This is from Valencia, Spain, about an hour ago. But you wouldn't know from watching the media, they've already made the decision to not televise the revolution. Share this widely if you stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Spain, who continue to fight the culture of banking corruption and greed that rules governments worldwide.

قام عدد من متظاهرى ميدان التحرير بالتعدى على نائب البرلمان المنحل عاطف المغاورى عضو المكتب السياسى لحزب التجمع وجاء الاشتباك والاعتداء على خلفية امتناعه عن حضور جلسات البرلمان المنحل اليوم ولانه يمثل أحد معارضى جماعة الاخوان المسلمين . وعليه قام مجموعة من الشباب بالاعتداء على المغاورى وتم كسر نظارته وتمزيق ملابسه مما دفعه للتوجه الى قسم قصر النيل وتحرير محضر ضد محمد بديع مرشد جماعة الاخوان المسلمين ومحمد مرسى الرئيس الحالى بوصفهم مسئولين عم تعرض له هو وعدد كبير من معارضى الاخوان اليوم وأن هذا يمثل حالة بلطجة لا يمكن السكوت عنها

Summer School on Democracy and Transitional Justice - Tunisia, 3-13 August 2012

Posted by Dr Vivienne Boon on February 22, 2012 at 2:27pm in Scholarship, Fellowship Opportunities and Academic ProgramsView Discussions
Summer School on Democracy and Transitional Justice

Sousse, Tunisia

3-13 August 2012

Research in Ethics and Globalisation (REG) at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) and The Faculty of Law and Political Science at the University of Sousse (Tunisia), with the generous support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tunis, are pleased to announce a joint summer school on democracy and transitional justice.

Recently, the Middle East and North Africa experienced significant political transformations as a result of (ongoing) uprisings and revolts against authoritarian regimes. A key antecedent to these uprisings was the Tunisian revolution, which led to the ousting of President Ben Ali on 14 January 2011. Tunisia’s revolution provided evidence for people across the region that it was possible to overthrow a dictatorial regime that had been in power for decades. Events in Tunisia thus inspired many of the popular uprisings that spread from Tunisia to Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

For this reason, REG has decided to return to Tunisia one year after these dramatic events to offer students and scholars the possibility to learn firsthand about political and legal transformations from a dynamic team of local scholars, activists and politicians as well as IBIO staff. Themes that will be covered during the course include regional perspectives on:

- Transitional Justice
- Human rights
- Democratization
- State of emergency law
- The political changes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya

The summer school will take place in the vibrant coastal city of Sousse, Tunisia, from 3-13 August 2012 and RuG students may be awarded 5 ECTS points. Students will be offered a hands-on insight into dynamic political changes in North Africa through a 10-day intensive course at the University of Sousse. RuG students may also apply for a bursary (subject to availability) to cover the cost of tuition which is 950 Euros. Tuition includes accommodation, meals and transport within Tunisia.

For more information, please email dtjsummerschool@gmail.com. You should register your interest in participation by Friday 13 April 2012. However, please note that the spaces on this unique course are limited and hence places might run out before this particular date. We would thus encourage you to register your interest as soon as possible.

REG and the University of Sousse look forward to welcoming you to Tunisia this August.

The summer school website can be found on: http://www.rug.nl/gsg/sections/reg/summer-school-2012/inde

Egypt must end attacks on civil society

“

The Egyptian authorities must not use this heavily publicized case to distract international attention from the situation faced by human rights organizations in the Egypt.
”
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International
Thu, 01/03/2012
The decision to lift a travel ban on seven US nationals facing trial as part of an NGO crackdown in Egypt is a welcome step but it does not go far enough, Amnesty International said.

The organization has called for the charges based on the repressive NGO law against those on trial to be dropped, and for the authorities to end their attacks on civil society.

The seven are part of a group of 43 people – all but 14 of whom are foreign nationals – currently on trial for allegedly breaching Egypt’s Law on Associations.

Travel bans reportedly remain in effect for others connected to the investigation and there are fears that this case is being used as a prelude to a wider assault on Egyptian human rights organizations. Other foreign nationals are also reportedly under a travel ban in relation to a different case.

“The Egyptian authorities must not use this heavily publicized case to distract international attention from the situation faced by human rights organizations in the Egypt,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

“When the international attention is gone, human rights activists in Egypt will bear the brunt of this offensive, both in court, and under the threat of an even more repressive Law on Associations.”

When announcing that the travel ban would be lifted, the court of appeals judge set bail for the US nationals at two million Egyptian pounds (US$332,000). In response to the prosecution of US nationals, US authorities were considering freezing US$1.3 billion in annual military aid to Egypt.

In addition to the seven US nationals covered by the latest measure – nine out of 16 left Egypt prior to the travel ban – those on trial include Egyptians, Serbs, Norwegians and Germans. Palestinians and Jordanians are also believed to have been charged.

All work for NGOs based in the USA and Germany, either witnessing Egypt’s parliamentary elections with the consent of the authorities, or conducting training on political participation.

Amnesty International observed the trial’s opening session at the North Cairo Criminal Court on Sunday, which was only attended by the 14 Egyptian defendants.

Among the charges levelled against the workers is that, contrary to restrictions in Egypt’s strict legislation on associations, their organizations accepted foreign funding and worked illegally in the country. At least three of the organizations are known to have formally requested registration with the Egyptian authorities.

