Issue No 40

January-February 2009

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!

 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

 

FRONTPAGE
PHILIPPINES:
Dangerous signs for civil society

 

CIVICUS ALERTS
ETHIOPIA:
Restrictive NGO law passed

ZIMBABWE: CIVICUS Solidarity Mission warns of impending "passive genocide"

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM updates
Updates on threats to civil society in Ethiopia, Philippines, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Solomon Islands, USA and Vietnam

 

GOOD NEWS
BELARUS: Vocal NGO allowed to register

KAZAKHSTAN: Religion law declared unconstitutional

RUSSIA: Civil Society and Human Rights Council revived

TURKEY: LGBT organisation wins appeal against closure

COUNTRY UPDATES
AUSTRIA: Tax exempt status to exclude some NGOs
AZERBAIJAN: Activist sued for slander
BAHRAIN: Increasing restrictions on civil society groups
BELARUS: Civil society activists detained
CAMBODIA: NGOs fear harsh regulations under draft law
CAMEROON: Dissent violently repressed
CHINA: UPR report could encourage repression of activists
CUBA: Drop in political prisoners, increase in brief detentions
EGYPT: Court delivers judgements in libel cases
GUATEMALA: New report documents threats to trade unions
HONDURAS: Transgender rights leader murdered
INDIA: Tough new anti-terrorism bills passed
IRAN: Renewed crackdown on human rights defenders
KYRGYZSTAN: Controversial religious law passed
RUSSIA: Regressive treason bill introduced
SUDAN: Activists supporting ICC case harassed and charged
SYRIA: Human rights violations increased in 2008
THAILAND: Thousands of websites blocked
 

RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS
CIVICUS launches "1 for 1" membership campaign
Charity and Security Network launched
Human Rights Watch releases annual report
Oxford Journal of Human Rights Practice launched

 

FRONTPAGE

 

PHILIPPINES: Dangerous signs for civil society

Despite a dramatic decrease in extra-judicial killings in 2007-2008 in the Philippines, persecution of civil society members appears once again on the rise. Impunity is a major factor in the flaring up of state sponsored/ aided political violence. Shadowy state agents from army and air force units are suspected for a recent spate of attacks, designed to silence independent civil society voices and curb their work. Mandeep Tiwana of Civil Society Watch reflects on this frightening increase, and need for urgent action.

Read the full article: http://www.civicus.org/csw/csw-take-action/1020

 

CIVICUS ALERTS

 

ETHIOPIA: Restrictive NGO law passed

28 January 2009- Despite severe criticism from donors, civil society and foreign governments, on 6 January 2009, the Ethiopian Parliament passed a controversial law restricting the activities and funding for civil society organisations (CSOs).

Read the full statement, visit: http://www.civicus.org/press-release/993-new-law-will-cripple-ethiopian-civil-society

 

ZIMBABWE: CIVICUS solidarity mission warns of impending 'passive genocide'

January - CIVICUS undertook a visit to Zimbabwe from December 19-26, 2008, in response to the worsening crisis in the country. The team produced a short film, "Time 2 Act" documenting the appalling political and humanitarian situation. The visit has since developed into a campaign, organised by a consortium of organisations in South Africa called Save Zimbabwe Now! which has coordinated a successful hunger strike/fast on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe.

Read the full report visit: http://www.civicus.org/new/media/ReportZimSolidarityMission.pdf

Watch the film "Time 2 Act": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSKb7K6ex1I

Visit the Save Zimbabwe Now! Campaign Website: http://www.savezimbabwenow.com

 

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM updates

 

CIVICUS and the International Center for Not-for-profit Law are currently piloting an Early Warning System (EWS) to identify and respond to the initial signs of threats to civil society. During the pilot study, from November 2008 to March 2009, we are working with local partner organisations to monitor threats to civil society in seven countries. We invite you to read the regular updates from partner organisations by clicking on the countries below.

 

ETHIOPIA

KAZAKHSTAN

LEBANON

PHILIPPINES

SOLOMON ISLANDS

USA

VIETNAM

 

 For further information on the Early Warning System, visit http://www.civicus.org/csw/csw-early-warning-system.

 

GOOD NEWS

 

BELARUS: Vocal NGO allowed to register

17 December - Belarusian Ministry of Justice has allowed the registration of the NGO Organization Movement for Freedom, reports the Office for a Democratic Belarus, based in Brussels. Before registering the opposition organisation on 17 December, the justice ministry had denied it legal status three times, citing flaws in its charter and violations of regulations governing street demonstrations

http://www.democraticbelarus.eu/node/5639

 

KAZAKHSTAN: Religion law declared unconstitutional

13 February - Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council announced on 11 February that the restrictive new law on religious freedom is unconstitutional. President Nursultan Nazarbaiev has a month to decide whether to support the new law, reports Forum 18.

