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Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen 2009 Democracy Award Will Honor Cuban Dissidents On June 24 WASHINGTON, DC – The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will honor the courage and determination of five Cuban democracy activists with the presentation of its annual Democracy Award at a Capitol Hill ceremony and reception on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. Confirmed speakers include NED Chairman Richard Gephardt; Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman (D-CA); Ranking Foreign Affairs member Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL); Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL); NED Board member Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY); Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL); and Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL). “The five brave Cubans we honor this year represent the future of their country,” said NED Chairman Richard Gephardt. “All of them have endured significant personal hardship for nothing more than standing up for basic rights and freedoms. With this award, we hope to express our solidarity with their struggle, and let them know that we share their dream of a free and democratic Cuba. “ The honorees are Jorge Luis Garcia Pérez, (aka “Antúnez”), José Daniel Ferrer García, Librado Linares García, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, and Iris Tamara Perez Aguilera. All five are relatively young, in their 30s and 40s, three are Afro-Cuban, one is a Christian Democrat and another is a Social Democrat, one is a trade unionist and another is a women’s leader. All of them espouse the philosophy of non-violent resistance and activism and, together, the five represent a broad spectrum of opinion and activism. García, Linares and Carrillo are in prison; Antúnez was released in 2007 after 17 years in Cuban jails. Antúnez and Aguilera are living under virtual house arrest since beginning a hunger strike in March of this year. The award presentation and reception will take place in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building from 5:30 – 7:00 pm, and will be preceded by a panel discussion examining the prospects for democracy in Cuba, which will begin at 3:30 pm in the same room. The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, bipartisan foundation created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED and the Democracy Award can be found at www.ned.org. 2009 Democracy Award Honorees Jorge Luis Garcia Pérez (“Antúnez”)—A 43-year old leader of Cuba’s civic resistance movement who served more than 17 years in prison, having been released in 2007. During that period, his fellow inmates nicknamed him “the black diamond” because of his courage and unbreakable spirit. In “A Word from the Opposition” in the January, 2009 issue of the Journal of Democracy, Antúnez highlighted the Movement’s adherence to the principles of non-violent resistance as set forth by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King. He is married to Iris Tamara Perez Aguilar, another honoree. José Daniel Ferrer García is a youth activist and member of the Christian Liberation Movement who was instrumental in gathering hundreds of signatures and mobilizing people in poor, marginal neighborhoods in support of the Varela Project. García organized meetings with neighbors throughout the eastern provinces, turning them into informal town hall meetings where grievances were expressed and the desire for change articulated. He received one of the highest prison sentences of the group of dissidents arrested on March 18, 2003. He has been a leader of the resistance of political prisoners against the abuses of the regime from within prison walls. Librado Linares García is a young intellectual and founder of the Cuban Reflection Movement. Linares organized independent libraries, soup kitchens for the poor, workshops among various dissident groups, as well as forums and conferences for citizens living in the central region of Cuba. He developed a comprehensive multi-tiered strategy of resistance against the regime, aimed at organizing and mobilizing Cuban civil society through non violent means. One of the pro-democracy leaders arrested on March 18, 2003, Linares has been suffering a progressive loss of eyesight during his imprisonment. Ivan Hernandez Carrillo is an independent labor activist prior to his imprisonment in March, 2003, in his mid-30s and black, Carillo is widely regarded as one of the key youth leaders of the civic opposition. He is from Matanzas province, which, together with Villa Clara province, forms the geographical core of the Cuban resistance. Carillo has continued the resistance struggle during his incarceration. Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera is founder and President of the Rosa Parks Women’s Movement, whose objectives are to struggle against human rights violations. Born in 1975 in Sancti Spiritus province in central Cuba, she entered the opposition movement in 1999, when her brother, Mario Pérez Aguilera, was imprisoned at Nieves Morejón prison. Ms. Aguilera is married to Jorge Luis Garcia Perez (“Antunez”). Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen Richard A. Gephardt Elected Chairman of National Endowment for Democracy WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, January 16th, the board of directors of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) elected Richard A. Gephardt to serve as the Endowment’s new chairman. Gephardt was first elected to the NED board in 2004 when he assumed the duties of vice chair. “The Endowment could not ask for a better leader or one who cared more deeply about NED’s mission to support those around the world who are working to advance democracy,” said outgoing Chairman Vin Weber, who remains on the NED board. Following his election, Gephardt told his fellow directors, “I am looking forward to working hard together to meet our promise to get more democratic institutions built across the entire world.” Thanking Weber for his 8 years of service, NED President Carl Gershman said, “Vin has been a true pleasure to work with, and has contributed enormously to strengthening the work of the Endowment and its grantees. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and service. I know that Dick Gephardt will benefit from the strong example that preceded him, and will continue to lead the Endowment in the tradition of bipartisanship and commitment to the universal values of freedom and democracy that have marked NED’s 25 year history.” Richard A. Gephardt (D-MO) has been a longtime supporter of the Endowment and its work – meeting many times over the years with NED grantees from all over the world. Gephardt was first elected to Congress in 1976 and served as both the Majority and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives and as one of the nation’s leading Democrats for much of the last two decades. He is an expert on economic issues and foreign affairs, and is an eloquent voice for fairness, justice, tolerance and human rights. Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen “Religion and Democracy: Allies or Antagonists?” WASHINGTON, DC --“Religion and Democracy: Allies or Antagonists?” is the topic of the fifth annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World, which will be delivered by Jean Bethke Elshtain on Wednesday, November 12, at 6:00 pm at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. Dr. Elshtain’s remarks will address themes that include the inseparability of American democracy from religion, the prospects for democracy in the Islamic world, and the essential role played by civil society in determining the health of any democracy. Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain is the Laura Spelman Rockefeller Professor of Social and Political Ethics in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. A political philosopher whose task has been to show the connections between our political and ethical convictions, her many books include Public Man, Private Woman: Women in Social Thought; The Family in Political Thought; Meditations on Modern Political Thought; Women and War; Democracy on Trial (a New York Times “Notable Book” for 1995); Augustine and the Limits of Politics; Real Politics: Political Theory and Everyday Life; New Wine in Old Bottles: Politics and Ethical Discourse; and Who Are We? Critical Reflections, Hopeful Possibilities, for which she received the Theologos Award for Best Academic Book 2000 by the Association of Theological Booksellers. In 2003, she published Just War Against Terror: The Burden of American Power in a Violent World, which was named one of the best non-fiction books of 2003 by Publishers Weekly. In 2006, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the Council of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and also delivered the prestigious Gifford Lectures at the University of Edinburgh, joining such previous Gifford Lecturers as William James, Hannah Arendt, Karl Barth, and Reinhold Niebuhr. Elshtain’s lectures were published in June 2008 in her latest book, Soveriegnty: God, State, and Self. The Lipset Lecture, which is cosponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Munk Centre for International Studies of the University of Toronto, is named for one of the great scholars of democracy and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. "Marty Lipset's scholarship on themes like the conditions for democracy, political parties, voting behavior and public opinion constitutes one of the most prolific and insightful bodies of work on democracy ever produced by a single author," said NED President Carl Gershman. Lipset, who died in December 2006, was also one of the most important comparative analysts of the two great democracies of North America, and a strong advocate for US-Canadian cooperation. The joint US-Canadian sponsorship of the Lipset Lecture provides an opportunity for influential audiences in both countries to hear and discuss a major intellectual statement on democracy each year and serves as a catalyst for further cooperation between Canada and the United States in the promotion of democracy and democratic ideas around the world. The lecture also serves as an intellectual platform for men and women who, like Lipset, have made important contributions to our thinking about key issues of democracy through their writings and other accomplishments. For more information on the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. This event is open to the media. Press should RSVP to Jane Jacobsen at 202-378-9700 or jane@ned.org. Who: Jean Bethke Elshtain, National Endowment for Democracy, Embassy of Canada Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen WASHINGTON, D.C. —The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is pleased to announce the arrival of its Fall 2008 cohort of Reagan-Fascell Democracy and Visiting Fellows. In residence are leading democratic activists, journalists, and scholars from a wide range of countries, including Germany, Guinea, India, Nepal, Senegal, Ukraine, and the United States. A complete list of the 2008–2009 Fellows and their bios can be found at www.ned.org/forum/current.html. The Reagan-Fascell program seeks to deepen the knowledge, enrich the skills, broaden the perspectives, and strengthen the morale of some of the world’s most committed and courageous democratic practitioners, journalists, and scholars. Fellows are in residence at International Forum for Democratic Studies, NED’s research and publications arm, in Washington, D.C., which offers a collegial environment for fellows to conduct research and writing; to develop contacts and exchange ideas with counterparts in Washington’s policy, academic, media, and nongovernmental communities; and to build ties that contribute to the development of a global network of democracy advocates. Through its outreach efforts, the Reagan-Fascell program seeks to connect its fellows with the media, policy, and academic communities in Washington, D.C. The program organizes an active calendar of public presentations by the fellows, and promotes contacts between fellows and experts in the U.S. Congress, the Department of State, and other government agencies, as well as at universities, think tanks, and media organizations. The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows program was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress in honor of NED’s two principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell, and is funded by an annual grant from the U.S. Department of State. Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen Memorial Program Will Honor Legacy Of Bronislaw Geremek WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, September 11, at 11:00 AM, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in cooperation with the Embassy of Poland, will host a memorial gathering to honor the life and work of former Polish foreign minister Bronislaw Geremek, whose life was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident on July 13 at the age of 76. Confirmed speakers who will be paying tribute to Dr. Geremek include, Librarian of Congress James Billington , former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski , Washington Post Columnist and Deputy Editorial Page Editor Jackson Diehl , NED Senior Director for Europe and Eurasia Nadia Diuk , Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Democracy Paula Dobriansky , Johns Hopkins University adjunct professor (SAIS) Charles Gati , American Jewish Committee Executive Director David Harris , Ambassador Max Kampelman , and US Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN). Polish Ambassador Robert Kupiecki and NED president Carl Gershman will also make remarks. Written rememberances will be available from friends and colleagues unable to attend including, Madeleine Albright, Barbara Mikulski, Lezsek Kolakowski, Adam Michnik, and Alexandr Vondra. A survivor of the Holocaust, Bronislaw Geremek became a leading academic, dissident, statesman and diplomat in post-war Poland. A gifted social historian, he joined the Solidarity trade union movement in 1980 and emerged as a key advisor to Lech Walesa in the Gdansk shipyards. Imprisoned during martial law, Geremek played a leading role in the 1989 Round Table Agreement that negotiated an end to Communist rule in Poland, setting in motion the events that led to the collapse of Soviet domination throughout Eastern Europe. Geremek’s contributions to his country’s democratic transition were constant in the years after 1989, culminating in his role as foreign minister, when he guided Poland’s entry into NATO and the European Union. NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org . This event is open to the press. What : Memorial program honoring Bronislaw Geremek, former Polish Foreign Minister
Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen International Media Assistance is an Underappreciated Key to Democratic Development Sustained and committed support of independent news media can make a dramatic difference in creating sustainable development and democracy in the world, according to a newly-released report from the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA) at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The report, entitled Empowering Independent Media: U.S. Efforts to Foster Free and Independent News Around the World, provides an in-depth assessment of U.S. international media development efforts, both public and private, and calls on future efforts to be more long-term, comprehensive, and need-driven. The U.S., through government and private sector initiatives, spends at least $142 million annually on media development efforts in countries around the world. These activities include training journalists, granting seed money for news media outlets, supporting professional associations, and providing legal expertise on media laws. Media assistance, the report says, is increasingly being regarded as a fundamental building block in developing democratic states. These efforts can help countries make democratic transitions, spur economic growth, improve government accountability, conduct public health campaigns, increase education and literacy levels, and empower women and minorities. CIMA’s report calls for increased funding, personnel, and recognition of this important and relatively new development field. Although funding for media assistance increased after the fall of communism, support too often has been fragmented, it says. Recommending a more holistic assistance approach, the report looks at the international media development field from a number of perspectives: funding, professional development, education, the legal-enabling environment, economic sustainability, media literacy, new media, and monitoring and evaluation. “We hope that this report will be an important tool for policymakers and donors as they look at support of international media development as well as for those who carry out this important work internationally,” CIMA Senior Director Marguerite H. Sullivan said. The report’s recommendations include:
Empowering Independent Media is the culmination of CIMA’s work since its inception in late 2006, and draws upon its reports, working group discussions, meetings, and additional research on topics ranging from public and private funding of projects and the financial sustainability of independent media outlets to global investigative journalism and community radio development. To download a copy of the report, please visit CIMA’s Web site at http://cima.ned.org. To request a hard copy, please email CIMA@ned.org. ### CIMA works to strengthen the support, raise the visibility, and improve the effectiveness of media assistance programs worldwide by providing information, building networks, conducting research, and highlighting the indispensable role independent media play in developing sustainable democracies around the world. For more information on CIMA, please visit: http://www.ned.org/cima/cima.html. To subscribe to CIMA’s mailing list for reports and events, please send an e-mail to CIMA@ned.org. Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen On Tuesday June 17, the National Endowment for Democracy will honor the heroic efforts of Chinese workers, lawyers, and writers working to advance democratic values and fundamental rights within China with the presentation of its annual Democracy Award. Chen Guangchen , Zhang Jianhong, Yao Fuxin and Hu Sigen, who are all serving sentences in Chinese prisons, are four of the recipients. Other honorees cannot be named publicly until the award ceremony. The award presentation and a roundtable discussion will take place on Capitol Hill in the Caucus Room (345) of the Cannon House Office Building at 3:30 – 5:00 PM. Commenting on the selection of this year’s awardees, NED Chairman Vin Weber said, “As China prepares to host the Olympic Games, with the attention of the world focused on that country’s many achievements and its rich culture, the world must not forget those who labor in the background to secure the most basic rights and protections for the people of China – the right to associate, to write and speak freely, to worship, to organize for better working conditions, for the rule of law, and for and the protection of basic human dignity.” The award presentation will be preceded by a roundtable discussion, Law, Rights and Democracy in China: Perspectives of Leading Advocates. The honorees will be joined in the discussion by other notable activists and advocates for basic rights in China, including Han Dongfang, - executive director of China Labour Bulletin, Bob Fu – founder of the China Aid Association and a student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement, Sharon Hom – executive director of Human Rights in China, Xiao Qiang – founder and publisher of China Digital Times,Wang Tiancheng – a founder of the Liberal Democratic Party of China and the Free Labor Union of China, and Yang Jianli – a Chinese democracy activist recently released from prison, who now is president of Initiatives for China. The Democracy Awards, which this year focus on work in the areas of Human Rights and Rule of Law, Religious Freedom, Freedom of Expression, and Worker Rights, will be presented by three members of the US Congress, Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Frank Wolf (R-VA), as well as the vice chairman of NED’s Board of Directors Richard Gephardt, who is the former House Minority Leader. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) will also make remarks at the program. NED will also honor the life-long contributions of one of the US Congress’ most stalwart supporters of human rights in China and every other part of the world, the late Tom Lantos (D-CA) with the presentation of its Democracy Service Medal. It is with great sadness that we at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) have received the news of the death of a friend and partner, Nasteh Dahir Farah, Vice President of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). On June 7, 2008, Nasteh Farah was gunned down in front of his home in Kismayo as his wife and infant son looked on. He died a short time later at a nearby hospital. At the time of his death Nasteh was working as a journalist for the BBC Somali Service and freelancing for Reuters. In 2005, Nasteh was elected Vice President of NUSOJ, the culmination of many years of commitment to the profession and to the Union. He was known for his professional neutrality when reporting on the armed conflict, his detailed investigations into attacks on media freedom and his compassion for the families of fellow journalists killed during the course of their work. There have been attacks on journalists and media houses in Somalia in recent years and most of these crimes remain unsolved. A culture of impunity has become the norm in these attacks on members of the media, making their profession one of the most dangerous in Somalia. In April 2008, NUSOJ was presented with the Democracy Courage Award by the World Movement for Democracy at its recent summit in Kiev, Ukraine. There could be no better example of the courage and sacrifice of Somali journalists than Nasteh Dahir Farah. Nasteh will be missed but the loss of his presence further solidifies our resolve to support the work for which he gave his life, to end the culture of impunity and to strengthen the cause of press freedom in Somalia. Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen The National Endowment for Democracy, the Olympics, and Tibet Recent English and Chinese-language articles published online by PRC government-controlled news services regarding Olympics-related activities and recent protests in Tibetan areas contain inaccurate and misleading statements about the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Unsubstantiated assertions have appeared in Xinhua News , Globe, and China Youth Daily stories and have been copied nearly verbatim by William Engdahl, the Straits Times, and the Hong Kong Economic Journal . The National Endowment for Democracy neither organized nor funded the March demonstrations inside Tibet, which appear to have occurred spontaneously. As some NED grantees point out, suppressive governmental policies in Tibet and long-standing citizen grievances provide more relevant explanations for the protests. In relation to the Olympics, as expected and as they have the right to do, numerous human rights and other groups around the world have used the media attention of the Games and the torch relay to highlight their concerns that the Chinese government has fallen short of its Olympic promises. The actions of such groups were largely orderly, peaceful demonstrations of opinion. Regrettably, there were a few exceptions; NED did not support these activities. Leading up to the Olympics, NED has funded a number of projects designed to bring attention to human rights and every one of these projects adheres to the same high standards of accurate reporting and principled, peaceful advocacy that NED grantees have always upheld. NED-supported work has included a wide variety of efforts by groups to document and highlight China’s poor human rights record through careful monitoring, research, and substantiated reporting, through outreach to the United Nations as well as to Chinese and international media and opinion leaders, and through peaceful advocacy for the fundamental human rights of all citizens, whether of Tibetan, Han or other ethnic background. For over 15 years, NED has provided modest grants to support Tibetan human-rights and prodemocracy nongovernmental organizations based in exile, for humanitarian assistance and projects designed to promote freedom of expression and the free flow of information, to promote democratic values via intellectual forums and community participation, and to conduct democratic civic education in Tibetan communities outside of China. More information on NED and its programs can be found on the NED website.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen NED Calls on Serbian Government to Protect Human Rights Defenders and Journalists WASHINGTON, DC – The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) has petitioned the government of Serbia to act to protect human rights defenders and journalists who have come under threat since the recent declaration of independence by Kosovo. The letter, addressed to President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and National Assembly Speaker Oliver Dulic, was co-signed by representatives of the Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, Impunity Watch and NED. NED is particularly concerned for the safety of Natasa Kandic, director of the Humanitarian Law Center and a longtime NED grantee, who has been singled out as a target of hate speech and open demands for physical attacks against her. Kandic was the recipient of NED’s 2000 Democracy Award for her courageous work documenting war crimes on all sides of the Balkan conflict. The full text of the letter is available in PDF format. The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. It is governed by an independent, bipartisan board of directors. With its annual congressional appropriation, it makes nearly 1,000 grants each year to support pro-democracy groups in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen NED Mourns the loss of Congressman Tom Lantos WASHINGTON, DC – The Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy extends its deepest sympathy to the family, friends and colleagues of Congressman Tom Lantos, who died today, February 11, 2008. “The loss of Tom Lantos will be felt around the world, as those who fight for freedom and human dignity everywhere have lost a true friend and ally,” said NED Chairman Vin Weber. Congressman Lantos’ contribution to the struggle for human rights and democracy was historic. “Tom was astoundingly eloquent and passionately committed when he spoke about human rights,” said NED president Carl Gershman. “He not only spoke from the heart, but he acted with a fierce determination born of a lifetime of struggle. He knew all the dissidents personally, visited them whenever he could, and identified with their suffering and spirit. He was not only their chief advocate but also a cherished symbol of our nation’s commitment to human freedom.” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen "Russia's Transition to Autocracy: The Implications for World Politics" WASHINGTON, DC – "Russia's Transition to Autocracy: The Implications for World Politics," is the topic of the fourth annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World, which will be delivered by Pierre Hassner on Thursday, November 15 at 6:00 pm at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. Pierre Hassner is research director emeritus at CERI (the Centre d'Etudes et de Recherches Internationales) in Paris. For many years he was a professor of international relations at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Paris and a senior visiting lecturer at the European Center of Johns Hopkins University in Bologna. Currently a visiting professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, he has previously held visiting appointments at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and the Institut des Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva. Professor Hassner's major writings have focused on war and peace, totalitarianism, ethics and international relations, and international order. In 2005 he received France's prestigious Tocqueville Prize, which is awarded every two years; past recipients include such luminaries as Raymond Aron, Karl Popper, Octavio Paz, and Leszek Kolakowski. The Lipset Lecture, which is cosponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Munk Centre for International Studies of the University of Toronto, is named for one of the great scholars of democracy and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. "Marty Lipset's scholarship on themes like the conditions for democracy, political parties, voting behavior and public opinion constitutes one of the most prolific and insightful bodies of work on democracy ever produced by a single author," said NED President Carl Gershman. Lipset, who died in December 2006, was also one of the most important comparative analysts of the two great democracies of North America, and a strong advocate for US-Canadian cooperation. The joint US-Canadian sponsorship of the Lipset Lecture provides an opportunity for influential audiences in both countries to hear and discuss a major intellectual statement on democracy each year and serves as a catalyst for further cooperation between Canada and the United States in the promotion of democracy and democratic ideas around the world. The lecture also serves as an intellectual platform for men and women who, like Lipset, have made important contributions to our thinking about key issues of democracy through their writings and other accomplishments. For more information on the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. This event is open to the media. Press should RSVP to Jane Jacobsen at 202-378-9700 or jane@ned.org.
