our main working methods. The NHC has expertise on election observation and has sent numerous observer missions to elections over the last two decades.

S upport of democratic processes By sharing knowledge and with financial assistance, the NHC supports local initiatives for the promotion of an independent civil society and public institutions as well as free media. A civil society that functions well is a precondition for the development of democracy.

Edu cation and information Through education and information about democracy and human rights, international law and multi- cultural understanding, we work to increase the focus on human rights violations. Our aim is to influence both public opinion and governments in human rights matters.

In ternational processes As with our educational work, the NHC seeks to influence governments and international organisations through participation in international processes, meetings and conferences to make human rights a priority.

Editor of the Annual Report: Head of information Berit Nising Lindeman Cover photo: The Uzbek minority signaling their need for help in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

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PERSPECTIVES:

The end of 2010 was marked by two dramatic events set in different parts of the world: On 19 December riot police brutally dispersed and arrested hundreds of anti-government protesters in Minsk, Belarus. Just two days before, Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old man trying to support his family by selling fruit and vegetables in the central town of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, doused himself with paint thinner and set himself on fire in front of a local municipal office. The Tunisian “Jasmine Revolution” that eventually toppled Tunisia's President, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, had triggered a chain of astonishing events in North Africa and the Middle East we are yet to see the conclusions to.

Alexander Lukashenko succeeded, by means of force and grave human rights violations, in restoring control, following the reflexes of many authoritarian leaders throughout the world who on a daily basis close down independent newspapers, put human rights defenders into prison, manipulate elections and torture those who dare oppose them. Ben Ali did not succeed in restoring control; Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak failed shortly after. Libya’s dictator Muammar Gaddafi may be the next to fall.

Over the past few years, we have seen increased pressure on human rights internationally. Important values have become the topic of a considerable struggle in the world, and the level of conflict has risen. Many see this particular question as legitimate – whether human rights are indeed universal. A regional slide in the global power balance is taking place, and alongside countries like Russia, China especially has increased its global importance, positioning itself as a country able to combine economic growth with heavy-handed government control and little or no respect for democracy and basic human rights. The growth of authoritarian capitalism threatens the protection of international human rights, while also ­establishing itself as a model for other countries.

In Norway, a 2008-2009 report to the parliament on interests, responsibilities and possibilities in foreign policy stated: “it is not clear where the pendulum will swing – in the direction of universally applicable human rights across borders, or towards a backlash in the direction of the absolute and sovereign position of the national state”.

Developments in North Africa and the Middle East over the past few months may have given a few answers as to which direction that pendulum is swinging.

It has long been an established truth that the Middle East is not ready for democracy and human rights, and that strong regimes are a necessity if we are to avoid an Islamic revolution. Today, the people are letting their governments know what they want – they demand democracy and respect. Not all state leaders like to be reminded today about how positively they once spoke of Mubarak or Gadaffi, and of the fact that human rights violations in Egypt and Libya were being brushed under the carpet for all those years.

Countries that were long considered stagnant, characterised by a lack of development and oppressive regimes, have shown a strong potential for rebellion and change. Events of the past three months prove that the ideas of freedom, democracy and respect for basic human rights are indeed universal.

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has worked for years to promote respect for democracy and human rights in countries like Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan, and we clearly see that governments are far from always ready to support human rights in the face of so-called “realpolitik”. If events in North Africa at the beginning of this year have shown us one thing, it is this: In the long run, human rights prevail, authoritarian regimes do not. This should also be realised by Western leaders, who should no longer silently accept human rights violations in the interest of short-term economic or security gains. We hope that those brave human rights defenders in Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan do not have to wait too long for what is rightfully theirs.

Editor of the Annual Report: Head of information Berit Nising Lindeman Bjørn Engesland, Cover photo: The Uzbek minority signaling their need for help in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Secretary General

2 Annual Report 2010

The nhc Secretariat

S taff abroad:

Bjørn Engesland Aage Borchgrevink Csilla Czimbalmos Secretary General. Advisor, focus on Russia Project assistant, Adela Galešic´ and Georgia. human rights education Regional co-ordinator programme. of Human Rights Schools in the Western Balkans, Sarajevo.

Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal Ole B. Lilleås Deputy Secretary Advisor, focus on Olga Shamshur General. Focus on Western Balkans. Project assistant, Central Asia, Turkey, Co-ordinator of the human rights education Armenia and Rwanda. Norwegian NGO forum programme. Parvina International criminal for Human Rights. Abduvakhobova courts and justice. Project co-ordinator at the NHC Central Asia office in Almaty, Kazakhstan (from October). Vanja Bentsen Kleven Inna Sangadzhiyeva Co-ordinator for EEA Fernanda Project co-ordinator, grants project. Zubillaga Nilsen focus on Russia and Head of administration, Belarus. responsible for office management and finance. Elena Saenkova Project co-ordinator, Murmansk office. Ivar Dale Advisor, focus on Oe th r staff: Enver Djuliman Central Asia and Head of the human Georgia. Anne Marit Austbø rights education Advisor. On leave for Berit Nising Lindeman ­programme. most of 2010. Head of information. Advisor, focus on Vugar Gojayev Belarus, Ukraine and Project co-ordinator in Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan (until Lene Wetteland August 2010). Project co-ordinator, Mina Skouen Central Asia pro- Elena Mamadnazarova Project co-ordinator of gramme. Project co-ordinator at the human rights edu- the NHC Central Asia cation programme. office (until June). Anders Nielsen Information officer. Zuzanna Godzimirska Responsible for the EEA grants information portal Project assistant Russia www.ngonorway.org Conference.

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Organisation Content

The organisational components of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee are the annual meeting, the board and the council. The annual meeting is our highest organ, and consists of members of the council and the board. The board holds monthly meetings, where decisions relevant to NHC strategy, principles and financial matters are made. The Secretary General heads the secretariat, and is responsible for the daily operations of the NHC.

B oard The Norwegian Helsinki Chairperson: Morten Bergsmo, senior researcher, International Peace Committee 2 Research Institute (PRIO). Perspectives 3 The NHC secretariat 4 Vice Chairperson: Ragnhild Astrup Tschudi, human rights advocate with a Organisation 5 special focus on Russia and Eastern Europe.

Hauk Lund, executive director, Hauk Lund Consulting A/S. I The year 2010 in retrospect 6 Kyrgyzstan: In the wake of Julie Wilhelmsen, research fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs ­democratic revolution – (NUPI). violent tragedy 6 Russia on the agenda: Kari Schage, management consultant, Resources Global Professionals. International conference in Oslo 7 Eirik Moen, Secretary General of the International Democrat Union. Belarus: A total breakdown of ­human rights 8 Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of the Norwegian Labour Party. Activities, by country 9 The Russian Federation 9 Berit Nising Lindeman, staff representative. Belarus 11 Ukraine 12 Couc n il South Caucasus 13 Armenia 13 President: • Dankert Freilem • Mette Newth Azerbaijan 14 Kristin Clemet • Grethe Fossum • Manuela Ramin Georgia 15 Vice President: • Bjørn Cato Funnemark Osmundsen Turkey 16 Anne Marit Bjørnflaten • Fredrik Grønningsæter • Pål Erik Plaum Central Asia 16 • Bernt Hagtvet • Victor Roddvik Western Balkans 19 • Ellen Juul-Andersen • Hans Morten Haugen • Jan Tore Sanner • Frode Bakken • Bjørn Hoelseth • Anne Julie Semb • Trond Bakkevig • Anne Holt • Marianne B. Skou II Human Rights Education 21 • Peter Batta • Leiv Hovelsen • Lars Petter Soltvedt • Jo Benkow • Morten Høglund • Atle Sommerfeldt • Tor G. Birkeland • Bjørn Jacobsen • Bjørn Stordrange III Human Rights in Norway 24 • Helge Blakkisrud • Ingunn Jordheim • Michael Tetzschner • Bernt Bull • Knut Kloster jr. • Ane Sofie Tømmerås • Nils Butenschiøn • Berit Kvæven • Kåre Vollan IV Co-operation and • Tor Bøhler • Arne Liljedahl • Maria Warsinski International ­processes 27 • Juni Dahr Lynngård • Svein Wilhelmsen • Ole Drolsum • Inge Mannsåker • Stein Ivar Aarsæther • Arne Fjeld • Eigil Nansen V Eea grants 29

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VII Finances 30 Annual Report 2010

I The year 2010 in retrospect The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has a strong national and international commitment, with widespread activities in many countries. Our main focus is the human rights challenge in Eastern Europe, but we also aim to be active human rights defenders in our own country, Norway. Through our expertise and the wide-ranging networks of our staff we follow developments closely, take action on urgent matters and have an extensive range of project activities. The focus is determined by our planning and decisions, but also by current events. In 2010, three major areas of our attention, concern and activity were our presence and activity in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, during the ethnic violence there, as organisers of an important conference on the developments in Russia and eyewitnessing the human rights crisis in Belarus towards the end of the year.

