|
|
|
|
| Latest Updates |
The ECLN is not responsible for the content of external links |
|
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 20 July 2009 |
| > |
Osservatorio sulla repressione |
| > |
This website run by Rifondazione Comunista documents abuses and violence by police forces, public authorities and fascists, providing information about an extensive range of campaigns, reports and research and news about such matters. |
| > |
Italy 2009
|
| > |
Osservatorio sulla Repressione
|
| > |
website (PRC/SE) |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 20 July 2009 |
| > |
Informe sobre la ilegalizacion de partidos politicos en el estado espanol |
| > |
Report on the application of the Spanish law from 2002 for the illegalisation of political parties deemed to have a functional and organic relationship with ETA, which has been used in subsequent elections to illegalise Batasuna and then other parties or electoral associations that were considered to be its successors. |
| > |
Galicia June 2009
|
| > |
Informe sobre la ilegalizacion de partidos politicos en el estado espanol,
Esculca website
|
| > |
Esculca |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 13 July 2009 |
| > |
New website: www.no-bases.org |
| > |
The International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases (or NO-Bases Network) took off at the 2004 World Social forum in India, and grew to include hundreds of campaigners in dozens of countries on all continents. The network has recently launched a new website at www.no-bases.org, providing links to campaigns against foreign bases world-wide and documentation in English, Spanish and Italian. The network is united in the belief that "Bases come with high crime rates, violation of women's rights, pollution, health hazards, displacements, loss of land an fishing grounds, cultural oppression, economic dependence on a foreign army, political intransparency and a general loss of sovereignty." Further, "without these bases, fleets, torture centres, spy-facilities, weapon storage facilities, training camps and testing grounds, most of the aggressive wars and interventions of the past decades would not have been possible. Bases are the infrastructure of a militarist foreign policy undermining international peace and security, globally." |
| > |
NO Bases website
|
| > |
International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 13 July 2009 |
| > |
VredesMagazine (vol 2, no 3) [Peace Magazine] |
| > |
This recent issue of the Dutch VredesMagazine vol 2 no 3 (2009) covers, amongst others, the EU defence structure which amounts to an EU army, including the formation of multi-country battle groups and the European Rapid Response Force (ERRF), and the profits the industry is syphoning off as a result of its creation. It also includes a critical analysis and update about the international Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), which works to protect civilians from the effects of cluster munitions by promoting universal adherence to and full implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Finally, a research report on Africa by VD Amok highlights the human security situations in the framework of international relations in Somalia, Congo and Zimbabwe and analyses the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the Unified Combatant Command of the United States Department of Defense that is responsible for US military operations and military relations with 53 African nations. AFRICOM was established in 2007 and formally activated in October 2008. The US's soft power approach, which integrates diplomacy, civil and military aid programmes into a coherent strategy is analysed here as an iron fist wrapped in cotton wool, whereby American interests are imposed onto Africa by militarising development aid. VredesMagazine is published by the following organisations: Haags Vredesplatform, Humanistisch Vredesberaad, vereniging Pais, Antimilitaristies Onderzoekskollektief VD AMOK and the Dutch branch of the Women's League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). |
| > |
July 2009
|
| > |
VredesMagazine website,
Peace organisations publishing the magazine,
VredesMagazine Jaargang 2, nummer 3 (pdf)
|
| > |
Coalition of Dutch peace and anti-military groups |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - meetings/conferences - added 13 July 2009 |
| > |
10.07.2009 - "Niente Paura!", XV Meeting internazionale antirazzista |
| > |
Annual international anti-racist gathering involving debates, discussion, music, culture and educational courses. Entitled "No fear", it takes on particular significance this year due to the increase in episodes of racist violence, campaigns to criminalise poverty and security warnings issued by the media and governments to legitimate cynical political actions and policies. |
| > |
Cecina and Livorno (Tuscany) 10-18 July 2009
|
| > |
"Niente paura!",
ARCI website
|
| > |
ARCI |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 13 July 2009 |
| > |
Polizeiliche Vergangenheitsbewältigung [The police - dealing with its National Socialist past?] |
| > |
