Raftoprisen 2018 URIKS
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Human Rights House Network
HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE NETWORK Annual Report 2002 OSLO MOSCOW WARSAW SARAJEVO BERGEN ZAGREB NAIROBI MINSK ISTANBUL TIRANA Map of the Human Rights House Network OSLO WARSAW MOSCOW SARAJEVO BERGEN The Norwegian Human Helsinki Foundation Russian Research The Human Rights The Rafto Human Rights House for Human Rights Center for Human Rights House in Sarajevo Rights House Urtegata 50, 0187 Oslo, 00-028 Warsaw, 4 Louchnikov Lane, Ante Fijamenga 14b, Menneskerettighetenes Norway ul. Bracka 18m. 62, doorway 3, suite 5, 71000 Sarajevo, plass 1, [email protected] Poland 103982 Moscow, Russia Bosnia and 5007 Bergen , Norway Tel: +47 23 30 11 00 tel/fax +48 22 8281008, tel +7 095 206-0923 Herzegovina Tel: +47 55 21 09 30 Fax: +47 23 30 11 01 8286996, 8269875, fax +7 095 206-8853 tel/fax: Fax: +47 55 21 09 39 e-mail: 8269650 e-mail: [email protected] + 387 33 230 267 / e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: Website: 387 33 230 811 [email protected] [email protected] http://www.rhrcenter.org Helsinki Foundation The Bureau of Amnesty International Norwegian Helsinki Soldiers' Mothers for Human Rights of the Western Norway Committee Committee Human Rights Serb Civic Council Section Independent Union Norwegian Tibet Helsinki Committee Human Rights in Poland of Professional NORDPAS Committee Network Group Journalists International Society Young Journalists' Non-violence Coalition of NGO's Norwegian for Health and Association International in BH Afghanistan Human Rights "POLIS" "IZLAZ" Committee Helsinki Committee for Polish-Tibetan Moscow -
Press Release 2005 Rafto Prize to Chechnyan Human Rights Advocat
Press Release 2005 Rafto Prize to Chechnyan Human Rights Advocat Ms Lida Yusupova The Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize for 2005 is awarded to the Chechnyan lawyer and human rights advocate Ms Lida Yusupova, in recognition of her brave and unrelenting efforts to document human rights violations and act as a spokeswoman for the forgotten victims of the war in Chechnya. Ms Yusupova struggles to defend human dignity in a chaotic war situation and in a context where the working conditions and security of human rights advocates and journalists are increasingly compromised. This year’s Rafto Prize laureate, Ms Lida Yusupova (born on 15 September, 1961), has been Office Director in Grozny of the Russian human rights organisation Memorial. Ms Yusupova has been active in bringing forth lawsuits regarding human rights violations to Chechnyan courts. Memorial is one of very few such organisations that continue to operate in Chechnya. The incidents that Yusupova and her fellow co-workers in Memorial have documented are serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Russian federal and Chechen security forces, committed without fear of legal consequences: Extrajudicial killings, enforced "disappearances" of civilians, illegal arrests and torture. The war in Chechnya has persisted for the past seven years, resulting in a degree of destruction that is almost incomprehensible. The policies of the Russian government in Chechnya have resulted in a marginalisation of the more moderate Chechnyan groups that have pursued peaceful approaches to end the suffering of the population. Instead, the consequence of Russian policies has been to strengthen the position of extreme Islamist groups that resort to acts of terror and suicide bombings. -
1 H.E. Mr Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland H.E. Mr
H.E. Mr Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland H.E. Mr Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland H.E. Ms Elżbieta Witek, Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland H.E. Mr Mateusz Morawiecki, Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland 8 June 2020 Excellencies, On 19 March 2020 the Bar Council of England and Wales (Bar Council) and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) wrote to you to express grave concern as to the motion filed by the National Prosecution Office to the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court (Disciplinary Chamber) to waive the immunity of Judge Igor Tuleya. We called upon the relevant Polish authorities to respect their obligations under the Polish Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, and European Union law; to comply with the judgment of the Supreme Court of 5 December 2019; to respect the resolution of the Polish Supreme Court of 23 January 2020; to refrain from actions and statements attacking and vilifying judges and prosecutors; and to take all necessary measures to suspend the operation of the Disciplinary Chamber and end the politicisation of the new National Council of the Judiciary. We called for the arbitrary motion against Judge Igor Tuleya to be withdrawn without delay. We understand that there is to be a hearing of the motion on 9 June 2020. Since 19 March there have been important developments. On 8 April 2020 the Court of Justice of European Union specified in Case C-791/19 R (Commission v Poland) that Poland must immediately suspend the application of the national provisions on the powers of the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court with regard to disciplinary cases concerning judges. -
The Rafto Prize 2018 Is Awarded to the Polish Lawyer Adam Bodnar and the Institution He Leads, the Office of the Commissioner F