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee was among obvious. As the city gradually returned to normality the first outsiders to arrive to Southern Kyrgyzstan on the surface, curfew and nightfall brought brutal after the worst violence 10-13 June, along with government-led operations to search for weapons Human Rights Watch and Human Rights Center and suspected perpetrators of the violence, Memorial. In June and July, Ivar Dale and Russian ­targeting Uzbek neighbourhoods in particular. colleague Vitaliy Ponomarev interviewed numerous In the village of Nariman, the Norwegian Helsinki people in Osh and Jalalabad regions who had Committee became witness to the most brutal been caught up in the shocking violence between Kyrgyzstan: clean-up operation in this period, leaving two Kyrgyz and Uzbeks which left over 400 people people dead and 40-50 people injured. dead and entire neighbourhoods in Osh and Jalalabad in ruins. After participating as accredited election observer in the referendum on the new Constitution, the The need for an international presence was obvious. Norwegian Helsinki Committee met with President There was no communication between Kyrgyz and Roza Otunbaeva in July to present our findings Uzbeks, the latter a large minority in the country. from the visits to the South. We noted positively Burnt-down houses – even entire neighbourhoods her willingness to act on specific recommendations, – racist graffiti, dead, injured – this was but the but it was also evident that political in-fighting in

Burned out buildings in Osh. In the wake of – violent tragedy democratic revolution the wake In

Uzbek Women in grief in Osh.

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Burned out buildings in Osh. Victims of cleanup in Nariman. Woman mourning the loss of her husband in Nariman.

the country creates great obstacles to implementing In a report due to be published in 2011, the Kyrgyzstan’s international human rights obligations. Norwegian Helsinki Committee, Human Rights Center Memorial and Freedom House will outline As the year came to an end, Southern Kyrgyzstan the events in the year that has passed without was still struggling to come to terms with the Bakiev and give recommendations to the current tragedy that had occurred. The human rights situa- government. tion has deteriorated further as trials related to the June events have proved seriously flawed, includ- The challenges ahead are enormous, but the ing threats and attacks against witnesses, lawyers potential role Kyrgyzstan can play in bringing and those charged with participation in the democracy to Central Asia should not be ­violence. ­underestimated.

Russia is a main area of attention for the Norwegian rights in Russia. The conference, which was held Helsinki Committee and the committee aims to be in Oslo in a closed working group format, was in forefront of the human rights activism related to ­co-hosted by Amnesty International Norway. Russia. In September 2010, we organised an inter- national conference to discuss the challenges and Representatives from leading Russian and inter­ possible new approaches for promoting human national NGOs, as well as the Council of Europe, the EU and the United Nations, discussed how to Bjørn Engesland and broaden the human rights movement, the impact John Peder Egenæs. of President Medvedev’s modernisation plans for human rights and the need to gather a record- keeping system for evidence of human rights ­violations occurring in the conflict-area in the North Caucasus. The conference decided to establish Natalia Estimirova’s Documentation Centre. Russia on the agenda: the on agenda: Russia The conference underlined the need to focus on and strengthen the relationship between business International conference in Oslo in International conference

Left: Svetlana Gannushkina and Grigory Shvedov. Right: Igor Klyamkin, Ludmila Alexeeva and Bjørn Engesland.

6 Presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov. A nnual Right: OMONspecialforces. R L eport and Svetlana Gannushkina eft: Demonstration. L udmila Alexeeva.

Belarus: 2010 A total breakdown of human rights ­e access for opposition candidates to conduct of harassmentfewer cases and of activists some were in not present country country, the despite ditions for holding and fair free elections in the Belarus”. NHC The claimed that basic the precon- headlined for “No elections the in expectations 2010in December NHC issued the release apress Just ahead Belarusian of the presidential elections preceding few months, it still did. less aggressive tone against opposition forces the regime for last 16 the years. But,given his slightly have nosurprise as come to anyone following his popular against protests rigged the elections should Lukashenko against his night own on the people of rageThe displayed by Belarusian President surrounded the protesters and after the entrance the and after surrounded protesters the OMON forces, apolice riot control commando, dential administration building. Vast of amounts Squareon Independent and moved presi- to the and events unfoldwitnessed thousands as gathered Minsk on election day and for a few days following, were in present NHC staff Three expected. was as election, an overwhelming win for Lukashenko, lection campaigns.lection official The outcome of the Engesland and Bjørn Inna Sangadzhiyeva Moskalenko, Karianna Borchgrevink. Igor Klyamkin and Aage Gannushkina. head of Civic Assistance Svetlana Committee Liberal Mission Foundation Igor Klyamkin and the Group Ludmila Alexeeva, the from expert the seminar Helsinki wereMoscow Head of the the democracy?”. key Amongthe speakers of the titled “Medvedev’s Russia, –moving towards conferenceThe culminated in apublic seminar including in Norway. were planned held to be outside Russia too, indemonstrators Russia 31st on the month of the ­c and presidential for elections 2011-12 set in a and human rights and to monitor parliamentary the Lukashenko resigns. and at pointare some freed President Alexander the European community until all political prisoners exaggerated and will require intense attention from bars. seriousness The situation of the cannot be danger of spending several next the years behind Belarusian of the and most opposition is now in have investigated been for organising mass riots, leaders, journalistsparty and campaign workers ­e seven of out 10 candidates for apresidential It is probably unheard of in European history that 20 December. it in left morning the minutes NHC staff of after of Human Rights Center Viasna wasraided brutallybeen beaten up office andThe arrested. hehadnever as made already it protests to the ­p on the nighton the and during following the days. A lying ground, on the many as 700 were as arrested were beaten with truncheons and kicked while with downcame on brutal people force. Hundreds down, it is still unclear by whom, commandos the door to the administration building had been broken lection were arrested on election wereday.lection arrested Political oordinated manner. Solidarity actions with the residential candidate, Niyakliayev, Aleksander 8 8•9

Activities, by country

Although the Russian authorities have taken some European Court of Human Rights. Reforms were positive steps during 2010, the overall human launched in the prison and law enforcement rights situation remains dismal. The year started sectors, but the effect of these reforms in terms of with the arrest of the 82-year-old head of the new legislation and improved practices has not Moscow Helsinki Group, Ludmila Alekseeva, at a been satisfactory. Other legal amendments have demonstration on 31 December 2009 in support had a negative impact, including new provisions to of Article 31 of the Constitution, which guarantees the law on the Federal Security Service (FSB), which freedom of assembly. The year ended with the allows the FSB to issue warnings in order to halt police cracking down on a similar demonstration “extremist activities” by individuals, organisations on 31 December 2010, and imprisoning several of and the media. the participants, including former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov, who was sentenced to 15 Concern remained about the independence of the days in prison. judiciary. The prosecution, incarceration and death in custody of the lawyer and whistle-blower Sergei There were no cases of high profile killings of Magnitsky in November 2009 was a case in point, The Russian FederationThe Russian ­journalists and human rights defenders, but some as was the second verdict against former Yukos deaths of journalists and court officials, including CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky and his associate the murder of a judge in April, appeared to be Platon Lebedev in December 2010. linked to their professional activities. Harassment of human rights defenders continued in many The situation in the North Caucasus remained forms, including the criminal case against Oleg ­critical throughout the year, marked by violent Bjørn Engesland interviewed by NRK Orlov, head of Russian NGO human rights centre attacks, including terrorist attacks in Moscow. during President Medvedev’s visit. Memorial, for defamation of Chechen President Systematic impunity continues to fuel the spreading Ramzan Kadyrov. Orlov claimed Kadyrov was of violence, crime and extremism in the region. politically responsible for the murder of Natalia Russia has to date not taken any effective steps to Estemirova in July 2009. If convicted, Orlov could effectively implement the more than 150 decisions face up to three years in prison. in the so-called Chechen cases of the European Court of Human Rights, nor taken meaningful In January, the state Duma ratified Protocol 14 of investigative measures into the many credible the European Convention on Human Rights, which ­allegations of involvement of Chechen streamlines the case review process of the President Ramzan Kadyrov in serious crimes.

Demonstration outside the Parliament in support of the 31-movement in Russia. Annual Report 2010

Demonstration outside the Grand Hotel during President Medvedev’s visit.

Lidia Yusupova and Usam Baysaev.

These crimes include the killing of his former Our programmes of project support for Russian Poctr je support ­bodyguard Umar Israilov in Vienna in 2009. The human rights initiatives continued. The NHC ºº The Glasnost ongoing Israilov trial in Vienna underlines what the ­participated in events dealing with Russia in Defense Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Kampala, Stockholm and Hamburg, we have Foundation in stated in its Resolution 1738 (2010): “The Assembly arranged several demonstrations in Oslo, including Moscow: observes that the situation in the North Caucasus in support of the 31-movement in Russia and in “Monitoring of region, particularly in the Chechen Republic, connection with President Medvedev’s visit in media violations Ingushetia and Dagestan, constitutes today the April. We have also written a number of media in the Russian most serious and most delicate situation from a articles and public letters to Norwegian, Russian Federation.” standpoint of safeguarding human rights and and international government representatives and ºº Human Rights upholding rule of law, in the entire geographical bodies about various human rights issues. With a Centre Memorial: area covered by the Council of Europe.” number of leading Russian and international human rights groups, the NHC has monitored the “Migration Ac tivities Rights”, legal pro- Israilov trial in Vienna. tection of refu- The NHC was unable to conduct monitoring gees, asylum ­missions in Russia. Difficulties in obtaining visas The NHC has provided information in asylum cases seekers, stateless for NHC staff continued, with inter alia at least from the North Caucasus, and written several persons and other one staff member barred from entering Russia for ­critical letters about Norwegian practices in these groups of vulnera- reasons of state security. The Norwegian Foreign cases in cooperation with Amnesty International ble migrants in Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, raised the issue with Norway and the Norwegian Organisation for Moscow and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, but the Asylum Seekers (NOAS). Negative decisions in selected regions ­situation did not improve. individual cases have been overturned by the of the Russian appeals board of the immigration authorities (UNE) Federation. In cooperation with the Norwegian Institute of based on information from the NHC. We testified ºº Information Foreign Affairs (NUPI) the NHC organised a and provided information in three separate court agency Caucasian seminar on the North Caucasus in March. In cases in which UNE decisions were overturned. Knot, www. September the NHC organised a large-scale strategy An application to the immigration authorities kavkaz-uzel.ru: conference for Russian and international human regarding the resettlement in Norway of three “Independent and rights defenders. A report from the conference will Russian citizens was granted, and the family censorship-free be published early in 2011. In cooperation with arrived in Norway in May. information about seven leading international and Russian human rights groups, the NHC established the Natasha events in the Bjørn Engesland. Mantas Kvedaravichius. Caucasus and Estemirova Documentation Centre, as a project their human rights run from the NHC office. The Documentation and humanitarian Centre will gather and analyse data connected with aspects”. human rights violations in the North Caucasus, ºº Human rights and serve as a library and archive for lawyers, organisation prosecutors and researchers. Two of our threatened Mashr, Ingushetia: colleagues from the North Caucasus region have “Legal aid to the had the NHC office in Oslo as a base throughout defence of victims the year. of abuse”.

