HCA Youth Network Blog

Interview with Andrey Yurov (YHRM).

2007-08-23T03:30:00.000-07:00

"We will fight not just for ourselves, but for a new generation of civil activists". Interview with Andrey Yurov, the Honorary President of the International Youth Human Rights Movement, made in Piekary (Poland), End of July 2007. Click Here.

Russia & NEI : Call for support from Youth Human Rights Movement (HCA partner)

2007-08-23T01:14:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and colleagues!

In early August 2007 we learned that the International Youth Human Rights Movement (YHRM) had been declared "inactive" and has been deprived of its status as a legal entity by a court decision in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia on the demand of the Federal Registration Service. The decision was taken on June 13, yet the Coordination Council of YHRM learned abut it only by accident, almost a month and a half later, since the court nor the registration service had notified us.

We would like to state that we definitely are not going to stop our work. At the same time any kind of support from our partners and friends would be appreciated.

About YHRM

The history of Youth Human Rights Movement starts in 1998, with a small group of activists. At the present moment, YHRM unites more than 1000 young human rights defenders, environmental and civic activists, teachers and trainers on human rights education from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Italy, France, Germany and other countries. Among YHRM achievements (together with different partners in Russia, the CIS and Europe) there are educational programs for thousands of young people, hundreds of legal consultations for youth etc. Currently several leading representatives of YHRM are Council experts of Europe structures, and YHRM itself actively cooperates with intergovernmental bodies such as the OSCE, the European Commission and other international institutions.

What does that mean?

The YHRM case is typical and symptomatic, it reflects negative tendencies in relation to freedom of association (the right to create organizations, unions etc) in Russia and some other NIS countries. The logic of the much criticized changes to the Russian legislation on NGOs leads to the reproduction of such absurd situations, when functioning organizations are declared “inactive”, “inoperative”, deprived of their status as a legal entity and their work is disturbed. Both in Nizhny Novgorod and in Russia in general this case is one of many similar ones, which have been repeating over the last three-four months. Most of the closed organizations are absolutely alive and working, but in their work they touch topics, that are sensitive for the authorities (human rights, environment protection, antifascism, electoral rights, rights of consumers etc). Intervention by the Federal Registration Service, based on the new legislation, disturbs their work.

What we are going to do:

- keep working;

- appeal against the illegal decision and pursue the restoration of the organization’s legal status;

- continue collecting information on the illegal closing of NGOs and render different kinds of support within the Program “For Freedom of Association”;

- participate and coordinate systematic actions aimed at changing “the rules of the game” (legislature, practice, policy, etc) in connection to basic human rights critical for the development of a civil society, not only in Russia but in the NIS as well.

WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT!!!

How you can participate:

1. As a sign of solidarity, you can join YHRM individually, as a group\organization or open a YHRM branch in your country. (To join – please visit: http://www.yhrm.org/eng/join/, for details on how to open a branch please contact int@yhrm.org).

2. Send us a letter of support in your national language and\or in English. This is important for us not only because of your encouragement, but also as evidence for the court to prove that we in fact “exist” and are known to people and organizations in many different countries! You can do this by fax +7-4732-545530 or by e-mail solidarity@hrworld.ru .

3. Translate this text into your national language and disseminate it widely in your community, country and regions, among friends, partners, journalists, on web-sites and blogs (you can also use banners in English http://defence.yhrm.org/newsdef_other/bnr/), asking them to join our solidarity campaign! Distribute information about this case and about the situation with fundamental freedoms in Russia and NIS as widely as possible!

4. Along with all other actions you can also organize solidarity actions with International YHRM and in support of the independent civil society actors in Russia (near Russian embassies and other representations of the Russian Federation in your country) Please give notice of your activities to the Solidarity working group at solidarity@hrworld.ru, so we will know about them and inform others.

5. You can, if you wish, render financial or any other support to YHRM. It is possible to do either through Webmoney E907697182726, Z878302509696, R179608645089 or through (a/our??) bank account (please contact us for details).

6. Join the working group for the Defense of Civil Society in the NIS (dcs_nis_eng@googlegroups.com)!!! YHRM is not the first and unfortunately not the last organization which faces this kind of pressure and only our joint efforts can prevent new problems.

7. If you have any other ideas about what can be done, please contact us at the Solidarity working group: solidarity@hrworld.ru.

International Youth Human Rights Solidarity Program solidarity@hrworld.ru Administrative Center in Voronezh, Russia +7 (915) 548 71 90 www.yhrm.org Honorary President Andrey Yurov +7-916-113-51-81 Chair of Coordination Council Alyona Ob’ezdchikova + 7-910-749-10-12

HCA statement to the freedom of expression in Azerbaidjan

2007-06-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

From Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly International

To Council of Europe

STATEMENT

Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly expresses its concern concerning the developed complicated situation in Azerbaijan regarding the freedom of speech and persecution of journalist which are accompanied with beatings and arrests. It is unacceptable that such situation occurs in a country which has joined European Convention on Human Rights and is a member of European Organizations such as Council of Europe and OSCE.