Egypt’s Law on Associations (Law 84 of 2002) has been repeatedly criticized by UN treaty bodies and human rights experts.

On Wednesday, the trial’s future was thrown into confusion after the judges in charge of the case recused themselves. The next session had been scheduled for 26 April.

Egyptian human rights organizations are expected to be next to come under further attack.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and other Egyptian authorities have been quick to blame Egyptian human rights organizations for stirring unrest for reporting on human rights violations.

“The Egyptian authorities are trying to make Egyptian human rights organizations into the scapegoats for social unrest,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

“They must know that allowing the US citizens to leave will not deflect international attention away from their prosecution of Egyptians.”

On 29 December 2011, offices used by Egyptian and international NGOs were raided as part of an official investigation.

Among those affected were the Arab Centre for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) and the Budgetary and Human Rights Observatory (BHRO). Since the raids, members of both organizations have been summonsed and interrogated in the course of the authorities’ investigation.

Findings of a government investigation leaked in September 2011 named several human rights organizations as breaching laws on registration and foreign funding. This year, at least two members of human rights organizations have reported being interrogated about their organizations’ activities.

The Egyptian authorities are also pushing through a draft law that would introduce even greater curbs on the activities of civil society.

The new draft would give the authorities broad powers to decide whether an organization’s activities are acceptable, while maintaining strict rules on funding, and tightening registration restrictions.

Breaking the law would be punishable by up to a year’s imprisonment and fines running to thousands of Egyptian pounds.

“The Egyptian authorities must scrap this draft law, which goes above and beyond the already repressive Law on Associations, and ensure all legislation upholds the right to freedom of association,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/egypt-must-end-attacks-civil-society-2012-03-01
from Amnesty International

Egypt dossier outlines NGO prosecution

Government's investigation file shows case against US-funded democracy groups stems from clash over money and influence.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/02/2012225185824889586.html

from aljazeera

Egyptian freedom fighter- Atef Elmaghawry

Mr; Atef Elmaghawry . the politicien leader& egyptian parlement member when he leaved the Parlement in cairo . he takes the popular bus like every citizin in egypt . he is a good leader for Equality and social justice . cause his true life like almost of the egyptians , simpley life and poor life . Atef Elmaghawry is a really freedom fighter for the Egyptian révolution.

Ask Israel to release, or immedietly charge and try Khader Adnan

Dear Activist, Khader Adnan, a 33 year old Palestinian activist is in detention, lying shackled to a hospital bed in northern Israel and under constant armed guard. He has been on hunger strike for over 60 days and doctors have warned that his life is in serious danger. He was arrested on 17 December 2011 and started his hunger strike a day later to protest against his ill-treatment by the Israel Security Agency (ISA). In January this year he was given a four-month administrative detention order signed by a military commander. Administrative detention is a procedure under which detainees are held without charge or trial for up to six months and which can be renewed repeatedly. In the meantime, because of his hunger strike, Khader Adnan’s health has been deteriorating quite seriously. Hundreds of other Palestinian detainees and prisoners have joined his hunger strike. Please act now Take Action Support Palestinian activist Khader Adnan’s protest for respect for the human rights of Palestinians in Israeli detention. Call on the Israeli Minister of Defence to: Immediately release Khader Adnan and other Palestinians held in administrative detention, or immediately charge and try them for internationally recognizable criminal offences in full conformity with international fair trial standards; End the use of administrative detention, which violates the right to a fair trial; Ensure that detainees are treated humanely at all times, and that no detainees are punished for their decision to go on hunger strike. 3538 Actions taken 2581 Share to save a person’s life. http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action-Israel-End-use-of-administrative-detention%20

Open Positions with Generations For Peace

Generations For Peace is an international non-governmental charitable organisation dedicated to the innovative and sustainable use of sport for peace building and development. Founded by HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan, Generations For Peace is based in Amman but supports sport for peace and development activities in 48 countries and territories worldwide. Generations For Peace is one of only two peace-through-sport organisations officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

Through its intensive Pioneer Certification Programme, Generations For Peace has trained 578 delegates from the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. Following a cascading approach, these delegates have become certified Generations For Peace Pioneers by passing on their skills: training another 4,800 leaders of youth in their communities and in turn reaching more than 75,000 children with their activities. 