10 the offices of the website of the www.Charter97.org offices the and Solidarity, 16 March, searches were carried in out in preceding the few years. Day the On of until December, this wasless than had usual been forces place took regularly throughout 2010. But and harassmentarbitrary arrests of opposition still independent media suppressed and NGOs, In 2010, President Alexander Lukashenko’s rule ­e national mission observation concluded the sion inter- that wasnevertheless OSCE/ODIHR the access to statemedia and TV. overall The impres- election campaigns, although largely without ­r opposition candidates were not excluded from l were made in apositive direction towards libera small some asurprise as as came to most, steps violentThe Lukashenko reaction of the regime ­v ­p eyewitnessingtime protests, of the the both in present Minsk members athad the staff three were of activists and searched. homes NHC The rights organisations, candidate campaign offices imprisonment. In addition, many of human offices organising mass riots, risking up to 15 years’ charged of them most with new yearthe started, ofout 10 candidates remained imprisoned when 15 days’ imprisonment, orfined. However, seven were convicted five and and sentenced to between ­c plannedbeen and announced by opposition police forces. and armed demonstration The had detained; were brutally scores beaten by riot the and were 700 protesters 600 elections. Between evening and night against to protest stolen the indemonstrators centre of Minsk the during the violent year the the defined after crack-down on presidentialThe elections on 19 2010 December ising importantly, election Most process. the the egistering for elections carrying the orfrom out lections were not fair. iolence dispersion. of its andidates in weeks advance. detained of the Most eaceful manner demonstration of the and the his wife Irina Khalipand Presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov with their sonDanil. hooliganism. charged with 18 Decemberand arrested on was ­Zmitzer Dashk Y outh activist evich ­ ­c ­c ­e involvement in Charter97 and upcoming the suspicion that hewasmurdered for his active questions related to his remain death open; is there found dead, apparently suicide. after Anumber of of Charter97, member staff Aleh Byabenin, was forces during raid. the 3September, On another Natalia Radzina, wasbeaten by masked special editor The of staff. of www.Charter97.org,homes addition, searches were in conducted private the independent Narodnayathe newspaper Volya. In visa in December. into entry Belarusrefused when he applied for a General BjørnNHC Engesland Secretary was recipient Ales Bialiatsky, and were fined. arrested cution, among Sakharov them Award Freedom Human rights protesting defenders against exe- the Unitedthe Nations Human Rights Committee. evenout, were though pending their cases before Andrej Zhuk and Vasilii Yuzepchuk were carried death sentence, and in March the for civil activism. Belarus to abolish refuses the officially for illegal arms possession, but in reality convicted in May and handed prison Mikalaj Autukhovich and Uladzimir Asipienka were In May, Belarus saw new political two prisoners, as spreading lies Belarusian about society. leadershipthe campaign of the wasaccused of announced his intention to run for presidency and Truth”, were raided by officials in May. The newly established public campaign, “Tell the democratic NGOs in March. of the offices The organisation Belarusian the Assembly of Pro- Justice to register NGO refused the umbrella association. third For the time Ministry the of regimeThe still denies citizens of freedom the lection campaignlection for amajor opposition andidate, Andrei Sannikov. ampaign's founder, Uladzimir Niaklayau, had just ­s entences against ­ s entences,

Belarus Demonstration inMinsk. 10•11 Aleh Byabenin. A presidential electionsin nnual R Right: Tatiana Reviaka L eport NHC staff observing and Pavel Sheremet eft: Berit L indeman. U 2010 kraine. U kraine against journalists the Natalia Radzina, Svetlana n journalist Aleh Byabenin arguing for an inter inissued connection statements of death with the Narodnayanewspaper Volya. we In September website of the www.Charter97.orgoffices and penalty. We also raids the condemned against the against who demonstrated defenders death the March against protested of human arrest the rights with human rights violations in Belarus, and in NHCThe issued several in connection statements affairs. related to Belarusian human rights and current media to the on issues to give and reports lectures for civilsupport society. We are frequently asked human rights situation in Belarus, including active involvement for improvement the of the iviti NorwegianThe Helsinki continued Committee its Ac elections were being held in manner. a good The found and the Kakhovka,of observers Kherson the capitalthe Kiev, well as towns in as southern the presidentialthe election. Visiting polling stations in duringwith accredited rounds observers of both NorwegianThe Helsinki waspresent Committee thatstruggles continued throughout year. the rated President as in spite legal of post-election winner in an tight extremely race and wasinaugu- by of Regions, his ported Party the as out came electionsof the on 7February. Yanukovich, sup- candidates two the beingence between opposition,of the Viktor Yanukovich. Withinflu- Revolution’s and now leader the opponent, bitter Orangethe Revolution – and other, on the the dramaticknown the from images in Kiev during one hand, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, well familiar faces emerge as the final candidates. On the round of presidential elections, which saw two In Ukraine, year the began by turbulent the first ­s relationswho wished for better with Russia, the who would closer see ties with Europe and those of the parts the dividedas between ituation complex wasmore round second on the ational investigation and against threats the t e s p ­ opulation ­ p erceived ­ on 19 and 20 December. against peaceful in the protesters central Minsk ­e follow events related the presidential to the travelled members staff to Minsk to in December to follow and developments. Three up on contacts NHCThe visited Belarus in twice 2011, in first June ­p Human the from Rights “Viasna” Centre and invited human the rights defenderTatiana Reviaka Belarus, “Revolution, reform orstagnation.” We connection upcoming with the elections in arranged Committee the aseminarIn December in abuse. election, condemning violence and human rights prior both elections to the ments, the and after Byabenin. we issued In December several state- Kalinkina and Nicolai Khalezin, all friends of In September, almost exactly 10 the years after former officials government. her from Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and anumber of several criminal were initiated cases against former yearhad of the 2004. before part In second the presidentthe that authority the President Kuchma once again apresidential republic, giving back to was changed 1996 to the version, making Ukraine counted gasprices. In September, Constitution the oldthe one expires in 2017, in exchange for dis- Russianthe 25 for navynext the years base after to city Sevastopol It prolonged port of the lease the among Ukrainian the public and in political circles. Ukrainement between and Russia stirredpassions wake of new presidency. In April 2010, an agree- Several significant developments place took in the in Ukraine.our partners Norwegianthe media, whilst also cooperating with NHC wasactive in communicating events to the ­d Internal affairs, Yuriy Kravchenko, person the as announced officially name ex-Minister the of the of Gongadze, General’s Prosecutor the finally office lections and were eyewitnesses violence to the isappearance and murder journalist of the Georgy rominent journalist and author Pavel Sheremet. 12 12 Yerevan. have of central denied in been parts certain contrary.to the right The to hold demonstrations despite of Human aEuropean Court Rights ruling A1plus wasagain denied license, abroadcast Venice the from Commission. channel TV The new media law failed to meet the recommendations Several journalists have been assaulted, and the remains severely following restricted events. these of assembly and press freedom of the Freedom time in exile was sentenced and imprisoned. Pashinyan to Armenia who returned some after through amnesties, famous but journalist the Nikol have demonstrators of the Some released been investigated or charged for the excessive use of force.ernment official, nopolicemen whereas were to five years in prison for violence against agov- hundreds on trial. of people Many were sentenced ­g of forceuse by police on 1March 2008. The ­e rights since record disputed the presidential A negative has tarnished trend Armenia’s human CaucasusSouth parliament, President’s when the tried supporters begun, with chaos and in fistfights Ukrainian the The year finished even turbulently more than it had journalist. questioningfirst in murder the asuspect of a as Ukraine's ex-President Leonid Kuchma faced his to print, goes pending. report present the As himwho ordered killed. to be investigation The is lections on 19 2008 and excessive the February overnment followed events by putting up these questions and equal rights for sexual minorities. of religion, legal advice in human rights-related victims, education for young journalists, freedom s closed institutions, providing ahotline for torture C Armenia. They focus on monitoring conditions in arange of organisations NHCThe supports in oj P tions continue rife. to be Torture and abusein prisons and military institu- code. make new tax to the amendments cities sat up atent-city demanding government the and businessmen Kiev from and Ukrainian other Revolution days, of thousands entrepreneurs as capitalcentre of the re-lived Orange the Even famous Square Independence the in the against criminal the prosecution of Tymoshenko. to end asit-in by protesting opposition members ºº r and discussed at around table in Yerevan. The study was published in English and Armenian have interviewed their been about opinions. ­g army. religious People street, on the heads, for conscientious objection to serving in the Jehovah’s are imprisoned Witnesses in Armenia church are subject to discrimination. Several not adheredo stateArmenian to the Apostolic d anout extensive into study situation the for free ArmenianThe Helsinki has carried Committee overnment officials and media representatives om ofom religion in Armenia, wherebelievers that e t ­ in Outside localparty headquarter a demonstration. Police in Nikol Pashinyan. U Armenia kraine. Y er evan during 12•13 13 L A eyla From Azerbaijan. The Prisoner CT O s P nnual ºº ºº r u republic. autonomous Nakhchivan mechanism in the complaintits Human Rights and of European Court awareness of the tives: Raising electoral initia- Human rights and mass media. and the society Assistance to civil judicial system. Monitoring the and Democracy: Institute for Peace Y unus p port j . R e eport

