Issue No 19

October 2006

 

Welcome to Civil Society Watch Monthly Bulletin, an e-newsletter of updates and analyses concerning civil society's rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression around the world. The Bulletin is compiled by the staff at Civil Society Watch, a programme of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation. Please feel free to forward the Bulletin to friends and colleagues. We welcome your comments and contributions!

 


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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

 

FRONT PAGE
UZBEKISTAN:
A year of civic repression

An interview with Uzbek activist Shuhrat Ahmadjonov

 

CIVICUS ALERTS!

RUSSIA: Human rights organisation liquidated

RUSSIA: 77 organisations forced to suspend activities

ETHIOPIA: CIVICUS urges a fair and swift trial

 

ANALYSIS

When is the political partisan?

CIVICUS Civil Society Watch

 

GOOD NEWS

ZIMBABWE: Human rights activists acquitted - but more face trial

 

CSW COUNTRY UPDATES
ANGOLA: Human rights defender arrested

BAHRAIN: Government blocks critical websites

BELARUS: Parliament adopts law on extremism

BOTSWANA: Indigenous activists charged

CHINA: Freedom of expression for bloggers threatened

COLOMBIA: Human rights defenders accused of terrorism

EGYPT: Members of organisation arrested

HONDURAS: NGO journalists threatened with lawsuit

INDONESIA: Activist challenges defamation laws

IRAN: Activist students banned from university

ISRAEL: NGO shut down

KAZAKHSTAN: Draft law limits freedom of expression

NEW ZEALAND: Charities barred from involvement in politics

PHILIPPINES: Call for action against trade union killings

SAUDI ARABIA: New charities law debated

SOUTH AFRICA: Proposed by-law restricts freedom of assembly

SUDAN: Staff of NGO harassed

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Activists and NGOs restricted

VIETNAM: Online repression creates climate of fear

 

RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS

CIVICUS World Assembly: Call for workshop proposals

CIVICUS: What do you think? Have your say on the CIVICUS Blog

 

FRONT PAGE

 

UZBEKISTAN: A year of civic repression

CSW interviews Shuhrat Ahmadjonov, an Uzbek activist and director of the Tashnet branch of the Congress of Democratic Uzbekistan

 

On 13-14 May 2005, the government of Uzbekistan brutally suppressed a popular uprising in the eastern city of Andijan and the surrounding area. President Islam Karimov announced his forces had acted to end a revolt by Islamist extremists, yet the hundreds of victims -- possibly as many as 750 -- were mostly unarmed civilians, including many children. While civil society in Uzbekistan was restricted before the uprising in Andijan, it has experienced increasing repression in the past year. Shuhrat Ahmadjonov tells us about the challenges facing civil society in his country.

 

To read the full interview, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/FRONTPAGE-Uzbekistan.htm

 

CIVICUS ALERTS!

 

RUSSIA: 77 organisations forced to suspend activities

20 October 2006 - CIVICUS expressed serious concern that 77 foreign NGOs operating in Russia have been forced to suspend their activities, after the government declined their registration applications yesterday. Government officials reportedly claim those NGOs which were denied registration failed to submit their applications on time, or completed them incorrectly. Many international and local NGOs, however, fear that the new NGO law is being used to crack down on critics of the government.

To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_Alert_20.10.06.htm

 

RUSSIA: Human rights organisation liquidated

13 October 2006 - CIVICUS condemned today’s closure of the Russian-Chechen Friendship Society (RCFS), a prominent human rights organisation based in Russia. CIVICUS fears that this is a chilling example of how the recently introduced law affecting NGOs can be used to restrict freedom of association.

To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_Appeal_13.10.06_English.htm,                                                  http://www.civicus.org/csw/RUSSIA_RUS_Appeal_13.10.06.htm

 

ETHIOPIA: CIVICUS urges a fair and swift trial

4 October 2006 – CIVICUS, joined by voices from over 20 countries, today wrote to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi, urging him to fulfil his promise of a swift and fair trial for civil society activists detained since November 2005. On 5 October, the mass treason trial within which Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, both Global Call to Action against Poverty coordinators, are charged will resume after a two-month court recess. Their trial began on 2 May 2006, together with over 100 opposition members and journalists.