The problems surrounding the safety of journalists have reached its very serious state. After the 2 March 2005 ordered brutal shooting of famous Monitor Journal Chief Editor Elmar Huseynov, whose murderers have not been found and whose murder case remains incomplete, many other journalists have been exposed to pressure, including from “Azadlig” Newspaper Fikret Huseynli (kidnapped and beaten) and Nijat Daglar (beaten by unknown people), from “Zerkalo” Newspaper Rustam Mikayilov and Farid Teymurkhanli (beaten by police), from “Ayna” Newspaper Iddrak Abbasov (beaten by police), from “Bizim Yol” Bahaddin Haziyev (kidnapped, brutally beaten and left an invalid for life), from “Boz Gurd” Newspaper Ramiz Najafli (beaten by police), and from Turan News Agency Sarvan Rizvanov (beaten by police). And finally, as a result of a disagreement with police which turned into a fist-fight “Yeni Musavat” Newspaper photo-correspondent Ali Kazimli was bedridden in the hospital and at home for six months, and ultimately died.

We would like to briefly recall some of the recent repressive acts that have occurred against the press. At present seven (7) journalists are imprisoned, including four (4) that were imprisoned on the basis of articles 147 and 148 of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code (libel and defamation). In addition, there are at least six (6) well-known journalists serving probation due to articles 147 and 148.

In April of this year “Realny Azerbaycan” Military writer Uzeir Jafarov was attacked in front of his own editorial office. He received serious head and brain trauma. Even police that have shown aggression towards journalists wearing special uniforms made at the order of the Press Council with approval from the Interior Ministry are not punished.

In May of this year alone, three leading independent newspapers were compelled to close: “Realny Azerbaycan,” “Gundalik Azerbaycan,” and “Baki Khabar.” In general from January 2006- May 2007 tens of court cases against the mass media have been conducted. And fines against newspapers have reached a total of over 500,000 USD. The above mentioned incidents testify to the end of the independent press and destruction of the essence of freedom speech.

As an organization one of the work directions of which is defending human rights and which possesses the consultative status in the Council of Europe since 1991 we confirm that we recognize these imprisoned journalists as prisoners of conscience and demand their immediate release. We hope that Azerbaijan authorities having declared the will of becoming equal right member of European family will pursue internal policy in appropriate with European values and laws.

Bernard Dreano,

Arzu Abdullayeva,

Co-chairs of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly International

25.06.07

SIDU in Poland, 24-31 July 2007

2007-06-11T02:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends Nigdy Wiecej (Never Again) and AEC (French branch of hCa) organize a SIDU (Seminar on intercultural dialogue and understanding) in Poland on the theme “Identity, Discriminations and Nationalism”. It will in take place in Piekary (20 km from Krakow) from the 24th to the 31ft of July. If you are interested, we urgently need your application: Name, Surname Date of birth, nationality Passport number, issued (date and authority), expiring (date) If you need a visa? Number of fax to send your invitation letter Have you a Polish embassy in your country? Our budget is, even more than usual, limited, and today we are not sure tobe able to reimburse more than 75% of the travel expenses. The number of place is limited, and the visa formalities may take time, SO WE NEED YOUR ANSWER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, before the 15th of June Answer at aec@reseau-ipam.org If you have already sent an application please, do it again. Organization Team

From HCA-Turkey 08 June 2007 : OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF TURKISH GENERAL STAFF TARGETS PEACE AND DEMOCRACY DEFENDERS

2007-06-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

8 juin 2007

The press release which has been issued on the web site of the Office of the Chief of General Staff on June 8, 2007 is an unacceptable statement in terms of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.

In the concerned statement :

a) Peace, freedoms and democracy defenders are directly TARGETED through being defined as “individuals and organizations using these concepts AS A SCREEN FOR THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.”

b) All the citizens who are critical of the current “national and unitary structure” are being reflected as a threat against the Republic of Turkey, and different thoughts are convicted.

c) The above mentioned individuals and organizations are announced as the RESPONSIBLES of the increase in terror activities which occurred lately and are TARGETED in actual and legal terms once again.

d) The people are agitated to be out on the streets in a very dangerous and an unpredictable way by saying “The expectation of the Turkish Armed Forces is that the great Turkish nation is going to demonstrate a MASS OPPOSITION REFLEX against these kinds of terror events” in the press release. It is not a far probability that this would cause big lynch and attacking cases.

In a democratic state of law, it is clear that the highest ranking commanding level of the armed forces has no right and authority to deliver such a statement. We also have the right to ask the questions below against such a clear attack on defenders of democracy, rule of law, freedom and peace :

1) Since it was clearly and certainly known that “...terror would increase after May 2007”, why were there no effective measures to prevent such activities taken ?

2) Which measures were blocked by the defenders of democracy, freedom and peace ?