 Generations For Peace is now moving to the next phase of its evolution and global expansion, with even greater emphasis on its commitment to Pioneer programmes on the ground in communities experiencing various forms of conflict, and significant growth in capacity of the team in Amman. Eight new positions were recently recruited. Three further positions, for roles in the Generations For Peace Institute, are now being recruited. Serving and supporting the sport for peace and development community, the Generations For Peace Institute’s role is to conduct, invest in, and disseminate collaborative cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in sport for sustainable peace and development. This research is fundamental for rigorous evaluation of the impact that programmes are having, for sharing and exchanging best practices and innovations, and for collective learning and improved programming. It also helps drive our advocacy efforts to demonstrate and increase the use and impact of well-designed sport-based activities as a tool for sustainable peace and development. The Institute enjoys collaborative partnerships with Georgetown University and University of Oxford and is now expanding its efforts in research and development, and monitoring and evaluation. Details of the three vacancies appear below: 
 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Research and Development Manager Under the direction of the Institute Director, and in close liaison with the Research and Development Unit and the Programmes Department, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer’s role is to, develop, coordinate and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems that meet the demands of the Institute, Programmes Department, and Delegates and Pioneers on the ground. This position provides an invaluable opportunity to lead development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and techniques in the field, supporting the overall effectiveness and impact of Generations For Peace programmes and the Generations For Peace Institute, but also making a broader contribution to the wider sport for peace and development community. Based in Amman. At least 6 years’ professional experience required. Attractive competitive salary and benefits based on experience and performance. Please see full Job Description available here To apply: Application Form is available here Closing Date: Wednesday 29th February 2012. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Research and Development Officer Under the direction of the Research and Development Manager, the Research and Development Officer’s role is to coordinate and implement high quality cutting edge, inter-disciplinary research in the field of sport for peace and development. This position provides an invaluable opportunity to lead research development in the field, supporting the overall effectiveness and impact of Generations For Peace programmes and the Generations For Peace Institute, but also making a broader contribution to the wider sport for peace and development community. Based in Amman. At least 4 years’ professional experience required. Attractive competitive salary and benefits based on experience and performance. Please see full Job Description available here To apply: Application Form is available here Closing Date: Wednesday 29th February 2012. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Under the direction of the Institute Director, and in close liaison with the Research and Development Unit and the Programmes Department, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer’s role is to develop, coordinate and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems that meet the demands of the Institute, Programmes Department, and Delegates and Pioneers on the ground. This position provides an invaluable opportunity to lead development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and techniques in the field, supporting the overall effectiveness and impact of Generations For Peace programmes and the Generations For Peace Institute, but also making a broader contribution to the wider sport for peace and development community. Based in Amman. At least 4 years’ professional experience required. Attractive competitive salary and benefits based on experience and performance. Please see full Job Description available here To apply: Application Form is available here Closing Date: Wednesday 29th February 2012. for more info aout all positions fellow the URL of Generations For Peace . http://www.generationsforpeace.org/UserPages/MenuDetails.aspx?MenuID=142 all the best from RIJ RIGHT IN JUSTICE team ;

Egypt NGOs brace for longer legal battle in foreign funding case

Egyptian government promise more indictments in crackdown on foreign-funded NGOs but embattled the human rights groups vow to maintain legal pressure on Egypt's post-revolution leadership Nada Hussein Rashwan, Tuesday 21 Feb 2012

n an abrupt and unannounced move on an otherwise uneventful afternoon on 29 December, Egyptian security forces and judicial investigators raided as many as 17 offices belonging to several Egyptian and US non-governmental organisations (NGOs) suspected of "conspiring against the state." The move, which was denounced in local and international media, prompted worries that the raids on US-based NGOs could lead to an eventual rift in Egypt-US relations. Investigations, meanwhile, remain ongoing amid a tense media atmosphere. Many rights workers, for their part, say that even ousted president Hosni Mubarak had never presumed to make such a brash move throughout the course of his 30-year tenure. But while some analysts say the lawsuit is merely a "stunt" by Egyptian authorities aimed at pressuring Washington to maintain its annual aid package to Egypt, the incident has nevertheless raised concerns about the possible challenges that Egyptian rights organisations could face in the near future. Critics argue that, if Egyptian authorities are prepared to threaten their relations with Washington simply in order to bolster their claims against local rights groups, then this bodes ill for the relative freedom of all NGOs operating in Egypt. Several prominent international rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have strongly condemned the ongoing crackdown on human rights and pro-democracy organisations by Egyptian authorities – even after Mubarak's ouster. A common charge in international rights reports on Egypt is that the ruling military council and its appointed governments have continued, even extended, the Mubarak-era practice of suppressing press and civil society freedoms. Sameh Abou Zeid, the judge presiding over the investigation into NGOs accused of illegitimate foreign funding, told a press conference in early February that investigators had evidence proving that some local NGOs, along with several foreign ones, had received "unauthorised" foreign funding. Abou Zeid, who was previously a State Security prosecutor, also said the committee would soon be issuing new warrants to search the offices of those NGOs charged with operating illegally in Egypt. "During the Mubarak era, the process of registration was carried out selectively by the ministry of social solidarity in order to exclude human rights and pro-democracy organisations," said Sherif Alaa, project manager of the Egyptian Association for Community Participation Enhancement, a registered organisation established in 2003. "To get around this, they operated as private, non-profit organisations. Yet both types are the same before foreign-funding entities, enabling them to obtain funding and operate normally in the country." After Egypt's current rulers changed existing laws to facilitate the establishment of political parties and trade unions, authorities now insist on amending the Mubarak-era NGO establishment law – but in a way that rights groups view as more restrictive than it had been under the former regime. "Even with registered organisations, the ministry constantly rejects proposals to regulate the funding of certain projects having to do with political rights," Alaa said. "Many established rights organisations have willingly chosen not to register at the ministry under the current law, since this would restrict the scope of their work," said Gasser Abdel-Razek, associate director of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), established in 2002. In January, Egypt's social solidarity ministry issued a draft law to regulate organisations working without a ministry permit, stating that, unless these organisations obtained approval from the ministry, they could no longer operate as private, non-profit organisations. The draft was submitted before parliament's legislative committee in February for discussion, but the committee has not yet issued its final decision on the proposed law. The committee did, however, express initial disapproval of the bill. "The solution is simple," said Abdel-Razek. "We need a law that guarantees the independence and freedom of civil society bodies. But it is now in parliament's hands to draft this law." The charge now being levelled by government officials involved in the case, led by International Cooperation Minister Fayza Abou El-Naga, is that the accused US rights organisations were, in fact, conspiring to bring down the Egyptian state. Notably, some local rights organisations faced similar allegations even before the US organisations had. The EIPR and its head rights lawyer, Hossam Bahgat, was among a blacklist of organisations and activists referred by prosecutors last September to a probe into their bank accounts – a milestone in the government's post-revolution confrontation with rights groups. "Local rights organisations are now too many to contain. As institutions, they are part of the state. How could the state's own institutions conspire to bring it down?" asked Abdel-Razek, in an effort to explain why the government would include US organisations – which had operated without incident under the Mubarak regime – in the new illegal funding lawsuit. "Some of those organisations accused by the government received invitations from the government itself to monitor the recent parliamentary polls," noted Abdel-Razek. Many civil society workers believe that the human rights groups most at risk of suppression are those that take legal action against rights violations by the country's new rulers. Human rights groups with legal offices – such as the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre, the Arab Network for Human Rights, the Egyptian Organisation for Social and Economic Rights, and the EIPR, all of which are led by lawyers – became the legal arm of last year's revolution. After the uprising, these organisations joined forces to realise revolutionary demands through court orders after the ruling military council showed increasing reluctance to address popular grievances. Rights lawyers from these organisations, along with others, formed an umbrella group called the "Front for the Defence of Egyptian Protesters." The group's telephone hotline numbers – which offered protesters' legal representationin case of arrest – were posted on social media even before the 25 January uprising. Their work continued after the revolution, when they legally represented thousands of activists, many of whom had been hauled before military tribunals. These rights organisations won a victory last October when a court ordered authorities to allow Egyptians living abroad to vote in Egypt's first post-Mubarak parliamentary and presidential polls. The issue of expatriate voting came up shortly after Mubarak's ouster, lingering for months as authorities resisted reform. By court order, however, the ruling military council eventually approved a law granting voting rights to millions of Egyptians living overseas. In the meantime, investigations into "illegitimate" NGO activity remain underway – and so does the possibility of further action against certain targeted Egyptian rights groups, which nevertheless plan to continue their work despite the current unsettling circumstances. "The strongest response to such a campaign is that we continue to work to our full capacity, continue pursuing lawsuits against the government and military council, and continue submitting memos to parliament," Abdel-Razek concluded.