To read the full alert, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/Ethiopia_press_release_04.10.06.htm

 

ANALYSIS

 

When is the political partisan?

CIVICUS Civil Society Watch

 

By nature, civil society is political. It comments on what was, what is and what should be - and in doing so often finds itself engaged in commentary and advocacy on public policy. While human rights organisations are mandated to criticise and analyse public policy, even organisations which see themselves as strictly service providers occasionally find themselves facing the dilemma of how to engage with the political system on issues that affect them or their beneficiaries. CSW looks at the debate around whether - and to what degree - it is acceptable for civil society to be actively engaged in politics.

 

To read the full article, visit: http://www.civicus.org/csw/ANALYSIS_political_civil_society.htm

 

GOOD NEWS

 

ZIMBABWE: Human rights activists acquitted - but more face trial

24 October - 101 members of Women Of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were reportedly acquitted of all charges after appearing in court on 23 October. The women were charged under Chapter 37 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘participating in a public gathering with the intent to cause public disorder, breach of peace or bigotry’. The judge found that the State had failed to prove that the WOZA members had participated in a violent demonstration or to show that the demonstration could have potentially turned violent and disrupted public order, reports WOZA. During the month of October, this is the third victory for WOZA members who have been on trial. It is also WOZA's seventh victory in court overall. However, an additional WOZA 154 members will face trial on 7 November for a demonstration in August.

 

CSW COUNTRY UPDATES

 

ANGOLA: Human rights defender arrested

4 October - Raul Danda, spokesman of the Cabindan human rights organisation, Mpalabanda, was arrested on 29 September 2006 by Angolan police at the Cabinda airport, reports the Unrepresented United Nations Peoples Organisation (UNPO). Danda is reportedly being persecuted for his active role in civil society and human rights work in Cabinda, and for being outspoken in denouncing corruption and human rights abuses committed by Angolan authorities.

http://www.unpo.org/article.php?id=5551

 

BAHRAIN: Government blocks critical websites

30 October - The website of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights was blocked by the government on 26 October, reports the the organisation. Seven other websites critical of the government have also reportedly been blocked by internet service providers in Bahrain, on specific orders from the Ministry of Information. This government action comes less than a month before the scheduled date of the parliamentary elections.

http://www.bahrainrights.org

 

BELARUS: Parliament adopts law on extremism

11 October - Belarusian parliamentarians almost unanimously adopted a law on combating extremism on 11 October, reports Charter 97. The law reportedly defines extremism as activities which threaten the country's constitution and its territorial integrity, or coup attempts, the formation of illegal armed groups, terrorist acts, and attempts to incite racial, ethnic or religious discord. The law also plans for Belarus` involvement in international efforts against extremism.

http://www.charter97.org/eng/news/2006/10/11/palata

 

BOTSWANA: Indigenous activists charged

11 October - 23 Gana and Gwi Bushmen in Botswana, including four activists from the human rights organisation First People of the Kalahari, could face up to one year in prison for unlawful assembly, reports Survival International. In September 2005 the group reportedly attempted to enter the Central Kalahari Game Reserve to bring food and water to their relatives who were starving inside the reserve. Soldiers and police attacked the unarmed Bushmen with tear gas and rubber bullets. Their court date has been postponed until next February.

http://www.survival-international.org/news.php?id=1934

 

CHINA: Freedom of expression for bloggers threatened

24 October- Reporters Sans Frontiéres has voiced concern about a recommendation by the Internet Society of China, which is affiliated with the Information Ministry, that bloggers be required to register under their real names when creating a blog. The call on 23 October came just weeks after authorities in the southwestern province of Chongqing announced that anyone posting "defamatory" videos on the Internet would be punished.

