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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Minority Rights Group International - e-bulletin<BR>
</FONT></B><BR>
<FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Welcome to the minority Rights Group International (MRG) email bulletin. Simply click on the links below in order to access the full news story or publication on MRG's website, or alternatively visit our site at:<U></U></FONT><U><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><<A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org">http://www.minorityrights.org</A>><BR>
</FONT></B></U><B></B><BR>
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<B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">In this e-bulletin:</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT> </SPAN>
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<UL><UL>
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<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">International Criminal Court to investigate Darfur, but more is needed</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Cameroon questioned over minority torture case acquittal</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">In Larger Freedom: Annan calls for results from reformed UN</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Botswana must amend discriminatory tribal policies, states UN Committee</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Dutch Declaration excludes minorities from minority rights Convention</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Security Council must act now to end Darfur ‘hell on earth’</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">New guide helps minorities and indigenous peoples claim neglected rights</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Filling the knowledge gaps on traditional customary laws and indigenous peoples in Asia</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG backs genocide prevention role for UN anti-discrimination committee</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Focus on: the Kathmandu Dalit Declaration</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Events and Advocacy: International Roma Rights Day - 8 April 2005</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Worth a closer look:</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Events for your diary</FONT></B></SPAN></LI>
<LI><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Publications - </FONT></B> </SPAN></LI>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">- </FONT><B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Traditional Customary Laws and Indigenous Peoples in Asia</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#008000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">- Key Issues for Religious Minorities' Rights in Asia</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> </FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial"> </FONT> </SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">News<BR>
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<B></B><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">International Criminal Court to investigate Darfur, but more is needed</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The UN Security Council has referred the situation of Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in its most significant action to-date to prosecute perpetrators of atrocities and end impunity in the region. While welcoming the move, Minority Rights Group International (MRG) cautioned that this step must not be considered as an end in itself, but will be a long process requiring the cooperation of many governments to bring those guilty to justice. MRG stated that killing continues in Darfur and the need remains for measures to be put in place to effectively ensure security and stop government and Janjaweed militia attacks in the region. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=352">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=352</A></FONT></B></U></SPAN><U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B></U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Cameroon questioned over minority torture case acquittal</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Minority Rights Group International (MRG) has raised serious concerns with the government of Cameroon regarding its respect of the due process of law following the acquittal of a Military Police Captain on charges of arbitrary arrest and torture of a member of the Mbororo pastoralist community. The rights group has complained directly to the government about the actions of a Military Tribunal and called for an independent appeal hearing, highlighting a list of judicial irregularities, which cast doubts over the validity of the acquittal.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><BR>
</SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=349">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=349</A></FONT></B></U><B></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><BR>
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<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">In Larger Freedom: Annan calls for results from reformed UN</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has unveiled an extensive package of reforms aimed at turning the UN into a more effective instrument for development, security and human rights and confronting increasing criticism. The reforms were presented as part of a five-year progress report on the implementation of the Millennium Declaration, yet omitted reference to minority rights and enhanced minority protection mechanisms, seen by Minority Rights Group International as vital to achieving his stated goals. Key to Mr Annan's vision for the future is a message of cooperation and collective action by states, and greater cohesion within the UN system itself.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B> <FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=350">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=350</A></FONT></B></U><B></B></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Botswana must amend discriminatory tribal policies, states UN Committee</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has maintained its pressure on the government of Botswana over what it considers to be the discriminatory effects of legislation and elements of the countries Constitution against minority tribal groups. In a letter to the government, the Chair, Mr Mario Yutzis, stressed Botswana’s obligations under the terms of the Convention and the fact that it prohibits direct as well as indirect discrimination. Tribal Acts recognize only the Tswana-speaking tribes while non-Tswana speaking groups including the Wayeyi and Basarwa/San peoples suffer from cultural, social, economic and political exclusion.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=351">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=351</A></FONT></B></U></SPAN><U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B></U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Dutch Declaration excludes minorities from minority rights Convention</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><BR>