A number of Lebanese and Palestinians set fire to a vehicle and health clinic affiliated with UNRWA in the Al-Shabriha camp in Tyre on Tuesday.

A number of Lebanese and Palestinians set fire to a vehicle and health clinic affiliated with UNRWA in the Al-Shabriha camp in Tyre on Tuesday. The attack was in response to the recent death of Nisrine Karim, a Lebanese national married to a Palestinian and mother of two. Nisrine was refused admission to the hospital by UNRWA staff while in critical condition. By: Nadine Moawad

No need to 'purge' senior police officers: Interior Minister

Ahram Online , Tuesday 21 Feb 2012 Minister of Interior rejects calls for 'purge' of senior officers who served Mubarak's former interior minister Habib El-Adly; reaffirms ban on police officers wearing beards

Minister of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim has announced the formation of a commission tasked with restructuring the ministry in a way that "suits the nature of police work and serves the public interest." Ibrahim rejected calls by some MPs and political groups for the ministry to be purged of senior officers who served under former interior minister Habib El-Adly – who is currently on trial for corruption and ordering the killing of protesters during the January 25 Revolution – and other corrupt officers. "The ministry does not recognise the word 'purge'," said Ibrahim, during a visit to Assiut governorate on Monday. Commenting on a campaign to overturn the prohibition on serving officers wearing beards, Ibrahim said Islamic clerics had reassured him that beards were a tradition, not an obligatory practice in Islam. Therefore, any officer who grows a beard would be referred to the appropriate disciplinary committee. Last week a group of police officers announced via Facebook that they would grow their beards in accordance with their interpretation of Islam. Some of the officers have already appeared in front of a disciplinary committee. The campaign has received support from ultra-conservative Salafist groups in Egypt. Nader Bakar, the official spokesman for the Salafist Nour Party, has slammed the ministry, insisting that the officers did not break any rules, have a clear record and were only following Islamic teachings. “The ministry of interior cannot fire these officers, or even transfer them to other departments, because this is against Islamic rules and basic human rights,” Bakar said in TV interview on Saturday. Police and army personnel are not allowed to grow their beards in Egypt. Men with beards are barred from entering army and police clubs in the country.

