Norwegian Helsinki Committee

⚖️ Türkiye’s parliament is poised to vote on the ‘foreign agent’ law that will significantly impact civil society, media, and human rights activists by labelling internationally supported organizations and individuals as ‘agents of influence’. ⛔️ This law echoes similar oppressive measures in countries like Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, where such designations have led to the erosion of independent voices. The proposed provision would amend the penal code and criminalize unspecified “acts” that are “in line with the strategic interests or instructions of a foreign state or organization against the security or domestic or foreign political interests of the State in line with the strategic interests or instructions of a foreign state or organization”. 📣 The Association for Access to the Right to a Fair Trial AYHED Adil Yargılanma Hakkına Erişim Derneği, one of our grantees, cautions that this bill will limit freedom of expression, press freedom, and freedom of association, undermining the foundation of a democratic society. 🌍 Now more than ever, it is essential to support Türkiye’s civil society’s call to withdraw this restrictive law and uphold fundamental rights. #CivilSociety #HumanRights #ForeignAgentLaw #Türkiye #FreedomofExpression #NGOs #Democracy Photo: T24

📩🗣️Thirteen leading international and Belarusian organisations, through an open letter, are calling on #ICC State Parties to support Lithuania’s referral of the situation in #Belarus to the International Criminal Court. A group referral would send a united message that the international community will not tolerate impunity for such crimes, and send a strong signal to victims and survivors of human rights violations, many of whom face continued persecution. While Belarus is not an ICC State Party, the ICC can exercise its jurisdiction where at least part of the conduct takes place in the territory of a State Party. Read the complete letter: https://lnkd.in/du7-P9EF DIGNITY, FIDH - International Federation for Human Rights, International Bar Association, International Committee for th Investigation of Torture in Belarus, The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), Human Constanta, IRCT International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) , World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Accountability Platform for Belarus (IAPB), REDRESS, Viasna Human Rights Center.

🇬🇧 Nomination of the Norwegian member of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (NORW.) 🇳🇴 Nå er det tid for nominasjon til Europarådets torturkomité (CPT). Europarådets torturkomité består av ett medlem fra hvert av Europarådets 46 medlemsland. Komiteen arbeider med forebygging av tortur og umenneskelig eller nedverdigende behandling eller straff ved å besøke forvaringssteder. De fører tilsyn med hvordan personer som er fratatt sin frihet blir behandlet. I desember skal det velges nytt norsk medlem. Ønsker du å fremme ditt kandidatur, bes du sende motivasjonsbrev og CV til Stortinget. Frist er 9. desember. Les mer: https://lnkd.in/dFapiBXh Stortinget Human Rights and the Rule of Law

The International Commission of Jurists Norway and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee raised their voices as #Mongolia failed to uphold its obligations to the International Criminal Court by not arresting Vladimir Putin during his visit in September 2024. Read the letter we sent to the President of Mongolia, Mr Ukhnaaglin Khürelsükh here: https://lnkd.in/genRQJia

📢 Increase Support for #Ukraine and Human Rights Defenders 🇺🇦🤝 (NORW) Øk Støtten til #Ukraina og Menneskerettighetsforsvarere I en tid hvor menneskerettigheter er under press, er det avgjørende at vi fortsetter å øke støtten til Ukraina og de som kjemper for rettferdighet og frihet. Den Norske Helsingforskomité arbeider aktivt for å beskytte de som risikerer livet for menneskerettighetene, og i Ukraina er behovet for støtte større nå enn noensinne.   I sitt innlegg til Utenriks- og forsvarskomiteens budsjetthøring uttalte generalsekretær Berit Lindeman: "Sivilsamfunnet – den siste skansen mot stormfloden fra Russlands overgrep må få MER, ikke mindre av vår økonomiske støtte. Vi er glade for en egen post i budsjettet, men summen er for lav."   Les mer om innlegget til NHC i Utenriks- og forsvarskomiteens budsjetthøring: https://lnkd.in/dVXWmx7H   #Menneskerettigheter #Ukraina #Statsbudsjett

📢 New Statement from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and Georgia’s Human Rights Center : Observations on the Parliamentary Elections in Georgia 🇬🇪   This weekend, the NHC was on the ground in #Georgia to observe the Parliamentary Elections. In areas visited by our observers, the 26 October Elections failed to meet fundamental standards for free and fair elections.   In partnership with Georgia’s Human Rights Center, the NHC has published a statement addressing these critical observations.   Learn more from our observers and read the complete statement here: https://lnkd.in/gPhznnZ4   #Democracy #HumanRights #GeorgianElections #Transparency

🇬🇪 Will #Georgia choose the European Union (EU) or Russia? Georgia is at a crossroads. More than 80% of the population wants to join the #EU. However, EU membership is not compatible with the political course and laws the current government implemented earlier this year, including the anti-#LGBTIQ+ law and Russian-style foreign agent law. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee visited Georgia in June, and civil society feared what would happen if Georgia chose Russia over the EU. This weekend's elections will decide Georgia's future. #HumanRights #Democracy #Election Video: Lasse Thomassen / Frida Molde Johannesen

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has been closely monitoring the #MoldovaElections and firmly condemns any efforts to undermine or interfere with #Moldova’s democratic process. One of the critical issues at stake in this election is Moldova's future alignment—either towards the European Union or Russia. For further insights, read the comments from #NHC's Arve Hansen shared with Mediehuset Nettavisen (NORW): https://lnkd.in/d6KuzQ6K    #Democracy #HumanRights #Elections

🗓️Today at the House of Literature in Oslo: Anna Politkovskaya seminar, where we will explore the legacy of the Chechen wars and their impact on the future of #Chechnya. Thirty years on, the scars of conflict and injustice remain. There is no armed conflict in Chechnya any longer, but the consequences of war in terms of victimisation, disappearances and lack of justice live on.   Every year, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee organises events in memory of the Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered on 7 October 2006.   This year event brings eyewitnesses and human rights defenders who will share their powerful stories and offer valuable insights into the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Chechen wars.   Anna Politkovskaya warned, “Putin will come for #Europe if we don’t stop him in Chechnya.”   The program and more information about our events are on our website: https://lnkd.in/dw4mXdEP   This event is supportted by Stiftelsen Fritt Ord 💙

🚨 Important Step for Accountability: Lithuania refers Lukashenko’s crimes to the International Criminal Court (ICC)   #Lithuania has taken a powerful stand by referring crimes committed by the Lukashenko regime to the #ICC, citing crimes against humanity, including persecution and deportation of Belarusian citizens. This move seeks accountability for crimes committed on Lithuanian soil and is a vital step toward justice.   – The Norwegian Helsinki Committee and partners already asked 2021 the ICC Prosecutor to initiate investigations of the crimes of the Lukashenko regime”, said Gunnar M. Ekeløve-Slydal, NHC Deputy Secretary General. “It is important that #Norway and like-minded states support the referral, as many did concerning #Ukraine. Support by many states can speed up the ICC’s intervention.”   👉 Read more on this historic referral on our website: https://lnkd.in/d9X-56-v   We stand in solidarity with #Belarus and hope this effort brings justice to the victims.   #HumanRights #StandWithBelarus