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14477&size=A

 

RUSSIA: Civil Society and Human Rights Council revived

11 February - President Dmitry Medvedev has revived a council of human rights advisers following a series of prominent murders and sharp criticism from the West, reports the Agence-France Press. The President's Council for the Promotion of the Institutes of Civil Society and Human Rights was created by Putin in 2004 to improve the often-strained ties between the government and civil society.

http://humanrightshouse.org/Articles/10085.html

 

TURKEY: LGBT organisation wins appeal against closure

21 January - The Turkish LGBT solidarity organisation, Lambda Istanbul, has won its appeal against the closure of the association, reports Amnesty International. A local court in Istanbul had ordered the closure of the association on 29 May 2008. The Supreme Court of Appeals rejected the local court's decision on the grounds that reference to LGBT people in the name and the statute of the association did not constitute opposition to Turkish moral values. The Court’s judgment also recognised the right of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals to form associations.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/good-news/turkish-lgbt-organization-wins-appeal-against-closure-20090121

 

COUNTRY UPDATES

 

AUSTRIA: Tax exempt status to exclude some NGOs

New regulations to enter into force in spring 2009 will allow donations to NGOs in Austria to be tax deductible, except for donations to environmental, animal welfare, health precaution and human rights organisations. The planned law will only be applicable to “charitable” organisations running projects inside Europe and for organisations operating outside Europe that are fighting against poverty.

http://www.austriantimes.at/index.php?id=10284

 

AZERBAIJAN: Activist sued for slander

26 January -  Interior Minister Usobov has filed a lawsuit against Director of the Institute for Peace and Democracy Leyla Yunus, accusing her of slandering the Ministry during an interview with the website www.day.az, reports APA. During a preliminary hearing on 26 January, the case was reportedly passed to another court for a decision, date to be determined.

http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=95891

 

BAHRAIN: Increasing restrictions on civil society groups

3 February - According to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), during the last two years the Ministry of Development has waged a campaign against local NGOs registered under Law 21/1989. In addition, the Ministry has targeted unregistered committees and NGOs that have refused to comply with the registration process, reports Front Line.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1786

 

BELARUS: Civil society activists detained

5 February - Police arrested and detained five activists from the European Belarus campaign, and confiscated office equipment, including two computers, from one of the activists' apartments. Although the police claimed their investigation was on account of suspected theft, the questioning of the detainees centred around their possession of 'anti-state' materials, reports Charter 97.

http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2009/2/5/14786/ 

 

CAMBODIA: NGOs fear harsh regulations under draft law

3 February - The government has vowed to include NGOs in the consultation process for drafting new legislation regulating their activities, but this has done little to assuage the fears of groups who see the impending law as a threat, reports the Phnom Penh Post. If passed, the bill is reportedly expected to require all NGO funding to pass through the Ministry of Economy and Finance in an attempt to prevent terrorist groups acting as, or financially supporting, such groups.

http://khmernz.blogspot.com/2009/02/govt-to-seek-input-on-ngo-law.html

 

CAMEROON: Dissent violently repressed

29 January - During a 10-year spell of gross human rights violations, Cameroonian security forces have habitually used excessive and unnecessary force – and the perpetrators have almost always enjoyed impunity, according to a new Amnesty International report. In late February 2008, security forces killed as many as 100 civilians during demonstrations against the escalating cost of living.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/dissent-violently-repressed-cameroon-20090129

 

CHINA: UPR report could encourage repression of activists

13 February - OMCT expressed concern about a recommendation included in the outcome report of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review on China, that might be interpreted as encouraging the repression against human rights defenders. Formulated by Cuba, the recommendation says that China should “maintain, in strict compliance of law, to avoid the impunity for people who are qualifying themselves as human rights defenders with the objective of attacking the interests of the state and the people of China”.

http://www.omct.org/index.php?id=&lang=eng

 

CUBA: Drop in political prisoners, increase in brief detentions

2 February - The number of political prisoners held in Cuba continues to fall gradually, but brief detentions of activists have soared under President Raul Castro's rule, with more than 1,500 documented last year, reports Reuters. The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation said that it documented 205 political prisoners as of 30 January, down from 234 in early 2008. Twelve of the 205 have been freed on medical parole but continue to serve their sentences and can be returned to prison for parole violations.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090202/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_political_prisoners_2

 

EGYPT: Court delivers judgements in libel cases

21 January - In a historic 31 December decision, a court dismissed charges of libel and defamation against two young bloggers, Manal Bahi and Alaa Abdel Fatah, as well as Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) director and human rights lawyer Gamal Eid, reports HRinfo and the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre. Just a month later, however, another court fined blogger Mohammed Mabrouk author of the blog hakika masriyah and awarded compensation to Trust Chemicals Company in a libel case filed by the company in June 2008, reports ANHRI.

http://www.openarab.net/en/node/761

 

GUATEMALA: New report documents threats to trade unions

2 February - A new report by the International Confederation of Trade Unions on core labour standards in Guatemala demonstrates how trade unionists are being discriminated against, threatened and even murdered as a result of their trade union activities.

http://www.ituc-csi.org/spip.php?article2742

 

HONDURAS: Transgender rights leader murdered

16 January - Cynthia Nicole, leader of Colectivo Violeta, an organisation which defends the rights of transgender people, was shot and killed on 9 January, reports Front Line. Front Line is concerned that this may form part of an ongoing trend of harassment against the transgender community in Honduras.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1766