3) Is it asked to discard rule of law and democracy by labeling defending rule of law and democracy as “supporting terror.” ?

4) Whom and which bodies will be responsible if some groups attempt lynching and organize attacks against defenders of democracy and rule of law, and those who “they think supports terror” because of their identities ?

In fact, there are many questions to be asked.

We clearly state that, as human rights defenders, we will never bow to pressure. We have always opposed violence, and we still oppose it today. We also oppose failure of law and human rights violations. No single one should suspect that we will continue on objecting violence, attacks and war wherever it comes from ; and continue on defending human rights.

HUMAN RIGHTS JOINT PLATFORM

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TURKEY

HELSINKI CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY

HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF TURKEY

HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION

ORGANIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS & SOLIDARITY FOR OPPRESSED PEOPLE

Happy birthday guru!!!!!!!! bon anniversariu!!!!!!

2007-01-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Bernard has many facets......

he can be a guidebook,

an hiker,

a policeman,

a comic...

But my favourite Bernard is the party animal!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!!! your corsican fan...

Happy Birthday to youuuu...

2007-01-06T10:34:00.000-08:00

Bernard is 20 (ter) !!! Happy Birthday !!! And many many hugs and sidus ! Eurocracy, Bureaucracy, Democracy, hi hi hi...

Pace è Salute

2007-01-02T05:47:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody and happy new year from Corsica.... in corsican, we say Pace è Salute, peace and health....... kisses, Maïa the bee

Happy New Year!

2006-12-26T03:28:00.000-08:00

Dear SIDU people!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all a happiest New Year 2007!

May your lives be filled with happiness and hearts with love... May the new year bring you lots of successes and accomplishments in your live and works! Have a wonderful New Year Celebrations!

Keep posting ;)
Tabib

HCA Youth Network Blog

2006-12-03T02:43:00.000-08:00

HCA Youth Network Blog

an interview with Bernard.

2006-11-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

Hi, Today while I was reading my newspaper, I saw an article about Armenian issue and as I have done before, I read it. I saw a familiar face as a French Intellectual ( Bernard Dreano) who declares his thoughts about the law in France. I want to share with you but it is only in Turkish, you may see the pictures of Bernard:) Briefly, the news is an interview with Denis Donikyan who is a famous poet I think and an interview with Bernard. This is the fourth news of a series called ' Talking to Diaspora Armenians' (the writer is Ece Temelkuran who is known as a left-wing writer, specifically more left than a social-democrat. I like some of her writings very much about freedom and violations of human rights in Turkey. The newspaper is Milliyet which is high-circulation and mainstream media. The article is full-page in 14th page.) Firstly Donikyan is telling that Turkey should accept 1915.Then he adds: I did not grow up my children with this hatred and I did not tell them 1915 because my childhood is stolen and I don't want to steal my children's childhood. He continues with his own psychoanalysis about feeling of belonging to another place and stolen childhood with hatred speeches. I think he is a very good poet because he talks like he is:) Isabella Kortian ( I think his assistant I am not sure) says: We are angry at France because we came here to live as citizens but they banned us even to speak about genocide through many years. Now with this law I wont forget the past. Bernard says: French intellectuals are totally shocked with this stupid law. He mentions the well-known project "yavas gamats:)"he adds "The only ones who want this law is very nationalist/ fascist Armenians.This will trigger only more nationalism nothing else. I know that there are people such as Kardeş Türküler ( a music band sings in every language including Armenian and Kurdish) and Çarentz ( Armenian Poet in Turkey) and these people will serve to the dialogue." Bernard can correct me if there is something wrong. This is the Turkish page that you can see the news but it is unfortunately only in Turkish as I said before. http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2006/11/19/yazar/temelkuran.html F.Dilara DEMİR ( So-called journalist from Turkey:)

Russian-Georgian youth civic dialogue

2006-10-30T01:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends! Below you'll find the appeal which Youth Human Rights Movement activists prepared after Anti-Georgian campaign in Russia began. Currrently things are getting worse and worse day by day, there are numerous cases of deportations, using hate speech and other types of discrimination. If you are interested in following the developement of the events write to the address of the working group ycd@yhrm.org. Thank you for your support! Anastasia Nikitina _________________________________ Youth of Georgia and Russia! Today we apply to you, apply to each other, because we are ashamed. We are ashamed that political ambitions, poor judgment and aggression of our state leaderships might lead to our miscommunication and estrangement. We are ashamed that after wine, “Borjomi” and possibility to visit each other without visas, we may loose our associates. We do not want rising generations to forget enduring friendship of the Russian and Georgian peoples and remember only confrontation and conflicts. We do not want to dispute about the borders. We are not interested in geographical titles and color of peacemakers’ uniform. We seek to believe that expert politicians are able to communicate without hysterics and deterrence. However, currently situation, alas, moves elsewise. We do want to preserve – or finally create – space for communication between young people from Georgia and Russia in order to discuss our interests and concerns, in order to make those, who were elected by us, listen to the voices of people, they pretend to protect. We propose to create Russian-Georgian Youth Civic Dialogue – free platform for public activists, youth organizations and ordinary people, who do not agree with policy of disunion. We propose not only to keep recently disturbed balance, notwithstanding “geopolitics” and “economic” interests – we want to build new. We dream about day when young people from Russia (including Northern Caucasus) and Georgia will communicate freely, visit each other without fear of declaring their nationality, work and create together, support each other’s development. We have enough to speak out and share. We encourage Georgian and Russian authorities to put an end to the conflict escalation, despite vested interests of concrete persons and “actualite”. We call those, who are ready to share responsibility for this, to join YCD or create own initiative, not only from Russia or Georgia, but from other states also. Because states are not territories, but people leaving on these territories. If you estimate sustentation of the horizontal ties and communication between ordinary people as important at the various levels: business and trade, culture, education and other – join us! (Activists of the International Network – Youth Human Rights Movement)