World Day of Social Justice

Publication: Social Justice in an Open World: The Role of the United Nations At its sixty-second session, in November 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice. The day is to be observed for the first time in 2009. Member states were invited to devote this special day to the promotion of concrete national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly, entitled “World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for all in a globalizing world”. As recognized by the World Summit, social development aims at social justice, solidarity, harmony and equality within and among countries and social justice, equality and equity constitute the fundamental values of all societies. To achieve “a society for all” governments made a commitment to the creation of a framework for action to promote social justice at national, regional and international levels. They also pledged to promote the equitable distribution of income and greater access to resources through equity and equality and opportunity for all. The governments recognized as well that economic growth should promote equity and social justice and that “a society for all” must be based on social justice and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The observance of the day should contribute to the further consolidation of the efforts of the international community in poverty eradication, promotion of full employment and decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all. GA Resolution A/RES/62/10, 19 November 2007

Volunteer around the world. For free

Competition Introduction GVI has launched an international competition to send one person around the world for one year, with flights, volunteering on a range of long-term, sustainable GVI programs and expeditions... What do I need to do? You will have to complete 5 different stages, competing with other entrants. Throughout the competition, your entries will go to a public vote which will determine your progression to the next round. Those not making the cut will unfortunately be eliminated. If you are fun, outgoing, inspiring and have a passion for volunteer travel, then this competition is for you! By the time your year-long experience has finished, you will see first-hand how you and hundreds of other GVI volunteers make a difference all over the world. Just ask the previous winner of a GVI round the world trip... http://www.gvi.co.uk/volunteer-around-world-free