What: Fourth Annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World Where: Embassy of Canada, 501 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC When: Thursday, November 15, 2007, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen Murder of Journalist Alisher Saipov Deserves Impartial Investigation by Kyrgyzstan The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) was shocked and outraged to hear the news that our good friend Alisher Saipov, editor of the Uzbek newspaper Siyosat, was murdered on October 24 following a smear campaign directed against him that has continued even after his death. We send our condolences to the family and colleagues of this beloved young man.
After his death, an October 30 press release of the Interior Ministry of Kyrgyzstan, tried to blacken Alisher's reputation by linking his name to Islamic extremism, a crude attempt to divert attention from the real issue, which is the threat he was under from those who objected to his reporting. In fact, Alisher Saipov's record of professionalism and courage speaks for itself. He was a bright and brave young man, who exemplified hope for the future and was a source of pride and hope for the Uzbek and Kyrgyz people. The same is true of the other journalists associated with Siyosat, whose safety may also be at risk. Since the murder, the computers, documentation, and other property of the Siyosat newspaper have been seized by the police. The staff of the newspaper has been subjected to daily rounds of questioning by police and security officials. Other journalists in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, who have attempted to report about this case have also been denounced and harassed by the police. Kyrgyzstan seeks to be seen as an island of freedom in Central Asia. If the government wishes to advance that image, it must distance itself from this repugnant smear campaign against Alisher, cease harassing the staff of Siyosat, and provide them and other independent journalists in Kyrgyzstan with the protection they need to continue their work. Not least, the authorities need to carry out a serious and impartial investigation of the murder of Alisher Saipov. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2007 2007 Democracy Award to Spotlight Press Freedom WASHINGTON, D.C. - On September 18, 2007, the National Endowment for Democracy will present its annual Democracy Award to an organization and three individuals who have bravely contributed to increasing and preserving press freedom and independent media in Egypt, Southeast Asia, Venezuela, and Russia. "A free press is a critical ingredient for any democracy," said National Endowment for Democracy Chairman Vin Weber. "In countries with little or limited press freedom, independent journalists and activists committed to providing citizens with honest news and information often find themselves in the vanguard of the struggle for democracy, sometimes with their lives on the line. This year's Democracy Award calls attention to the courage of those journalists who risk so much." The four recipients of the 2007 Democracy Award are:
Confirmed speakers at the Capitol Hill Award Ceremony include US Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL). The Democracy Award presentation and reception will be preceded by a panel discussion addressing the topic "Defending Free Media in Difficult Environments." In addition to the four honorees, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Freedom of the Press, has been invited to participate on the panel. The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, bipartisan grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. It now houses the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA), which is devoted to strengthening the field of media assistance. More information about NED and the Democracy Award can be found at www.ned.org.
When: September 18 3:30 – 5:30 Panel Discussion, "Defending Free Media in Difficult Environments" 5:30 - 7:30 Reception and Award presentation Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Panel: Room 2325 Reception: Room B-339 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 378-9700, or jane@ned.org. National Endowment for Democracy 2007 Democracy Award Honorees Kavi Chongkittavorn In 1993, Kavi was a Reuters Fellow at Oxford, and in 2001, a Nieman Fellow at Harvard. He was named the Human Rights Journalist of 1998 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights by Amnesty International, Thailand. From 1999-2003, he was the president of Thai Journalists Association. Since 1999, he has chaired the Bangkok-based regional free media advocacy group, Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Kavi also serves as Jury President for the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, UNESCO, which consists of fourteen professional journalists and editors from all over the world. Under his leadership, UNESCO awarded its press freedom prize posthumously to Anna Politkovskaya at its recent conference in Colombia. Hisham Kassem Last year the Washington Post's Jackson Diehl noted that "It's worth marveling at the mini-revolution his paper has wrought," pointing out that before Hisham launched Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egyptian [daily papers] consisted solely of official organs such as al-Ahram, whose editors are appointed by the regime." Hisham is a staunch advocate of independent journalism, noting that "the manipulation of media by politics during the past 50 years has led to a serious drop in readership." He stresses the importance of transparency in newspaper ownership and funding for preventing corruption and covert political influence. Egypt is one of only 12 states that impose prison sentences for libel. "That makes the press a risky investment, which is plainly bad," he says, "because all press must be owned by private, joint-stock companies without political agendas if we're to have a free flow of information." Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS) - Venezuela Over the past five years, IPYS-Venezuela has become an authoritative voice on freedom of expression issues in Venezuela, and is a point of reference for journalists, academics and human rights defenders. Drawing on the IPYS methodology, IPYS-Venezuela has established a national network of correspondents in nine cities throughout Venezuela. These correspondents are responsible for continuously monitoring press conditions, receiving information from journalists on attacks or threats, investigating the cases to ensure they are credible, and reporting them to IPYS-Venezuela's central office. In 2006 alone, IPYS-Venezuela and its correspondents documented 65 alerts concerning freedom of expression and freedom of the press violations; 31 in Caracas and 34 in the interior of the country. These reports were coordinated with the main office in Lima and distributed via the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) to an international audience. Additionally, IPYS-Venezuela annually hosts a series of training workshops to strengthen journalistic practices in Venezuela. The director of IPYS-Venezuela is Ewald Scharfenberg, who will accept the award on the organization's behalf. Anna Politkovskaya Anna's award will be accepted by her colleague at Novaya Gazeta Elena Milashina, a courageous investigative journalist in her own right. Ms. Milashina has reported from Chechnya on a number of occasions, focusing primarily on investigations of the Beslan tragedy. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 13, 2007 National Endowment for Democracy Grieves Loss of Two Murdered Journalists in Somalia WASHINGTON, DC -- It is with grief and outrage that the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) learned of the targeted assassination of our esteemed colleague, Ali Iman Sharmarke, the director of Horn Afrik radio. He was killed when a remote-controlled mine was detonated on the route of the funeral procession for Radio Capital Voice director Mahad Ahmed Elmi, who was shot only a few hours earlier by unidentified gunmen in the outlying Mogadishu neighborhood of Gubta. All parties to the armed conflict in Mogadishu have demonstrated a wanton and horrific disregard for the loss and disruption of civilian lives. The deaths of Mr. Elmi and Mr. Sharmarke must be regarded as a coordinated attempt to silence the voices of those committed to the promotion of peace and human rights in Somalia. The Endowment calls on the authorities of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these horrific crimes. We also condemn the targeted persecution of journalists in Somalia that has claimed six lives this year. The TFG should affirm the principles of press freedom enshrined in the Somali Transitional Federal Charter by taking immediate and public action to ensure the protection of all journalists and media houses. The Endowment wishes to express its solidarity with the Somali media outlets that temporarily suspended programming in protest of the assassinations of their colleagues, and with the nongovernmental organizations and civic groups that continue to press for the realization of basic human rights in Somalia. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved families of Mr. Sharmarke and Mr. Elmi, who have suffered profound loss on behalf of the Somali nation. We extend our sympathy to Sahal Adulle of Reuters News Agency, who was injured during the detonation, and to Abdihakin Omar Jimale of Radio Mogadishu, who was the target of a failed assassination attempt last week by unidentified gunmen in the Yaqshid neighborhood of Mogadishu. It is our profound hope that the sacrifice of these courageous people has not been in vain and that their efforts will lead to peace and a better future for the people of Somalia. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 1, 2007 National Endowment for Democracy to Donate WASHINGTON, DC - The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will donate papers from its founding and early years of operation (1982-1994) to the Library of Congress on Thursday, June 7, the eve of the 25th anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's historic Westminster Address to the British Parliament, which led to the founding of NED. A panel discussion, signing ceremony and reception will take place in the Madison Building of the Library, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. The Legacy of Westminster: Democracy Assistance Since the Founding of NED and the Challenges Ahead is the topic that will be discussed by panelists, Zainab Bangura, Chief Civil Affairs Officer to the U.N. Mission in Liberia; Thomas Carothers, vice president for studies- international politics and governance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Larry Diamond, co-director of NED's International Forum for Democractic Studies and senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution; Jean Bethke Elshtain, Laura Spelman Rockefeller professor of social and political ethics at the University of Chicago; and Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia. A signing ceremony and reception, with remarks from members of Congress and other distinguished guests will follow the panel. Among expected speakers are Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, U.S. Representatives Howard Berman, David Dreier, Mark Kirk, Gregory Meeks, and former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle. Associate Librarian for Library Services Deana Marcum and NED President Carl Gershman will also speak. The event will be held in Madison Hall of the Library's Madison Building located at 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC. The panel discussion will begins at 4:00; reception at 5:30. The event is open to invited guests and to the press. BACKGROUND The National Endowment for Democracy On June 8, 1982, President Ronald Reagan delivered one of his major foreign policy addresses, in which he proposed an initiative "to foster the infrastructure of democracy." Delivered to a packed Parliamentary chamber in Britain's Westminster Palace, the Reagan speech would prove to be one of the central contributions to the establishment of a democracy foundation in the United States. The 25th anniversary of this event will be marked with the donation of the organization's founding papers to the Library of Congress. The Founding Papers (1982-1994) The Library of Congress Today, the Library serves Congress and the nation in its 21 reading rooms on Capitol Hill as well as through its award-winning Web site (www.loc.gov). The NED papers will join the more than 11,000 collections–comprising 60 million items–that are housed in the Library's Manuscript Division. These include the records and papers of several private organizations and individuals engaged in promoting democracy, such as the Atlantic Union Committee, Federal Union, Inc., the personal papers of author, editor and journalist Clarence Streit (1896-1986) and the personal papers of political consultant George Agree (1921-2001). The Manuscript Division houses the papers of American diplomats and foreign policy makers whose collections document all aspects of American foreign policy and engagement with the world. PANELISTS Zainab Hawa Bangura, a human rights activist in her native Sierra Leone, serves as chief civil affairs officer to the U.N. Mission in Liberia. In 1995, she founded the Women Organized for a Morally Enlightened Nation (W.O.M.E.N), Sierra Leone's first nonpartisan women's political rights organization. In 1996, she co-founded the Campaign for Good Governance, and in 2001 she founded the National Accountability Group. In 2002, she co-founded the Movement for Progress, a political party promoting good governance and the empowerment of women, youth and the disabled in Sierra Leone. Nominated as the party's chairperson, Bangura ran as the only female candidate in Sierra Leone's May 2002 presidential elections. A former Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at NED, Bangura serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the World Movement for Democracy. Thomas Carothers is the vice president for studies-international politics and governance at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. In this capacity, he oversees the Democracy and Rule of Law Project, which he founded, and the Middle East Program. A leading authority on democratization worldwide as well as an expert on U.S. foreign policy, Carothers is the author or editor of eight critically acclaimed books and many articles in prominent journals and newspapers. He is an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and serves on the board of various organizations devoted to democracy promotion. Prior to joining the Endowment, Carothers practiced international and financial law at Arnold & Porter and served as an attorney-adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State. Larry Diamond is co-director of the International Forum for Democratic Studies, founding co-editor of the Journal of Democracy and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He has written extensively on democracy in the developing world, especially in Africa and Asia. From 2001 to 2003, he served as a consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development, helping to devise a new strategy for U.S. foreign assistance by giving more emphasis to democracy and good governance. In 2004, he was a senior advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. Diamond is the author of "Developing Democracy: Toward Consolidation" (1999) and "Squandered Victory: The American Occupation and the Bungled Effort to Bring Democracy to Iraq" (2005). Jean Bethke Elshtain, Laura Spelman Rockefeller professor of social and political ethics at the University of Chicago, is a political philosopher who focuses on the connections between political and ethical convictions. She serves as co-chair of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and chair of the Council on Families in America. She is also a member of the Scholars' Council of the John W. Kluge Center, a body of distinguished international scholars convened by the Librarian of Congress to advise on matters related to the Kluge Center and the Kluge Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Study of Humanity. Elshtain has written extensively on the themes of the survival of democracies; marriage, families and feminism; and state sovereignty in international relations. Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia and vice president of the United Malays National Organization, is currently a visiting professor at Georgetown University. In 1971, he started the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia, the country's first nongovernmental organization dedicated to raising social and political awareness and emphasizing social justice and human rights. In 1981, he co-founded the International Institute of Islamic Thought and later set up the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences in Ashburn, Va. His criticism of corruption and abuse of power within the Malaysian government and his vocal demand for reform resulted in his arrest and imprisonment in September 1998. Ibrahim, who led a new democratic movement in Malaysia from his prison cell, was released in September 2004. For Immediate Release Center for International Media Assistance Inaugural Forum: WASHINGTON, DC -- "The International Role of the Media in Exposing Corruption and Promoting Good Governance," is the topic for the first public meeting of the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA). The panel discussion in honor of World Press Freedom Day will take place on Wednesday, May 2 from 8:00 - 10:00 am in room HC-5 of the US Capitol. Daniel Kaufman, Director of Global Programs and Governance at the World Bank, will be the featured speaker during the panel discussion, and three journalists will share perspectives from around the world on the impact of media on corruption and governance. Myroslava Gongadze is a reporter and anchor for the Voice of America's Ukrainian service; Mauricio Herrera Ulloa is an investigative reporter for the Costa Rican daily La Nación; and Joyce Barnathan is president of the International Center for Journalists and former executive editor of BusinessWeek. Honorary co-hosts for the event are the four co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for the Freedom of the Press: Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.). Representative Schiff will also speak at the event. In addition to the panel, the book Media Matters: Perspectives on Advancing Governance and Development from the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) will be launched at the event. David Hoffman, president of Internews, and Mark Pomar, president of IREX, will present the GFMD's new publication. The Center for International Media Assistance is a project of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Established in September 2006, CIMA brings together a broad range of media experts with the objective of strengthening support of free and independent media throughout the world. CIMA supports an Advisory Council on International Media Assistance comprising media development professionals, academics, representatives of donor organizations, and other experts, and hopes to improve understanding of the importance of the media and media development by hosting discussions and events, convening working groups, and publishing reports. The Center is also exploring how to encourage greater private sector involvement in media assistance. The Center for International Media Assistance builds upon NED's longstanding support for free and independent media around the world. In line with the Center's mission, and with grant support from NED, CIMA is also working to establish media development networks and an information clearinghouse for media professionals. More information about CIMA and NED can be found at www.ned.org. For Immediate Release Albright, McCain and Weber Call for Release of Le Quoc Quan WASHINGTON, DC -- Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Senator John McCain and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Chairman Vin Weber are the authors of a letter sent April 12 to the President of Vietnam protesting the March 8 arrest of Le Quoc Quan, a Vietnamese lawyer who was most recently a Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow at NED. "Quan impressed all who met him with his integrity, passion for assisting the poor, and commitment to assisting Vietnam's growth and development," the letter states. "Throughout his fellowship, Quan was an outstanding representative of Vietnam and its people, winning many friends and bringing great credit to his country. The National Endowment for Democracy is honored to have hosted him. "We cannot emphasize strongly enough our deep concern over Quan's arrest and the dark cloud that his continued detention casts over the image of Vietnam and the prospects for improved ties between our countries. We call upon you to make all necessary arrangements for his swift release." Albright and McCain serve as Chairmen of the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute respectively, which are key partners of the National Endowment for Democracy. Today's letter is an important element of an international campaign to protest the recent human rights crackdown in Vietnam, and the arrest of Le Quoc Quan in particular. [Read the full text of the letter.] For Immediate Release NED Reagan-Fascell Fellow Le Quoc Quan Arrested after Return to Vietnam Washington, DC -- The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is greatly troubled by the arrest in Vietnam of Le Quoc Quan. Le Quoc Quan, a lawyer, has recently been in residence at NED on a congressionally-funded Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship, pursuing independent research on the role of civil society in emerging democracies. He was arrested on March 8 in his hometown in Nghe An province, only 4 days after his return from Washington to Vietnam. At this time, Le Quoc Quan's whereabouts are unknown, and there are no public charges against him. "It is a deep insult to the United States that the Vietnamese regime would harass someone in this way who has just participated in a citizen exchange program supported by the US Congress and Department of State," said NED President Carl Gershman. "Le Quoc Quan is someone who is optimistic about the future of his country, who is most concerned about improving the lives of his fellow citizens, and who is nothing if not a Vietnamese patriot." The National Endowment for Democracy urges the government of Vietnam to immediately make known the whereabouts of Le Quoc Quan; to make public any charges against him; to allow his family access to visit him; to treat him according to international human rights standards; and to release him. Concerned individuals and organizations who wish to take action are urged to register a protest directly with the Embassy of Vietnam in Washington, DC. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VIETNAMESE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON
Minister Counselor (Political): Mr. DANG Dinh Quy (202) 861 0737 x230. Minister Counselor - Deputy Chief of Mission: Mr. VU Dang Dzung (202) 861 0737 x 223. Minister Counselor (Congressional Liaison): Ms. NGUYEN Nguyet Nga (202) 861 0737 x 225 Counselor (Political): Mr. NGUYEN Van Trung (202) 861 0737 x335 Embassy of Vietnam in the United States 1233 20th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 Tel. 202.861.0737 Fax 202.861.0917 info@vietnamembassy.us - consular@vietnamembassy.us www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/ Joint Statement on the Murder of Dusko Kondor The Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) condemn the brutal murder of human rights activist Mr. Dusko Kondor and urge the authorities of Republika Srpska as well as Republika Srpska police, to effectively find and prosecute the perpetrators of this crime. Dusko Kondor was a founder of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republika Srpska and Director of the School of Civil Courage within the NGO GARIWO. According to reports from the Helsinki Committee, Kondor was killed at approximately 10:30 pm last night when three attackers fired on him more than 20 times through the door of his apartment with an automatic weapon. Kondor's 21-year old daughter was also seriously wounded in the attack. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Republika Srpska is one of the few human rights organizations that has openly criticized radical nationalism, war crimes involvement, and corruption within Republika Srpska. The Committee's efforts to defend each individual's human rights have generated great respect for the organization among citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the past two years Dusko Kondor had on several occasions received death threats against himself and his family. He repeatedly contacted the local police seeking protection, but to no avail. Indeed, on the very day he was murdered, Kondor approached the police with new death threats he received. His appeals were ignored even when he returned the same afternoon with yet another request for protection. "It's very, very tragic, not the least for Dusko Kondor's family, but also for the Helsinki Committee in RS who lost one of their most active members, said Robert Hårdh, Secretary General of the Swedish Helsinki Committee. "The murder of Dusko Kondor is a very hard setback for human rights and the civil society in RS and BiH. This shows the great need for continuing support to human rights NGOs and activists." "We condemn this heinous crime which was an attack not just on Dusko Kondor and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, but on all citizens in Republika Srpska who want to live in peace with their neighbors and build a society based on the rule of law," said NED President Carl Gershman. "The international community must insist that this crime is properly investigated and prosecuted, and it must also continue to support the brave work of the Helsinki Committee and others who reject these tactics of hatred and intimidation." For further information, please contact Ivana Howard from the National Endowment for Democracy (ivanah@ned.org) or Natasha Jevtic Esbjornson from the Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (natasha@shc.se). NED Grieves NDI Staff Killed in Iraq The Board of Directors and staff of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) were profoundly saddened to learn of the losses sustained by our dear friends and colleagues at the National Democratic Institute (NDI) when a convoy of its employees in Iraq was ambushed today, killing four and wounding two others. Since 2003 NDI and it's staff have worked tirelessly with Iraqis who are bravely pursuing a democratic future for their country. This work, carried out by an international staff (including many Iraqis) across Iraq, and in the open, requires courage, determination and optimism - all characteristics that our fallen and injured colleagues had, and have, in abundance. Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of those lost today, and with their colleagues who will continue the pursuit of a democratic Iraq. For Immediate Release NED Welcomes Fall 2006 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows WASHINGTON-The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is pleased to announce the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows for Fall 2006. In residence this fall are leading democratic activists, journalists, and scholars from Iran, Liberia, Moldova, Oman, Poland, Ukraine, the United States, Vietnam, and Yemen. Also with us on a nonresidential basis is visiting fellow Jared Genser (U.S.). A complete list of the 2006-2007 Fellows and their bios can be found at www.ned.org/forum/current.html. The Reagan-Fascell program seeks to deepen the knowledge, enrich the skills, broaden the perspectives, and strengthen the morale of some of the world's most committed and courageous democratic practitioners, journalists, and scholars. Fellows are in residence at International Forum for Democratic Studies, NED's research and publications arm, in Washington, D.C., which offers a collegial environment for fellows to conduct research and writing; to develop contacts and exchange ideas with counterparts in Washington's policy, academic, media, and nongovernmental communities; and to build ties that contribute to the development of a global network of democracy advocates. Through its outreach efforts, the Reagan-Fascell program seeks to connect its fellows with the media, policy, and academic communities in Washington, D.C. The program organizes an active calendar of public presentations by the fellows, and promotes contacts between fellows and experts in the U.S. Congress, the Department of State, and other government agencies, as well as at universities, think tanks, and media organizations. The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows program was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress in honor of NED's two principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell, and is funded by an annual grant from the U.S. Department of State. For media inquiries, please contact Jane Riley Jacobsen at jane@ned.org or at (202) 378-9700. For more information on fellowship programs at the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. Fall 2006 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows
Mr. Ali Afshari is a leading Iranian political activist who has championed the cause of democracy for over a decade. Beginning with his involvement in 1995 with the Islamic Student Association at Amir Kabir University, of which he was the secretary for three years, Mr. Afshari has been a tireless advocate of freedom, human rights and democracy. He has published more than fifty essays, conducted numerous interviews, and delivered over 100 speeches on topics relating to democracy in Iran. Imprisoned for his activities in 2000 and 2003, he spent 400 days in solitary confinement. During his fellowship, Mr. Afshari is drawing upon his experience as an opposition activist to assess the major factors contributing to the lack of democracy in Iran. 