2010 Azerbaijan campaign. In exclave the of Nakhchivan, most the situation wasagain apparent during election the of assemblyFreedom remains and the restricted farce. the NHCThe abstainedobserving from Azerbaijani parliament, only one opposition At November the elections to Milli Majlis, the particularly toappear be harassed. againsttrated cases them. Young civil still activists two-and-a-half-year prison orches- sentences after than serving more half after released and of two Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli were finally seriously by authorities. the bloggers two The subjected to violence, incidents never investigated imprisonment of journalists. journalists Other were defamation remains for reason an important filed. Many were ofsatisfied them and criminal of criminalcases and civil defamation were cases relentlessly throughout year the and than more 60 The persecution of media representatives continued fabricated to avoid his release. during trial, court by the as NHC staff, observed cally motivated and evidence the brought up sion in July 2010. sentence The politi- as is seen months’ imprisonment on charges of drug posses- was sentenced to an additional years and two six Despite this, oreven aresult as of this, editor the of expressionand had violated. freedom been concluded that Eynulla Fatullayev´s right to fair trial applicantto the release immediately. Court The of Human Rights urging Azerbaijani the authorities despite April the 2010 ruling European of the Court inarrested 2006and remains in prison. This is ­c and “Günd imprisoned editor in chief of “Realny Azerbaijan” of Eynulla forefront case the wasthe Fatullayev, the high profile political prisoners in country. the In violations. In 2010, much attention wasgiven to by meanssociety of corruption and human rights Ilham Aliyev, continues to hold atight grip on AzerbaijaniThe government, by headed President Heidar Aliyev downtownBaku. andidate 125-seat to the waselected legislature. ә lik Az ә rbaycan” who newspapers, was Oilfield outsideof Baku. New legislation required all religious groups to matter. thoroughlyrights from defenders investigating the of 2009. Fear has kept journalists most and human protest against the authorities on one of the last days behind reasons the an of self-immolation act in mony in village the of Bananyar, possibly to veil than more 10arrested at people areligious cere- documented.be In an incident in January, police serious repression of ordinary continued people to the electionsthe in 2005, in addition to journalists. who wereactivists convicted in connection with ­p areThere still 25 and 50 between political ­r Nakhchivan, “Azerbaijan’s dark island”, was describingreport human the rights abusein region of Nakhchivan were main the issues. Our grave human rights situation in autonomous the visits,For both lack the and the of media freedom Assembly (PACE) meetingsin January and in June. visits Council to the of Europe Parliamentary iviti NorwegianThe Helsinki organised Committee Ac statements concerningstatements situation the in Azerbaijan, Throughout year, the NHC issued the anumber of film, prisoner Azerbaijan”. “The from We also assisted in Erling the Borgen documentary trialcourt against editor the Eynulla Fattulayev. In May NHC travelled the the to Baku to observe rights organisations. number of Azerbaijani and international human by alargecommon statement wassupported community to improve serious the situation. The tions for action by Azerbaijan and international the humanimportant rights issues and recommenda- Human Rights in Azerbaijan” outlining –areport We also “A presented common statement on and major Council of the rapporteurs of Europe. ­p e-register, in which anumberfailed. of them risoners in Azerbaijan, several opposition of them resented to nationalresented parliamentary delegations t e s 14 14 Interviewing aformer hostage inthevillageof Breti. Polling stationinNinotsminda. and November, we documented human rights Human Rights Centre. During missions two in May work with our main in country, the partner the iviti NorwegianThe Helsinki continued Committee to Ac Azerbaijani authorities. issues in Azerbaijan hecould raise with the informing human him important the rights about ­pa connection with his planned visit to Baku to Norwegian minister in of petroleum and energy of journalists. In June to we the wrote aletter notablymost in connection imprisonment with the and human rights defenders. numerous instances of heavily influenced by state, the were and there in May. main The media and judiciary the remain were significant problems local with the elections monitor citizens, including Internet There traffic. provide police the with extensive powers to and regulations for law the enforcement organs significant problems remain: New amendments neighbours than its society Russia and Azerbaijan, Russia continued. Although Georgia is afreer isation and disastrous August the 2008 war with In Georgia, tensions stemming political from polar- rticipate at aCaspian oil and gasconference, t e s p ­ ersecution of journalistsersecution Tbilisi. one of those under scrutinyone of those by ICC. the June and October. Georgian The situation remains ICC of the Prosecutor in of the February,Office Human Rights Centre, had ameeting with the Augustthe 2008 war. Our partner, Georgian the extensive catalogue of crimes during committed “Augustreport Ruins”, which to date is most the number of Georgian human rights groups in the published in 2010 with together material by a ICC to the inwas presented November 2008, was ­c war.to the material of the Most on war crimes inpartly to order lobby for continued ICC attention ICCthe review conference in Kampala, Uganda, Georgia, NHC arepresentative travelled of the to In framework the on project war of the crimes in journalists and NGOs. territories, which could restrictionson impose for foreign entities with activities in occupied the concerns regarding new regulations proposed the Ministry of Reintegration making after public our border. NHC The wascalled to ameeting with the JavakhetiSamtskhe region by Armenian the ­p victims of international in need relocation and ­v 2010. received prizes the ANTV in Hamburg in May Stiftung’s prize press for 2010. Chobanoglu and of Expression Foundation/ZEITfor Freedom the Shahvalad Chobanoglu online and ANTV the TV FoundationHouse journalist the amongstothers, NHCThe nominated, jointly with Human Rights iolations around conflict the zones, assisted ollected by NHC during the autumn 2008, which rotection, and observed the local the elections inrotection, and the observed Eynulla Fatullayev. CT O P s ºº r u advocacy. International monitoring, Human rights Programme, Information Aid Programme, Georgia. Legal Expression in of Freedom the Rule of Law and Strengthening the Resolution Centre: Caucasian Conflict andCentre the Human Rights GeorgianThe G eorgia p port j e

14•15 15 Annual Report 2010

Even though the ruling Justice and Development Workers' Party (PKK). The conflicts with PKK Party (AKP) has initiated reform-oriented policies resulted in ­violence and loss of life also in 2010. strengthening human rights in many fields, such as policies to prevent torture and accepting more There is increasing support for finding political Turkey linguistic and cultural rights for its Kurdish minority, solutions, and the need for a rights-based serious human rights concerns remain. Arbitrary approach to solving the so-called Kurdish problem. detentions, prosecutions and convictions under Unfortunately, developments in 2010 did not anti-terrorism laws and for speech crimes persisted. ­represent a breakthrough in that regard. There were also concerns that the AKP government used Amendments to Turkey's 1982 Constitution voted its fight against alleged coup plotters in secularist through in September lifted immunity from prose- military and political circles to restrict media cution for military and public officials for crimes freedom and target editors and journalists voicing committed during and after the coup of 12 critical views of the government. September 1980. It also reduced the role of mili- tary courts, instituted changes to judicial appoint- Ac tivities ments, and provided the right of individual petition The NHC participated in the 25th anniversary to the constitutional court. It is noteworthy that the seminar of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation. new institution of ombudsperson was created. The Foundation is a long-term partner organisation of the NHC, and is a leading organisation in However, the government made limited progress ­fighting against torture and in providing treatment towards realising its 2009 plan to improve the services to victims of torture. human rights of Kurds. A pro-Kurdish political party was closed down for alleged separatist The NHC joined several media debates on develop­ ­activities, and hundreds of persons faced trial for ments related to democracy and human rights in being connected with the armed Kurdistan Turkey, in particular related to the Kurdish minority.

Central Asia

With Kazakhstan’s chairmanship of the Organisation opening, and despite holding meetings with civil for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in society actors it seems clear that a more important 2010, more focus was placed on the countries of task of the embassy will be to ensure good business Central Asia in general, and Kazakhstan in particu- relations between Norway and the resource-rich lar. Several large events took place in Kazakhstan countries in this strategically important region. throughout the year, culminating in the OSCE Negotiations on extractive energies, air bases and Summit on 1-2 December. However, civil society’s bilateral agreements are ongoing with several of hopes that the increased attention would lead to the countries in the region. The NHC continues high-level discussions and criticism for lacking the work for raising human rights issues in public. implementation of OSCE commitments in the region did not come to fruition. While Central Asian leaders often point to neigh- bouring countries as having an even more prob- Norway opened an embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan, lematic human rights records than themselves, the in February 2010, covering four of the five Central barrier to accepting well-founded criticism directed

Left: Bjørn Engesland. Asian states in. The Norwegian Crown Prince and towards their own policies remains very high. Right: Meeting with Foreign the Minister of Foreign Affairs were present at the Common to all five states is that civil society Minister Kanat Saudabayev in Astana. ­struggles against restrictive legislation on religious activity, the media, freedom of expression and assembly, and against governments seeking to limit critical voices in society.

