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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Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Second Information Report regarding the security and human rights situation in the North Caucus Region
For more information, click here.

International Center for Not for Profit Law: Global Trends in NGO Law
For more information, click here.

International Commission of Jurists e-bulletin on Counter-terrorism and Human Rights
For more information, click here.

International Crisis Group Report on China’s Myanmar Dilemma
For more information, click here.


CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international movement of civil society with members and partners in over a hundred countries. CIVICUS nurtures the foundation, growth and protection of citizen action throughout the world especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens’ freedom of association are threatened. The Civil Society Watch Programme of CIVICUS seeks to mobilise quick, principled and effective responses to events that threaten civil society fundamental freedoms of expression, association and assembly.


Sonia Zilberman Civil Society Watch Programme Officer travelled to Warsaw to attend the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM). Participation in the event was very useful for several reasons. First, it was a chance for CIVICUS to engage with the OSCE, which is an influential intergovernmental organisation for Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, and learn more about its structure, opportunities for engagement with civil society and scope of work in safeguarding fundamental freedoms in the region. Secondly, it was another exciting chance to meet with some of Eurasia IDEA Network partners and continue discussions on strategic directions and scope of work. More information on the OSCE, and its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights can be found at: http://www.osce.org/odihr/ . Presentations from government delegations and civil society at the Conference can be accessed, here


UN: Security Council adopts resolution mandating peace-keeping missions to protect women and girls from sexual violence in armed conflict
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UN: General Assembly passes resolution to establish a single new agency to deal with rights of women
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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Paris Club cancels debt praising poverty alleviation initiatives
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UNITED STATES: Federal District Court finds freezing of Islamic Charity’s assets as without notice or means of appeal as unconstitutional
For more information, click here.

ZIMBABWE: Human Rights Defender Jestina Mukoko granted permanent stay of prosecution by Supreme Court
For more information, click here.


CIVICUS calls for restoration of democracy and justice in Guinea
Read more.

Civil Society Watch team reflections on strategic human rights advocacy opportunities at Geneva
Read more.







BELARUS: Police beat and detain protestors at peaceful opposition rally
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CAMBODIA: Civil society concerned about proposed NGO and association law
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FRANCE: RSF condemns controversial anti-piracy bill with negative implications on the freedom of expression
For more information, click here.

THE GAMBIA: President threatens human rights defenders with death
For more information, click here.

HONDURAS: Representative claims he was ordered out of UN Human Rights Council for representing “illegal” regime
For more information, click here.

INDIA: New tax provisions affecting charitable institutions raise concerns
For more information, click here.

INDONESIA: Civil society proposes alternative draft of controversial state security bill
For more information, click here.

JORDAN: Restrictive amendments to Societies Law come into force
For more information, click here.

KAZAKHTSAN: Human rights defender Yevgeni Zhovtis convicted of manslaughter amidst allegations of unfair trial
For more information, click here.

SENEGAL: Online journalist who criticised Libyan President detained
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SERBIA: Amnesty International warns of grave threats to human rights defenders
For more information, click here.

SOUTH KOREA: Transparency International urges stricter implementation of anti-corruption law
For more information, click here.

SWAZILAND: Authorities threaten NGOs with restrictive law
For more information, click here.

UGANDA: Human Rights Watch urges investigation into use of lethal force by security forces during riots
For more information, click here.

UZBEKISTAN: Baptist leader and colleagues to face trial for tax evasion and teaching Christianity without parental consent
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A workshop to orientate country partners on the Early Warning System project was organised at Johannesburg from 17-19 September. The workshop was attended by civil society partners from 12 countries. Substantive discussions were held on the methodology for the project including supplementation of indicators which are presently under review. The project is now poised to move into its full implementation phase beginning 1 October 2009.
To read more about the project, methodology and access toolkit, click here







Aziza Abdirasulova works for the Public Foundation Center for the Protection of Human Rights Kylym Shamy, which was established in 2003. The Centre prioritises the protection of human rights including freedom of assembly, freedom of movement and the right against torture. She has interest and expertise in the field of protecting human rights while countering terrorism and religious extremism. The Centre monitors legislation on freedom of assembly and also monitors closed government facilities, including temporary detention centres.
To read more about her work and the space for civil society in the Kyrgyz Republic, click here













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.

CONTACT US

EDITORS
Adam Nord
Devendra Tak
Mandeep Tiwana
Netsanet Belay
Sonia Zilberman
P.O. Box 933
Southdale, 2135
South Africa
1420K Street NW,
Suite 900
Washington D.C.
20005 USA

DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Daniel Gray
Jessica Hume

Tel: +27 11 833 5959
Fax:+27 11 833 7997

Tel: +202 331-8518
Fax: +202 331-8774