Award statement 27.09.2018 THE RAFTO PRIZE 2018 IS AWARDED TO THE POLISH LAWYER ADAM BODNAR AND THE INSTITUTION HE LEADS, THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, FOR THE IMPORTANT STANCE TAKEN IN THE FACE OF CURRENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN POLAND. - Defender of minority rights and judicial independence in Poland A key function of the Ombudsman, the Commissioner for Human Rights, is to ensure that the public authorities secure and respect the human rights of all members of Polish society. As Commissioner, Adam Bodnar has highlighted the crucial role played by independent Ombudsman institutions in safeguarding human rights in Poland - and other countries - where such actors and institutions come under attack. To guarantee fundamental human rights for all, it is necessary to maintain the independence of the judiciary, a free press, and an active civil society. Protection of the interests of minorities is a significant democratic value. Democracy is fragile when it is reduced to the will of the majority and when human rights, minority rights and the rule of law are undermined. Since Law and Justice (PiS) won the Polish election in October 2015, the party has used its majority in the National Parliament to adopt legislation that reduces the independence of the courts and centralizes state powers. New laws grant the government control of state media and place severe limits on freedom of information and political lobbying. The rights of vulnerable groups have been repeatedly ignored. In this situation, the Commissioner for Human Rights is an important defender of judicial independence and minority rights. As an independent ombudsman, Adam Bodnar stands out as an advocate of democracy, a defender of minorities and fundamental human rights. -
The Polish Paradox: from a Fight for Democracy to the Political Radicalization and Social Exclusion
social sciences $€ £ ¥ Article The Polish Paradox: From a Fight for Democracy to the Political Radicalization and Social Exclusion Zofia Kinowska-Mazaraki Department of Studies of Elites and Political Institutions, Institute of Political Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Polna 18/20, 00-625 Warsaw, Poland; [email protected] Abstract: Poland has gone through a series of remarkable political transformations over the last 30 years. It has changed from a communist state in the Soviet sphere of influence to an autonomic prosperous democracy and proud member of the EU. Paradoxically, since 2015, Poland seems to be heading rapidly in the opposite direction. It was the Polish Solidarity movement that started the peaceful revolution that subsequently triggered important democratic changes on a worldwide scale, including the demolition of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of Communism and the end of Cold War. Fighting for freedom and independence is an important part of Polish national identity, sealed with the blood of generations dying in numerous uprisings. However, participation in the democratic process is curiously limited in Poland. The right-wing, populist Law and Justice Party (PiS) won elections in Poland in 2015. Since then, Poles have given up more and more freedoms in exchange for promises of protection from different imaginary enemies, including Muslim refugees and the gay and lesbian community. More and more social groups are being marginalized and deprived of their civil rights. The COVID-19 pandemic has given the ruling party a reason to further limit the right of assembly and protest. Polish society is sinking into deeper and deeper divisions. -
SMITA NARULA 78 North Broadway, White Plains, New York 10603, [email protected]
SMITA NARULA 78 North Broadway, White Plains, New York 10603, [email protected] ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS ELISABETH HAUB SCHOOL OF LAW AT PACE UNIVERSITY White Plains, NY Haub Distinguished Professor of International Law Sept. 2018 - present ▪ Appointed in 2018 as the inaugural Distinguished Haub Chair in International Law to teach in the law school’s internationally renowned and top-ranked environmental law program. ▪ Courses: International Environmental Law; Environmental Justice; Human Rights & the Environment; Property Law. Committees: Appointments Committee; Admissions Committee; Nominating Committee; Environmental Law Program. Research interests: International Human Rights Law; Food Sovereignty & the Right to Food; Indigenous Peoples’ Rights; Environmental Movements; Sustainable Development Goals. Faculty Advisor: Pace International Law Review. ▪ Appointed Co-Director of the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies in July 2019. Coordinate and supervise Haub Law students’ efforts to draft, submit, appeal and negotiate motions on international environmental law subjects for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s World Conservation Congress. HUNTER COLLEGE – CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK New York, NY Distinguished Lecturer & Interim Director 2017 – 2018 Human Rights Program, Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute ▪ Directed interdisciplinary program in human rights for undergraduate students and provided strategic direction for relevant academic, public outreach, and programming efforts. Fostered human rights -
Human R I G H Ts H O U S E Network