Kazakhstan has seen significant positive develop- ments in the economic sphere in particular, and much attention was given to its 2010 OSCE Chairmanship. As Chair, Kazakhstan flagged up tolerance and trust as their main priorities, but despite a smooth external performance, the situa- tion within the country worsened. Human rights activist Evgeniy Zhovtis remained imprisoned

16 16•17

The Somoni statue in Dushanbe.

Flowers in front of the presidential palace in Bishkek. People’s meetings in Bishkek . under conditions that are harsher than those of his and poor governance on all levels maintains the fellow inmates, and was unable to come to ­complicated situation. Norway to receive the Sakharov Freedom Award in September, which was presented to Zhovtis and Uzbekistan remains one of the most repressive his organisation by the Norwegian Helsinki regimes in the world. Over the last year there has Committee. Civil society and the media are not been increasing pressure on religious groups under allowed to fulfil their natural functions in a demo- the pretext of anti-terrorism policy. Human rights cratic society, and the government-sponsored activists, opposition figures and believers were NGOs take up an increasing part of the space, routinely imprisoned, the use of torture is common, complicating the work of genuine NGOs. and civil society organisations have all but ceased Poctr je to exist. There are at least 14 human rights defend- support In Kyrgyzstan, 2010 proved to be the most dra- ers in prison or prison camps along with probably matic in the country’s modern history. On 7 April, several thousand other political prisoners. An S mALL grants the government led by President Kurmanbek Andijan refugee who returned to Uzbekistan in fund. Bakiev, was toppled when furious crowds fought January 2010, Diloram Abdukodirova, was sen- The small grants back heavily-armed riot police, storming the tenced to 10 years and two months in prison fund has continued Presidential Palace in Bishkek and leaving 90 despite assurances she would not be harmed if she its success with ­demonstrators dead from gunshot wounds. Bakiev returned. According to observers of the trial, increased inter­ fled – first to his home village outside Jalalabad in Abdukodirova appeared at a court hearing with action with our the south of the country, before accepting an bruises. Despite the dismal human rights record, Almaty office. ­invitation from Belarusian president Aleksander western governments continue to develop relations Through the small Lukashenko to find refuge in Minsk. Kyrgyzstan with the country, something that raises concerns grants fund, NGOs had seen its second revolution in a decade. Over about our own commitment to human rights all over the region the next few days, an Interim government led by abroad. Refugees from neighbouring Kyrgyzstan are invited to carry Roza Otunbaeva was formed and the work began were given assistance in refugee camps on the out their activities to reshape a country that had gradually fallen back border over the summer, but were soon persuaded with support from to an authoritarian leadership. Under the new to return to Kyrgyzstan. the NHC. Some system, Kyrgyzstan became the first country of the examples: former Soviet Union outside the Baltics to adopt a The situation in Turkmenistan is deteriorating, ºº In Tajikistan, one parliamentary system, and also the first to elect a despite an already dismal situation. Since 2010 project has woman as head of state. However, when the activists living in exile in Europe are also among focused on the reform work had only just begun, the south of the those experiencing increased pressure through prohibition of country exploded in ethnically-based violence. threats, warnings and increased harassment of child labour, and family members in Turkmenistan. Turkmen activists local leaders have In Tajikistan, the stand-off between radical were initially denied entry to OSCE Review participated in groups and the authorities has been hardening, Conferences in Warsaw and Vienna, family training to raise and this has in particular influenced the situation members of Radio Free Europe staff have been awareness of for religious minorities. Due to the financial crisis ­dismissed from their jobs and activists in Europe farmers’ rights and and increased labour control in Russia, several have been warned of assassination plans. The duties. Another labour migrants have returned home without number of political prisoners is in practice project has raised money or prospects for work. Restrictive legislation unknown as it is too difficult to access the informa- awareness of girls’ continues to keep civil society, media and even the tion. Gulgeldy Annanyazov, the dissident who had right to education private life of citizens under strict control, contri­ asylum in Norway and was arrested upon return to in the increasingly buting to a strained atmosphere. Fraudulent parlia- Turkmenistan in 2007, is still kept incommunicado paternalistic mentary elections in February only prolonged the and the state of his health is unknown. Blacklists society. almost 20-year rule of President Emomali Rahmon, for students and activists still exist, no international

17 Annual Report 2010

Tajik-Russian friendship.

ºº In Kyrgyzstan, projects have been inspired by the distrust between peoples of Kyrgyzstan and the potential for more violence, The Pamir Valley. and aim at mutual understanding human rights activists or organisations are allowed International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of and consolidation. entry or existence in the country, and despite Law. The visit was broadly covered in opposition “Nash Vek” has increased contact with multinational oil and gas media and appreciated by the laureate. Particular travelled all over companies, there is no improvement for the citizens. attention was given to Kazakhstan in 2010 because the country with of the OSCE Chairmanship, and the NHC has their “Consensus Ac tivities ­participated in several campaigns on various issues Caravan”, raising An NHC representative office was registered in throughout the year. When possible, the issue of awareness of Almaty, Kazakhstan, in May 2010. Parvina Turkmenistan has also been addressed through human rights and Abduvakhobova was selected as the new campaigns between the NHC and other organisa- making short film Programme Manager of the Representative Office, tions. clips on social and started her work in October. The office will be issues. In some officially opened in spring 2011 but has started The NHC has coordinated a project with the Oslo villages in the work on developing a network of good cooperation Center for Peace and Human Rights, Forum 18 south, “Kosh partners. The NHC was present at the formal News Service, Norwegian Mission to the East and Araket” has opening of the Norwegian embassy in Astana in the Oslo Coalition for Freedom of Religion or increased the February and participated in the civil society Belief, aimed at improving the freedom of religion interest and meeting with Norway’s Foreign Minister. in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The report “Broken knowledge of Promises: Freedom of Religion Issues in Kyrgyzstan youth in labour The change in government in Kyrgyzstan meant and Kazakhstan” was launched at a side event rights in order to that one of our employees, who had been banned during the OSCE High Level conference on toler- ensure secure in 2008, was again allowed to visit. The NHC ance in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June. The launch working condi- ­travelled to Bishkek a few days after the revolution, provided an important platform for discussions tions and concen- attending people’s meetings in Bishkek, where between NGOs, religious groups and government trate on education ­citizens loudly exchanged ideas for the new make-up representatives. This success was repeated at the which meets local of the country. They also discussed plans with Supplementary Human Dimension Implementation demands. local human rights activists who were eager to help Meeting on Freedom of Religion or Belief in ºº In Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyzstan leave repressive practices in the past. Vienna in December. projects have focused on the Beyond covering the violence in the south in June In January and later in May, a delegation from the country’s imple- and meeting with President Roza Otunbaeva, the Oslo Center and the NHC travelled to Astana for mentation of NHC was very active in relaying general develop- meetings with Kazakhstani officials, including the OSCE commit- ments in Kyrgyzstan to Norwegian and interna- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kanat Saudabayev, and ments. Also, the tional media throughout the year. We participated the head of the State Committee on Religious NGO Legal Policy as observers at the June referendum on the consti- Affairs. The government representatives were Research Centre tution and Parvina Abduvakhobova also partici- ­presented with a draft of the report and invited to monitored the pated as an election observer during the October provide their comments. extent to which parliamentary elections. Kazakhstan has The NHC was also present at the parliamentary met commitments The representative office has followed the treat- elections in Tajikistan in February, a flawed regarding local ment of the human rights activist Evgeniy Zhovtis, process that demonstrated particular insufficiencies participation in and the NHC has issued statements on his situa- in the tabulation and aggregation of the results. decision-making tion throughout the chairmanship year. The NHC and the right to a Secretary General visited Zhovtis in the prison in We continued to address the issue of travel bans for clean and healthy eastern Kazakhstan in August in order to congratu- journalists and human rights defenders in Central environment. late him on the Sakharov Freedom Award which Asia through the report “Persona Non Grata: The had been granted to him and the Kazakhstan CIS ban system for human rights defenders and

18 18•19

journalists”, which was published in November. along with campaigns for other political prisoners The report was the first of its kind to give a syste­ in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and Turkmen matic overview of the practice of imposing travel activists in exile. One political prisoner in bans on foreign human rights activists working in Uzbekistan was released in connection with a visit the former Soviet Union. While the NHC presented by the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham the report in Astana in autumn 2010, the author of Clinton in December. On the eve of the visit, the report, Ivar Dale, was unable to be present as Clinton had responded positively during a public he is still barred from entry to Kazakhstan. event in Astana, Kazakhstan, to a question posed by the NHC on whether she would raise the issue The action for the release of the Turkmen dissident of political prisoners during her visit to Uzbekistan. Gulgeldy Annaniyazov also continued in 2010, Bukhara.

