STOPVAW Website News

Expert’s Corner: An Overview of the International Human Rights of the Girl Child

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights’ staff discusses the human rights of the girl child. Cheryl Thomas, Director of the Women's Human Rights Program, and Rosalyn Park, Staff Attorney, provide an overview of the relevant international law and the prevalence and types of human rights violations against the girl child. This presentation is part of a bi-monthly children's human rights speaker series hosted by Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights and Faegre & Benson LLP. Please note: this Expert’s Corner is a 50-minute webcam session. (More information)

Updated Section: Montenegro Research and Reports

As of 8 June 2007, the Montenegro Research and Reports section has been updated. (More information)

Updated Section: Montenegro Legislative Trends

As of June 2007, the Legislative Trends section has been updated. (More information)

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International and Regional News

2007 Trafficking in Persons Report – New Countries Named as Worst Offenders

In this year’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), the U.S. State Department has added seven nations to its list of most severe offenders which have failed to adequately combat human trafficking and involuntary servitude. The list now includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea and Malaysia. (More information)

Report on the Current Status of the UN Treaty System

The UN Human Rights Treaty Body system has experienced both positive and negative developments over the last 12 months. Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights volunteer Penny Parker has submitted a report to the United Nations (UN) describing changes in the UN treaty body system over the past year. (More information)

The Day of the African Child: Child Trafficking

Since 1991, June 16 has been marked annually as the Day of the African Child. This year, the theme of the Day of the African Child is child trafficking,

a phenomenon that has scourged the continent in different forms. (More information)

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence during Armed Conflict and Displacement

Situations of armed conflict and displacement serve as fertile ground for sexual violence against women. Sexual assault, forced impregnation, trafficking and sexual slavery are all forms of gender-based violence. (More information)

UN Rapporteur Says Human Rights Worsened in Belarus in 2006

Adrian Severin, the UN Human Rights Council's special rapporteur on Belarus, on June 12 noted a steady deterioration in the human rights situation in Belarus in 2006. (More information)

Human Rights Council Opens Fifth Session

The Human Rights Council this morning opened its fifth session, hearing an address by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and taking up the reports of the Special Rapporteurs on the independence of judges and lawyers, and on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. (More information)

Women for Women International Continuing to Help Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Women for Women International has continued to assist the women of Bosnia and Herzegovina in rehabilitating their communities. In addition to their work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Women for Women International has worked in countries such as Rwanda, Colombia, and Iraq and has distributed over $25 million in micro-credit loans. (More information)

Committee on Rights of Child Concludes Forty-Fifth Session

The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its forty-fifth session, issuing its conclusions and recommendations on the situation of children in Slovakia, the Maldives, Uruguay and Kazakhstan, all of whose reports on efforts to comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child were considered during the session. The reports of Sudan, Guatemala, Ukraine and Bangladesh on efforts to comply with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the reports of Monaco, Norway, Sweden and Guatemala on the involvement of children in armed conflict, were also considered, and concluding observations issued on them. (More information)

Council of Europe Rapporteur Calls for More Action to End Domestic Violence

The Council of Europe campaign to combat domestic violence was initiated in 2004 and is currently halfway through its originally intended duration. Members of the Council of Europe wanted to evaluate their progress with the campaign and assigned rapporteur José Mendes Bota to research this matter. (More information)

The Struggle of the Refugee/Internally Displaced Girl Child

In 2007, there are more than 30 million refugees, half of them children, and an estimated 24.5 million internally displaced persons, 70-80% of them women

and children. For the girl-child, everyday struggles are compounded by distant bureaucratic process, politics, gender and the short window of

all-important childhood. For International Refugee Day on June 20, AWID reflects on the struggle of girls, with a particular emphasis on child soldiers. (More information)

Women Nobel Peace Prize Recipients Pledge to Become a Global Voice in Tackling Violence against Women and in Peace Advocacy

The women recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize have said that they intend to use their collective voice to advocate for a more prolific role for women in securing peace and combating violence around the globe. (More information)

UN Proposes Tighter Regulation of Peacekeepers

The U.N. has expressed zero-tolerance for peacekeeping crimes, and has proposed a memorandum to set out standards to prevent future misconduct. However, the standards are only binding if the countries agree to them, and some have expressed opposition to the standards. Undersecretary-General Jean-Marie Guehenno called on the countries resisting the standards to reconsider their positions. (More information)