Protest letter to the Mayor of Lyon

2006-10-11T07:21:00.000-07:00

Dear ALL,
Below is my protest letter, which I just sent to the mayor of Lyon. I call everyone to write a protest letter to him.
----------------

To the Mayor of Lyon
Monsieur Gérard Collomb

CC:
Madame Sabiha Ahmine
Assemblée européenne des citoyens (HCA-France)

Dear Mayor Collomb,

I am writing to express my deep protest to your actions, which counter the principles of democracy, freedom of expression and tolerance.

The dismissal of your deputy Sabiha Ahmine for her support to the Armenian-Turkish Dialogue meeting involving mostly youth from Armenia, Turkey and many other countries was an extremely unjust decision and also a blow to the civil society efforts in France, Armenia and Turkey aimed at historical reconciliation between the Armenian and Turkish peoples.

I have personally attended this meeting, being a representative from Azerbaijan branch of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly. I met many young talented, open-minded people, Armenians, Turks and others who tried to overcome the historical animosities and hatreds who tried to break up with the xenophobic stereotypes and narrow-minded nationalistic thinking. In my view, these young people are the hope for their nations, because only through open dialogue and communication, it is possible to achieve a historical reconciliation between the Armenians and Turks, as well as between the numerous Armenian and Turkish communities in France.

I call you to be more principled and firm and not surrender to the narrow nationalistic interest groups in the future. Dont let these groups block the civil initiatives aimed at dialogue and reconciliation! Dont let them brand and discredit these initiatives labelling them "negationist", "denialist" and the like! You have responsibility before your constituents to stop the propaganda of hatred and ethnic intolerance and to ensure that all the tensions between various communities are solved through civilised discussions and civic dialogue.

I very much hope that my letter to you was not in vain and you will show more support to the civil initiatives involving Armenians and Turks in the future.

Sincerely Yours,
Tabib Huseynov
Member
Helsinki Citizens' Assembly-Azerbaijan

More news from France & How to support Sabiha

2006-10-11T02:30:00.000-07:00

Hi, friends, Here are more news from France and our internal political debates in relation to Armenia and Turkey, I mean in relation to the recent visit paid in Erevan by French president Jacques Chirac telling there that Turkey would not entry the EU until the country officially says there has been a Turkish genocide against the Armenian people, in relation also to the initiative of the French social-democrat ("socialiste") group at the National Assembly promoting a new naw (to be discussed tomorrow amoung MPs) making a crime of denying the Armenian genocide. First, as some of you have asked us (see former post about our September HCA turkish-armenian debate in Lyon), HOW TO SUPPORT Sabiha Ahmine (who helped us by the TurkishArmenian dialogue in Lyon and has been dismissed partly because of that) : you can write protest emails to the Mayor of Lyon Gerard Collomb : gerard.collomb@mairie-lyon.fr You can write in your own language (even better? Let's be really cosmopolitan!), it mustn't be in English ! In the current battle to help Sabiha (and the progressist people trying in Lyon to deal positively with immigration & international issues), every sign of support, even a short one, is welcome and may help. Now, about the bad "electoralist" (or non-sense? as you wish) climate in France : the two last political initiatives of Chirac in Erevan and the socialist MPs at our National Assembly make of course the battle more difficult for our Turkish friends (amoung them our Turkish friends, hi, people, are you there?). Indeed the discussion about the historical massacre of Armenian people in Turkey at the beginning of former century has been progressing for a few year and the French attitude may confort & radicalise (and it already does) Turkish people hostile to this public debate, especially in a period where Turkish efforts to apply for the EU are been just rejected with new arguments. Besides, Armenian people from Turkey have already reacted, telling that the socialist proposal of law was not welcome at all. In France also, we try to react. Especially, the Turkish organisation ACORT has published a protestation against these political initiatives and said ACORT was wanting more than ever to promote an Armenian-Turkish dialogue in France amoung immigrants... Besides, French HCA (AEC) is preparing at that time a seminar with its partner Echanges&Partenariat from IPAM (our activist "family")... including a debate on those issues in November, together with Acort. That's all, folks! Take care ! Karine