Western Balkans Poctsr je Project co-operation with partner commit- In 2010 international attention in the Western major western partners. Security concerns for tees in the Western Balkans was focused on the trouble spots of Bosnia human rights activists and journalists remained in Balkans continued to and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Compared to the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. be an important part previous year, there was less concern for Serbia of the NHC’s work. but an increased one for Albania. EU enlargement Albania’s positive political and economic develop­ In particular projects fatigue and the impact of the global economic ment culminated in full NATO membership in have involved moni- downturn cast shadows over the prospects for the 2009. Since then, positive trends have reversed toring, reporting and region. and a deepening crisis has emerged between the consciousness-raising major political parties about the fairness of the in the field of human Institutional paralysis and dividing nationalist politics 2009 parliamentary elections. rights in Bosnia continued to plague Bosnia and Herzegovina, Herzegovina, Serbia both at the state level and within the Federation. The ensuing political stalemate included a boycott and Macedonia. These tendencies were only exacerbated by the of parliament by the opposition Socialist Party for ºº Helsinki Commit- electoral campaign. The November 2010 elections much of the year and a paralysis of decision-­ tee for human saw voting mostly along ethnic lines. By the end of making in several fields, including the appointment rights in Bosnia the year, a new state government had yet to be of the People’s Advocate (ombudsperson). and Herzegovina: formed and wrangling continued over the formation Monitor and lobby of the federal government. In a judgment of 2009, Macedonia’s name dispute with Greece continued for human rights the European Court of Human Rights found to hamper the prospects of its Euro-Atlantic compliance of ­electoral provisions of the BiH Constitution to be ­integration and the Helsinki Committee for Human ­parliaments and in violation of the European Convention on Rights in Macedonia continued to point out at the municipal Human Rights due to the ineligibility of minorities numerous shortcomings in the rule of law. level. Additionally, to certain positions. BiH politicians were unable or training in human unwilling to amend the provisions in question Transitional justice is a still a key concern and rights has been before the elections, as a result the conduct of priority area for the NHC. As the case against provided to politi- elections constituted a new breach. Radovan Karadzic is ongoing at the International cians, administra- Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Ratko tors and civil Serbia, hit hard by economic crisis, followed a Mladic and Goran Hadzic have still not been ­society in munici- more distinctly pro-western course, but Serbia’s apprehended. On a positive note, the UN has palities. policy towards Kosovo is still not in tune with its established a new mandate to deal with their cases

Elma Kovacˆevic´, Gry Larsen and Bjørn Engesland. Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal. Aleksandra Letic´, Sonia Biserko and Espen Barth Eide. Annual Report 2010

Poster encouraging to vote in Bosnia.

ºº Helsinki Commit- tee for human rights in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cooperation between five uni- versities in Bosnia has been estab- lished on teaching a test groups of students about transitional justice issues and values. Target groups include students in law, political and social sciences Vera Jovanovic´. Sonia Biserko. and journalism. Norwegian government. The conference high- ºº Helsinki Commit- lighted efforts needed to be taken from Norway to tee for human support the Srebrenica remembrance. rights in Macedo- nia: The Commit- In November, Chairwoman of the Helsinki tee has monitored Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, Sonja the human rights Biserko, came to Norway to receive the human situation and rights award of the University of Oslo, the Lisl and assessed individ- Leo Eitinger award. On this occasion the NHC ual allegations of should they be apprehended after the expiry of the ­co-organised the additional seminar “Dealing with human rights vio- ICTY mandate. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the War Crimes in Serbia” with the Norwegian Centre lations as well as work to address the huge backlog of war crimes for Human Rights. The NHC fully supported the proposed and cases has moved forward, but the implementation selection of Biserko for the award. monitored of the War Crimes Processing Strategy adopted by changes of law. the Council of Ministers has fallen seriously behind The NHC observed parliamentary elections in The Committee schedule and the work of courts and prosecutors November 2010 in co-operation with the Helsinki has reported on a have not enjoyed the political support needed for Committee for Human Rights. We concluded inter monthly basis, this work to be efficient and take full effect in alia that more domestic election observers are especially on the ­communities. needed to pursue more actively the collection of rule of law in the observations, especially during the counting phase. country. Denial of war crimes committed by one’s own ºº Helsinki Commit- ethnic kin and a rejection of the findings of inter- Delegations from the NHC visited BiH in May, tee for human national and domestic courts remain regional September, and November and took part in human rights in Serbia: problems along with relativisation and politicisation rights monitoring and the development, planning The ­magazine of processes and outcomes. In July, a British court and execution of projects, for instance by giving Helsinki Povelja turned down an extradition request from Serbia for lectures to university students. During these visits has been pub- former BiH President Ejup Ganic, stating that the the NHC met with representatives of civil society, lished bimonthly request was brought and used for political purposes the media, international organisations and decision- and public meet- and amounted to an abuse of the court. With makers in the justice and education sectors. ings have been respect to reconciliation the NHC has noted with held around the dismay that nationalistic sentiments – tending A delegation from the Helsinki Committee for country to present towards exclusion of people – are on the rise Human Rights in Republika Srpska visited Norway to citizens alterna- among youth in the region. in June. The delegation met with a number of tive ideas and to Norwegian actors in the reconciliation and transi- Ac tivities promote human tional justice field to learn from experiences and rights and a liberal To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the gen- explore possible partnerships. A delegation from perspective based ocide in Srebrenica, the NHC hosted a conference the NHC visited Serbia in November to follow-up on the rule of law. in Oslo on 3 June with participants from the region on our co-operation with the Helsinki Committee and two secretaries of state spoke on behalf of the in Serbia.

20 20•21

Human Rights Education II Human rights education is an important pillar of the work of the NHC. Our primary goal is development of democratic societies; where people actively participate in the advancement of human rights culture, where the achievement of individual rights goes hand in hand with international standards, and where conflicts are resolved through open dialogue, securing a peaceful coexistence.

Our human rights education programme focuses on four main areas: 1. Monitoring human rights education, with the aim of influencing the commitment of the individual states in this area 2. Human rights education as a means to developing strong civil society and free media 3. Human rights education as condition for attainment of individual rights, and individuals’ capability and opportunity to actively participate in social life 4. Work to rebuild trust and reconciliation after conflicts, in order to secure lasting peace and peaceful coexistence.

2010 has been an important year with new Despite practical problems experienced in the ­developments within several of our projects. recent years, one of the specific goals for 2010 – Russian human rights monitoring committees in the expansion and intensification of activities in closed institutions from Arkhangelsk, Kareli and the north-western area beyond Arkhangelsk – was Murmansk have been the focus for several training achieved. The events within the working plan were activities within the Barents project. A semester- conducted with strong contribution from our long course in Human Rights Education has been ­partners. Youth and teachers, prison and police taught for the first time at a university in Mostar officers, as well as people working with the disabled within the West Balkan project. The “Build have received training. In Helsinki, members of Bridges, Not Walls” book containing 97 exercises Russian monitoring committees of closed institutions in human rights, multicultural understanding and attended training with contributions from Compendium peaceful conflict resolution has been included in Norwegian experts in human rights monitoring. “Human Rights Education in the School Systems of Europe, Central Asia and North America: A The tutorial book, “Build Bridges not Walls”, written Compendium of Good Practice, a joint publication by Enver Djuliman and Lillian Hjorth was translated by OSCE/ODIHR, Council of Europe, OHCHR and into Russian and published in Arkhangelsk in March UNESCO. 2010. A total of 3,300 books were published and distributed under the supervision of the Arkhangelsk partner, the public organisation Ther Ba ents region Rassvet. The Barents project is a collaboration between

Sør-Varanger and Tromsø municipalities in Build bridges Norway, the Severomorsk city administration, the Be larus not walls City of Murmansk and the Murmansk region in The human rights education programme in Belarus Russia, and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. started in 2006 and continued to develop as a The project includes partners from the civil sector partnership between the Norwegian Helsinki such as Barents Press, Memorial, Uteshenie and Committee and several Belarusian human rights Rassvet. The aim is to contribute to a positive organisations. Since the start many journalists, development for human rights in the region and young people, teachers, and human rights activists increase cross-border cooperation between have participated in human rights schools and Norway and Russia, particularly in relation to seminars. Murmansk, Kareli and Arkhangelsk counties.

20 Annual Report 2010

2010 was marked by the preparations for the ­presidential elections held on 19 December. The political atmosphere in the country worsened as the elections drew closer and this impacted ­negatively on the participation in our activities. Many were reluctant to attend because of security concerns, some activities were postponed and others changed in character and content. Other activities had their target groups altered. This has not however hindered our partners from continuing to be active and finding creative solutions to implementation problems.

One of the most significant efforts of this pro- gramme in 2010 was made on gender equality, Human rights seminar for police in Chernigov, Ukraine. after the start of the cooperation with a local NGO which carried out educational seminars on women's rights all over Belarus. These seminars programme that is carried out all over Ukraine. were aimed at increasing interest in the issues of The programme has several donors and partners. human rights within the context of womens' rights, increasing the legal competency of women, as In 2010 the partners of the programme have been well as their political and social engagement the International Renaissance Foundation, the non- throughout the country. governmental organisation M’ART, Human Rights Centre ‘Postup’, Kharkiv Regional Foundation ‘Hromads’ka Al’ternatyva’ (Public Alternative). U kraine Youth, teachers, activists, journalists, people The programme “Let Us Understand Human working with the disabled, police and prison offi- Rights” is run by the Ukrainian Helsinki Union of cials as well as members of the Minstry of the Human Rights (UHUHR). The UHUHR has the Interior’s Human Rights Monitoring Group receive main responsibility for planning and carrying out training through the programme. The programme acitivites, while the NHC provides professional for journalists, teachers, law enforcement agents support and the administrative framework for the and the representatives of the prison system shifted cooperation. The NHC’s professional contribution from single courses to long-term training, in order is an essential part of the human rights education to strengthen the influence on these spheres. Youth at human rights school.

22 22•23

Conference in Sarajevo . Norwegian Ambassador Jan Braathu.