A Dutch government 'Declaration' has excluded minorities from protection under the provisions of a Convention expressly designed to protect their rights. The Declaration aims to restrict the application of the Council of Europe's (CoE) Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) only to the Frisian minority and should be rejected as invalid, states MRG. According to the rights group, the most discriminated against groups in the Netherlands, including the Roma, will be excluded from the protection of the Convention as applied by the Netherlands.<BR>
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=347">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=347</A></FONT></B></U><B></B><BR>
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<B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Security Council must act now to end Darfur ‘hell on earth’</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><BR>
The UN Security Council Member States must authorize immediate measures to bring real security to the people of Darfur, including referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Minority Rights Group International (MRG) today urged decisive action and called for the Security Council to move beyond diplomatic and monitoring measures. Such actions have proved wholly ineffective in stopping attacks and displacement in Darfur, which Kofi Annan yesterday called 'little short of hell on earth'.<BR>
</FONT><U></U><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=346">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=346</A></FONT></B></U><B></B><BR>
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<B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">New MRG guide assists minorities to claim economic, social and cultural rights</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><BR>
Not enough has been done to consider fully and systematically the economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, suggests MRG. However, these, too often neglected rights are essential to help establish conditions of equality, bring people out of poverty, and prevent conflict and instability. MRG seeks to encourage minority and indigenous peoples to claim their rights and to bridge the gaps in the current literature on ESC rights. A new MRG guide to economic, social and cultural rights is aimed at educating and empowering communities to claim their rights in the areas of food and water, housing, health, education, work and cultural rights.<BR>
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/TrainingManuals/TrainingManual.asp?ID=32">http://www.minorityrights.org/TrainingManuals/TrainingManual.asp?ID=32</A></FONT></B></SPAN><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"><BR>
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</SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Filling the knowledge gaps on traditional customary laws and Indigenous peoples in Asia</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Among the most distinctive features of indigenous peoples are their unique ‘cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems’. These features vary in different parts of the world according to different social and political systems. The system of government of the states within which indigenous peoples live, whether at the local or the national level, varies enormously in Asia, from highly centralized unitary systems to decentralized federal systems. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/OnlineReports/OnlineReport.asp?ID=42">http://www.minorityrights.org/OnlineReports/OnlineReport.asp?ID=42</A></FONT></B></SPAN>
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<P><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG backs genocide prevention role for UN anti-discrimination committee</FONT></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><BR>
MRG has lent its support to efforts by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) to take a greater role in international efforts to prevent genocide. In a statement made during CERD’s thematic discussion on the issue, MRG highlighted the potential for CERD to use its experience, mechanisms and procedures to identify and act upon the early warnings of genocide. MRG has identified key areas in which CERD may be effective, as well as pointing out practical and procedural shortcomings, which may need to be addressed in order for it to fulfil its potential.<BR>
</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/International/int_stat_detail.asp?ID=93">http://www.minorityrights.org/International/int_stat_detail.asp?ID=93</A></FONT></B></U><B></B><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial"><BR>
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</FONT><B></B><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Focus on: the Kathmandu Dalit Declaration</FONT></B><BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">In April 2005, the UN Commission on Human Rights will decide on whether to adopt a Sub-Commission resolution appointing two of its members as Special Rapporteurs to undertake a study into discrimination based on work and descent, commonly known as 'caste based discrimination'. This landmark decision is the culmination of years of work by numerous national organizations and a growing international civil society network, to establish caste based discrimination on the international agenda as an issue of global concern. In November 2004, representatives of caste affected communities from countries as diverse as India, Japan and Senegal met in Kathmandu, Nepal to discuss how to establish Dalit rights in the contemporary world and the role of governments, the United Nations and the private sector in helping to achieve this.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The International Consultation was organised by the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN) and the Dalit NGO Federation-Nepal and was attended by more than 100 participants. The consultation provided the basis for constructive exchange between key stakeholders and amassed a wealth of information, research and analysis on the global phenomenon of caste-based discrimination in general and the specific situation in Nepal. An unprecedented collection of recommendations for measures to eliminate caste-based discrimination was achieved, covering a range of sectors and addressing a number of stakeholders. The recommendations are presented in the Kathmandu Dalit Declaration. The reports from the Consultation are available through the following link:</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> <A HREF="http://www.idsn.org/ICCBD.html">http://www.idsn.org/ICCBD.html</A></FONT></B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">to the IDSN website. The papers presented at the consultation will be made available at the IDSN web-site in their full length in due time. With thanks to IDSN. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.idsn.org/KDD.pdf">http://www.idsn.org/KDD.pdf</A></FONT></B><BR>
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<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Events and Advocacy</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial"><BR>