The German police formed an essential part of the Nazi regime and its genocidal machinery. Today, this fact is generally accepted within the police, too. However, it remains without consequence. The articles in the most recent civil liberties journal Bürgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP (vol 92 no 1/2009) analyse, amongst others, the "brown roots" of the Federal Crime Police Authority (BKA) and its personnel politics and ideology, which until the 60s was dominated by a network of officers who were active during the NAZI period and applied National Socialist concepts in crime policing in post-war Germany. Also scrutinised are continuities in Spain's repressive apparatus after Franco, including torture, the use of evidence extracted by Turkish police known to use torture, in the trial against the DHKP-C in Germany, policing at the European Football Championship in Austria 2008, and the trial against Dessau police involved in the death of Oury Jalloh, an asylum seeker from Sierra Leone, who burned to death in his cell, with his hands and feet in shackles, after detained on spurious grounds by police. |
| > |
June 2009
|
| > |
German edition,
English summary
|
| > |
Bürgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP 92 (Nr. 1/2009) |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 13 July 2009 |
| > |
Fichenaffäre II: Update [Secret service file scandal II: Update] |
| > |
In 2008, it became known that the Swiss police and secret services were spying and keeping intelligence files on left-wing activists and politicians. This so-called Fichen [record] scandal is the second secret surveillance scandal in Switzerland. In the late 1980s it was already uncovered that federal as well as cantonal police forces had created around 900.000 records holding sensitive data on more than 10% of the population without a corresponding legal basis. The parliamentary investigation also revealed the existence of P-26, a secret stay-behind army, and a secret intelligence gathering unit called P-27, both hidden inside the Swiss military secret service UNA. This recent scandal is being followed by the Swiss civil liberties group grundrechte.ch, which criticises that requests for information are not adequately dealt with by the authorities, and that those affected are denied access to the files. Furthermore, it has become known that the Swiss intelligence service continues to spy on activists and pass on personal data to foreign security agencies, whilst the investigation into the scandal continues to be postponed. |
| > |
Article on grundrechte.ch,
Wikipedia on the post-WWII Swiss secret files scandal
|
| > |
grundrechte.ch |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 10 July 2009 |
| > |
Haftbedingungen in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Dokumentation einer Öffentlichen Anhörung zu Gefängnispolitik und Knastalltag [Prison conditions in Germany. Documentation of a public hearing on prison policy and reality] |
| > |
This book, published by the German civil liberties group Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie, collects papers presented at a conference on prison conditions in Germany that took place September 2008 in Bonn. The central question is the impact Germany's current prison and crime policies have on the prison system and the conditions of imprisonment. Contributions criticise increased prison figures, longer sentences, increased use of detention, minimal visiting hours, social exclusion and recent suicides and murders in youth prisons. Authors, coming from diverse disciplines (lawyers, judges, prisoners, crime experts, political scientists, priests) include Elke Bahl, Sven Born, Karl-Heinz Bredlow, Johannes Feest, Klaus Jünschke, Gabriele Klocke, Wolfgang Lesting, Wolf-Dieter Narr, Helmut Pollähne, Heike Rödder, Sebastian Scharmer, Gabriele Scheffler, and Martin Singe. This book is intended to promote a human rights rather than security-led approach to crime and prison policies, convinced that only a human rights approach and political will ultimately lowers violent crimes. |
| > |
2009
|
| > |
Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie,
Order the book
|
| > |
Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 09 July 2009 |
| > |
Complaint against the serious human rights violations committed by Italy in the case of the returns to Libya in May 2009 |
| > |
ASGI and 16 other associations have submitted a document to the European Commission and the UN's Human Rights Committee that details the violations of Italian, EU and international law committed when around 500 migrants were intercepted by the Italian navy and returned to Libya in May 2009. The actions were described as "historical" and defended as legitimate by the Italian interior ministry. A number of violations are highlighted, particularly as regards the possible presence of asylum seekers on board the intercepted boats, and the fact that Libya is not a safe country for them to be returned to. |
| > |
ASGI website,
Complaint to the European Commission and the UN's Human Rights Committee
|
| > |
ASGI |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 09 July 2009 |
| > |
La APDHA rechaza el texto de anteproyecto de reforma de la ley de extranjeria |
| > |
