Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network – EMHRN – EMHRN Statements 2008

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Ensuring respect of international law to prepare for peace	Date: 30-12-2008
Author: EMHRN/FIDH
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) are severely distressed by the escalation of the international humanitarian law and human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and strongly condemn the wide scale aerial offensive by the Israeli Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip which started on December 27th, 2008 and killed almost 300 Palestinians injuring almost 400 more. The events of December 27th makes it the single deadliest day in the Gaza strip since the occupation in 1967. Read more

EMHRN Contribution in relation to the ENP Progress Reports on the implementation of the Human Rights Chapter of the EU-Israel Action Plan in 2008	Date: 03-12-2008
Author: EMHRN
The EMHRN Contribution in relation to the ENP Progress Reports on the implementation of the Human Rights Chapter of the EU-Israel Action Plan in 2008 Read more

Invitation to contribute information to the ENP Progress reports	Date: 03-12-2008
Author: EMHRN/Amnesty/OMCT
Contribution regarding Human Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean region (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Tunisia) Read more

	Date: 03-12-2008

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The EMHRN and the IHD urge the Turkish authorities to allow Jon Rud access to Turkey	Date: 14-11-2008
Author: EMHRN /IHD
Mr. Jon Rud is a distinguished Norwegian lawyer in the field of human rights. Formerly Chairman of Amnesty International in Norway and of the Norwegian Bar Human Rights Committee, he is an individual member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network since 2006. Read more

Freedom of Association: A strong commitment is necessary	Date: 03-11-2008
Author: EMHRN
On the occasion of the 10th Ministerial Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, 3-4 November 2008, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) calls the Ministers to make substantial commitments to ensure the protection and promotion of freedom of association in the region, a key to more Democracy in the Euro-Mediterranean Region. Read more

Egypt: AHRLA finally authorised to be officially re-registered!	Date: 30-10-2008
Author: EMHRN - OBSERVATOIRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES DEFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME
Authorities should comply with the Court decision and remove all restrictions against AHRLA Read more

Syria: A trial against freedom of expression	Date: 29-10-2008
Author: EMHRN - OBSERVATOIRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES DEFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME (OMCT-FIDH) - LTDH – CNLT – CRLDHT – ATFD – FTCR
The Observatory and the EMHRN denounce the unfair judicial proceedings against the 12 Damascus Declaration detainees Read more

Tunisia: Independent online newspaper attacked, Its content completely destroyed	Date: 20-10-2008
Author: EMHRN
On the 8th of October, 2008, Kalima website (http://www.kalimatunisie ), often considered as one of the only independent news sources in Tunisia, has suffered an attack that has completely destroyed its web content. The site will now have to be completely rebuilt and uploaded. Read more

Syria: Alaa Byassi prevented from travelling	Date: 16-10-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) has denounced the order which prohibited Mr. Alaa Byassi, a member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in Syria (CDF), from taking part in the EMHRN working group meeting on migration and asylum held in Rabat from October 10 to 12 Read more

Contribution to the meeting of the EU-Israel subcommittee on political dialogue and cooperation	Date: 16-10-2008
Author: EMHRN/FIDH
In view of the upcoming EU-Israel political subcommittee meeting due to take place on 28 October and in the context of the ongoing discussions on the further development of EU-Israel’s relations, despite the deterioration of the human rights situation inside Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urge the EU to reinstate human rights at the center of its relations with Israel. Read more

EU-Morocco Advanced Status: Priority for Human Rights in the Strengthening of EU-Morocco Relations	Date: 16-10-2008
Author: REMDH/FIDH
On the occasion of the EU-Morocco Association Council held on October 13, 2008, the EU and Morocco reinforced their relations by adopting a new roadmap aimed at granting Morocco advanced status. Morocco is thus the first country of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership to concretise relations with the EU within the new framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy. Read more