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19411

 

COLOMBIA: Human rights defenders accused of terrorism

4 October - In a recently uncovered secret report from the Attorney General's office, 13 human rights defenders are falsely identified as being part of a terrorist network with links to the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and Colombian guerrilla organisations, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN), reports Human Rights First.  The accusations of ties to the illegal guerrilla organisations could place the activists in grave danger of being harmed by right-wing paramilitaries.

http://action.humanrightsfirst.org/campaign/Celeyta/explanation

 

EGYPT: Members of organisation arrested

26 October - In a new round of arbitrary arrests, the Egyptian government has expanded its crackdown against members of the Muslim Brotherhood, reports Human Rights Watch. Most recently, State Security forces on 17 October detained eight additional members of the non-violent organisation from the Manufiyya governorate, north of Cairo.

http://hrw.org/doc?t=mideast&c=egypt

 

HONDURAS: NGO journalists threatened with lawsuit

5 October - Journalists Robert Marín García and Dina Meza, of the Association for a Fairer Society (Asociación por una Sociedad más Justa, ASJ), are being taken to court by a private security company for alleged crimes of defamation and slander, after publicising information about alleged violations of labour rights at the company and irregularities in the manner in which the company bid on and obtained government contracts, reports PROBIDAD, an NGO based in El Salvador.

http://www.probidad.org

 

INDONESIA: Activist challenges defamation laws

29 September - An Indonesian political activist who was arrested for defaming President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is asking the country's Constitutional Court to review the defamation articles in the Criminal Code, reports the South Asian Press Alliance. Pandapotan Lubis is being tried for allegedly defaming the president at a rally in May. He reportedly displayed a poster of Susilo and the vice-president, imprinted with the words, "Step down".

http://www.seapabkk.org

 

IRAN: Activist students banned from university

19 October - Human Rights Watch called on Iran to immediately revoke bans on students from attending university because they hold political beliefs not to the government's liking, and to allow registered students to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and association. The government has allegedly barred at least 17 students from university registration this past year, and another 54 students were allowed to register only after signing statements that they will refrain from political activities.

http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/mena/iran1006

 

ISRAEL: NGO shut down

5 October - On 8 September 2006, the offices of Ansar Al-Sajeen (Prisoners' Friends Association) in Majd El-Kurum (Galilee) were raided and shut down by the police and the national security service, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. The administrative order issued by the Israeli Defence Minister declared Ansar al Sajeen an illegal organisation. The police also confiscated the organisation’s assets, including 14,000 shekels (around 2,555 euros) dedicated to prisoners and their families, hundreds of legal files and documents, phones, photocopying machines and computers.

http://www.fidh.org/article.php3?id_article=3695

 

KAZAKHSTAN: Draft law limits freedom of expression

13 October - The draft law "On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Matters Related to Responsibility for Defamation and Violence" recently submitted to the Kazakh Parliament will increase criminal punishment for defamation, reports the Kazakh organisation, Adil Soz. The draft law runs contrary to Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) efforts to decriminalise defamation and insult, said Adil Soz.

http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/78369/

 

NEW ZEALAND: Charities barred from involvement in politics

16 October - As of next February, the national Charities Commission will have new powers to strip charities of their tax-free status if they become too heavily involved in politics, reports One News. While government officials claim it is not meant to silence NGOs, the move has led to fears that many advocacy groups may be less inclined to speak out.