International Network Against Cyber Hate

2006-10-10T02:19:00.000-07:00

I've just come from Warsaw where "Never Again" Association in cooperation with INACH and OBWE organised a conference against hate in the net. The idea is very important and simple for everyone who doesn't accept violence, hate, racism, war, nationalism etc. (so that for us;)) I'm sure that most of you know INACH, if not, here is the web site below: www.inach.net ...and strictly about racism: www.nigdywiecej.prh.pl/english/index.php Best wishes, Jacek

ZARA CLEAN-POLITICS PETITION

2006-10-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

I can say that it is extremely hard to schock me, but the political language in Austria was always quite schocking. Just in the moment you think that it can't get worse, you see the Freedom Party (FPOE) ads: Kein EU Beitritt der Tuerkei, Wien darf nicht Istanbul werden - meaning Vienna must not become Istanbul(varying a former FPOE slogan of Haider: "Wien darf nicht Chicago werden"), Deutsch statt "nix verstehn" (German instead of "don't understand"), Arbeit statt Zuwanderung (jobs instead of immigration), and other Islamophobia coloured ads and radio spots (Daham staat Islam, Sozialstaat staat Zuwanderung, Sichere Pensionen staat Asyl-Millionen, etc. - you can get the whole list and fill yourself with disgust on the website of H.C.Strache: http://www.hcstrache.at/index.php?style=7&PHPSESSID=b89006fb0e59c22afe58d8b0d8ba51db Now... ZARA (www.zara.or.at) was founded in 1999 and is fully committed to anti-racism work. Please position yourself and sign the Clean-politics-petition (KEINE STIMME FUER RASISMUS!): www.zara.or.at/cleanpolitics Thanks a lot! Irina P.S. Right partners for Jacek as well.

News from the Turkish-Armenian dialog in Lyon

2006-10-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

Hi friends, We have some bad news from Lyon, where we had organised with Deputee-Mayor Sabiha Ahmine this Turkish-Armenian dialogue which was based on our network experience (the Yavas-Gamats seminars launched by HCA-Turkey and HCA-Armenia), just before our 2006 Sidu in Die. You remember how, in the very last days, Lyon social-democrat Mayor Gerard Collomb had cancelled the official city participation, caused political trouble to his communist deputee Sabiha Ahmine, and forced us to change the conference room the very day of the initiative, after two weeks of bad polemics (where HCA has been accused of negationnism of the Armenian Genocide ! Though people like Oran Pamiuk or Murat Belge are amoung the big figures of HCA Turkey and took many times risks to raise this topic in their country, and though the Yavas-Gamats seminar is a courageous place where such a topic is deeply discussed amoung young participants from both countries, etc. It was highly insulting!). Well, one week ago, social-democrat Mayor Gerard Collomb has taken back the "civic affairs" deputation which Sabiha Ahmine is in charge of, with other words : he has fired her from her responsibilities as deputee-mayor, what she is not any more. Mayor said he did that because of three "mistakes" by Sabiha, the second one being her Turkish-Armenian initiative with HCA ! (because, he says, it should have been organised with local immigration NGOs, and she did not tell him about the project, which is wrong of course, every one knew in Lyon since June, we even had this radio program interview with local Radio Armenie... and because also, Mayor said at the end, it was international politics, not local affairs...) The other two "mistakes" by Sabiha : another civic, in France very usual initiative about votation and immigration, and third, Sabiha's participation to a demonstration for peace in the Middle East, where some participants (not at all the ones Sabiha was demonstrating with) showed up with Hezbollah flags. Sabiha is incredibly sad and shocked, like many citizens and NGOs in Lyon, like we are in HCA France. Now we are reacting and sending letters and mobilising for her inside France, with others. We'll tell you more if there are more news on that topic. Take care, friends, yavas yavas, gamats, gamats, Karine

Europe without Nazism Action

2006-10-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

May be it is a better partner for Jacek, but we also could do something to eliminate hate symbols from our cities propagandizing Nazi ideas. They also carry out a competition for best "peace symbol". There is a manifest agains nazism, facism and racizm on the site to sign

Zahidov Sentensed to 3 Years

2006-10-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Sakit Zahidov, the satirical journalist was sentenced by the court for 3 years of imprisonment for false allegations of drug use. This is another blow to the freedom of press in Azerbaijan.

Here you can see the details
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=19067

I thank everyone who took part in this initiative, and I'm sure all of the efforts of the civil society in Azerbaijan and abroad was not in vain. In any case, Zahidov's lawyers will continue strugle in upper courts, up to the European Court of Human Rights. Persistence and united efforts will ensure final victory.

So, keep on posting your action alerts and information about civil initiatives around the world.