Recommendations to the 2009 Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference to follow up on the implementation of the Istanbul Framework on "Strengthening the Role of Women in Society"	Date: 29-10-2008
Author: EMHRN
Recommendations to the 2009 Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference to follow up on the implementation of the Istanbul Framework on "Strengthening the Role of Women in Society" Read more

Middle East Quartet is failing	Date: 25-09-2008

The Middle East Quartet (EU, Russia, UN, USA) is failing - making inadequate progress towards improving the lives of Palestinians nor improving the prospects for peace - according to a new report by leading humanitarian and human rights organisations published today (Thursday 25 September). Read more

Gaza: Human rights Defenders in prison?	Date: 01-10-2008
Author: EMHRN/Observatory for the Defence of Human Rights Defenders/Lawyers Without Borders
On 11 September 2008, four Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) from Gaza, including two winners of human rights awards, were prevented from travelling to Brussels to attend major conferences and meetings with counterparts in Europe. Since the siege on Gaza in June 2007 almost no HRD has been allowed to leave the Gaza Strip to participate in human rights events. Read more

Unfair trial of 12 members of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change (NCDD)	Date: 17-09-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, the Observatory for the Protection of the Human Rights Defenders (a joint program between the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation against Torture), Human Rights Watch and Human Rights First express their deep concern about the arbitrary detention and unfair trial in Syria of 12 members of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change. The undersigned organizations urge the Syrian authorities to halt the trial and release immediately and unconditionally these 12 human rights and political activists. Read more

Tunisia: Prison sentence upheld for Zakia Dhifaoui	Date: 17-09-2008
Author: EMHRN
In French Read more

Tunisia: Harassment against human rights defenders continues	Date: 20-08-2008
Author: EMHRN
Sihem Bensedrine, spokesperson for the National Council for Freedom in Tunisia (CNLT) – member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) – and secretary general of the Observatory for the Freedom of Press, Publishing and Creation (OLPEC), was once again attacked and then prevented from leaving Tunisia, this Tuesday 19 August. Read more

The United Against Torture Coalition and the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network call upon the European Union for urgent action on the closure of the Nafha Society for the Defense of Prisoners and Human Rights in Nablus	Date: 13-08-2008
Author: EMHRN
The United Against Torture Coalition (UAT) and the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) are deeply concerned about the suspension of the activities of the Nafha Society for the Defense of Prisoners and Human Rights (Nafha), following its closure imposed by the Israeli military authorities on Tuesday morning, 8 July 2008. Read more

A delegation of the EMHRN discussed the new Law on Societies during a visit in Jordan	Date: 01-08-2008
Author: EMHRN
A delegation of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) consisting of Kamel Jendoubi – President of the EMHRN, Nizam Assaf - Member of the Executive Committee of the EMHRN and Director of the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS), Lina Alqurah – Director of the Gender Project at the EMHRN as well as Anne Sophie Schaeffer – Coordinator of the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders (EMHRF) met with representatives of the EU Delegation and the French Embassy on the occasion of the endorsement of the new law on societies. Read more

Letter at the occasion of the Association Council EU/Jordan	Date: 30-07-2008
Author: EMHRN/Human Rights Watch
Letter at the occasion of the Association Council EU/Jordan Read more

Algeria must reconsider its draft law	Date: 16-07-2008
Author: EMHRN
Algeria is about to adopt a new law on the entry, stay and movement of foreigners on its territory; it will replace a 1996 law on the same subject. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) regrets that the Algerian authorities did not find useful to associate civil society organisations to the elaborationprocess of this bill. Read more

Call on heads of States of the European Union	Date: 14-07-2008
Author: EMHRN
On 13 July 2008, many heads of State s of Europe and the South -East Mediterranean bank should meet in Paris for the official launch of the now called “Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)” initiative. Read more

A new Tunisian human rights activist harassed at the Tunis-Carthage airport	Date: 07-07-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is deeply concerned about new harassment and intimidation of Mr. Anouar KOUSRI, lawyer and Vice-President of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and a member of the EMHRN Working Group on Freedom of Association. Read more