APDHA expresses its disagreement with the draft reform of the immigration law, calling for its withdrawal. While it agrees that it represents an improvement compared to the original text from December 2008, it argues that this is because the previous draft was dreadful rather than being due to the merits of the new text. Some problems that are highlighted include the failure to state that all foreign citizens have a right to education, the extension to 60 days of the period of administrative detention for foreigners residing illegally in Spain, and its being framed within a restrictive and utilitarian framework that has been proven not to work, as well as entailing human rights violations and restricting the rights enjoyed by foreigners. |
| > |
APDHA website,
La APDHA rechaza el texto de anteproyecto de reforma de la ley de extranjeria
|
| > |
APDHA |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 08 June 2009 |
| > |
The slow road to justice: Sison case returns to Court in ongoing challenge to EU terrorist blacklist |
| > |
Lawyers for Mr. Jose Maria Sison, a Philippine exile resident in the Netherlands, are returning to the EU Courts of Justice to once again seek his removal from the European Union’s ‘terrorist blacklist‘. Specifically, Sison is challenging the accuracy and legitimacy of the ‘statement of reasons’ upon which the Council now bases its decision to freeze his assets and include him in the ‘terrorist list’. Ben Hayes, legal advisor to the ECCHR comments: "While public attention is rightly focused on Guantanamo Bay and the extraction of evidence through extraordinary rendition and torture, the issue of terrorist blacklisting by the international community raises the same set of deeply disturbing questions about the conduct of the so-called ‘war on terror‘. The need for a radical overhaul of the entire blacklisting regime has long been self-evident." |
| > |
ECCHR
|
| > |
The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - meetings/conferences - added 22 May 2009 |
| > |
Surveillance states. Government spying, civil liberties and the ‘special relationship’ |
| > |
The American Civil Liberties Union, PEN American Center and Statewatch invite you to join experts from the US and UK at Garden Court Chambers for a discussion of mass surveillance, its implications, and challenges to government policy and practice. Background: The UK and the USA have adopted mass surveillance in response to the threat of terrorism. Both governments have asserted
sweeping powers to collect and analyse telephone calls and e-mails, web browsing records, financial records, travel records, credit reports and even library records, and both are establishing a new generation of ‘e-borders’ and biometric ID systems.
While many of these new surveillance programmes have been adopted in the name of countering terrorism, they are by no means limited to suspected terrorists. The peaceful political and religious activities of residents in both countries are now subject to intense surveillance and police interference, which have fundamental implications for the freedoms and democracy that they claim to protect. The panel includes JAMEEL JAFFER, director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)’s National Security Project, PATRICK RADDEN KEEFE, fellow at the Century Foundation, a progressive policy think tank, BEN HAYES, associate director of Statewatch and LARRY SIEMS, director of PEN American Center’s Freedom to Write programme. |
| > |
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS, 57- 60 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LS, SUNDAY 31 MAY 2009, 5:00-6:30 P.M.
|
| > |
Flyer (PDF),
Statewatch,
ACLU,
PEN American Center
|
| > |
American Civil Liberties Union, PEN American Center and Statewatch |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - meetings/conferences - added 18 May 2009 |
| > |
Book launch: Irregular migrants: the urgent need for a new approach |
| > |
This MRN publication draws together research findings to present concise, evidenced information about pathways to irregularity, the impacts of UK enforcement policy and the available evidence on regularisation programmes. The launch is an opportunity to debate the economic and social implications of a new policy approach – in particular within the context of the recession when it is likely that larger numbers of people in the UK will fall into irregular status. As well as contributions from the platform speakers there will be opportunities for members of the audience to contribute their views and experiences of the way in which the measure is working. To register, e-mail info@migrantsrights.org.uk |
| > |
The Parliamentary Offices, Grimond Room in Portcullis House, Bridge Street , London SW1A 2LW 2 June, 11am to 1pm
|
| > |
More information (PDF),
MRN website
|
| > |
Migrants' Rights Network |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 16 May 2009 |
| > |
Sign the online petition: "Humanitarian aid is never a crime. Solidarity with Elias Bierdel and Captain Stefan Schmidt" |
| > |
In June 2004, the German Vessel "Cap Anamur" rescued 37 persons from
distress at sea. Captain Stefan Schmidt
and Elias Bierdel, on trial in Italy, are now facing possible imprisonment, exorbitant fines or further arduous years
awaiting trial on appeal.
PRO ASYL and the German Ecumenical Committee on Church Asylum have initiated a campaign of solidarity with the defendants, asking for signatures to a public appeal "Humanitarian aid is never a crime". They say that "We are appalled by the attempt to outlaw the courageous action of Elias
Bierdel and Stefan Schmidt and by the attempt to destroy their
livelihoods. We demand to drop all charges against them and to fully
restore their reputation."