Mr. Hafez Al-Bukari (Yemen)"Monitoring Freedom of Expression in Yemen" October 2006-February 2007 Mr. Hafez Al-Bukari is chairman of the Yemeni Polling Center, an NGO that fosters political and electoral awareness, and general secretary of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate. As a veteran journalist and proponent of human rights and press freedom, Mr. Al-Bukari has written numerous articles in Yemeni and U.S. newspapers, including the Yemen Times, Yemen Observer, the Washington Times, and the National Review. In addition, he is a member of the informal advisory board of the American Enterprise Institute's Arab Reform program and coordinator of the International Federation of Journalists' Project in Yemen. During his fellowship, Mr. Al-Bukari is developing a blueprint for a center that monitors freedom of expression in Yemen and the Gulf region. 
Ms. Rafiah Al-Talei (Oman)"Promoting Women's Political Participation in Oman" October 2006-January 2007 Ms. Rafiah Al-Talei is editor-in-chief of Al Mar'ah, Oman's only Arabic and English-language women's magazine, as well as a frequent contributor to the online magazine Gulf in the Media. An experienced journalist specializing in media and women's rights, she has served as an editor and weekly columnist for Oman's leading daily newspaper, Oman, and was the contributing editor for the Oman section of Freedom House's 2005 report on "Women's Rights in the Arab World." As a candidate in 2003 for a seat on Oman's Consultative Council, which she lost by 102 votes, she educated people in her local district regarding the democratic process. Drawing on her experiences as a journalist and political candidate, Ms. Al-Talei's fellowship project examines the political challenges confronting Omani women today and identifies ways to increase their involvement in the political process. 
Mr. Michael Boda (Canada/U.S.)"Beyond Free and Fair: International Law as a Standard for Evaluating Elections" October 2006-February 2007 Mr. Michael Boda is an international election consultant and has worked with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the OSCE, the Carter Center, and the U.S. National Association of Secretaries of State on election standards and administration. In 2003-2004, he was a visiting research fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he conducted research on electoral processes. Between 1995 and 2000, he served as senior editor and deputy director of information resources at IFES, where he established and managed three global web-based resources, the Administration and Cost of Elections Project, CNN-IFES Election Watch, and ElectionGuide.org, which provide the public with up-to-date information on elections around the world. During his fellowship, Mr. Boda is developing a framework for assessing elections that integrates the theory and practice of election monitoring and administration. He plans to share his findings in the form of a scholarly article, an observation manual, and via roundtable discussions. 
Dr. Krzysztof Jasiewicz (Poland/U.S.)"Civil Society, Religion, and Democracy in Postcommunist Poland" October 2006-February 2007 Dr. Krzysztof Jasiewicz is professor of sociology at Washington and Lee University in Virginia and a research fellow at the Warsaw-based Institute of Political Studies. A leading expert on voting behavior and political change in Poland, Dr. Jasiewicz has taught courses on sociology, East European politics and societies, and comparative politics at U.S. and Polish universities for the last thirty-five years. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of over ten books in Polish and English, including Founding Elections in Poland, 1991-1993 (with R. Markowski, 2006) and Sustainable Democracy in Post-Communist Europe (with J. Pakulski and J. Higley, 1999) and has published articles on Polish politics and culture in a wide range of academic journals, including the European Journal of Political Research, Communist and Post-Communist Studies, and the Journal of Democracy. During his fellowship, Dr. Jasiewicz is writing a book-length manuscript on the role of religion as both a facilitator of and a potential obstacle to the development of civil society and pluralist democracy in Poland. 
Mr. John Oliver Kollie (Liberia)"The Role of the Media in Fostering Peace and Good Governance in Liberia" October 2006-February 2007 Mr. John Kollie is a senior producer with the Search for Common Ground in Liberia and Liberian correspondent for the English-language service of Radio France. The producer of two radio shows, "One Step Beyond" and "Policy Issues," Mr. Kollie works to create space for Liberians of diverse backgrounds to discuss critical issues relating to the future of their country. He won the Press Union of Liberia's "Investigative Reporter of the Year Award" in 2000 and its "Producer of the Year Award" in 2005. An activist for reconciliatory democracy, Mr. Kollie reported extensively on the misrule of Charles Taylor, an act that cost him his job at a Liberian television station. During his fellowship, he is researching the role of the media in promoting peace and good governance in post-conflict settings and writing a paper documenting his findings. 
Mr. Ilko Kucheriv (Ukraine)"The Next Step for a Democratic Ukraine: Embracing Euro-Atlantic Values" October 2006-February 2007 Mr. Ilko Kucheriv is founder and director of the Kiev-based Democratic Initiatives Foundation, a leading think tank that focuses on deepening democracy in Ukraine. Since its founding in 1992, Mr. Kucheriv and his institution have engaged in research and debates concerning public attitudes to political, social and economic issues. They have commissioned exit polls for major Ukrainian elections, including the 2004 presidential elections, in which massive electoral fraud led to the Orange Revolution. Widely recognized as one of Ukraine's most prominent nongovernmental activists, Mr. Kucheriv has been active in Ukrainian civil society for over twenty-five years. During his fellowship, he is developing a communications campaign aimed at introducing Ukrainian citizens to the Euro-Atlantic movement and at helping them better understand and embrace Euro-Atlantic values. 
Ms. Olga Nicolenco (Moldova)"Promoting Women's Involvement in Moldova's Local Public Administration" October 2006-February 2007 Ms. Olga Nicolenco is head of the Chisinau chapter and permanent bureau member of the center-right Social-Liberal Party (SLP), one of Moldova's most forward-thinking, democratically minded political parties. A staunch proponent of democratic freedoms and social equality, particularly vis-à-vis women's participation in politics, she has been instrumental in the establishment of the SLP's women's caucus and in an educational campaign to deliver children's books to schools and kindergartens in the breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova. As a leading party trainer and party activist, she has participated in several television and radio shows and has published numerous newspaper articles on democracy and human rights. In November 2005, she became her party's candidate to run for mayor of Chisinau, the only woman on the ballot. During her fellowship, Ms. Nicolenco is developing strategies to increase women's involvement in local public administration in Moldova. 
Mr. Le Quoc Quan (Vietnam)"Promoting Democracy in Vietnam: The Role of Civil Society" October 2006-February 2007 A lawyer by training, Mr. Le Quoc Quan has worked for the past seven years as a local governance consultant to the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, UNDP, and the Swedish International Development Agency. An active participant in Vietnam's struggle for democracy, he has been vocal in his defense of religious freedom and political pluralism, both as a law student and legal advocate, and in his writings for the BBC and several Vietnamese newspapers. He is founder of Vietnam Solutions, a firm that provides consulting services on local governance, poverty reduction, and grassroots democracy for development projects in Vietnam. During his fellowship, Mr. Quan is examining the role of civil society in countries that have made a successful democratic transition. He plans to write an article on how civil society can contribute to democracy in Vietnam. 
Mr. Jared Genser (U.S.)"The Fifth Freedom: Inspiring Stories of Human Rights Defenders" Visiting Fellow (nonresidential), October 2006-July 2007 Mr. Jared Genser is an internationally recognized human rights lawyer currently working as an associate with the law firm DLA Piper LLP. He is the founding president of Freedom Now, an NGO whose mission is to improve respect for human rights by securing the release of prisoners of conscience through focused legal, political, and public-relations advocacy efforts. During his fellowship, Jared plans to work on a book entitled The Fifth Freedom: Inspiring Stories of Human Rights Defenders, a narrative nonfiction account of the real-life stories of people who have sacrificed their freedom to promote democracy and human rights around the world. He has served as pro bono counsel for the individuals to be featured in his book, having assisted in securing their releases from prison. October 27, 2006 For Immediate Release Saad Eddin Ibrahim To Speak On Toward Islamic Democracies WASHINGTON, DC -- On Wednesday, November 1, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will host the third annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World. The lecture will be held at NED in Washington, DC, and will be delivered by democracy activist and scholar Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim on the topic Toward Islamic Democracies. Saad Eddin Ibrahim is founder and chairman of the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies and professor of political sociology at the American University in Cairo. Dr. Ibrahim has been an outspoken advocate of democracy and human rights in the Arab world and his arrest in 2000 and subsequent seven-year sentence for accepting foreign funds without permission and "tarnishing" Egypt's image sparked a loud outcry from the international community. In 2003 Egypt's highest appeal court, the Court of Cassation, declared his trials improper and cleared him of all charges. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of more than 35 books in Arabic and English, including Egypt, Islam, and Democracy: Critical Essays (2002). He has written more than 100 scholarly articles, some of which have been translated into as many as 13 languages. Dr. Ibrahim also serves as secretary general of the Egyptian independent Commission for Electoral Review and president of the Egyptian Sociologists Association. The Lipset lecture is named for one of the great scholars of democracy and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. "Marty Lipset's scholarship on themes like the conditions for democracy, political parties, voting behavior, and public opinion constitutes one of the most prolific and insightful bodies of work on democracy ever produced by a single author," said NED President Carl Gershman. Lipset has also been one of the most important comparative analysts of the two great democracies of North America, and a strong advocate for US-Canadian cooperation. The lecture, which is jointly sponsored by the University of Toronto's Munk Centre for International Studies, provides an opportunity for influential audiences in both countries to hear and discuss a major intellectual statement on democracy each year and serves as a catalyst for further cooperation between Canada and the United States in the promotion of democracy and democratic ideas around the world. Dr. Ibrahim will deliver his lecture at the University of Toronto on November 2. Previous lectures were delivered by Fernando Henrique Cardoso (2004) and Francis Fukuyama (2005). Support for this year's lecture has been generously provided by the Albert Shanker Institute and the American Federation of Teachers. For more information on the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. This event is open to the media. October 20, 2006 For Immediate Release Journal of Democracy Book Launch: Electoral Systems And Democracy, What Have We Learned? WASHINGTON, DC -- Leading scholars and election experts will mark the publication of the latest Journal of Democracy book, Electoral Systems and Democracy at a panel discussion on October 25, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. organized by the International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, DC. As the number of democracies has increased around the world, a heated debate has emerged among experts about which system best promotes the consolidation of democracy. Is proportional representation, a majoritarian system, a mixture of the two, or some other system the best for new democracies? Five of the contributors to this new volume, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, will discuss the lessons learned from recent experiments with diverse electoral systems. Panelists include Donald Horowitz, Andrew Reynolds, Richard Soudriette, and the book's editors Larry Diamond, and Marc F. Plattner. Larry Diamond is coeditor of the Journal of Democracy and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. From January to April 2004, he served as senior advisor to the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. Donald Horowitz is James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political Science at Duke University and author, most recently, of The Deadly Ethnic Riot (2001). Marc F. Plattner (moderator) is coeditor of the Journal of Democracy, codirector of the International Forum for Democratic Studies, and vice-president at the National Endowment for Democracy. Andrew Reynolds is associate professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has consulted on issues of electoral and constitutional design for a wide array of countries. Richard Soudriette has been president of IFES (established as the International Foundation for Election Systems) since 1988.He is currently coauthoring a book on the importance of election management in advancing democracy. Founded in 1990, the Journal of Democracy is an influential quarterly journal which focuses on analyzing democratic regimes and movements around the world. The Journal is a branch of the International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy, and is published by The Johns Hopkins University Press. Larry Diamond and Marc F. Plattner are its editors. Electoral Systems and Democracy is the nineteenth book in the Journal of Democracy series. What: Panel Discussion: Electoral Systems and Democracy, what have we learned? October 20, 2006 For Immediate Release Kirk, Galston, and Naim Join NED Board of Directors WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL), Former Clinton Deputy Assistant for Domestic Policy William A. Galston, and Editor and Publisher of Foreign Policy magazine Moisés Naim, have joined the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). All three men were elected to a three-year term by the NED Board at its September 8 meeting. "The endowment is truly fortunate to welcome these three outstanding new board members," said NED chairman Vin Weber. " Mark Kirk, Bill Galston, and Moises Naim each bring s a wealth of practical experience to NED's efforts to support democratic development in every part of the world." Kirk, representing the 10th district of Illinois since 2000, is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as co-chairman of the Tuesday Group, the caucus of mainstream Republican Members of Congress. Galston is a Senior Fellow in the Brookings Institution's Governance Studies Program. He was previously Saul Stern Professor at the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and the founding Director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. Naim has served as Venezuela's Minister of Trade and Industry as well as Executive Director at the World Bank. He has written extensively on the political economy of international trade and investment, multilateral organizations, economic reforms, and globalization. NED was created in 1983 as a private, nonprofit, grant-making foundation with a mission to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. With an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress, the NED Board, which is independent and bipartisan, makes hundreds of grants each year to support prodemocracy groups in more than 90 countries. The endowment supports projects that promote political and economic freedom and participation, human rights, a strong civil society, independent media and the rule of law. October 12, 2006 For Immediate Release NED Will Honor Memory Of Anna Politkovskaya On October 16 WASHINGTON, DC - On Monday, October 16 at 11:00 a.m. the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will host a memorial gathering in honor of Anna Politkovskaya, the courageous reporter for the Moscow newspaper Novaya Gazeta who was brutally murdered at her apartment building on Saturday, October 7. The mother of two, Politkovskaya was a fearless journalist committed to reporting the truth about the conflict in Chechnya, which she called "a small corner of hell."