Syria: Ongoing judicial and administrative harassment against Mr. Mazen Darwish	Date: 17-06-2008
Author: EMHRN/Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), jointly urge the Syrian authorities to immediately put an end to the ongoing judicial and administrative harassment against Mr. Mazen Darwish, Head of the Syrian Center for Media Freedom and Freedom of Expression and a member of the Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights (CDF). Read more

Europe must not turn a blind eye to the deteriorating human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory	Date: 13-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
In the context of the annual meeting of the EU-Israel Foreign Affairs Ministers (Association Council) scheduled to take place on 16 June 2008 in Luxembourg, the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) expresses its deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). Read more

Italy: Sami Essid expelled (In French)	Date: 13-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
In French Read more

The current text does not guarantee the respect for fundamental rights	Date: 13-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
On 18 June 2008 the European Parliament will vote on the compromise draft directive on the return of illegally staying third country nationals. Once adopted, this text will regulate the procedures and conditions under which migrants staying illegally in Europe will be « returned ». Read more

The Egyptian authorities impede freedom of association: an organisation prevented from participating in a UN meeting	Date: 16-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), jointly condemn the Egyptian Government’s decision to prevent the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) from participating in the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting (HLM) on HIV and AIDS, which was held in New York on 10 and 11 June 2008. Read more

Note on the human rights situation in Israel end the OPT	Date: 12-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network and its members in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) wish to express their deep concern over the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Israel and the OPT. Read more

Appeal to respect the freedom of movement owed to the Al-Haq General Director	Date: 20-05-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is deeply concerned by the ban to travel and to leave the Palestinian territories imposed since March 2006 by the Israeli authorities on Mr. Shawan Jabarin, General Director of Al-Haq, a EMHRN member organization. Read more

Time to take Action for Gender Equality	Date: 14-05-2008
Author: EMHRN
Gender Equality must be achieved in the Euro-Med Region. Arab and EU member state governments should take their responsibilities seriously by implementing the Istanbul Action Plan. Read more

Four Syrian beheaded, hundreds still under the threat of execution in Saudi Arabia	Date: 02-05-2008

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) and the Committees for the Defence of Human Rights and Democratic Freedoms in Syria (CDF) Read more

An imperative duty to act	Date: 25-04-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Executive Committee (EC) of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, which met in Casablanca in Morocco from 18 to 20 April 2008, discussed several issues that require an urgent action from political authorities and civil societies Read more

Harassement against a human rights defender in Tunisia (In French)	Date: 14-04-2008
Author: EMHRN
In French Read more

Progress in Human Rights Respect must be a Condition for Deepening EU’s Relations with its Southern Neighbours	Date: 14-04-2008
Author: EMHRN
Following the publication of the European Commission’s Communication on the ENP and Country Progress Reports on 3 April 2008, the EMHRN expresses its disappointment and calls for the establishment of a mechanism allowing for a systematic and public monitoring of the ENP Action Plans. Such mechanism should in particular provide for precise and clear benchmarks which the future Country Progress Reports will be based on. Read more

Open letter to Mr Bouteflika	Date: 09-04-2008
Author: L'OBSERVATOIRE POUR LA PROTECTION DES DEFENSEURS DES DROITS DE L'HOMME (OMCT-FIDH) - CIJ - CFDA - REMDH - UIA
In French Read more

Two Tunisians face expulsion to Tunisia despite risk of torture or other ill-treatment	Date: 09-04-2008
Author: EMHRN
In February 2008, the Danish authorities arrested two Tunisians and a Dane of Moroccan origin, reportedly on suspicion of involvement in an alleged conspiracy to murder one of the cartoonists who drew the controversial caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad. This alleged conspiracy has been characterized in statements by the Danish authorities and in the Danish media, as a ‘terrorist’ plot. Read more

Stop the arbitrary investigation against the Greek Helsinki Monitor	Date: 26-03-2008
Author: EMHRN
GHM is under criminal investigation following a complaint filed by a neo-Nazi convicted after a GHM complaint. Read more