Antonina, thanks for posting the action alert on Georgia. I have already signed the petition.

Maia, EXCELLENT PHOTOS!.. Thank you!

Cheers everyone...

Photos are on the net!!!!!

2006-10-04T08:15:00.001-07:00

Dear all of you, I'm happy to announce the birth of the Die's photos blog!!!!!!!!!! I made a selection of approximately 270 pictures and I put them on........... http://hcaphotos.canalblog.com so, I wait for your comments... lot of kisses from the south maïa the bee

2006-10-04T01:58:00.000-07:00

Due to the current political tension in our neighbouring region, JUST DO IT

Antonina, Ukraine

Official letter of the HCA-France to the President of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev

2006-10-02T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dear ALL,
Below is the official letter sent by HCA-France with regard to the unfair trial of Sakit Zahidov.
When I posted this ActionAlert I did not expect such an effective response. So, thank you Karine, Bernard and everyone for your interest and care.
Let's keep on using this blog for future Action Alerts, and as Karine said, if something is urgent, pls, do post alerts on the blog and send to everyone's emails too.
---------------------------- Message original ----------------------------
Objet: prosecution of M. Sakit Zahidov
De: aec@reseau-ipam.org
Date: Mar 3 octobre 2006 3:20
À: office@apparat.gov.az
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paris, October 2 / 2006

M. Ilham Aliyev
President of Azerbaijan

Your Excellency

We are extremely worried by the information of the prosecution and thepossible imprisonment of M. Sakit Zahidov. M Zahidov is a well knowjournalist and the allegation of his connection with drug trafficking orapology of drug appears to be a political manipulation.

Your Excellency, we know your commitment to the freedom of expression andthe liberty of press, therefore we want to draw your attention to thiscase. The condemnation and imprisonment of M. Zahidov would not onlyrepresent a flagrant injustice but also be detrimental to the interest ofthe Republic of Azerbaijan.

This innocent journalist must be freed and all iniquitous proceedings must be ended.

Yours, sincerely

Bernard Dreano
President of the Assemblée Européenne des Citoyens (HCA-France),
Co-chair of the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (international)
Assemblée européenne des citoyens / HCA France
21 ter rue Voltaire75011 Paris
France+33 1 43 71 62 12+33 1 43 79 32 09 (fax)
aec@reseau-ipam.org

AUSTRIA ELECTIONS

2006-10-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I am quite sick - but I feel slightly better (although I'm very careful not to feel just great because I don't know who is going to be in the coalition yet). Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel is not going to be the chancellor anymore. His conservative People's Party suffered a defeat (34,2 %). Social Democrats (opposition) won nationwide Austrian elections (35, 7 %), their leader is Alfred Gusenbauer. FPOE (for some of you: an old Haider party, now led by a guy who is trying to be like him, H.C. Strache): 11,2 % BZOE (for some of you - the new Haider party): 4, 20 % GREEN PARTY: 10,4 % Voila!

Verdict on Azeri journalist postponed!...

2006-09-30T12:41:00.000-07:00

Dear All, Under the civil society and international pressure, the unjust verdict against satirical journalist Sakit Zahidov has been postponed. The court will announce its verdict on October 3. Therefore, you can still send your appeals to the email address of the Office of the President of Azerbaijan at office@apparat.gov.az. Please, see the appeal below for details and background on the issue. Tabib

2006-09-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

Hi, everybody, every soul, friends & travelers, human righters & food sharers, conflict relsolving dears, well, some news from HCA-paris (after Corsica, and the Armen-Irina-Florent post-pessimist connection). FIRST : please, when you have some urgent message to post, like the important one two days ago from Azerbaidjan (we would have loved to help you there, guys, OF COURSE, and also forward the message quickly to other specific organisations... if we had found it !), please think of using the Email first to communicate, and then our website only additionnaly (even if it is a good idea : we keep then the memory of the fact better and may reach more readers). SECOND : we are still waiting for your train tickets very urgently, please, for those who haven't, think of us... MORE... HCA FRANCE is meeting at that point again in Paris to taste the Clairette after Sidu (well, the same...), to enjoy our fresh memories with you, and of course to deal with administrative activities (donators, and so on... our reports are in French for now, we'll send you those in English of course). BESIDES yesterday there was a big MONDANE EVENT in Paris organized by Jerome & Jelena & HCA at the Maison de l'Europe et de l'Orient cultural center : JEROME (actually, he was the one who did) has launched his very new cultural magazine about south-eastern Europe called 'Au Sud de l'Est'. The parisian team was here, of course, and also Anastasia ! Take care, lots of hugs, Karine

Some info and petitions.....