The program at NED will include remarks by several friends, colleagues and admirers of Politkovskaya who will share memories and bear witness to her courage, humanity and dedication to truth. This event is open to the press. Interested journalists should contact Jane Jacobsen at (202) 378-9700 or jane@ned.org for further details and to register. NED is located at 1025 F Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004. NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org. June 7, 2006
Date: June 7, 2006 New Report: The Backlash Against Democracy Assistance WASHINGTON, DC - The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is issuing a comprehensive new study examining the efforts of foreign governments to impede U.S. programs for democracy assistance. The report was prepared at the request of U.S. Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who served on the NED Board of Directors for nine years. NED President Carl Gershman will present the report tomorrow, when he is scheduled to testify before the Committee at 9:30 a.m. The 52-page report, which draws upon the experiences of NED's grantees, including its four affiliated institutes, as well as the research of the International Center for Not for Profit Law (www.icnl.org), asserts that government efforts to constrain democracy assistance have recently intensified and now seriously impede democracy assistance in a number of states. This backlash is particularly pronounced in the former Soviet states of Eurasia, as well as in China, Venezuela, Egypt and Zimbabwe. Representatives of democracy assistance NGOs have been harassed, offices closed and staff expelled. Even more vulnerable are local grantees and project partners who have been threatened, assaulted, prosecuted, and imprisoned. Other government tactics include funding for anti-democratic forces, and the creation of officially-sanctioned NGOs to frustrate genuine democratization. Despite these developments, the report documents that the demand for democratic assistance is greater than ever, and it emphasizes that there is a long history of successful democracy assistance, even in very challenging circumstances. The report concludes with a number of concrete recommendations for Congressional action to counter the new backlash. The full report can be found on the NED website at www.ned.org. NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org. June 2, 2006 Date: June 2, 2006 NED to Honor African Activists with 2006 Democracy Award WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four African democracy activists from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zimbabwe have been chosen to receive the 2006 Democracy Award of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which will be presented on Tuesday, June 27 at an event in the U.S. Congress. The four honorees are leaders of civil society organizations that are responsible for important advances in the fields of human rights, women's rights, government transparency, independent media and free and fair elections. "Africa has been witness to more protracted conflicts than any region of the world," said NED Chairman Vin Weber. "The individuals NED honors this year have demonstrated enormous personal courage and optimism, facing down brutal regimes and working in some of the most harrowing circumstances imaginable. If democracy continues to advance in Africa, it will be due to the dedication of activists like these." The four recipients of the 2006 Democracy Award are:
The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, bipartisan grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED and the Democracy Award can be found at www.ned.org. What: 2006 Democracy Award of National Endowment for Democracy
ZAINAB HAWA BANGURA - Sierra Leone ALFRED TABAN - Sudan IMMACULÉE BIRHAHEKA - Democratic Republic of the Congo DR. REGINALD MATCHABA-HOVE October 27, 2005 For Immediate Release Francis Fukuyama to speak on Identity, Immigration and Liberal Democracy In his talk, Dr. Fukuyama will explore the challenges faced by the liberal democracies of Western Europe, Canada, and the United States in integrating Muslim immigrants. In particular, he will seek to explain why the model of multiculturalism that originated in Canada and has been reasonably successful there is increasingly regarded as a failure in countries like the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The Lipset lecture is named for one of the great scholars of democracy and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. "Marty Lipset's scholarship on themes like the conditions for democracy, political parties, voting behavior and public opinion constitutes one of the most prolific and insightful bodies of work on democracy ever produced by a single author," said NED President Carl Gershman. Lipset has also been one of the most important comparative analysts of the two great democracies of North America, and a strong advocate for US-Canadian cooperation. The joint US-Canadian sponsorship of the Lipset Lecture provides an opportunity for influential audiences in both countries to hear and discuss a major intellectual statement on democracy each year and serves as a catalyst for further cooperation between Canada and the United States in the promotion of democracy and democratic ideas around the world. Francis Fukuyama is the Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of International Political Economy at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University. He has written widely on issues relating to questions concerning political and economic development. His best selling book, The End of History and the Last Man, (Free Press,1992) has appeared in over twenty foreign editions. His most recent book is State-Building: Governance and World Order in the 21st Century, published by Cornell University Press in the spring of 2004. America at the Crossroads: Democracy, Power, and the Neoconservative Legacy will be published by Yale University Press in the spring of 2006. Fukuyama serves on the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy. For more information on the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. October 4, 2005 For Immediate Release President Bush Will Speak to the National Endowment for Democracy WASHINGTON, D.C. - President of the United States George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker at an event sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) on Thursday, October 6 at 9:45 a.m. in Amphitheater of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The speech was originally scheduled for September 12 to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and was postponed due to Hurricane Katrina. "The attacks of September 11, 2001 forever changed so many things -- and the work of the Endowment is no exception," said NED Chairman and former US Representative Vin Weber. "President Bush has made the promotion of democracy in the Middle East and the world at large a centerpiece of the war on terror, giving NED's mission an increased urgency. We are eager to hear what the President has to say about this important work." Two members of NED's Board of Directors, former Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt and SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, will make brief remarks prior to President Bush's address. Founded in 1983, NED is a bipartisan not-for-profit foundation that supports the advance of democracy abroad through grants to nongovernmental organizations, and to its four affiliated core institutes, the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), who are also cosponsors of the Thursday event. NED receives an annual appropriation from the US Congress and is governed by an independent board of directors that includes prominent members of Congress as well as major figures in the fields of international affairs, business, and politics. NED, through its grant-making program, supports the strengthening of political parties, free market reforms, worker rights, civic education, independent media, the rule of law, good governance and the other essential elements of democracy in over 80 countries. More information about NED and its work can be found at the NED Web site: www.ned.org. The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center is located at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Media wishing to cover the event must present national media accreditation and photo identification. Media preset will take place between 5:00 - 6:00 a.m. Credentialing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and media must be in place by 9:45 a.m. September 23, 2005 For Immediate Release Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 / jane@ned.org NED Mourns the Loss of Nigerian Activist Chima Ubani WASHINGTON, DC -- It is with profound sadness that the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) mourns the tragic death of one of Nigeria's leading democratic activists, Chima Ubani. The Nigeria Liberty Forum reported on September 21 that Mr. Ubani, executive director of Nigeria's foremost human rights organization and long-time NED grantee, the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), was killed in a terrible car accident on his way from a protest rally organized by the Nigeria Labor Congress in Yola, Adamawa State. He was 42 and is survived by his wife and four children. "This is a devastating loss," said NED Director for Africa Dave Peterson, who has known and worked with Ubani for 15 years. "Chima was among Africa's leading democratic activists, an intellectual and political strategist with an unwavering commitment to freedom and justice, not only for Nigeria, but for all mankind." Ubani began his activism as a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he was student union president from 1987-1988, and was expelled for leading protests against the Babangida government. He later played a key role in several leading democracy and human rights organizations, including the Campaign for Democracy, the Democratic Alternative and the United Action for Democracy party. Despite repeated harassment, arrests, even torture, Chima Ubani remained an unflagging campaigner for freedom and human rights, an inspiration to the entire democracy movement that now grieves his loss. A memorial fund for Chima has been established, and anyone interested in contributing can contact Dave Peterson at the Endowment for more information. The Endowment extends its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Chima Ubani. July 7, 2005 For Immediate Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three democratic activists from Afghanistan will receive the 2005 Democracy Award of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which on July 13 at an event in the U.S. Congress (note room change – this event will be held in Dirksen Auditorium SD G50). The three honorees are leaders of civil society organizations who have distinguished themselves in educating average citizens and local leaders about the basic values and principles of democracy, the rights of women and ethnic minorities, strategies for peace-building and conflict resolution and the importance of broad political participation. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky will make remarks at the award ceremony, and Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) will make award presentations. The three recipients of the 2005 Democracy Award are:
The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, bipartisan grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED and the Democracy Award can be found at www.ned.org.
When: July 13, 2005 3:30 – 5:30 Roundtable Discussion, 5:30 – 7:30 Reception and Award presentation Where: Dirksen Senate Building Auditorium (Room SD G50), Washington, DC Contact: David Lowe (202) 293-9072 david@ned.org May 31, 2005 For Immediate Release NED to Honor Afghan Activists with 2005 Democracy Award WASHINGTON, D.C. - Three democratic activists from Afghanistan have been chosen to receive the 2005 Democracy Award of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which will be presented on July 13 at an event in the U.S. Congress. The three honorees are leaders of civil society organizations who have distinguished themselves in educating average citizens and local leaders about the basic values and principles of democracy, the rights of women and ethnic minorities, strategies for peace-building and conflict resolution and the importance of broad political participation. "We are thrilled that NED will recognize the enormous courage and achievement of the Afghan people in their struggle for democracy," said NED Chairman Vin Weber. "The Afghan election in October 2004 was an exciting moment for the whole world as we watched millions of Afghans bravely cast their ballots. Now that the spotlight has shifted away, I hope that our Democracy Award will create renewed interest and concern for all those who are working so hard to deepen the democratic progress we have seen in Afghanistan." NED has been supporting the efforts of democrats in Afghanistan for more than 20 years. The three recipients of the 2005 Democracy Award are:
The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, bipartisan grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED and the Democracy Award can be found at http://www.ned.org.