Center Of Right In Justice We work according International Human Rights Law o PEACE & SECURITY REPORT 10/2/2012 o By Peace & collaborative Development Network o IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to brief busy students, academics, advocates, and practitioners in the conflict management community on pertinent global news, events, and trends. Meticulously researched and written by IPSI, the PSR empowers us all to take a step back from our immediate deadlines each Friday and gain a greater understanding of the week's global events. Featured Article Why the Syrian Rebels Should Put Down Their Guns by Daniel Server, The Atlantic It is remarkable how quickly we've forgotten about nonviolence in Syria. Only a few months ago, the White House was testifying unequivocally in favor of nonviolent protest, rather than armed opposition, against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime's awful crackdown. Even today, President Obama eschews military intervention. Yesterday, Yahoo News' Laura Rozen offered the views of four experts on moving forward in Syria. While one doubted the efficacy of arming the opposition, none advocated nonviolence. When blogger Jasmin Ramsey wrote up a rundown of the debate over intervention in Syria, nonviolence wasn't even mentioned. There are reasons for this. No one is going to march around Homs singing kumbaya while the Syrian army shells the city. It is correct to believe that Syrians have the right to defend themselves from a state that is attacking them. Certainly international military intervention in Bosnia, Kosovo, and arguably Libya saved a lot of lives. Why should Syrians not be entitled to protection? Isn't it our responsibility to meet that expectation? Read Full Article >> Africa LIBERIA: Alleged war criminal to be deported On Monday, a United States immigration judge in New York ordered the deportation of former Liberian rebel leader George Boley, Sr. The ruling was based on Boley's alleged use of child soldiers and ordering of extra-judicial killings during Liberia's 1990s civil war. The Liberia Peace Council (LPC) headed by Boley was among the largest of the seven armed groups fighting during the conflict. The U.S. government cited "credible reports" that Boley authorized the executions of seven of his soldiers on November 14, 1995. Comment: In 2009, Boley testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Liberia and has maintained there must have been two groups calling themselves the LPC. Former TRC chairman Jerome Verdier said Boley could be a free man after he returns since no cases have been brought forward. An estimated quarter of a million people died during Liberia's 1989-2003 conflict. (AFP, Voice of America, BBC) MALI: United Nations expresses concern over fighting in north On Wednesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Turaeg rebels to halt their offensive in the Azawad region of northern Mali. The separatist Tuareg National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and other rebels made significant gains on Wednesday after they seized the strategic border town of Tinzawatene and forced Malian troops to withdraw into Algeria, leaving one soldier dead and two wounded. Ban urged the rebels to immediately stop fighting and engage in dialogue with the Malian government to resolve their grievances. Comment: The Malian government has accused the MNLA of being proxies for the terrorist group al-Qaeda; however, the rebels have denied the accusations. The attacks come as the Malian government is implementing an emergency action plan to distribute food to parts of the country affected by drought. Aid agencies are concerned that the Tuareg rebellion could hamper efforts to distribute food in northern parts of the country. (AllAfrica, Reuters, The Guardian, Daily Nation) SUDAN: Darfur Regional Authority launched On Wednesday, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, formally inaugurated the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA) in Al-Fashir in North Darfur. Bashir said his government wants internally displaced peoples and refugees to return to their original areas and emphasized the importance of rebuilding local communities and bringing criminals to justice. He also announced the release of all prisoners from the Liberty and Justice Movement (LJM), which signed last year's Doha agreement; the gesture was not extended to the other major rebel movements that rejected the agreement. Comment: The 2006 Abuja Darfur Peace Agreement first established the Transitional Darfur Regional Authority in April 2007. It was reformed as the DRA after the signing of the Doha Darfur Peace Agreement in July last year; the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and factions of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) were not signatories. Observers believe the DRA shares many of the weaknesses of the previous Darfur administration. (UN News Centre, Sudan Vision, Sudan Vision, BBC) Researched/Written by James Asuquo-Brown III Americas BRAZIL: Striking police end building occupation Nearly 250 striking police officers left the state legislature building of Salvador de Bahia on Thursday, following a week of protests demanding higher wages, improved benefits, and amnesty for the walkouts. The building has been occupied since January 31 by striking police and family members. Nearly one-third of Bahia's 30,000 police force is estimated to have walked off the job for the duration of the protests. Due to a lack of police presence on the streets, Salvador's homicide rate doubled since the protests began, reaching nearly 100 homicides. Comment: Negotiations have been underway with Bahia's Governor Jacques Wagner to address the demands of protestors. The Brazilian government deployed 3,500 troops to regain access to the building and quell the ensuing violence. Additionally, an estimated ten percent of tourists have cancelled trips to Salvador, a hotspot for Carnival festivities that draws tens of thousands of tourists annually. More than 9,000 new police personnel have been recruited across Bahia as part of the Brazilian government's wider campaign to reduce violence prior to the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2014 World Cup. (CNN, CNN, BBC, AFP, Bloomberg) FALKLAND ISLANDS/ISLAS MALVINAS: Tension escalates, Argentina appeals to the United Nations On Wednesday, Britain stated it will rule out talks over the status of the disputed Falkland Islands/Malvinas Islands with Argentina's President Fernandez de Kirchner following weeks of bitter exchanges between the two countries. On Tuesday, President Kirchner said the government of Argentina would submit a formal complaint to the UN Security Council over the "militarization" of the Islands. Britain recently announced the deployment to the area of one of its most advanced naval destroyers. Prince William, second in line to the throne, was also recently deployed with the Royal Air Force to serve a military tour at an air base on the Islands. The British Foreign Office released a statement that it will negotiate with Argentina only if prompted to do so by inhabitants of the Islands. Comment: In 1982, Argentina and Britain fought a ten-week war, known as the Falklands War, in which Britain upheld control of the Islands. Argentina claims the Islands were "stolen" 180 years ago by the British. The 3,000, inhabitants of the Islands are considered to be British, yet debate ensues regarding sovereignty of the Islands between the British and Argentine governments. (CNN, NY Times, AP, BBC Mundo) MEXICO: Conservative party nominates first female candidate Josefina Vazquez Mota received the presidential nomination on Sunday by Mexico's right-wing Partido Acción Nacional (PAN) after gaining 55 percent of party votes. Vazquez Mota is the first woman to be nominated for President by one of Mexico's main political parties. She previously served as the former Secretary of Education and Secretary Social Development. PAN is Mexico's current ruling conservative party and has been in power for 11 years under the Fox and Calderon administrations. Comment: Presidential elections will be held on July 1, as President Calderon cannot seek re-election for a second six-year term according to the Mexican Constitution. The Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) poses significant opposition to PAN's bid for office. Former Governor of Mexico Central State Enrique Pena Nieto, PRI's presidential candidate, leads in recent polls. Vazquez Mota has pledged to combat cartels and reduce violence state-wide, echoing pledges of President Calderon. Calderon's administration has received criticism for ineffectively battling cartels in Mexico. (Al Jazeera, AP, Reuters) Researched/Written by Melissa Mahfouz East Asia JAPAN: No deal with U.S. to transfer thousands of Marines to Okinawa Island On February 8, the U.S. and Japanese governments, bowing to local pressure, agreed to scale back a long-controversial plan to relocate American military forces on the southern island of Okinawa. The change will set aside plans made six years ago to build a new Marine Corps base on the island, as well as move the Futenma airbase in Ginowan city to a less populated part of the island. Comment: 18,000 U.S. marines are stationed on Okinawa out of a total military deployment of about 50,000 in Japan. (BBC, Reuters, WS) MYANMAR: Prominent monk detained for questioning On February 10, Myanmar authorities detained activist monk, Shin Gambira, only weeks after he was released from years of imprisonment. Gambira was among the leaders of the so-called Saffron Revolution, a 2007 anti-government uprising against the military junta, and since his release from prison, he has publicly spoken out against the new government, which took office last March. The men who detained Gambira did not give details on where they were taking him or why. His brother noted that the men said that they were not arresting him but wanted to talk to him. Comment: Gambira's detention comes after widespread international attention on Myanmar, where the nominally civilian government has recently received subtle praise for a multitude of reforms. (BBC, MH, CNN) THAILAND: Massive car bomb kills 1, injures 13 On the morning of February 9, a car bomb exploded in front of the Provincial Public Health Office in downtown Pattani province, killing one man and injuring 13 bystanders, including two young girls. Authorities stated that defence volunteers who were scheduled to gather at the Pattani provincial hall that morning, but were detoured, were the likely targets of the blast. The truck