NEWSLETTER: GHRD's Monthly Newsletter

Volume 7:67, September 23 2011.The Hague
During August and September GHRD has been busy kick starting some amazing events: our international campaign FIGHT MODERN SLAVERY and the Grundtvig project “Building bridges for a multicultural Europe” here in The Hague. High on the human rights agenda was the torture of 22 minority students in Bangladesh during a peaceful demonstration and the safety of our human rights defenders.
Urgent appeals and announcements BANGLADESH: PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT: Government security forces deny assault of 22 Jumma students during a peaceful student procession for constitutional recognition of indigenous people  BANGLADESH: URGENT APPEAL: Police fail to react or investigate when human rights defender Shahanur Islam assaulted [UA-BA-25-08-2011]  Police fail to investigate attack against Advocate Shahanur Islam, GHRD’s local partner in Bangladesh GHRD regrets to inform you of an unprovoked physical assault on our local observer and human rights defender Advocate Shahanur Islam on August 24, 2011 in Dhaka. It is concerning that, despite numerous international appeals for increased security for Mr Islam, the police failed to come to the scene of the assault. Read more  New partnership with EUNOMAD   GHRD is proud to announce we are now official partners of the European Network on Migrations and Development (EUNOMAD). The network consists of a number of NGOs working through this network platform on migration and development. Educational and awareness activities Panel session: The role and possible impact of NGOs in the creative/ art approaches to Peace, Justice and Human Rights   GHRD representatives were part of a panel discussion for the Peace and Human Rights Education International Summer school of the University of Utrecht. Read more   Publications Fight Modern Slavery brochure Find out more about GHRD’s campaign Fight Modern Slavery. Access the brochure here    Head Office Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN The Hague The Netherlands Phone: +31 70 345 69 75 Phone: +31 70 345 34 11 Fax: +31 70 392 65 75 Cell: +31 6 164 94 311 Bank details: ABN AMRO 417 943 024 The Hague The Netherlands NL69ABNA0417943024 BIC : ABNANL2A ANBI status       Opening of Grundtvig Project: Building bridges for a multicultural Europe   On 18th of September, GHRD begins our one week Grundtvig project ‘Building bridges for a multicultural Europe’, a week of workshops, debate and discussion on migration and cultural integration in Europe here in The Hague. Read more about the Grundtvig Project   GHRD launches our FIGHT MODERN SLAVERY campaign in Katmandu   GHRD’s partner in Nepal – MAITI, kick started our Fight modern slavery campaign on the 6th of September, the Nepalese Anti-Human Trafficking day, with a day of awareness raising dramas, sing alongs, rallies, a door to door informative campaign and a screening of the documentary SOLD: A child trafficked. For information on the campaign please email: sold@ghrd.org Read more about the launch   Read more about the campaign  Jumma students tortured by the police due to demonstration   22 indigenous Jumma students were beaten and tortured by the police in Khagrachhari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh on the 7th of August during a peaceful demonstration of 900 students of Khagrachari College for constitutional recognition of their indigenous status. The police have denied all wrongdoing and have threatened the protesters. See press announcement here   Update on arson attack against indigenous Jumma in Chittagong Hill Tracts   In February and April this year, hundreds of indigenous Jumma people were attacked and around a hundred houses and one school were bunt to ashes in the Chittagong region of Bangladesh. Months later, the majority of those attacked, around two thirds, are still living in temporary shelters. Read more  Press conference on Minority Rights in Pakistan   GHRD wishes to congratulate our partner organization Human Rights Focus in Pakistan which held a successful press conference on the existing issues regarding minorities in the country. Read more  GHRD needs continued support to maintain our human rights monitoring activities and aid projects in South Asia. If you believe in our cause and would like to support our activities, please donate via our website.