When: July 13, 2005 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. -- Roundtable Discussion, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. -- Reception and Award presentation Where: Room G 50, Dirksen Senate Office Building Entrance facing Union Station First and C Streets, NE, Washington, D.C. April 20, 2005 For Immediate Release Azar Nafisi to Speak on "Women, Culture, Human Rights: the case of Iran" at Second Lecture of New York Democracy Forum, April 20 The New York Democracy Forum is a joint venture of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which aims to bring to New York audiences key figures in the global democracy movement who are leading the way in the advance of democratic values and institutions around the world. These individuals, whether they are activists, scholars, or decision makers, are influential democratic figures because of the impact of their work and the power of their ideas. "Azar Nafisi is uniquely qualified to speak to American audiences about advancing human rights and democracy," said NED president Carl Gershman. "She understands the universal desire for freedom not only because she is a keen student of great literature, but also because she has taken great personal risks in pursuit of basic human rights." Dr. Nafisi's critically-acclaimed book is based upon her experience in Iran leading a discussion group of young women on forbidden works of Western literature prior to fleeing that country for the U.S. in 1997. As a professor of aesthetics, culture and literature at the Free Islamic University, Allameh Tabatabaii, and the University of Tehran-where she was eventually expelled for refusing to wear the mandatory Islamic veil--she earned national respect and international recognition for advocating on behalf of Iran's intellectuals, youth, and especially young women. NYDF lectures will be held on a monthly basis at Hunter College, except for the summer. The first lecture was given by former Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt on the topic "Spreading Freedom: A Mission for the American People," and can be viewed on the NED website (www.ned.org). Public intellectual Francis Fukuyama will address the topic, "Do we really know how to promote democracy?" on May 24. There are no two organizations better placed to link New York and Washington in this important undertaking. Since its founding in 1918, the New York-based Foreign Policy Association (www.fpa.org) has been at the forefront of efforts to educate the public about the critical issues that shape America's involvement in world affairs. Through its World Affairs Councils, Great Decisions series, and publications, it serves as the leading public foreign policy forum for national and international leaders. NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org. Date: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 March 21, 2005 For Immediate Release Richard Gephardt to speak on "Spreading Freedom" at first lecture of New York Democracy Forum, March 22 WASHINGTON, DC - Richard Gephardt, longtime Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, will speak on "Spreading Freedom: A Mission for the American People" at the first lecture of the New York Democracy Forum (NYDF) to be held at the Kaye Playhouse of Hunter College on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. The New York Democracy Forum is a joint venture of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which aims to bring to New York audiences key figures in the global democracy movement who are leading the way in the advance of democratic values and institutions around the world. These individuals, whether they are activists, scholars, or decision makers, are influential democratic figures because of the impact of their work and the power of their ideas. Democracy is the fundamental struggle of our time, and therefore it is critical that the world's leading commercial center engage with those who are part of that struggle. "Dick Gephardt has been an important voice in American politics for three decades," said NED Chairman Vin Weber. "His commitment to the promotion of democracy abroad embodies the deep bipartisan support for democracy promotion that has existed for many years but has only recently been thrust into the spotlight of American foreign policy." Gephardt currently serves on the bipartisan NED Board of Directors. NYDF lectures will be held on a monthly basis at Hunter College, except for the summer, and upcoming speakers include best selling author Azar Nafisi (April 20) speaking on the topic: "Women, Culture, Human Rights: The Case of Iran," and public intellectual Francis Fukuyama (May 25), who will address the topic, "Do we really know how to promote democracy?" NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org. Date: March 22, 2005 January 21, 2005 For Immediate Release Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org NED Mourns the Passing of Jan Nowak, Polish-American Patriot The staff and directors of the National Endowment for Democracy join with the Polish people in mourning the passing of a great friend and one of Poland's greatest patriots, Jan Nowak, who died Thursday, January 20 at the age of 91. NED extends its deepest sympathy to Nowak's family and friends. Known to so many in Poland as a hero of the Polish underground during WWII and as the voice of Radio Free Europe's Polish service for many years thereafter, Nowak went on to play a crucial role in helping to solidify America's support for Polish democrats in the 1980s. This included acting as the principal adviser to NED on its support of Solidarity and other prodemocracy groups operating inside Poland whose courageous activities in many ways helped precipitate the end of the Cold War. "Nowak was an indispensable guide and supporter in the early days of our organization," said NED President Carl Gershman. "the impact of Jan's wisdom and his tenacious commitment to freedom for Poles was felt well beyond the borders of Poland itself." On July 11, 2002, Nowak was awarded the NED Democracy Service Medal (which was first presented in 1999 to Lech Walesa and Lane Kirkland). At that ceremony, NED's Director for Central Europe and Eurasia Nadia Diuk commented, "It's hard to pay adequate tribute to a man whose actions have been so integral to the turbulent struggles of Poland and Eastern Europe in the past fifty years. Most of us are shaped by the environment around us, but there are the few rare individuals who shape the times in which we live, and Jan is just such a person." NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots, democratic initiatives. More information about NED can be found at www.ned.org. December 6, 2004 For Immediate Release First Annual Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World, December 6, 2004 The lecture, which will be held at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC, is named for one of the great scholars of democracy and public intellectuals of the twentieth century. "Marty Lipset's scholarship on themes like the conditions for democracy, political parties, voting behavior and public opinion constitutes one of the most prolific and insightful bodies of work on democracy ever produced by a single author," said NED President Carl Gershman. Lipset has also been one of the most important comparative analysts of the two great democracies of North America, and a strong advocate for US-Canadian cooperation. The joint US-Canadian sponsorship of the Lipset Lecture will provide an opportunity for influential audiences in both countries to hear and discuss a major intellectual statement on democracy each year and will serve as a catalyst for further cooperation between Canada and the United States in the promotion of democracy and democratic ideas around the world. "We are honoured to host the first annual Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World with remarks by former Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso," said Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Michael F. Kergin. "Dr. Lipset has had a distinguished academic career that has included major contributions to the study of Canadian society and Canada-U.S. relations. I am delighted that we can host the inaugural Lecture." The lecture, which is also cosponsored with the Munk Centre for International Relations of the University of Toronto, will in future years will be delivered in both the US and Canada. It will be an intellectual platform for men and women who, like Lipset, have made important contributions to our thinking about key issues of democracy through their writings and other accomplishments. For more information on the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. This event is open to the media. November 11, 2004 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org International Coalition Expresses Concern for Democracy in Venezuela WASHINGTON, DC -- Former Czech President Vaclav Havel, former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and US Senator John McCain (R-AZ) are members of an international coalition of more than 70 democrats who sent a letter today to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez expressing concern over the prosecution of civic activists in that country, calling it a “grave threat to democracy.” Other prominent signatories include former Nicaraguan President Violetta Chamorro, former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell, former Prime Minister of Bulgaria Philip Dimitrov and Richard Goldstone, former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia. The letter, which is also addressed to the President of Venezuela’s Supreme Court and to the President of the National Assembly, specifically raises the case of Sumate, an NGO that received $31,150 in funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for civic education efforts related to Venezuela’s August 15 recall referendum. “It has come to our attention that the leaders of Sumate, a civic organization, face criminal prosecution for accepting international assistance to help educate citizens about their rights under Venezuela’s constitution,” reads the letter. “As democrats, we are appalled that this group is being singled out for punishment, a group whose deep commitment to democratic principles we share and applaud.” “We are equally troubled that this prosecution appears to be just the beginning of a larger effort to criminalize the receipt of foreign funds by Venezuelan NGOs. We agree with the denunciations of this proposed “reform” of the penal code by human rights groups in Venezuela and elsewhere as a clear violation of international standards and practices.” NED is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 80 countries, supporting grassroots democratic initiatives.