 

INDIA: Tough new anti-terrorism bills passed

19 December - Following the late November terror attacks in Mumbai, India has passed two tough laws, seen by rights activists as potentially eroding the country’s federal structure and limiting fundamental liberties, reports IPS. The new bills radically change procedures for trying those accused of terrorism, extends the periods of police custody and detention without charges, denies bail to foreigners, reverses the burden of proof in many instances, and seeks to establish a new police organisation to investigate acts of terrorism and other statutory offences.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45179 

 

IRAN: Renewed crackdown on human rights defenders

3 February - Police forced the Defenders of Human Rights Centre, an organisation founded by Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi, to close on 21 December, and have since detained administrative assistant Jinus Sobhani, blocked the organisation's website, and established a government run NGO in its place, reports OMCT. The closure reportedly comes amid ongoing harassment of the One Million Signatures Campaign, which saw one additional member incarcerated and another detained in January.

http://www.omct.org

 

KYRGYZSTAN: Controversial religious law passed

13 January - Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev has signed a controversial bill on the activities and registration of religious groups, RFE/RL reports. The law reportedly increases the number of people needed to officially register a religious organisation from 10 people to 200 people, bans children from being involved in religious organisations, and prohibits people from proselytising.

http://www.rferl.org/Content/Kyrgyzstan_Enacts_Law_Restricting_Religious_Activities/1369405.html

 

RUSSIA: Regressive treason bill introduced

18 December - Controversial new legislation broadening the definition of espionage and treason was submitted to the State Duma in mid-December. The bill would, among other things, expand the definition of espionage to include the passing of state secrets to foreign organizations including nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), reports RFE/RL. The new legislation was reportedly introduced the same day the Duma approved in the third reading other changes to the Criminal Code that would eliminate the right to jury trials for a series of crimes including terrorism and mass disturbances.

http://www.rferl.org/content/RightsWatchers_Say_New_Russian_Treason_Legislation_Harkens_Back_To_30s_Terror/1361242.html

 

SUDAN: Activists supporting ICC case harassed and charged

3 February - On 28 January 2009, Mohammed Al-Sari was convicted to 17 years in prison on charges of attempting to assist the ICC to investigate a Minister suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur, reports FIDH. Last November, three prominent human rights defenders were also reportedly arrested and two of them tortured, on account that they were cooperating with the ICC.

http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=2&language_id=1&msg_id=11358

 

SYRIA: Human rights violations increased in 2008

29 January - Respect for human rights in Syria deteriorated sharply 2008 reaching levels the country has not witnessed since the late eighties, concluded the Syrian Human Rights Committee's annual report.

http://www.shrc.org/data/aspx/d7/3837.aspx

 

THAILAND: Thousands of websites blocked

8 January - Thai authorities have blocked 2,300 websites for allegedly insulting the country's monarchy, with 400 more awaiting a court order to restrict them, according to the Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Information and Communication Minister Ranongruk Suwanchawee has been quoted as saying "The blocking of websites that disseminate content and pictures which insult the monarchy is one of the government's crucial policies."

http://egypt.ifex.org/en/layout/set/print/content/view/full/99735/index.html

 

RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS

 

CIVICUS launches "1 for 1" membership campaign

The search is on for the missing 85…One CIVICUS member for every UN Member state, that’s the goal of CIVICUS’ 1 for 1 Membership campaign. Why? To ensure that every country is represented in one of the largest civil society alliances in the world. CIVICUS works to protect the rights, strengthen best practice, and increase the influence of civil society around the world. But CIVICUS cannot accomplish these goals alone. We depend on our members to inform us of the issues, needs and desires that are most pertinent and relevant to civil society. Without members in every country, CIVICUS and its network may be less effective in achieving our ambitions – so, help us fill in the gaps. We need your help to find members from the 85 countries not currently represented. To learn more about the campaign and how you can help, click here.

 

Charity and Security Network launched

The Charity and Security Network was launched in November 2008 by charities, grantmakers and advocacy groups in the USA to eliminate counterproductive barriers counterterrorism measures create for legitimate charitable, development, human rights and conflict resolution work. To join the bi-weekly newsletter, email ssazawal@charityandsecurity.org.

 

Human Rights Watch releases annual report

The 2009 Human Rights Watch report documents ongoing human rights abuses by states and non-state armed groups across the globe, including political repression and attacks on civilians in conflicts. It also highlights violations by governments trying to curb terrorism, including in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The report also addresses abuses against women, children, refugees, workers, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, among others.

http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2009

 

Oxford Journal of Human Rights Practice launched

The newly launched Journal of Human Rights Practice aims to capture learning and communicate the lessons of practice across professional and geographical boundaries, within and beyond the human rights mainstream. It will provide a platform for international and local practitioners world-wide – allowing the cross-fertilization of ideas to challenge conventional ways of working, stimulate innovation and encourage reflective practice.

http://www.jhrp.oxfordjournals.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

To subscribe or unsubscribe please visit www.civicus.org/csw/csw-newsletter or email cswcommunity@civicus.org

CIVICUS is an alliance of members and partners in over 100 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.civicus.org/csw

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.