The journalists who take part in the educational The NHC has worked on human rights in the course ”Role of Journalism in Human Rights Balkans since the 1990s, and with human rights Advocacy and Support” become real partners in education since 2000. We have conducted schools human rights advocacy. Professional writing for about 10,000 young people and teachers. More together with an ability to identify problems of the than 50,000 young people have participated in our violation of human rights, journalists’ materials activities in local communities, educational have become more relevant and had a stronger ­materials have been published in local languages, impact on social issues. Journalistic activity com- and we have succeeded in introducing an elective bined with active citizenship has become one of course in teaching methodology for intercultural the most important achievements this year. For understanding and human rights at two universities example, one of the participants initiated and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Efforts to expand signed a public petition concerning the pressure by cooperation with several Bosnian universities, as STB TV channel on journalists and a hidden well as with universities in Serbia and Kosovo, are ­censorship of journalistic articles. under way. We work with a broad network of ­partners in the region, which includes civil society Under the programme, a conference on the organisations, educational institutions, regional ­development of human rights education was structures and experts. organised and drew 158 participants. The confer- ence concluded a list of recommendations for the development of formal and informal human rights North Caucasus education in Ukraine. During 2010 we established a comprehensive training programme in Chechnya, Ingushetia and North Ossetia. We provide systematic training and Wet s ern Balkans competence building in intercultural understanding, In 2010 our commitment has been to increase young conflict resolution and human rights. Young people’s participation in processes of transitional people, teachers, educational trainers and journalists justice, their contribution to truth commissions and are now taking part in the various processes that the dissemination of information about war crimes. are intended to enable them to contribute to a We have also motivated and trained them to be ­positive development in their communities. active partners in promoting the rebuilding of ­confidence in their local communities. As in We especially highlight the work being done in the ­previous years, we have focused on giving youth ethnically divided regions of North Ossetia, where opportunities to participate in specific activities young people develop and participate in common that target regional human rights challenges. This activities across ethnic divides, after having year the central elements of activities have been ­completed training in intercultural communication on the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals. and conflict management. In addition, the work Our partner organisations have developed a done with Chechen youth in highlighting alternative regional strategy to remind national authorities of ways to contribute to peace rather than joining a their responsibilities and commitments regarding growing conflict situation has resulted in the their obligations in education. As part of this, the ­development of concrete peace-promoting young activists have had regular contact with local ­activities with their peers. institutions. Annual Report 2010

III Human Rights in Norway The NHC was actively involved in activities related to Norwegian human rights protection in 2010. We published several reports and engaged in the protection of refugees and asylum seekers in our country. For the first time since the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council, Norway was scrutinised through the Universal Periodic Review, and the NHC was a central NGO partner for submitting a written report about main human rights concerns in Norway to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Re e fuge protection issues and the campaign for the ‘paperless’. Given our knowledge about the human rights ­situation in the countries where we are active, as a human rights organisation we have the responsibil- ity to give some assistance to asylum seekers from some of these countries who are in need of protec- tion in Norway. We agree to intervene in a limited number of cases where an intervention may be valuable and necessary to receive protection by Norwegian immigration decision-making bodies. We provide information to asylum lawyers, to the immigration services and to other authorities, both generally and in specific cases. In 2010 we engaged particularly in asylum cases from North Caucasus, writing several well-sustained letters to Norwegian authorities questioning their strict ­practices. We also followed up on our engagement from preceding years and advocated a full suspen- sion in returns of asylum seekers to Greece with reference to the Dublin II regulations. We criticised the – in our opinion – badly reasoned immigration Alem, 15 years in Norway. Photo: Grete Bro Thuestad. appeals board’s Grand Chamber decision which went the opposite way, and supported a dissenting Conference regarding member of the Chamber who resigned in protest. the `Paperless` at the House of Literature. In August, we joined a campaign supported by 28 Norwegian organisations to promote a mechanism to ensure a permanent solution for the so-called “paperless” – immigrants with rejected asylum claims who for various reasons have stayed in Norway without documents and legal rights. The issue was the subject at a hearing in the Norwegian parliament in October and the NHC provided an analysis from a human rights law ­perspective. The campaign also organised a well- attended seminar, concert and other activities.

In our efforts related to refugees in Norway we enjoy good cooperation with other organisations in Norway, most notably NOAS and Amnesty International Norway.

24 24•25

Belarus Free Theater performing their play Discover Love. Meeting at Stortinget with member of parliament Morten Høglund. Evgeny Zhovtis

A ebout th Sakharov Freedom Award The Andrei Sakharov Freedom Award was established by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in 1980, with the consent and support of Sakharov himself. It aims to support those who, because of their opinions, faith or conscience, are persecuted or jailed. The first Sakharov Freedom Award was awarded in 1984.

Svetlana Vitkovskaja, Yurij Gussakov, Rosa Akylbekova and Bjørn Engesland at The Norwegian Theatre. Ank drei Sa harov human rights situation in the region is worsening Freedom Award and regional tensions increasing. In September, the Kazakhstani human rights ­activist Evgeniy Zhovtis and the Kazakhstan Zhovtis’ wife Svetlana Vitkovskaja, Rosa International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Akylbekova and Yurij Gussakov received the Law (KIBHRRL) was awarded the 2010 Sakharov award on behalf of Zhovtis and Kazakhstan Freedom Award at a ceremony at the Norwegian International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Theatre in Oslo. Law. “Zhovtis is one of the rare persons, who through patient, sincere and hard work has Together with KIBHRRL, Evgeny Zhovtis has been become much more than a single representative of one of the most significant human rights defenders a human rights organisation – he has become the in Kazakhstan for two decades. Through dialogue critic the authorities cannot ignore and one who with the authorities, reporting on the human rights gives others the courage to take up the battle, situation, participation in international forums and simply because they know he is there,” Secretary by offering free legal aid and human rights educa- General Bjørn Engesland said in his speech at the tion for citizens in Kazakhstan, he has contributed ceremony. Zhovtis sent a message from the colony to the strengthening of human rights in his home in Ust-Kamenogorsk and wrote: “Ideals of country. Zhovtis actively helped shape freedom, justice and human rights…are becoming Kazakhstan’s human rights plan ahead of the remote and abstract ones; they do not have real ­country’s chairmanship of the Organisation for concept for the people of many countries. These Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), in ideals suffer crushing defeat in the fight for oil and close cooperation with the authorities and civil gas, geopolitical considerations and in the war society. Following a highly controversial and much against terrorism.” criticised trial in the wake of a tragic car accident, Evgeny Zhovtis was sentenced to four years in At the ceremony film-maker Erling Borgen screened prison in 2009. He is currently in prison in Ust- for the first time his powerful documentary, “The Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. prisoner from Azerbaijan”, about the imprisoned editor Eynullah Fatullayev. Through the 2010 Sakharov Freedom Award, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee wished to The play, “Discover Love”, about Belarusian Irina commend a person and an organisation that are Krasovskaya and the disappearance of her husband, highly worthy of such attention, and to focus on the opposition businessman Anatoly Krasovsky in Kazakhstan and Central Asia at a time when the 1999, was performed by Belarus Free Theatre. The

24 Annual Report 2010

theatre group is not allowed to perform freely in Belarus. Just a week before the award ceremony Aleh Byabenin, one of the founders of the most popular independent website in Belarus was found dead in unclear circumstances, and the performance was dedicated not only to the Sakharov freedom Award laureates, but also to the memory of Aleh Byabenin.

Humag n Ri hts Human Wrongs documentary film festival The Human Rights Human Wrongs Film Festival is Scandinavia’s only film festival dedicated to human rights, and it was arranged for the second time in Celebrating Liu Xiaobo. 2010. The 2010 event took place at Parkteatret from 3 to 7 February. The NHC co-organised the festival together with Oslo Dokumentarkino and Nobel Peace Prize the Human Rights House Oslo. The themes of the reception festival were built around the following four themes: Winner of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize was the “Migration and human wrongs”, “Worlds without Chinese writer and human rights defender Liu ­witnesses”, “Impunity or justice – How to rights Xiaobo. NHC Secretary General Bjørn Engesland Panel discussion at HRHW. From left Niels Jacob Harbitz, wrongs” and “Big business – Outside the law?” expressed the hope that awarding the Nobel Peace Nora Sveaass, Gunnar M. Ekeløve- The aim of the festival is to engage the general Prize to Liu Xiaobo would contribute to improving Slydal and Maina Kiai. public in local and international issues relating to the situation for him and other human rights human rights and their abuses. A total of 25 films defenders in China. The prize also highlights the were screened from 12 countries; 19 of the screen- fight for democracy at Tiananmen Square in 1989 ings were Norwegian premières. Five major panel and the following fight for civil and political rights debates also took place to allow for additional in China. comments, introductions and Q&As. Seven inter- national guests were invited to Oslo to participate To celebrate Liu Xiaobo, the NHC and the in the thematic discussions. Big names such as Freedom of Expression Foundation organised a filmmaker Rob Lemkin, director of “Enemies of the reception on 10 December. More than 100 guests People”, Mads Gilbert, Norwegian doctor and from diplomacy, Norwegian officials, media, Gaza activist and Paul Kenyon, the BBC Panorama culture and the NGO community came together in reporter behind the series “Migrant Go Home”, honour of the imprisoned Nobel laureate. made valuable contributions and drew attention to the festival. Additionally, 17 more international and Kai Remlov. Norwegian experts introduced and discussed the topics raised by the films. An audience of 2,500 people attended the films and discussions that received considerable media coverage.

Audience at Parkteatret. Mads Gilbert.

26 26•27

Co-operation and International IV ­processes

The NHC is a member of several national and international networks of human rights organisations. Each year, our representatives participate in a range of international meetings and conferences. We strive to be a key player among organisations and forums dealing with human rights issues, our goal being to influence international organisations and states to protect human rights and promote human rights issues.