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411365/858935

 

PHILIPPINES: Call for action against trade union killings

20 October - The International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) is reportedly calling for organisations to join and support the International Day of Action Against Trade Union Repression and Political Killings in the Philippines on 16 November 2006. ILPS said the event will express solidarity with workers, and condemn the intensified government attacks against them. The Philippines is now considered second only to Colombia as the most dangerous place for trade unionists.

http://www.ilps-news.com/

 

SAUDI ARABIA: New charities law debated

28 September - The upper house of parliament, the Shoura Council, is in the process of revising the law for societies and charitable organisations, issued by the Council of Ministers earlier this year, reports the Arab News. One of the hottest issues of debate over the new law, which is reportedly due to be finalised and approved in November, has been whether the foreign financing of NGOs should be permitted.

http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=87288&d=28&m=9&y=2006

 

SOUTH AFRICA: Proposed by-law restricts freedom of assembly

5 October - The municipal by-law "relating to streets, public places and the prevention of nuisances" that has been proposed by the City of Cape Town, could impose draconian restrictions on gatherings, reports the South African Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI). The proposed by-law reportedly demands organisers apply for permission more than 30 days before holding any type of public gathering, and prohibits blocking of traffic, among other restrictions.

http://www.fxi.org.za

 

SUDAN: Staff of NGO harassed

3 October - The Amel Centre for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture is facing increasing harassment, reports the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders. Three social workers at the Centre were reportedly arrested, interrogated about their work and held for six hours on 16 September. The Centre provides legal aid to victims of torture and sexual violence, and individuals at risk of torture.

http://www.omct.org/base.cfm?page=article&num=6286&consol=close&kwrd=OMCT

 

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Activists and NGOs restricted

5 October - UAE authorities should end their harassment of some of the country's most prominent human rights defenders and give their organisations the legal recognition they have sought, said Human Rights Watch in a letter to UAE President. HRW called on him to halt what appeared to be politically motivated investigations of independent lawyers and other human rights defenders. It also called on him to allow independent human rights groups to operate legally.

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/10/05/uae14328.htm

 

VIETNAM: Online repression creates climate of fear

22 October - A new report by Amnesty International reports a climate of fear in Vietnam, with people afraid to post information online and Internet café owners forced to inform on their customers. Individuals are reportedly harassed, detained and imprisoned for expressing their peaceful political views online, with fear of prosecution fuelling widespread self-censorship.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa410082006

 

RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS

 

CIVICUS World Assembly: Call for workshop proposals

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation invites interested CIVICUS members, partners and other civil society organisations, governments, media, business and donors to submit proposals for workshops to be presented at the CIVICUS World Assembly, 23-27 May 2007 in Glasgow, Scotland. The World Assembly serves as a primary venue for civil society practitioners, researchers, activists, concerned business leaders and representatives from government and development agencies to share ideas and experiences on strengthening citizen participation. The over arching theme will again be Acting Together for a Just World, however, this theme will be explored through a the new central focus on Accountability: Delivering Results.

For more information, visit: http://www.civicusassembly.org.uk

 

CIVICUS: What do you think? Have your say on the CIVICUS Blog

Civil society must regularly confront controversial issues which affect both what we do and how we do it. Here is an opportunity to share your thoughts on these topics, to speak out and to make a difference! Help CIVICUS develop its vision of a global community of active, engaged citizens committed to the creation of a more just and equitable world.

Have your say, visit http://civicus.civiblog.org/ 

 

CONTACT US

We hope you enjoyed the Bulletin! If you would like to send an appeal or share information with us regarding issues affecting civil society in your region, please contact the Civil Society Watch (CSW) team at, cswatch@civicus.org

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CIVICUS House, 24 Gwigwi Mrwebi Street, Newtown, Johannesburg, 2001, PO Box 933, Southdale, Johannesburg, 2135, South Africa, tel +27 11 833 5959 / fax +27 11 833 7997, info@civicus.org

CIVICUS is an alliance of approximately 1000 members in 105 countries, dedicated to strengthening civil society and citizen action around the world. Civil Society Watch is a programme of CIVICUS, which seeks to expose, address and prevent threats to civil society's rights to freedom of association, expression and assembly. For more information, visit www.civicus.org and www.civilsocietywatch.org

www.civilsocietywatch.org

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed in this bulletin are a reflection of those contained in the original reports to which they are linked here, and are not necessarily those of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.