that carried the bomb bore fake license plates and was reported stolen on November 27 of last year. The Pattani Provincial Police commander believes that a local insurgent group led by Abdulhalem Puteh was responsible for the attack. Comment: The Pattani region of Southern Thailand has experienced escalating violence from a separatist insurgency since January 2004, claiming more than 5,200 lives. The National Security Council in Bangkok recently approved a policy for peacekeeping operations in the South to be implemented in the next three years. (BP, Xinhua, The Nation, TAN) Researched/Written by Jared O. Bell Europe & Central Asia GREECE: Greek coalition comes to agreement over bailout deal After weeks of failure to meet deadlines for presenting the EU with a plan of austerity measures required to secure a bailout, Greek politicians were able to reach consensus in negotiations with their creditors Thursday afternoon. The talks ended with no compromise on the issue of pension cuts, which had been the final point of contention; however, alternative cuts were agreed to. Had Greece been unable to agree to the budget cuts set forth by the EU, the European Central Bank, and the IMF, they likely would have faced bankruptcy by early March. The country is now set to receive a EUR 130 billion loan from the three creditors. Comment: The austerity measures have been extremely unpopular in Greece. Labor unions representing approximately 50 percent of Greece's workforce are calling for strikes Friday and Saturday to protest the reforms that an official of the ADEDY union claims "create misery for the youth, the unemployed and pensioners." (Reuters, Guardian, BBC, Washington Post) ROMANIA: Prime Minister Boc resigns amid unrest Following weeks of protests against austerity measures introduced by PM Emil Boc and controversial reforms of the healthcare system, the Romanian Prime Minister stepped down on Monday. Boc had introduced a number of austerity measures, including a five percent sales tax increase and a 25 percent decrease in public workers' salaries, as part of a requirement for a EUR 20 billion bailout from the IMF and the EU. Romanian President Traian Basescu appointed foreign intelligence chief Mihai Razzvan Ungureanu Prime Minister later on Monday. Ungureanu vowed to continue the measures put into place by his predecessor. Comment: The anti-government protests have allowed the opposition parties to gain significant support. According to recent polls, the opposition Social-Liberal Union is currently supported by 53.4 percent of Romanians. (Balkan Insight, RFE/RL, CNN, Deutsche Welle) RUSSIA: Anti-Putin protests draw large crowds Two months after major protests began in Russia for the first time in over ten years, tens of thousands of Russians from across the political spectrum rallied February 4 on Bolotnaya Square near the Kremlin for fair elections and the ousting of prime minister and presidential candidate Putin. Saturday also marks the first time the Kremlin organized counter-protests. Comment: Estimates for the number of protesters at both the pro- and anti-Putin demonstrations varied greatly. Russian police estimated that the opposition rally attracted just 38,000 protesters, while up to 140,000 turned out in support of Putin. The Moscow Times, which is known for taking a more critical stance on the government, gave estimates of 50,000 opposition protesters and 25,000 pro-Putin demonstrators. (RFE/RL, RIA Novosti, Moscow Times, Washington Post) Researched/Written by Kate Elci Middle East & North Africa EGYPT: Egyptian government cracks down on U.S.-funded NGOs Kamal el-Ganzouri, Egypt's military backed Prime Minister, said Thursday that the campaign against U.S.-funded NGOs will not be swayed by Washington's threat to withhold USD 1.3 billion in foreign aid. 43 NGO workers, 19 of them U.S. citizens, face up to five years in prison for refusal to pay taxes, entering the country on tourist visas, and training political parties. The evidence presented in the case includes cash, maps, and videos taken of churches and military facilities. The evidence is "ridiculous" and "laughable" according to Sherif Mansour, a Freedom House employee based in Washington and one of the charged. Comment: In 2004, the U.S. Congress demanded that bilateral aid be used to fund democracy-building civil society groups such as NDI and IRA (both of which are currently being investigated in the case). The recent crackdown, spearheaded by Faiza Abou el-Naga, the current minister of Planning and International Cooperation which oversees distribution of international aid, is seen as a backlash against similar U.S. policies. A number of political parties, including the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as leading military figures have shown support for the NGO investigations. (Washington Post, Al Jazeera, Reuters) SYRIA: Security Council Resolution blocked, Russia claims Assad committed to end of violence Russia and China blocked the Security Council Resolution that would have called for Assad's abdication of power in favor of a transition civilian government on Saturday, February 4. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with Assad on Tuesday to discuss current developments, including the ongoing military onslaught against the city of Homs that has already killed hundreds of people. Lavrov stated that Assad was committed to ending the violence and would soon set a date for holding a referendum on a new constitution. Comment: Members of the Arab League and multiple Western countries, including the U.S., Britain, Italy, and France, have cut diplomatic relations with Damascus. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan sent a delegation to Washington on Wednesday to discuss sanctions against Assad's regime. (Huffington Post, Al Arabiya, NYTimes) WEST BANK/GAZA: Abbas/Meshaal sign Doha Declaration Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal signed an agreement on Monday, February 6 in Qatar that would open the door for a unity government. Abbas will head the unity government as Prime Minister and prepare the Palestinian Territories for general elections in the late spring or early summer. The agreement states that the new Palestinian government will comprise "independent technocrats," and will also be responsible for overseeing reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip. Comment: The two leaders reached a reconciliation deal last year to end more than four years of separate governments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Israel has condemned the agreement, stating that peace talks are threatened by the inclusion of Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Israel and the U.S. The EU supported the political merger, although its continued support will be based on Hamas's recognition of Israel, denunciation of violence, and a commitment to the Mideast peace plan. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Haaretz) Researched/Written by Colleen Rossmiller South Asia INDIA: Indian state Uttar Pradesh first to start round of assembly elections Voting in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) commenced on Wednesday in an election battle for assembly seats. State elections in UP take place in a series of seven phases for several weeks, after which final ballots are cast on March 3. Current Chief Minister Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh, who is head of the Bahujan Samaj Party, is running against Rahul Gandhi of the Indian National Congress Party, as well as Akhilesh Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party. Gandhi is attempting to court Muslim voters via promises of affirmative action programs, while Yadav vows to augment opportunities for members of lower castes. In the last election in 2007, Mayawati won 206 of the available 403 assembly seats in UP. Comment: Maywati's voter base is UP's large population of Dalits, what were in traditional Indian society known as "untouchables;" however, scandals have marred her tenure as Chief Minister. Amidst accusations of political corruption, Mayawati has also been criticized of misusing funds to excessively build parks and statues, as well as mismanaging loans from the World Bank. (NYT, BBC, BBC, Times of India) MALDIVES: Coup ousts Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed resigned from office on Tuesday and was replaced by his former vice president, Mohamed Waheed Hassan. His resignation comes after rioting en masse in Male resulted in the hospitalization of an estimated 50 opposition protestors. The riots commenced after Nasheed removed a top judge following his decision to release a prisoner "loyal to the opposition." On Wednesday, Nasheed supporters marched on the capital with aims to reinstate the former president; "I was forced to resign at gunpoint," said Nasheed. Opposition supporters have since taken control of Maldivian state broadcasting, renaming the network after Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years. Comment: The connection between newly appointed President Hassan and the opposition is still unclear. Hassan promised on Wednesday to reinstate democratic rule of law after thanking the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF) for their "great sacrifices in defending the constitution." Mohamed Nasheed was the first democratically elected president of the Maldives. (BBC, LA Times, Minivan News) PAKISTAN: Pakistan discusses border security with NATO, Afghanistan The Pakistan army met on Wednesday with NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan National Army in Torkham to discuss issues of border security. Pakistani General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed was present in the first such talks among the three groups since the deadly November 26 U.S.-led airstrikes on two border posts. Reports suggest that the U.S. is debating a formal apology for the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers, which Pakistan claims were "deliberate at some level." Pakistan closed supply routes on the Pakistani-Afghani border after the strikes, but the government has promised to reopen the routes under the premise it will charge higher fees. Comment: The border security talks are largely centered on the issue of U.S. drone missions in the region, which were highlighted Wednesday after a U.S. strike killed ten presumed insurgents in the city of Miranshah, North Waziristan. (Dawn, AP, Tribune, Voice of America) http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/profiles/blog/show?id=780588%3ABlogPost%3A700694&xgs=1&xg_source=msg_share_post