|
| > |
Sign the online petition,
Background Information (German)
|
| > |
Pro Asyl |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 10 May 2009 |
| > |
"Blocking the internet does not prevent abuse, German parliament should reject Bill (6.5.09)" |
| > |
On 6 May, the Lower House of German Parliament discussed the so-called Law to Combat Child Pornography, which foresees the closure of parts of the internet based on filter lists. The German civil liberties platform Freedom Not Fear (Aktion Freiheit statt Angst e.V.) has published a press release calling on the parliament to reject the Bill, stating that internet blocks are useless in the fight against abuse of children but that they constitute a serious infringement of the civil rights of German citizens and should not be given a legal basis. Other civil liberties groups have warned that this especially so when considering that police and security powers, once installed with the argument to fight one crime, are typically extended to other issues, in particular with the aim to fight and control political dissent. The German platform further point out that internet blocking merely represents a fight against the symptoms of a social problem; child abuse and even the spread of child pornography material will thereby not be stopped. Further, the lists on the basis of which blocks will be instituted have never been checked by a judge, undermining democratic control of the state. Freedom Not Fear calls for "a sensible prevention, an open public discourse and the courage to tackle child abuse with adequate and not technocratic means". A petition against internet blocking, supported by the platform and launched on 22 March, collected over 30,000 signatures within two weeks. |
| > |
Draft Law on the Fight Against Child Pornography in Communication Networks (PDF),
Freedom Not Fear press release (6.5.09),
Freedom Not Fear Statement on Internetfilters/blocking in the fight against child pornography (12.2.09)
|
| > |
Freedom Not Fear (Aktion Freiheit statt Angst e.V.) |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 09 May 2009 |
| > |
Grundrechte-Report 2009 (Constitutional Rights Report 2009) |
| > |
Book launch: Shortly before the 60th anniversary of the German constitution, the violation of basic rights has received much public attention: The German Railway, Telekom, Lidl – one big business after the other has had to admit illegally intercepting the private sphere of employees and others. The state has given the example with online raids and demands to change the constitution to allow for ever more intrusive interceptions and weakening of individuals' rights vis a vis the state. This annual constitutional rights report deals with these and other issues, as nine civil liberties and human rights organisations report and reflect on the rights situation in Germany. At the book's launch, authors and publishers will answer questions, and a demonstrator and conscientious objector will talk about their experiences of criminalisation, which are exemplary for the increasing erosion of civil liberties in Germany and beyond. For interviews or more information, contact Sven Lüders (0049-152-01 83 16 27) Heiko Habbe, habbe@schanzenhof.de (0049-171-141 98 92) oder Marei Pelzer, mp@proasyl.de (0049-179-78 36 516). To order the book: Humanistische Union, Greifswalderstr. 10,10405 Berlin, info@humanistische-union.de, www.grundrechte-report.de, Tel: 0049-30-20 45 02 56 |
| > |
Schlosshotel, Bahnhofplatz 2, Karlsruhe, Germany, 18 May 2009, 11am
|
| > |
Constitutional Rights Report website
|
| > |
Humanistische Union • Gustav Heinemann-Initiative • Komitee für Grundrechte und Demokratie • Bundesarbeitskreis Kritischer Juragruppen • PRO ASYL • Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein • Vereinigung demokratischer Juristinnen und Juristen • Internationale Liga für Menschenrechte • Neue Richtervereinigung |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - publications/research - added 09 May 2009 |
| > |
Spies, Lies & the War on Terror |
| > |
Book Launch: The’War on Terror’ has seen intelligence agencies become major political players. 'Rendition', untrammelled surveillance, torture and detention without trial are now the norm. “ Spies, Lies and the War on Terror” traces the transformation of intelligence from a law enforcement tool to a means of avoiding both national and international law. The authors argue that the new culture of victimhood in the US and its allies has crushed domestic liberties and formed a global network of extra-legal licence. State and corporate interests are increasingly fused in the new business of privatising fear. |
| > |
Garden Court Chambers 57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, 14 May, 6.30pm
|
| > |
Order through Zed Books,
More information (official Blog)
|
| > |
Paul Todd, Patrick Fitzgerald & Jonathan Bloch (CAMPACC, Bar Human Rights Committee and Zed Books) |
| |
| > |
ECLN notice - campaigns/open letters - added 25 April 2009 |
| > |
Blackout Europe - Defending the Open Internet |
| > |
The privatization of the Internet could be decided in the next few weeks. On 5 May, the European Parliament will vote on a package of measures which will affect the national laws of all EU countries. A civil campaign by organizations of the European Community was launched on 24 April "in order to prevent the privatization of the Internet and to defend the democratic right to access to information and digital tools. The European Parliament is about to give up our rights to an open access to the Internet to protect the interests of Entertainment and Communications multinationals." |
| > |
Blackout Europe - campaign website
|
| > |
Opennet coalition |
| |
|
|
|