UN Special Rapporteur for Trafficking Detained by Bangladesh Government

The Bangladesh Government has refused to allow Sigma Huda, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, to leave the country of Bangladesh. (More information)

Group Calls for Greater Female Representation in High-level UN Positions

The Women's Empowerment Network Steering Group is calling on the UN to place more women in upper-level positions. (More information)

Call for Contributions to the Survivors Project

Members of the International Action Network on Small Arms' (IANSA) Women’s Network are working to end gender-based violence in countries all over the world, whether war affected or at peace. The theme of their work is post-conflict gender-based violence. (More information)

Police in Balkan States Break up Human Trafficking Ring

Police forces in five former Yugoslav republics have broken up a gang that has been smuggling migrants into the EU. Police officials from the five states -Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia - told journalists in Belgrade on June 1 that the joint operation resulted in the arrest of 77 people. (More information)

Daphne III Set to Combat Violence against Children, Young People and Women

The European Parliament adopted at the second reading Daphne III, the EU's specific programme to prevent and combat violence against children, young people and women. The third phase of Daphne covers the period 2007-2013 and has a budget of €116.85m. The programme is open to administrations, local municipalities, NGOs, research centres and other related bodies from all the Member States, candidate countries, EFTA states and the countries of the Western Balkans. (More information)

Nairobi Declaration on Women’s and Girls' Right to a Remedy and Reparation

In March of 2007, women’s rights activists and advocates, along with survivors of sexual violence from around the world, gathered in Nairobi to create a declaration on “Women's and Girls' Right to a Remedy and Reparation.” Violence against women occurring in areas of conflict is a worldwide problem that requires special care and attention to ensure that victims receive equal and ample access to justice and healing. (More information)

ILO Brief: Women’s Global Employment Trends

The International Labour Office (ILO) found that the disparity between men and women in the work force is decreasing at a slow rate and that there is still much to be done before gender equality in employment is achieved. While more women than ever are employed and in salaried jobs, more women are also unemployed, in low paying jobs, or are paid less for performing equal work. (More information)

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National News

Afghanistan

· Afghani Girls Fear Going to School after Shooting Incident (More information)

Armenia

· Mass Media Monitoring Results for May 2007 (More information)

· Extracts from “A Contradicting Report” Article (More information)

· A Meeting in the UN (More information)

· Former Family (More information)

· Altruist-Murderer (More information)

· An Executor from Nor-Kharberd (More information)

· An Extract From the Article “Criminal Mosaic” (More information)

· Extracts from “Criminal Mosaic” Article (More information)

· Case Study in Police and Courts of Yerevan (More information)

· Extracts From “Information on Activities Realized in 2006 in the Framework of the 2004-2010 Republic of Armenia National Action Plan on Improving the Status of Women and Enhancing Their Roles in Society (More information)

Bulgaria

· A Third Seminar on the Project “Building an Enabling Environment for Sustainable and Effective Implementation of the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence (LPADV) ” to Be Forthcoming (More information)

· Regional Meeting of Experts on Domestic Violence from NGOs (More information)

· Indictment for Involuntary Murder in Domestic Violence Death (More information)

· Atrocious News, Continued (More information)

Canada

· Canada Proposes Joint Plan Against Trafficking at 2010 Olympics (More information)

Czech Republic

· Czech Justice Minister Presents Draft Criminal Code, Invites Public to Comment (More information)

Georgia

· Georgia Lowers the Age of Responsibility From 14 to 12 (More information)

· “Gender and Democratization: the Case of Georgia 1991-2006” (More information)

Guinea

· Guinea: Thousands of Girls Face Abuse as Domestic Workers (More information)

India

· India's HIV Widows Find Support in Marriage Bureau (More information)

Lithuania

· Working Group Created for Law on Protection of Victims Against Domestic Violence (More information)

Montenegro

· New Research Published - Children Speak Out - Trafficking Risk and Resiliency in Southeast Europe - Montenegro Report 2007 (More information)

· Regional Meeting to Combat Domestic Violence Held in Sofia (More information)

Pakistan

· Proposed Amendment to Pakistani Law Includes Gender Harassment in the Workplace (More information)

Romania

· Romania Taking Steps to Combat Violence against Women (More information)

Russian Federation

· Twenty-five Years After the IHF’s Initiation, Soviet-type Violations Reappear (More information)