HUMAN RIGHTS HOUSE NETWORK Annual Report 2003 OSLO MOSCOW WARSAW SARAJEVO BERGEN ZAGREB NAIROBI MINSK ISTANBUL BAKU LONDON KAMPALA BAKU KAMPALA ISTANBUL Article 19 English PEN LONDON Index on Censorship for the the for VIASNA VIASNA Belarusian Belarusian PEN-Center Belarusian Foundation MINSK Lev Sapega Association of Journalists Law Initiative Supolnast Center Belarusian Language Language Belarusian Human Rights Center Center Rights Human F. Skaryna Partnership Partnership Skaryna F. 2 for B.a.B.e Croatian Womenís Womenís Human Rights ZAGREB Emerging Houses Croatian Law Center Law Croatian Helsinki Committee Human Rights Group and Torture Release Release Commission Legal Center NAIROBI Federation of against Women against People Against Women Lawyers Women Center for Law and Political Prisoners Political Research International Kenya Human Rights Coalition on Violence Violence on Coalition Child Rights Advisory Norwegian Committee Committee Church Aid (Norwegian AFS Norway AFS Foundation Peace Corps) Fredskorpset Idenity Project Project Idenity BERGEN War and Children and War Egil Rafto House International Exchange International Norwegian Afghanistan Norwegian of of Journalists Renesansa Professional Professional Zene Zenama Human Rights in in Rights Human Serb Civil Council Independent Union Union Independent (Women to Women) (Women SARAJEVO Helsinki Committee for for Committee Helsinki Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnia of of Group Convicted Convicted Foundation Psychiatric International Independent Non-violence Frontiers Group Right -
Aung San Suu Kyi No. 6 November 2010
Burma Aung San Suu Kyi Briefing No. 6 November 2010 Updated 17 June 2011 Introduction Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s pro-democracy leader FACTBOX: No. 1 and Nobel Peace laureate, has come to symbolise • Leader of Burma’s democracy movement July 2010 the struggle of Burma’s people to be free. • Has spent total of 15 years and 20 days in She has spent more than 15 years in detention, detention since 1989 most of it under house arrest. The United Nations has issued legal judgements that Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention was illegal under international law • Her party, the National League for and Burmese law. Democracy, has been banned. On Saturday 13th November 2010, a week after • Daughter of Aung San, leader of Burma’s rigged elections for a powerless Parliament, she independence movement was released from her third period of house arrest. • Winner of Nobel Peace Prize The dictatorship correctly calculated that by releasing Aung San Suu Kyi they would receive so much positive publicity it would counter the negative attention on the election. No political change As experience has shown us after two previous times that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released, it is wrong to assume that her release is a portent of possible democratic change in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi has herself said that her own release by itself does not mean significant change while thousands of political prisoners remain in jail, and the people of Burma are not free. Since her release the dictatorship has continued to detain around 2,000 political prisoners, and denies to the United Nations that it even has political prisoners. -
International Conference on Turkey , the Kurds and the EU
International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU European Parliament, Brussels, 22-23 November 2004 - Conference Papers Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu Edited by Mark Muller, Claire Brigham, Kariane Westrheim and Kerim Yildiz International Conference on Turkey, the Kurds and the EU European Parliament, Brussels, 22-23 November 2004 Conference Papers Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu Edited by Mark Muller, Claire Brigham, Kariane Westrheim and Kerim Yildiz published by the eu turkey civic commission, which was established by: Bar Human Rights Committee The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) is the international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is an independent body primarily concerned with the protection of the rights of advocates and judges around the world. It is also concerned with defending the rule of law and internationally recognised legal standards relating to the right to a fair trial. The remit of the BHRC extends to all countries of the world, apart from its own jurisdiction of England & Wales. Kurdish Human Rights Project The Kurdish Human Rights Project (KHRP) is an independent, non-political human rights organisation founded and based in London, England. KHRP is a registered charity and is committed to the promotion and protection of the human rights of all persons living in the Kurdish regions, irrespective of race, religion, sex, political persuasion or other belief or opinion. Its supporters include both Kurdish and non-Kurdish people. KHRP is grateful to all its funders, without whom its work would not be possible. medico international Medico international was founded in 1968 in the context of the Biafra and Vietnam Wars. -
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on the EU, TURKEY and the KURDS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUSSELS, 16Th – 17Th October 2006
THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EU, TURKEY AND THE KURDS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUSSELS, 16th – 17th October 2006 THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EU, TURKEY AND THE KURDS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BRUSSELS 16th – 17th October 2006 Acknowledgments The EUTCC would like to extend their sincere thanks to those at the European Parliament who kindly allowed the conference to be hosted there. In particular thanks are due to Stefano Squarcina, Secretary General of the United Left (GUE/ NGL) in the European Parliament, for his assistance in making the conference possible. The EUTCC would also like to thank Megan Mellem, Johanna Nykanen, Ella Rolfe and Esra Türk for their assistance in compiling and editing this report. Layout & Design: Torske & Sterling Legal Marketing www.torske.co.uk Keywords: Turkey, minorities, Accession, EU Printed in Great Britain September 2007 ISBN:978-1-905592-15-9 Published by the Kurdish Human Rights Project (London) All rights reserved The Conference was sponsored and organised by the EUTCC which was established in 2004 by: Kurdish Human Rights Project is an independent, non- political human rights organisation founded and based in London, England. A registered charity, it is dedicated to promoting and protecting the human rights of all people in the Kurdish regions of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria and elsewhere, irrespective of race, religion, sex, political persuasion or other belief or opinion. Its supporters include Kurdish and non-Kurdish people. The Bar Human Rights Committee is the international human rights arm of thee Bar of England and Wales. It is an independent body primarily concerned with the protection of the rights of advocates and judges around the world. -
Poland: Briefing on the Rule of Law and Independence of the Judiciary in Poland in 2020-2021
POLAND: BRIEFING ON THE RULE OF LAW AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY IN POLAND IN 2020-2021 Amnesty International is a movement of 10 million people which mobilizes the humanity in everyone and campaigns for change so we can all enjoy our human rights. Our vision is of a world where those in power keep their promises, respect international law and are held to account. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and individual donations. We believe that acting in solidarity and compassion with people everywhere can change our societies for the better. © Amnesty International 2021 Except where otherwise noted, content in this document is licensed under a Creative Commons Cover photo: © Piotr Wójcik (attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives, international 4.0) licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode For more information please visit the permissions page on our website: www.amnesty.org Where material is attributed to a copyright owner other than Amnesty International this material is not subject to the Creative Commons licence. First published in 2020 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street London WC1X 0DW, UK Index: EUR 37/4304/2021 Original language: English amnesty.org CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 7 2. DEVELOPMENT CONCERNING RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN POLAND IN 2020 8 2.1 LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS IN 2020: THE “MUZZLE LAW” 8 2.2 SIGNIFICANT LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS UNDERMINING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY 9 2.2.1 THREE ILLUSTRATIVE CASES OF INTERFERENCE WITH JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IN POLAND: WAIVING THE IMMUNITY OF JUDGES AND REMOVING THEM FROM OFFICE 9 2.2.2 THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL RULING ON ABORTION 11 2.3 IMPORTANT LEGAL DECISIONS AND JUDGMENTS 12 2.3.1 THE CJEU ORDERS THE SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITIES OF THE DISCIPLINARY CHAMBER OF THE SUPREME COURT 12 2.3.2 RESOLUTION BY A PANEL OF THREE CHAMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT 12 3. -
Tilting the Playing Field in Hungary and Poland Through Informal Power Edit Zgut
Policy Paper April 2021 Tilting the Playing Field in Hungary and Poland through Informal Power Edit Zgut ReThink.CEE Fellowship Washington, DC Ankara Belgrade Berlin Brussels Bucharest Paris Warsaw Policy Paper April 2021 Summary Hungary and Poland have become the most prom- media outlets independent of the government. In inent cases of democratic backsliding and rule- recent months, once again Hungary’s government was of-law deterioration among the member states of the able to silence a dissident voice (Klubrádió) due to the European Union. Both countries have undergone a EU’s inaction, and developments concerning the press systemic change since the Fidesz and Law and Justice in Poland show that PiS is following in the footsteps of (PiS) parties came to power and started their illiberal Fidesz. Both regimes have also learned to develop new remodeling in 2010 and 2015 respectively. The EU has ways to make elections unfair in an informal way that not been able to force either government to comply is more difficult for international observers to identify with its core values, despite introducing various instru- than outright fraud. ments to that end. Furthermore, the EU’s procedures It is crucial for the EU to pay greater attention to for monitoring the institutional and legal systems in these problems of informal power in member states member states do not address the informal exercise like Hungary and Poland because its existing proce- of power that Fidesz and PiS have used to undermine dures for dealing with democratic and rule-of-law Hungarian and Polish democracy. backsliding mainly monitor the institutional and This paper provides a nuanced picture of demo- legal systems and are ill-suited to address informal cratic backsliding in Hungary and Poland by analyzing mechanisms used by governments.