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	International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade by UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova   23 August 2012   Marking the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) called for reflection on the transformation brought about by the slave trade to the world, and urged countries to protect their citizens against racism and forced labour.   “The long series of uprisings by slaves in their quest for freedom are sources for reflection and action for protecting human rights and combating modern forms of servitude,” said UNESCO"s Director-General, Irina Bokova, in a message to mark the Day, which is observed annually on 23 August.   “The history of the slave trade and its abolition has shaped the world in which we live,” she added. “We are all heirs to this past, which has transformed the world"s map, its laws, cultures and social relations, even giving rise to new food habits – especially through the sugar trade.”   The International Day commemorates the uprising which took place on 22-23 August 1791, when slaves in Saint Domingue (present-day Haiti), launched an insurrection which ultimately led to the Haitian revolution and helped to promote the cause of human rights.   “Through their struggles and their desire for dignity and freedom, slaves have contributed to the universality of human rights. People must be taught the names of the heroes of the history of slavery – they are all of humanity"s heroes,” Ms. Bokova said.   UNESCO has been playing a leading role in fostering understanding and recognition of the slave trade. Since the establishment of the Slave Route project in 1994, the agency has worked to break the silence on the slave trade and slavery.   The project consists of creating opportunities to promote mutual understanding and international reconciliation and stability through consultation and discussion. It also raises awareness, promotes debate and helps build consensus on approaches to be taken on addressing the issue of the slave trade and slavery.   In her message, Ms. Bokova also stressed that slaves transcended oppression and gave the world a rich cultural heritage.   “Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and Asia now share forms of dance, music, living arts and artistic expression that are a direct legacy of that history,” she said. “Through its cultural and educational programmes, UNESCO seeks to safeguard and promote this heritage as a force for rapprochement and dialogue among peoples.”   This year, the Day will also be part of the preparations for the Decade for People of African Descent, which will begin next year, and seeks to help boost political commitments in favour of people of African descent.   * UN Radio Feature: http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/tag/slavery/ Visit the related web page
	A new low in Bahrain as Nabeel Rajab is sentenced by Katsuji Imata CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation   September 2012   Bahraini Court Upholds Sentences for Activists. (Agencies)   An appeal court"s ruling in Bahrain to uphold the sentences of 13 opposition activists on Tuesday, including seven who face life in prison, has been criticized by rights activists.   "Today"s ruling is a clear proof of the fake justice in Bahrain," said the main opposition groups in a statement. "Those are politically motivated verdicts that have no judicial value, because they have been based on a vindictive methodology," they said.   The Guardian"s Ian Black reports that "The men, who include activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and Ebrahim Sharif, were originally sentenced last summer to between two years and life in prison. The charges included espionage and "setting up terror groups to topple the royal regime and change the constitution." They later appealed in a civilian court. All the men maintain their innocence and are expected to appeal to the supreme court."   Amnesty International Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui said of the verdict, “today’s court decision is another blow to justice and it shows once more that the Bahraini authorities are not on the path of reform but seem rather driven by vindictiveness.   “Today’s verdict further engulfs Bahrain in injustice. Instead of upholding the sentences, ranging from five years to life in prison, the Bahraini authorities must quash the convictions for the 13 men who are imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their human rights and release them immediately and unconditionally," stated Sahraoui.   Brian Dooley of Human Rights First also criticized the upholding of the sentences. “The crackdown in Bahrain continues in the courts and on the streets. The denial of the men’s appeals shows the regime has little intention to reform. Bahraini government claims that they are on the path to human rights progress appear to be a sham,” stated Dooley.   22 August 2012 (Civicus)   The sentencing of Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, to three years in jail marks a new low for civil society in Bahrain, says global civil society network CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation.   On 16 August 2012, Manama’s Lower Criminal Court convicted Nabeel for nothing other than exercising what should be normal democratic freedoms enjoyed by all. He was found guilty of “participation in an illegal gathering, calling for a march without prior notification” and “inciting others to join in illegal gatherings using social networking sites.” At the time of his sentencing Rajab was already serving a three month sentence for “insulting an official authority over twitter.”   “Nabeel has been a courageous campaigner for human rights and justice in Bahrain ever since the pro-democracy protests began in February 2011,” says Katsuji Imata, CIVICUS’ Acting Secretary General. “He gave a compelling account of the injustices unleashed by Bahrain’s regime at the CIVICUS World Assembly in September last year. His sentence is simply a punishment for telling the world the truth about Bahrain.”   At the forthcoming CIVICUS World Assembly, being held in Montreal, Canada from 3 to 7 September, Nabeel’s place will be taken by his wife.   Observers report that the judicial process in Nabeel’s case was fraught with inconsistencies and bias. His lawyers were denied sufficient time and opportunity to prepare for latest defence as a hearing initially scheduled for 26 September was arbitrarily moved to 12 August. He is currently being kept in unsanitary conditions at the al-Jaw Central Prison and has on occasion been denied access to a doctor and medication. His family has been subjected to cumbersome procedures in order to visit him in jail.   There are hundreds of political prisoners currently languishing in Bahraini prisons, and this latest verdict marks a new low point for the harassment and persecution of activists. In September 2011 CIVICUS called on Bahraini authorities to stop the politically motivated trials of 21 pro-democracy protestors who were sentenced by a military court to jail terms ranging from two years to life.   CIVICUS now calls on the military and trading partners of Bahrain to publicly condemn the manner of sentencing of Nabeel Rajab, and to put diplomatic pressure on Bahrain’s regime to revoke Nabeel Rajab’s conviction, and those of other human rights defenders.   http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/bahrain-and-the-stalling-of-the-arab-spring/4392262 Visit the related web page
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