Stop Collective Punishment and Unlawful Killings	Date: 14-03-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) strongly condemns all forms of collective punishment and unlawful killings of civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel. Read more

Open letter on the occasion of March 8th 2008 International Women's Day	Date: 06-03-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro- Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) celebrates 8th of March and wishes you a happy International Women's Day... Read more

The “Peace Award 2008”Laureate and another human rights activist violently assaulted by the Tunisian police	Date: 05-03-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) firmly condemns the assault and the ill treatments imposed on Ms Sihem Bensedrine (spokesman of the Conseil National pour les Libertés en Tunisia (CNLT) –member of EMHRN – and Secretary-General of the Conseil National pour les Libertés en Tunisia (OLPEC)) and Mr. Omar Mestiri (director of Kalima and member of the EMHRN Working Group on Freedom of Association) Monday 3 March 2008. Read more

Letter to the EU Commission: Contribution as regards Human Rights in the Euro-Mediterranean region	Date: 20-02-2008
Author: EMHRN
Invitation to contribute information to the ENP Progress reports Read more

Two women activists violently assaulted by the Tunisian police	Date: 20-02-2008
Author: ÉMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) is deeply concerned about the violent assault on Fatma KSILA, Secretary General of CRLDHT, and Samia ABBOU, member of the ALTLT. Read more

Letter on the occasion of the Association Council EU/Lebanon	Date: 15-02-2008
Author: HRW/EMHRN/FIDH/OMCT
On the occasion of the third meeting of the Association Council between the European Union (EU) and Lebanon, to be held on 19 February 2008, Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World organisation against Torture (OMCT) are writing to express their concern about the human rights situation in Lebanon and to offer recommendations to address it. We hope that you will raise these points with the Lebanese authorities during the meeting of the Association Council. Read more

	Date: 11-02-2008

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Syria: new arrest and prosecutions against pro-reform activists	Date: 30-01-2008
Author: EMHRN/OMCT/FIDH
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) express their deepest concern about continued crackdown against Syrian activists. Read more

Stop the collective punishment of civilians in Gaza	Date: 25-01-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network strongly condemns the decision by the Israeli government to cut off vital supplies of electricity and fuel as well as essential foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian supplies to the civilian population of Gaza. Read more

Recommendations on human rights in view of the meeting of the Subcommittee on political matters between the EU and Egypt	Date: 16-01-2008
Author: EMHRN
Recommendations on human rights in Egypt of the Euro Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)in view of the meeting of the Subcommittee on political matters: human rights and democracy, international and regional issues between the EU and Egypt to be held on 23-24th January. Read more

Greece: Human rights activists face attacks and court actions by neo-Nazis	Date: 14-01-2008
Author: EMHRN
Extensive attacks against and prosecution of Greek Helsinki Monitor and activists who filed criminal actions against Greece’s neo-Nazis. Read more

Crackdown on Syrian activists continue	Date: 10-01-2008

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) express their deepest concern about the ongoing arbitrary detention of nine peaceful activists who participated in a meeting which resulted in the creation of the National Council of the Damascus Declaration. Read more

Egypt : Deportation of 1400 Eritrean asylum seekers	Date: 18-06-2008
Author: EMHRN
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) totally repudiates the decision of Egyptian authorities to forcibly return not less than 1400 Erithrean asylum seekers to their country of origin. According to information received by Amnesty International, nearly 690 asylum seekers have thereby already been deported, since the 11 June 2008. The remainder are awaiting deportation, in the South of Aswan. Read more

Recommendations to the 2009 Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference to follow up on the implementation of the Istanbul Framework on "Strengthening the Role of Women in Society"
Author: EMHRN
Based on the analysis below, the EMHRN recommends: * To revise the Istanbul Plan of Action (IPA) so that it becomes a political tool that clearly encourages the elimination of discrimination against women, as defined by CEDAW. This will also constitute an appropriate way to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Convention (1979). * To ensure that the follow-up mechanism is indeed a proper follow-up mechanism. This will require Read more