November/December 2005, Volume 15, Number 02


Rights & Democracy's Online Bulletin

In this issue:


Subscribe to Libert@s Online

President's introduction

ON THE FRONTLINES of the global movement towards democracy, freedom and justice are the courageous individuals that defend human rights. With strength of conviction, they are willing to stand up to the State and demand respect for due process, peaceful dialogue and international obligations. With force of legal arguments, they demonstrate solidarity with their fellow citizens and a commitment to a world order based on the rule of law.

This year’s John Humphrey Award Winner, Yan Christian Warinussy, is one of these committed and courageous human rights defenders. It is an understatement to say that it is difficult to be a human rights lawyer in West Papua; given the tense political situation that prevails, his is a dangerous profession. To defend the rights of the Papuans, Mr. Warinussy has and continues to risk his life. I am very pleased that Mr. Warinussy will be able to come to Canada to accept the 2005 John Humphrey Freedom Award. As he meets our partners and fellow Canadians from coast to coast, he will teach us about the democratic struggle on the distant island of West Papua. He will also personify the universal values of human rights that can link us in solidarity with people on the other side of the globe.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Make a donation to Yan Christian Warinussy's organization, the Institute for Research, Analysing and Development of Legal Aid, also known as LP3BH by visiting our website www.dd-rd.ca.

Become a member of WestPAN, Canada's West Papuan Network at
http://www.westpapua.ca.

 

Return to story index

Libert@s is the electronic newsletter of Rights & Democracy that is sent by e-mail every two months to our friends, supporters and partners throughout Canada and the world, offering immediate updates on Rights & Democracy's work.

Articles may be freely excerpted, provided credit is given and a copy of the publication in which the material appears is sent to Rights & Democracy.

In recognition of the fact that not everyone, particularly our partners in the developing world, has access to Internet, Rights & Democracy will produce and mail a printed version of Libertas twice a year.

As always, we welcome your feedback on our online newsletter, Libert@s. Please send any comments to Louis Moubarak

Rights & Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a Canadian institution with an international mandate. It is an independent organization, which promotes, advocates and defends the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programmes to strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries.

Rights & Democracy focuses its work on four thematic priorities: Democratic Development, Women's Rights, the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Globalization and Human Rights; and two special operations: International Human Rights Advocacy and Urgent Action and Important Opportunities.

Board of Directors:

Janice Stein (Chairperson)
Wayne MacKay (Vice-Chair)
Jean-Louis Roy (President) Baha R. Abu-Laban
Rebecca Cook
John Fryer
Marie Gervais-Vidricaire
Lydia A. Hwitsum
Saad Eddin Ibrahim
Peter S. Li
Sofia Macher
Vitit Muntarbhorn
Ibrahim Saad Eddin
Peter C. Turner


1001 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East, Suite 1100, Montreal (Quebec) Canada H2L 4P9
Tel.: (514) 283-6073 | Fax: (514) 283-3792 | dd-rd@dd-rd.ca | www.dd-rd.ca