Saudi Arabia

· Saudi Arabia to Establish Center for Domestic Violence Cases (More information)

Serbia

· Campaign to Protect Human Rights Advocates in Serbia (More information)

· Serbia Hopes to Become EU Candidate Next Year (More information)

Taiwan

· New Law in Taiwan Bans Overseas Marriage Brokers (More information)

Tajikistan

· OSCE Center Helps Devise and Implement Gender Policies in Tajikistan (More information)

Turkey

· Update on Turkey's Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking (More information)

Ukraine

· Ukrainian Anti-Trafficking Hotline Operators Undergo Training by OSCE (More information)

United Kingdom

· British Father Convicted of Murdering Daughter for Family Honor (More information)

USA

· GPS Monitoring Systems for Batterers: A New Paradigm of Offender Accountability and Victim Safety (More information)

· Delaware Passes New Law Prohibiting Underage Marriage (More information)

· New Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (More information)

· Victim of Domestic Violence Released from Prison under California Law (More information)

· Arranged Marriage as a Ground for Asylum (More information)

· History of Involuntary Sterilization in the United States (More information)

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New Research and Reports

High Commissioner for Human Rights Launches Major New Study on Child Rights Convention

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will launch today the Legislative History on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a new publication that aims to become an essential research tool for children's rights advocates. (More information)

Study on Domestic Violence in UK

A study conducted by the British Medical Association reports that more than eight million people are affected by domestic violence each year; the majority of those affected are women. The study concluded that for every ten women in the United Kingdom, three will have suffered from domestic violence. (More information)

UNHCR Report on Domestic Violence in Foreign Refugee Families in Azerbaijan

The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the family life of refugees from Chechnya, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Iraq who have settled in Azerbaijan. The report, “Borderless Violence,” found that the majority of women experienced psychological, physical and sexual violence. The research indicates that customs and traditions often lead women to believe that certain types of abuse are acceptable. (More information)

2007 Trafficking in Persons Report Released by U.S. Department of State

The seventh annual Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report was released on Tuesday, June 12, 2007. The 164-country report is a comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat trafficking in persons, or modern-day slavery. (More information)

UN Report on the Impact of Harmful Traditional Practices on the Girl Child

Scientific and social studies show that discrimination against girls is often rooted in social values and traditional practices. This document lists forms of condoned practices that violate the rights of girls and the best ways to stop these abuses. (More information)

USAID Guide on Gender-Based Violence for Health Sector Program Officers

USAID has issued a Guide for Health Sector Program Officers entitled "Addressing Gender-Based Violence Through USAID's Health Programs." (More information)

Summary of the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children

The Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children has issued her report during the 5th Session of the Human Rights Council. (More information)

European Women's Lobby Report on Violence against Women in Europe

A new report from the European Women’s Lobby outlines the different forms of violence against women and how EU countries are responding to these issues. Despite the continuous call from NGOs as well as the European Parliament, no comprehensive policy on violence against women exists within the EU. This lack of legislation has led to non-uniform and incomplete national policies from EU member states. (More information)

European Parliament's 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights in the World

Last week the European Parliament adopted its annual report on human rights in the world. The situations in Darfur, China and Russia receive special attention in the 2006 report. (More information)

European Parliament Report on Women with Disabilities Released

The goal of this European Parliament report is to further the integration of women with disabilities in member states of the European Union. To achieve this, member states and their national, regional and local legislatures need to take into account the specific needs of women with disabilities with regard to town planning, education, employment, housing, transport, health and social services. (More information)

Updated Briefing Document on Violence against Women

The British Council has recently updated a publication about violence against women (originally published 1999). The new report focuses on violence against women from an international perspective, addresses what is known about the scale of violence against women, addresses the impact on women’s lives, and sets forth the responses needed to combat violence against women. (More information)

Report on the International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond

Representatives from governments, the European Commission, and the United Nations gathered in Brussels in June of 2006 to bring awareness to the problem of sexual violence in situations of conflict. A report about participants’ discussions and findings has been published. (More information)

New Report on HIV/AIDS in Africa First to Link Discriminatory Beliefs against Women with Vulnerability to AIDS

A Physicians for Human Rights study, Epidemic of Inequality: Women's Rights and HIV/AIDS in Botswana & Swaziland: An Evidence-based Report on Gender Inequity, Stigma and Discrimination reports the results of a population-based study conducted in 2004 and 2005 with 1,268 respondents in Botswana and 788 participants in Swaziland, designed to assess factors contributing to HIV infection. (More information)

Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence Published by Routledge

The Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence provides an alphabetized list of issues within the subject of domestic abuse, objectively covering topics throughout all stages of life. In addition, it examines cross-cultural perspectives of domestic violence and provides cross reference sections for every entry to allow for further research. (More information)

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Subscribe to The VAW Monitor

The VAW Monitor is a free, monthly newsletter sent out on the first of each month. Printable versions of The VAW Monitor are also available on the website at http://www.stopvaw.org/The_VAW_Monitor.html.

To subscribe to The VAW Monitor, please fill out the form provided at http://www.stopvaw.org/The_VAW_Monitor.html.

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About STOPVAW

The Stop Violence Against Women website (STOPVAW) is a forum for information, advocacy and change. Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights developed this website as a tool for the promotion of women's human rights in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union (FSU), Mongolia, and the U.N. Protectorate of Kosovo. STOPVAW was developed with support from and in consultation with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Open Society Institute's Network Women's Program. This site addresses violence against women as one of the most pervasive human rights abuses worldwide. STOPVAW provides women's rights advocates with information and advocacy tools focused on ending the most endemic forms of violence against women in the region, including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and trafficking in persons.

Current staff members of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights involved with the development of STOPVAW include Mary Ellingen, Mary Hunt, Rosalyn Park, Robin Phillips, and Cheryl Thomas. Current interns and volunteers include Zara Bohan, Sasha Choulenina, Dani Sollars, and Erin White.

For more information about STOPVAW, please contact the Website Administrator at stopvaw@mnadvocates.org.

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	Stop Violence Against Women Website The Violence Against Women Monitor A publication of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights July 2007
STOPVAW Website News	International and Regional News	National News	New Research and Reports
Expert’s Corner: An Overview of the International Human Rights of the Girl Child	2007 Trafficking in Persons Report – New Countries Named as Worst Offenders	Afghanistan	High Commissioner for Human Rights Launches Major New Study on Child Rights Convention
Updated Section: Montenegro Research and Reports	Report on the Current Status of the UN Treaty System	Armenia	Study on Domestic Violence in UK
Updated Section: Montenegro Legislative Trends	The Day of the African Child: Child Trafficking	Bulgaria	UNHCR Report on Domestic Violence in Foreign Refugee Families in Azerbaijan
	Sexual and Gender-Based Violence during Armed Conflict and Displacement	Canada	2007 Trafficking in Persons Report Released by U.S. Department of State
	UN Rapporteur Says Human Rights Worsened in Belarus in 2006	Czech Republic	UN Report on the Impact of Harmful Traditional Practices on the Girl Child
	Human Rights Council Opens Fifth Session	Georgia	USAID Guide on Gender-Based Violence for Health Sector Program Officers
	Women for Women International Continuing to Help Women in Bosnia and Herzegovina	Guinea	Summary of the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
	Committee on Rights of Child Concludes Forty-Fifth Session	India	European Women's Lobby Report on Violence against Women in Europe
	Council of Europe Rapporteur Calls for More Action to End Domestic Violence	Lithuania	European Parliament's 2006 Annual Report on Human Rights in the World
	The Struggle of the Refugee/Internally Displaced Girl Child	Montenegro	European Parliament Report on Women with Disabilities Released
	Women Nobel Peace Prize Recipients Pledge to Become a Global Voice in Tackling Violence against Women and in Peace Advocacy	Pakistan	Updated Briefing Document on Violence against Women
	UN Proposes Tighter Regulation of Peacekeepers	Romania	Report on the International Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond
	UN Special Rapporteur for Trafficking Detained by Bangladesh Government	Russian Federation	New Report on HIV/AIDS in Africa First to Link Discriminatory Beliefs against Women with Vulnerability to AIDS
	Group Calls for Greater Female Representation in High-level UN Positions	Saudi Arabia	Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence Published by Routledge
	Call for Contributions to the Survivors Project	Serbia
	Police in Balkan States Break up Human Trafficking Ring	Taiwan
	Nairobi Declaration on Women and Girls' Right to a Remedy and Reparation	Tajikistan
	ILO Brief: Women’s Global Employment Trends	Turkey
		Ukraine
		United Kingdom
		USA