2006-09-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Hi my dear sidu's band!! Yesterday evening I saw at tv a reportage about turkmenistan... The french journalist who made this reportage was helped by some turkmen journalist and human rights activist who were arrested when she leaved the country... They were condamned to 6 and 7 years of inprisonment. The journalist is still inprisoned (alive) but the turkmen activist woman died in jail two weeks ago!!! So, please, GO TO THE WEBSITE OF REPORTERS WHITHOUT BORDERS TO SIGN THE PETITION AND SUPPORT ANNAKURBAN AMANKLYTCHEV... The website is www.rsf.org . (in this website there are other petitions...unfortunately press freedom's is not fashionnable in a lot of countries...)

I also want to inform you about the creation of an RUSF agency in Aix en Provence..RUSF (University Without Borders Network) is a network who supports foreign students in France, network who is linked with RESF (Education Without Borders Network, Karine spoke about it in Die).

If you want more information about RESF actions, you can go to the website www.educationsansfrontieres.org and if you want to read the petition in english, go to http://www.educationsansfrontieres.org/article.php3?id_article=320 . To finish, I inform you that this evening I'm going to participate in a debate about corsican diaspora in the corsican diaspora association in Aix en Provence... I think that talking about diaspora with people from corsican diaspora, especially with my point of view (you know it!!) will be very interesting and funny!!!! I'll tell you the result next time... lot of kisses from the south maïa the bee

Action Alert: React NOW!

2006-09-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

From the Committee to Defend the Rights of Imprisoned Satiric/Journalist Sakit Zahidov To the Diplomatic Corps in Azerbaijan, the Council of Europe, the European Union, International Human Rights and Media Freedom Organizations, NGOs, and citizens of the world 27 September 2006 Baku, Azerbaijan

A P P E A L

Respected Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Council of Europe, the European Union, Human Rights and Media Freedom Organizations, NGOs, and citizens of the world, ONE DAY TO PREVENT AN INNOCENT JOURNALIST FROM BEING IMPRISONED! Tomorrow at 3 p.m. Baku local time, Grave Crimes Court Judge Azer Orujov will hand down the verdict in a politically-motivated criminal drug case against revered Azerbaijani satirical journalist Sakit Zahidov. The local and international community has one last chance to express its concern about the completely groundless case against Zahidov, prevent his conviction and call for his release. INNOCENT JOURNALIST FRAMED AND IMPRISONED! Zahidov has been in police custody since he was arrested on 23 June 2006 and was initially charged with possession of a large amount of drugs with intent to resell it. On the day of Zahidov's arrest, 10 grams of heroine was found in Zahidov's pocket while he was being searched in the police station. However, Zahidov has always maintained that the illegal substance was planted on him by police and that he neither uses, nor deals drugs. In a small break during the last court hearing, the prosecution changed the drug dealing charge against Zahidov to a drug use charge, as they were unable to provide any evidence that Zahidov dealt drugs. However, there is also no evidence to back up the drug use charge. Police admitted in court that an "express" urine drug test given to Zahidov on the day of his arrest came back clean. And doctors called to testify in court denied ever performing a drug test on Zahidov. According to them, statements they wrote in medical documents that Zahidov was a drug user, were based only subjective, visual assessments. Zahidov`s lawyer has said a blood sample taken from Zahidov, which according to the authorities showed traces of illicit substances, was in fact used to carry out an HIV test. The prosecution has asked the court to sentence Sakit Zahidov to three years of imprisonment. While this is a welcome change from the 12 years of imprisonment the prosecution was initially seeking in it drug dealing case against Zahidov, it remains absurd, since Zahidov is NOT a drug dealer, NOT a drug user and certainly NOT a drug abuser. SEND APPEALS TO AZERBAIJAN'S AUTHORITIES BY SEPT. 28, 3 P.M. BAKU LOCAL TIME! The international community must unite and put pressure on Azerbaijan's government and authorities to prevent this innocent father of five and sufferer of chronic heart problems from wasting away in prison for three years for no reason. We, the Committee to Defend the Rights of Imprisoned Satiric/Journalist Sakit Zahidov, appeal to you. We ask that you write appeals to the presidential administration of Azerbaijan at office@apparat.gov.az before 3 p.m. Baku local time, tomorrow (Sept. 28), and call for Azerbaijan's leadership to encourage the country's judicial system to hand down a fair and objective verdict in Sakit Zahidov's case, so this innocent man can be freed. On behalf of the Committee to Defend the Rights of Sakit Zahidov Committee Chairperson Emin Huseynov Committee to Defend the Rights of Imprisoned Satiric/Journalist Sakit Zahidov (Mirza Sakit) Address: 33 Khagani St., Baku Azerbaijan, Tеl: (+99 412) 418-03-34, E-mail: irfs.az@gmail.com