Right In Justice center

Location	Zagazig , Cairo ; EGYPT
About	Right In Justice Center -RIJ- Human Rights Organization work in : HUMAN RIGHTS issues , Democracy & Transitional Justice . As well as providing assistance and Legal Support.

Description	News:( Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere ) Martine lother. Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law, Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations, Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge, From Universal Declaration of HUMAN RIGHT . Unaited Nationd - 10th December 1948. And This is our VISSION . *********************** الظلم في أي مكان.. تهديد للعدالة في كل مكان (مارتن لوثر كينج) لما كان الاعتراف بالكرامة المتأصلة في جميع أعضاء الأسرة البشرية وبحقوقهم المتساوية الثابتة هو أساس الحرية والعدل والسلام في العالم. ولما كان تناسي حقوق الإنسان وازدراؤها قد أفضيا إلى أعمال همجية آذت الضمير الإنساني، وكان غاية ما يرنو إليه عامة البشر انبثاق عالم يتمتع فيه الفرد بحرية القول والعقيدة ويتحرر من الفزع والفاقة. ولما كان من الضروري أن يتولى القانون حماية حقوق الإنسان لكيلا يضطر المرء آخر الأمر إلى التمرد على الاستبداد والظلم. ولما كانت شعوب الأمم المتحدة قد أكدت في الميثاق من جديد إيمانها بحقوق الإنسان الأساسية وبكرامة الفرد وقدره وبما للرجال والنساء من حقوق متساوية وحزمت أمرها على أن تدفع بالرقي الاجتماعي قدماً وأن ترفع مستوى الحياة في جو من الحرية أفسح. ولما كانت الدول الأعضاء قد تعهدت بالتعاون مع الأمم المتحدة على ضمان اطراد مراعاة حقوق الإنسان والحريات الأساسية واحترامها. ولما كان للإدراك العام لهذه الحقوق والحريات الأهمية الكبرى للوفاء التام بهذا التعهد. فإن الجمعية العامة تنادي بهذا الإعلان العالمي لحقوق الإنسان على أنه المستوى المشترك الذي ينبغي أن تستهدفه كافة الشعوب والأمم حتى يسعى كل فرد وهيئة في المجتمع، واضعين على الدوام هذا الإعلان نصب أعينهم، من ديباجة الاعلان العالمى لحقوق الانسان الصادر عن الأمم المتحدة فى 10 ديسمبر 1948. وهذه رؤيتنا
Mission	Right In Justice Center -RIJ- Human Rights Organization work in : HUMAN RIGHTS issues , Democracy & Transitional Justice . As well as providing assistance and Legal Support.
Products	1- Monitoring of all Violations of Human Rights . 2- Deepening the legal awareness and a culture of democracy & human rights, especially Youth ,women and the lawyers . 3- Provide support and legal assistance. 4- Training and technical support and capacity building. 5-networking and building alliances with organizations and bodies concerned in this regard. 6- Establishment of advocacy campaigns and lobbying to influence and change. 7- Seminars, conferences, research and legal studies related. 8- Awareness and action in order to establish the concept of universal justice, transitional and not confined to only a limited criminal justice. Chairman : Mohamed Sabri Metwaly