O rganisation for Ac tivities included: Security and Co- ºº Submitting a written alternative report to the UN operation in Europe Human Rights Committee on Norway’s compli- (OSCE) ance with the UN International Covenant on In 2010, Kazakhstan became the first CIS country Civil and Political Rights with extensive comment to hold the chairmanship of the OSCE. The chair- to Norway’s official sixth periodic report. manship year was marred by an increasingly diffi- ºº Issuing of, and lobbying for, 10 written recom- cult situation for civil society participation. mendations to the Government of Norway Because of the OSCE Summit in Astana, the first regarding the Norwegian membership of the Summit to take place since Istanbul in 1999, the UN Human Rights Council and human rights traditional Human Dimension Implementation promotion at the UN more broadly. Meeting was replaced by a three-fold Review ºº Facilitation of information exchange and co-­ Conference. A High Level Conference on ordination between Norwegian human rights Tolerance was arranged in Astana where the NHC NGOs and between them and Norwegian organised a side-event on freedom of religion in authorities. Kazakhstan. The NHC was visibly present at the ºº The NHC attended the March session of the UN essential events and addressed Kazakhstan’s Human Rights Council at Geneva, inter alia to lacking implementation of the commitments of the lobby in favour of the NGO Forum recommen- very organisation it was chairing. In Warsaw the dations. NHC made statements on freedom of expression in connection with elections in Belarus and Azerbaijan, freedom of religion in Kyrgyzstan, Humag n Ri hts Dialogue ­protection of human rights defenders in Central The NHC, represented by Secretary General Bjørn Asia and the protection of war crime witnesses and Engesland, has since 1999 participated in the official victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Vienna, the Human Rights Dialogues held by the Norwegian NHC made interventions on freedom of religion in Government with China, Indonesia and Vietnam. Kyrgyzstan, and in Astana on the media situation The effectiveness of the human rights dialogues, in Bosnia and Herzegovina and human rights especially the one with China, has frequently been defenders in Central Asia. questioned, and the Chinese Government’s reac- tions to awarding the 2010 Nobel Peace prize to the dissident Liu Xiaobo may lead to the suspen- Norw egian NGO Forum sion of this dialogue. Bjørn Engesland, Secretary for Human Rights and General, took part in Norway’s human rights focus on the United ­dialogues with China and Indonesia. Gunnar M. Nations Ekeløve-Slydal, Deputy Secretary General, took The NHC served as the secretariat of the forum in part in Norway’s human rights dialogue with 2010. The NHC presided over meetings in the Vietnam. The NHC holds that the dialogues remain Forum and organised the activities of the Forum important channels to address human rights issues and organised the participation of Norwegian and develop contacts. There are, however, limited NGOs in the work of the UN Human Rights possibilities in the dialogue set-ups with Vietnam Council in Geneva. and China to assess any impact of the dialogue on the countries’ human rights policies.

26 27 Annual Report 2010

OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna.

Geneva.

Norw egian Centre for The NHC is a member of both the international Human Rights NGO coalition for the ICC (CICC) and the Forum The NHC has close ties with the Norwegian for International Criminal and Humanitarian Law Centre for Human Rights. We regularly provide (FICHL), taking an active part in some of its briefing lectures for election observers headed to ­activities. missions in areas where the NHC has key compe- tence. Secretary General Bjørn Engesland is also a During the year, the NHC cooperated with member of the board of the Centre for Human Georgian human rights organisations to collect and Rights. Deputy Secretary General Gunnar M. present material to the ICC on war crimes during Ekeløve-Slydal was the secretary for a group evalu- the 2008 war between Georgia and Russia. The ation of the functioning of the National institution NHC was involved in monitoring Norway’s for human rights, which is part of the Centre. domestic efforts on prioritising and prosecuting international criminal cases in the Norwegian courts. Since 2008, Norway has had legislation In ternational justice and established the investigative and prosecutorial The NHC remained active on international justice capacity to try persons suspected of war crimes, issues, providing comments and viewpoints to the crimes against humanity and genocide. media and taking part in seminars and discussions on issues related to the operation and set-up of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the two UN ad Humag n Ri hts House in hoc courts for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, Oslo/Human Rights as well as other international legal bodies, and House Network ­universal jurisdiction issues under Norwegian law. The NHC is a member of the Human Rights House in Oslo and occupies approximately half of the The NHC was represented at the ICC Review space of the offices shared with eight other NGOs. Conference from 31 May-11 June 2010, which took The Oslo Human Rights House is member of the place in Kampala, Uganda. At the conference, the Human Rights House Network. statute of the ICC was amended to include the crime of aggression in the future.

28 28•29

Eae grants V In 2005 he Norwegian Helsinki Committee was assigned a project by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take the main responsibility for coordinating and distributing information for bilateral partnership under the NGO funds and EEA Grants/Norway Grants.

EEa A Gr nts In 2005 the Norwegian Helsinki Committee was assigned a project by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordinating and distributing information for bilateral partnerships under the NGO Funds and the EEA Grants/Norway Grants. The project was taken further by winning a first public tender in 2007. Through this project the NHC cooperates closely with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian ­embassies in the beneficiary countries as well as the Financial Mechanism Office.

In the period 2009-14, €988.5 million in financial support is provided through the EEA Grants, jointly Launching at the House of Literature in Oslo. financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, to 15 beneficiary states in central and southern Europe. The Norway Grants, funded solely by Norway, communication between potential partners. The makes available an additional €900 million to the project organised further study trips and seminars 12 newest EU member states. The grant focuses in for representatives of Czech and Norwegian NGOs particular on efforts to strengthen democracy and that have taken place in the Czech Republic and human rights, to fight discrimination and to Norway. improve the integration of disadvantaged groups. The cooperation between the NHC and NROS also resulted in the publication of the book Mi a n activities in 2010 “Norwegian inspiration: culture in Czech- In 2010 the main focus was on writing country- Norwegian dialogue”, made possible through the analysis of civil society in selected beneficiary project Norwegian Inspiration: Culture of civic life countries for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign in the Czech Norwegian Dialogue. Forty people Affairs use in its upcoming negotiation processes. were present at the launch in Oslo at the House of An additional focus for the last part of 2010 was to Literature, while 130 people attended the launch at write a proposition on a new public tender for the the Czerny Palace in Prague. coming period, in which the NHC was successful. The NHC and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign The committee continued to gather and publish Affairs hosted an information seminar in Vanja Bentsen Kleven. experiences and results from the bilateral projects September aimed at evaluating the NGO funds under the NGO Funds. under the EEA Grants and Norway. In October the Anna Sabatova and NHC participated in a seminar in Warsaw focusing Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal. In cooperation with Civil Society Development on the presentation of the NGO Funds and the Foundation (NROS) the NHC participated in the NGO consultation process, and in December the project “Road to Cooperation – Development of a NHC participated in the final seminar for the Czech-Norwegian partnership”. The project was to Portuguese environmental fund. support cooperation between Czech and Norwegian NGOs by creating a database of Czech and Norwegian organisations towards the estab- lishment of partnerships and effective and easy

28 29 Annual Report 2010

VI Information

website was visited 1,053 times per day in 2010. In Me dia Contact 2010, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee decided As an independent human rights organisation, we to upgrade the Committee’s site. Idium, a consider it imperative to maintain high visibility Norwegian company providing different web

2010

• and communicate our points of view to the general ­solutions for companies and organisations, was 1 REPORT BROKEN PROMISES: public, the media and directly to the Norwegian chosen as supplier of our new website. A Freedom of religion or belief issues in Kazakhstan and authorities. A significant aspect of the activities of ­substantial share of the information department’s Kyrgyzstan our information department is therefore to commu- resources were spent in 2010 to finalise the new nicate the work of the NHC and its views to the web solution. The new website will be launched in media and the general public. March 2011.

The NHC subscribes to a service from Meltwater news that tracks media appearances. In 2010 the P ublications

2010

• 2 REPORT NHC or its advisors were registered with 1,016 hits The Norwegian Helsinki Committee published two

PERSONA NON GRATA in Norwegian electronic media. Here it should be printed reports in 2010: The CIS ban system for human rights defenders ºº and journalists noted that this figure refers only to electronically “Broken Promises: Freedom of religion or belief published articles and reports. Material in printed issues in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan”. The report publications is not taken into account, but these was co-authored with Forum 18 News Service, represent an important addition to our visibility. the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Additionally, NHC representatives are frequently Belief, the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human used as commentators and experts in radio and TV Rights and the Norwegian Mission to the East. programmes. We have also been mentioned on ºº “Persona Non Grata. The CIS ban system for numerous occasions in Russian-language and other human rights defenders and journalists”. The international media. report was the first of its kind to give a syste­ matic overview of the practice of imposing travel The NHC has set the agenda in several important bans on foreign human rights activists and jour- human rights questions in 2010, and we are con- nalists working in the former Soviet Union. tinuing to be one of the most visible human rights organisations in Norway. Both publications and previous reports can be downloaded from the web page www.nhc.no, or purchased from the NHC information department Wet bsi e on request. The information department communicates the work of the NHC through its own website and publications. In the course of 2010, the NHC pub- Mebs m er hip lished 129 relevant news articles on www.nhc.no, As of the end of 2010, the NHC had 577 individual in addition to other postings. On average, the NHC members.

VII Finances

The total spending in 2010 was 29,3 million NOK the Freedom of Expression Foundation (Fritt Ord), out of which project support for partners consti- Open Society Institute, National Endowment for tuted 17,4 million NOK. Total income balance Democracy and the Barents Secretariat. Gifts, was 29,3 million NOK. members contribution etc. provided an income of 347 736 NOK. The Norwegian Helsinki Committees donors are primary the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

30 29•31

Atmosphere of fear. Kyrgyzstan.

30 An injured protester challenges the Omon riot police at the Liberty Square in Minsk.

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