IRINISM

2006-09-26T20:12:00.000-07:00

Dear people, I just came back to Graz today. When I arrived to Germany two young policemen of course didn't bother to check the passports of the four US tourists and four grandmothers from Italy playing cards - they took my passport and the passport of the black skinned lady... And as soon as I arrived to Austria drunken teenagers in the train were rude to me and (even worse) they badly sang some shitty marching songs. Well, I guess that means that I got back to the place I call home. Now... I am really happy that I met all of you. I wrote a short diary of our meeting (and everything that happened before and after the meeting), I think I will translate it soon and post it here. Armen - I would love to help you, but I don't know who Elena is... Bravo Maia! Please let us know the name of the blog with the photos. And - don't forget to send your tickets to Bernard. One more thing: I lost a bag somewhere between Paris, Lyon and Die - it looks really funny, it is actually a belt with a circle and another small yellow (not "hello") circle in it. I will be happy if somebody finds it and sends it to Austria. Kisses, Irina

Armen from Armenia

2006-09-26T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is me. I miss u all. Guys, maybe someone knows the E-mail address of Elena, because I cant finde it in my list. Than, if somebody has written some materials about our Sidu, even if it is some impretions in the note-book, and if it is in Russian or English, pleas put it on the block or send directly to me, I would like to put sach a material in our Newsletter. Than, where are u all guys? Than, It was not a joke-I really miss u. Than, thats all...

"la corse" is ok with kosovo

2006-09-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

hi everybody! i just want to say that i am agree with irina... YOU HAVE TO SIGN YOUR MESSAGES because we are all "hca-club"... i tried to publish my photos in this blog but my computer doesn't want to help me so i'll open an other blog, just for photos... when i'll know the adress, i'll give you all informations by mail... i contacted some artists for the compilation, and they gave me the authorization to keep some of their songs... but i have to call the producer now... so... when i'll be sure i'll post a message in the blog. so, a lot of kisses from the south and take care of you (and the rabbit)!!!

my mobile charger is back!

2006-09-22T02:45:00.000-07:00

finally my mobile charger got back home. actually, it had much more interesting journey than me: it chased it's train by all those crazy TGV or ICE and than it alsmost got lost in miscommunication of a big city. i want to thank all people that provided charger's journey to Kiev, but i'm sorry, i won't send it's ticket to Olivier.

Press release from S.T.U.P.I.D.

2006-09-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE FROM S.T.U.P.I.D. – THE SECRET TOILET UNIT FOR PAINTING AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Our elite paratrooper commando (located in Bernard’s basement) is carrying out a precision painting operation.
We are invading the toilet next door.
Our goals are:
1) TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SIDU IN DIE WILL NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN
(at least by Jelena and Jérôme)
2) TO PROMOTE CONTEMPORARY ARMENIAN INTERIOR DESIGN
(using Armenian alphabet and Armen from Armenia)
3) TO MAKE LIFE MORE PLEASURABLE FOR JELENA & JEROME
(at least the part of their life they spend in their toilet – separately or together)
We unfortunately expect collateral damage (from Clairette, of course) but we plan to stay out of reach of the INTERNATIONAL PAINTING COURT (and ask for amnesty after Jelena calms down…).
Pictures are coming soon.
Armen, Florent, Irina & and one real rabbit
ps : no animal was harmed during this action for peace and innovative interior design

Editing and Improving the Blog

2006-09-20T21:58:00.000-07:00

Dear ALL, I am very glad that our blog is up and running :) I have just edited the links section and included the three links of HCA based in Turkey, Armenia and France. I looked at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Citizens_Assembly), it mentioned the web-site based in Turkey as "official" one, so I listed it as "official" one, but correct me if I'm wrong. I also encourage you, especially those of you who know even a little bit about HTML to enter blog Template and change/edit/improve the blog appearance as you deem better. Also, please bear in mind that the purpose of the internet blogs in general is not that much acting as a discussion forums, but serving as an online information sharing tool. So, please, do post information on your activities, on the activities of other civil society actors you know which may be of interest to our group and DO post ACTION ALERTS for us all to act all together. All the best to each and all of you!... Tabib

HCA Youth Network Blog

2006-09-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

HCA Youth Network Blog

2006-09-19T03:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends, It was a great pleasure and honour to meet you. I hope that we will gather soon in Poland on the next SIDU. Our Polish governmental coalition is almost broken, so there is a chance that the next meeting will be in the country without fascists in parlament and goverment. So don't worry, come to Poland;) Nice to hear that Maia has already started to do something with compilation. Very good idea! I'll do my best to find some contacts with musician from our side. Best wishes from Poland Jacek

hello everybody!!!!

2006-09-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

first i want to say "thank you tabib!!" because now we've got a space to talk and exchange.... so i will try to write in english (not so easy for me ;-( ) ... second, i hope that you have travelling well... it was very difficult to leave you but i think that this place has to be a very important "rendez vous" for all of us.... so i wait for your messages. i'm going to call corsican groups for our compilation, i think that i will have more information in some days... i transfered all my photos in my computer but it is very difficult to burn 40 cds with 700 photos so i have to choose the more interesting photos (200 or 300) and burn 40 compilations... but if you personnaly want some particular photo, send me an email and i will try to do for the best... long life for our club!!! maia the bee

Welcome!

2006-09-18T05:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Youth Network Blog!