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</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">International Roma Rights Day - 8 April 2005</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">On the occasion of International Roma Rights Day, Minority Rights Group International calls upon all states with Roma/Gypsy and traveller communities within their national territories to fully uphold their obligations to equality, non-discrimination and human and minority rights under national, regional and international human rights law. MRG further calls on the media and political parties and organizations to fulfil their responsibilities to fair, impartial, and non-racist portrayals of individuals and communities.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG supports the European Roma Information Office, European Roma Rights Center</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000080" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">and Open Society Institute in their letter to the Commissioners' Group on Fundamental Rights, Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunities, asking them to take urgent measures meant to curb the rampant Anti-Gypsyism and social exclusion issues affecting Roma communities.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.erionet.org/OpenLetter.htm">http://www.erionet.org/OpenLetter.htm</A></FONT></B></U><B></B></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG Treaty Body Training - San Jose, Costa Rica - 12 -18 March 2005</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG have provided a training to 25 participants from Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua on UN treaty monitoring bodies, minority & indigenous peoples rights and advocacy strategies. The training aimed to initiate participants’ national & international advocacy plans based on work with the UN treaty bodies. The training included a session on gender and introduction to MRG's work on intersectional and multiple forms of discrimination against minority and indigenous women. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG Training on the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - Strasbourg - 24-27 Feb 2005</FONT></B></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">At the end of February MRG provided 22 participants with training on the Council of Europe's (CoE) Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, which included training on shadow report writing skills and advocacy strategies. Attendance at the training also allowed advocacy opportunities for the participants with CoE officials, government representatives, and Advisory committee members. The aim of the training is to help participants engage in improved advocacy with their governments using CoE mechanisms, including shadow reports.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial">Call for Participants</FONT></B></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">PAN-EUROPEAN TRAINING FOR LAWYERS</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Minority Rights Group International (MRG), the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and the Swedish Ombudsman Against Ethnic Discrimination (SO) are presently calling for participants resident in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden, for their upcoming Pan-European Training for Lawyers that will take place in Budapest on May 19-21, 2005. A half day optional session will also be available on May 22 for those wishing to obtain additional advice or assistance on litigation strategies in this area of law. The training will focus on the content and practical applications of the EU Article 13 Anti-Discrimination Directives, which are binding on all EU Member States and Candidate Countries. More specifically, participants will explore key</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Times New Roman"></FONT> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">concepts such as the shifting of the burden of proof, direct and indirect discrimination and dissuasive sanctions. Additional concepts to be explored include multiple discrimination.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=348">http://www.minorityrights.org/news_detail.asp?ID=348</A></FONT></B></U><B></B></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG Training of Trainers - Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzogovina - 26 June - 3 July 2005</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">As part of the Southeast Europe Diversity and Democracy Partnership Programme, this</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Training of Trainers is intended for individuals affiliated with NGOs and other institutions from Southeast Europe working on minority and human rights who wish to acquire or enhance their skills in training on minority rights and advocacy. Eligible countries and entities include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo/a, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/Programmes/ToT/tot_index.htm">http://www.minorityrights.org/Programmes/ToT/tot_index.htm</A></FONT></B></SPAN><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">For further information about the events above and details of many additional MRG programmes and advocacy activities, please visit MRG's website or contact us directly.<BR>
</FONT></I></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><I><U></U></I><I><U><B></B></U></I><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org">http://www.minorityrights.org</A><BR>
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<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Vacancies<BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG strives to be an equal opportunities employer. MRG occasionally has opportunities for internships and voluntary work and those interested in applying for such positions should initially contact MRG with a brief curriculum vitae (resume) and covering letter.<BR>
</FONT><U></U><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/job_vac.asp">http://www.minorityrights.org/job_vac.asp</A><BR>
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</B><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Worth a closer look<BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=1 FACE="Times"> </FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Live Coverage of Commission on Human Rights at ngochr.org </FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">CONGO, The</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><I> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relations with the United Nations ( CONGO)</FONT></I></SPAN><I><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></I><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"> will be coordinating event monitoring and analysis of this years UN Commission on Human Rights on their website at</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B> <FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.ngochr.org">http://www.ngochr.org</A></FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">. Please bookmark it for the latest information on what is happening in the CHR. Many thanks to CONGO for this valuable initiative once again in 2005.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.ngochr.org">http://www.ngochr.org</A></FONT></B></U><B></B></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><I><FONT SIZE=1 FACE="Arial">Information contained in external websites does not necessarily reflect the views, policies or opinions of MRG and its staff.<BR>
