The Human Rights Foundation thanks the following organizations for their support and guidance in planning the Oslo Freedom Forum. Their leadership joined us in Oslo.
Civita | Civita is a Norwegian classical liberal think tank, which purpose is all-encompassing. It shall communicate the values of freedom. Civita is also dedicated in promoting human rights, personal responsibility and civil society.Through its work Civita shall contribute to an increased understanding for and commitment to the core values of a free economy, civil society and strengthened personal responsibility. Civita shall convey knowledge and ideas that are thought-provoking and will expand the arena for political debate and policy reform proposals.
Human Rights Action Center | The Human Rights Action Center (HRAC) advances the equal rights and freedoms of all people through the use of the arts. HRAC’s current programs are focused on the promotion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the democratization of Burma through the following campaigns: a project asking governments around the world to include a copy of the UDHR in their passports; a musical celebration of each UDHR anniversary—participating artists include Francis Dunnery, Wynton Marsalis, the Untouchables and a syndicated radio show with Natalie Merchant, Mike Watt and Special Beat/Ranking Roger; and missions to Burma to visit Aung San Suu Kyi and publicize her case and message.
International Society for Human Rights | The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) and its national branches are independent non-governmental human rights organisations (NGOs) which base their work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. The ISHR seeks to promote international understanding and tolerance in all areas of culture and society. It is a non-profit organisation, independent of all political parties, governments or religious groups. It acts according to the philosophy that the realisation of human rights and the improvement of social conditions cannot be pursued by use of force. ISHR was founded in order to support individuals who share this principle and, consequently, claim their rights in a non-violent manner.
The ISHR operates as a membership organisation with approximately 30.000 members in 26 states worldwide. The International Society for Human Rights has observatory status at the European Council in Brussels and ECOSOC status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The ISHR is mainly financed by membership fees and private donations and largely cooperates with different human rights organisations.
Laogai Research Foundation | The Laogai Research Foundation was founded in 1992 by former Chinese political prisoner Harry Wu in order to gather information on and raise public awareness of the Laogai—China’s extensive system of forced- labor prison camps. LRF also works to document and publicize other systemic human rights abuses in China, including executions and the harvesting of organs from executed prisoners, the coercive enforcement of China’s “one-child” population control policy, and Internet censorship and surveillance. LRF regularly publishes a biennial Laogai Handbook, a catalog of all the Laogai camps it has identified along with all known information on the products they produce, and the Black Series, a collection of memoirs written by Laogai survivors, as well as special investigative reports. On November 12, 2008, LRF opened the Laogai Museum in Washington DC to educate the public about the Laogai and preserve the memories of its many victims. In the summer of 2009, LRF will also be opening its Laogai Archives to the public, providing researchers with access to volumes of internal government documents, personal testimonies, and other unique materials relating to human rights in China.
Reporters Without Borders | In some countries a journalist can be thrown in prison for years for a single offending word or photo. Jailing or killing a journalist removes a vital witness to events and threatens the right of us all to be informed. Reporters Without Borders has fought for press freedom on a daily basis since it was founded in 1985.
Reporters Without Borders:
1) Defends journalists and media assistants imprisoned or persecuted for doing their job and exposes the mistreatment and torture of them in many countries.
2) Fights against censorship and laws that undermine press freedom.
3) Gives financial aid each year to 100 or so journalists or media outlets in difficulty (to pay for lawyers, medical care and equipment) as well to the families of imprisoned journalists.
4) Works to improve the safety of journalists, especially those reporting in war zones.