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<B></B><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Events for your diary<BR>
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<B></B><B><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Other Upcoming Events:</FONT></B></SPAN>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">8 April: International Roma Day</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">11-22 April 2005: Commission on Sustainable Development, New York</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">13-15 April 2005: WFUNA Seminar on the International Criminal Court. Palais des Nations, Geneva. Open to member UNAs, diplomats, jurists and lawyers, postgraduate students and non-governmental organizations. For more information, please contact wfuna@unog.ch or visit <A HREF="http://www.wfuna.org">http://www.wfuna.org</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">25 -29 April: Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families - 2<SUP>nd</SUP> ordinary session. Geneva</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">25 April - 13 May: CESCR - 34<SUP>th</SUP> ordinary session Geneva</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">2 - 20 May: Committee Against Torture - 34<SUP>th</SUP> ordinary session - Geneva</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">16-27 May 2005: UN Fifth Forum on Forests, New York</FONT></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">29 May -1 June 2005: Forum International Montreal conference "Civil society: visions and strategies towards global democracy." Montreal. <A HREF="http://www.fimcivilsociety.org">http://www.fimcivilsociety.org</A></FONT><I></I></SPAN></P>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT COLOR="#C0C0C0" SIZE=6 FACE="Arial">Publications<BR>
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<FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Traditional Customary Laws and Indigenous Peoples in Asia</FONT></B></SPAN>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">For years, traditional laws - or customary laws - in Asia have been eroded. This report argues that remaining customary laws should be retained and discusses the extent to which their erosion can be reversed. The report focuses primarily on two types of customary law systems - personal or family law, and land and resource rights law - and considers the complex situation, which is far from uniform throughout Asia. In some areas, customary law systems and procedures are generally respected, while in other parts of Asia customary law has been so eroded that it is virtually non-existent and unrecognized by governments. Click below to download the full text of this report.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/OnlineReports/OnlineReport.asp?ID=42">http://www.minorityrights.org/OnlineReports/OnlineReport.asp?ID=42</A></FONT></B></SPAN><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></B>
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<P><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Key Issues for Religious Minorities' Rights in Asia </FONT></SPAN></B>
<BR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">A brief overview of the situation of religious minorities in Asia reveals complexity and diversity in the identity of religious minorities. However these minorities have issues in common too: many are subject to severe physical, political, social, economic and cultural oppression and violation of rights within their community and by their nation-states. Denial of religious minority rights in Asia is often half-hidden and subtle. This MRG workshop report, based on consultation with participants from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan, sheds light on major issues affecting religious minorities and considers strategies for change.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN LANG="en-gb"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org/WorkshopReports/work_rep_detail.asp?ID=21">http://www.minorityrights.org/WorkshopReports/work_rep_detail.asp?ID=21</A></FONT></B></SPAN><B><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-us"><BR>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><SPAN LANG="en-us"><I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non-governmental organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote cooperation and understanding between communities.</FONT></I><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT> </SPAN></P>
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<P><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">MRG is a registered charity no. 282305, and has consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights.<BR>
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</FONT><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Contact MRG:</FONT></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT> </SPAN>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">email:</FONT></B><B><U> <FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">minority.rights@mrgmail.org</FONT></U></B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"></FONT> </SPAN></P>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><B><FONT COLOR="#0000FF" SIZE=2 FACE="Arial"><A HREF="http://www.minorityrights.org">http://www.minorityrights.org</A></FONT></B></U></SPAN><U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B></U><B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN></B><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-gb"> </SPAN></P>
<BR><BR><FONT color=silver><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT size=1>Disclaimer - April 8, 2005</FONT></FONT></SPAN></FONT> <P></P><P><FONT size=1><FONT face=Verdana color=gray><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for <STRONG>mrg_e-bulletin@gn.apc.org</STRONG>. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute, copy or alter this email. Whilst MRG has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that the onward transmission, opening or use of this message and any attachments will not adversely affect its systems or data. No responsibility is accepted by MRG in this regard and the recipient should carry out such virus and other checks as it considers appropriate. Any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and might not represent those of MRG. Opinions, conclusions, contractual obligations and other information in this message, in so far as they relate to the official business of MRG , must be specifically confirmed in writing by MRG</SPAN></FONT></FONT></P><P><FONT size=1><FONT face=Verdana color=gray><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Verdana color=gray><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: gray; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN></FONT></FONT> </P></BODY>
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