It has come to our attention that the leaders of Sumate, a civic organization, face criminal prosecution for accepting international assistance to help educate citizens about their rights under Venezuela’s constitution. As democrats, we are appalled that this group is being singled out for punishment, a group whose deep commitment to democratic principles we share and applaud. We are equally troubled that this prosecution appears to be just the beginning of a larger effort to criminalize the receipt of foreign funds by Venezuelan NGOs. We agree with the denunciations of this proposed “reform” of the penal code by human rights groups in Venezuela and elsewhere as a clear violation of international standards and practices. As you undoubtedly know, proceeding against nongovernmental organizations for receiving democratic assistance is a violation of both the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the Warsaw Declaration of the Community of Democracies, a document your government signed along with over 100 others four years ago. The charges against Sumate include its having received support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a highly reputable and established nongovernmental foundation that promotes democracy in over 80 countries around the world. In fact, NED is but one of dozens of democracy foundations in North America, Europe, and Asia that receive public funding from their respective parliaments for the purpose of providing assistance to support democracy-related programs no different from the one conducted by Sumate. We urge you to reconsider the prosecution of the leadership of Sumate, as well as the proposal to criminalize democracy assistance from abroad. Both are clearly inconsistent with international democratic norms and constitute a grave threat to democracy. Morton Abramowitz, Senior Fellow, Century Foundation Excelentísimo Señor Hugo Chávez, Presidente de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela Excelentísimo Señor Iván Rincón, Presidente del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia Excelentísimo Señor Francisco Ameliach Presidente de la Asamblea Nacional Estimados Señores: Nos dirigimos a ustedes, como demócratas que representamos a diferentes pueblos del mundo, con el objeto de expresar nuestra solidaridad y preocupación por la situación a la cual están sometidos algunos de nuestros colegas demócratas venezolanos quienes, en estos momentos, son perseguidos por ejercer sus derechos civiles. Tenemos conocimiento sobre la situación que afecta a los representantes de Súmate, una organización civil que promueve y defiende los derechos políticos de los ciudadanos venezolanos, quienes están sometidos a un proceso judicial por recibir financiamiento internacional para diseñar y ejecutar un programa de educación ciudadana dirigido a dar a conocer los mecanismos de participación política y ciudadana, derechos establecidos en la Constitución. Como demócratas, nos sentimos en la obligación de denunciar este caso ya que el gobierno venezolano está persiguiendo a un grupo con el cual compartimos el mismo y profundo compromiso con la democracia. Estamos igualmente preocupados porque este caso parece ser el primer paso de un esfuerzo oficial por criminalizar la solicitud y uso de fondos internacionales por parte de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales venezolanas. Asimismo, compartimos las denuncias formuladas por grupos de derechos humanos en Venezuela y en otros países contra la reforma propuesta del Código Penal la cual pretende sancionar, con la máxima pena aplicable en Venezuela, el financiamiento internacional a ONGs. Enjuciar y castigar Organizaciones No Gubernamentales por recibir financiamiento dirigido a fortalecer la democracia es una violación de la Carta Democrática Interamericana y de la Declaración de la Comunidad de Democracias de Varsovia. Debemos recordar que el gobierno venezolano firmó, hace cuatro años, la Declaración de Varsovia junto a más de cien países. Por otra parte, la base de las acusaciones contra la Asociación Civil Súmate es el financiamiento otorgado por el National Endowment for Democracy (NED), la cual es una fundación privada muy respetada a nivel internacional por los programas que desarrolla en más de ochenta países para promover y defender la democracia. El NED es un ejemplo de las docenas de fundaciones que, en América del Norte, Europa y Asia, se dedican a promover la democracia. Estas fundaciones reciben financiamiento público de los parlamentos de sus países con el fin de apoyar programas dirigidos a fortalecer la democracia, como lo es el programa que está llevando a cabo Súmate. Como demócratas del mundo, rogamos a ustedes su intervención para reconsiderar tanto el proceso judicial contra los líderes de Súmate como el proyecto legislativo de reforma del Código Penal que busca criminalizar la recepción de asistencia democrática internacional. Estas actuaciones de los poderes judicial y legislativo venezolanos son inconsistentes con las normas democráticas internacionales y representan una grave amenaza contra la democracia. Atentamente, October 6, 2004 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org NED Announces 2004-2005 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows WASHINGTON-The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is pleased to announce the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows in residence at the Endowment in 2004-2005. Joining us this fall are leading democratic activists and scholars from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Chechnya, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Montenegro, Nigeria, and the United States. Scheduled to arrive in the spring of 2005 are additional fellows from Australia, Korea, South Africa, Tajikistan, and Turkey. For a complete list of the 2004-2005 Fellows and their bios, please visit www.ned.org/forum/current.html. The Reagan-Fascell Program aims to deepen the knowledge, enrich the skills, broaden the perspectives, and revive the energy and morale of some of the world's most creative and courageous democratic practitioners and scholars. Fellows are in residence at International Forum for Democratic Studies (the Forum), NED's research and publications arm, in Washington, D.C., which offers a collegial environment for fellows to conduct research and writing; to develop contacts and exchange ideas with counterparts in Washington's policy, academic, media, and nongovernmental communities; and to build ties that contribute to the development of a global network of democratic activists and scholars. Through its outreach efforts, the Reagan-Fascell program seeks to connect its fellows with the media, policy, and academic communities in Washington, D.C. The program organizes an active calendar of public presentations by the fellows, and promotes contacts between fellows and experts in Congress, the State Department, and other government agencies, as well as at universities, think tanks, and media organizations. The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows program was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress in honor of NED's two principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell, and is funded by an annual grant from the US Department of State. For media inquiries, please contact Jane Riley Jacobsen at jane@ned.org or at (202) 293-9072. For more information on fellowship programs at the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. June 8, 2004 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org Schedule/Location Change WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will present its Annual Democracy Award to the leaders of four of Russia's most outstanding nongovernmental groups that are working to advance and preserve democratic reforms in that country. The time and format and location of the ceremony have been changed so they will not conflict with events surrounding the mourning of President Ronald Reagan. The Democracy Award presentation will now take place in conjunction with a roundtable discussion to be held Wednesday, June 9, 2004 in room 216 of the Hart Senate Building from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. The ceremony and panel will be a fitting tribute to President Reagan, who 22 years ago today proposed the creation of an international democracy promotion institution, which became the NED, in his now famous speech at Westminster Palace, in which he also predicted the demise of Soviet communism. Reagan's most famous speech calling for Soviet leader Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin wall was also made 17 years ago this week, on June 12, 1987. This year's Democracy Award honorees, most of whom were Soviet dissidents, are now calling attention to threats to human rights, democracy and individual freedoms in today's Russia. The recipients of the 2004 Democracy Award are:
Commenting on the choice to honor the Russian activists, NED President Carl Gershman said, "More than a decade after the fall of communism in the Soviet Union, Russia is at a crossroads. Either it can move forward toward democracy, economic prosperity, and the rule of law; or it can move backward toward state domination of society and the economy, restrictions on basic freedoms, corruption and autocracy. These groups are in the vanguard of those working to make sure that democracy and freedom are Russia's future and they deserve our utmost support." For more information contact Jane Riley Jacobsen at (202) 293-9072 or jane@ned.org. May 28, 2004 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org NED Announces Spring 2004 Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows WASHINGTON-The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is pleased to announce the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows in residence during spring and summer 2004. The new fellows include leading democratic activists and scholars from Bulgaria, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Oman, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Romania, Singapore, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. The Reagan-Fascell Program aims to deepen the knowledge, enrich the skills, broaden the perspectives, and revive the energy and morale of some of the world's most creative and courageous democratic practitioners and scholars. Fellows are in residence at International Forum for Democratic Studies (the Forum), NED's research and publications arm, in Washington, D.C., which offers a collegial environment for fellows to conduct research and writing; to develop contacts and exchange ideas with counterparts in Washington's policy, academic, media, and nongovernmental communities; and to build ties that contribute to the development of a global network of democratic activists and scholars. Through its outreach efforts, the Reagan-Fascell program seeks to connect its fellows with the media, policy, and academic communities in Washington, D.C. The program organizes an active calendar of public presentations by the fellows, and promotes contacts between fellows and experts in Congress, the State Department, and other government agencies, as well as at universities, think tanks, and media organizations. The Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows program was established in 2001 by the U.S. Congress in honor of NED's two principal founders, former president Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell, and is funded by an annual grant from the US Department of State. For media inquiries, please contact Jane Riley Jacobsen at jane@ned.org or at (202) 293-9072. For more information on fellowship programs at the National Endowment for Democracy, please visit www.ned.org. April 5, 2004 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org Gephardt and Duberstein Join NED Board of Directors WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO) and former Reagan White House Chief of Staff Kenneth Duberstein have joined the Board of Directors of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Both attended their first Board meeting on Friday, April 2, 2004, where they were welcomed by NED Chairman Vin Weber and NED President Carl Gershman. "We are proud and excited to welcome these outstanding public servants to the Board," said Weber. "They have a deep understanding of and commitment to the mission of the endowment and they embody the bipartisan spirit that has sustained NED for the past twenty years." Gephardt, the former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives has been a longtime supporter of the endowment and its work - meeting many times over the years with NED grantees from all over the world. Duberstein, the Chairman and CEO of the Duberstein Group, has been familiar with NED from its inception in 1983, when he was serving in the Reagan Administration as the Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs when the National Endowment for Democracy Act was being debated by the Congress. Both men were elected to a three-year term by the NED Board at its January 23 meeting. NED was created in 1983 as a private, nonprofit, grant-making foundation with a mission to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. With an annual appropriation from the U.S. Congress, the NED Board, which is independent and bipartisan, makes hundreds of grants each year to support prodemocracy groups in more than 80 countries. The endowment supports projects that promote political and economic freedom and participation, human rights, a strong civil society, independent media and the rule of law. November 3, 2003 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 jane@ned.org U.S. President George W. Bush to Keynote Event Commemorating 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy WASHINGTON, D.C. - President of the United States George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker at an event marking the 20th anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which will be held November 6, 2003 at 10:30 a.m. in the Hall of Flags of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Congressional leaders from both parties are also expected to make remarks. Founded in 1983, NED is a bipartisan not-for-profit foundation that supports the advance of democracy abroad through grants to nongovernmental organizations, and to its four affiliated core institutes, the American Center for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). NED receives an annual appropriation from the US Congress and is governed by an independent board of directors that includes prominent members of Congress as well as major figures in the fields of international affairs, business, and politics. The board is chaired by former US Representative Vin Weber. "In the past twenty years, NED has made literally thousands of grants to support the work of 'small d' democrats in over 90 countries," said NED chairman Weber. "We are proud to say that NED and its four institutes have played a supporting role in nearly every major democratic transition in recent history, and we are deeply honored that President Bush will join us to pay tribute to NED and to all those who are still fighting for democracy in every part of the world." NED, through its grant-making program, supports the strengthening of political parties, free market reforms, worker rights, civic education, independent media, the rule of law, good governance and the other essential elements of democracy. NED also publishes the highly acclaimed Journal of Democracy, operates a small think tank known as the International Forum for Democratic Studies, sponsors the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program named for President Ronald Reagan and the late congressman Dante Fascell, NED's two principal founders, and is the secretariat of the World Movement for Democracy, an international network consisting of democratic activists, scholars, parliamentarians, democracy foundations, and others who come together for mutual support and solidarity. More information about NED and its work can be found at the NED Web site: www.ned.org. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is located at 1615 H Street, NW, Washington, DC. Media wishing to cover the event must present national media accreditation and photo identification. Media preset will take place between 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. Credentialing will begin at 9:00 a.m. and media must be in place by 10:00 a.m. July 14, 2003 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 ext. 232 jane@ned.org North Korean Human Rights Crisis is Focus for 2003 Democracy Award Washington, D.C. -- On Wednesday, July 16, 2003, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will host a day-long conference titled: Gulag, Famine, and Refugees: The Urgent Human Rights Crisis in North Korea. The Conference will be followed by the presentation of NED’s Annual Democracy Award to four Koreans, three of whom have escaped from North Korea and are survivors of its gulag, who are all working to focus world attention on the human rights crisis in North Korea, expose its abhorrent prison-labor system, and assist North Korean refugees who have fled persecution and starvation. The honorees are: An Hyuk, Kang Cheol-hwan, Soon Ok Lee and Benjamin Yoon (see Biographies). The Conference, organized in cooperation with the Defense Forum Foundation and the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, will be held in the Auditorium of the Dirksen Senate Building (SDG-50) from 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The awards will be presented by US Senators Evan Bayh and Sam Brownback at a reception in room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Building at 5:30 p.m. The Conference will include three panels focusing on the refugee crisis and the gulag system in North Korea. David Hawk, a researcher for the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea will report on the Committee’s groundbreaking work to document the North Korean gulag using commercial satellite photos and the testimony of former prisoners and prison guards who have escaped North Korea. Testimony will also given by Benjamin Yoon, the director of the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, which is the leading NGO in Korea focusing on human rights in the North, and by the three survivors of the gulag who will be honored by NED (Kang Cheol-hwan, An Hyuk and Soon Ok Lee). US Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios will make remarks at the conference luncheon at 12:00 noon. July 5, 2002 Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen (202) 293-9072 ext. 232 jane@ned.org Muslim Women to be Honored by NED WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On July 9, 2002 the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) will present its Annual Democracy Award to four outstanding women activists from the Muslim World. Laura Bush is scheduled to make remarks and present the awards to this year's winners, who are: Nadjet Bouda (Algeria), Mehrangiz Kar (Iran), Mariam Hussein Mohamed (Somalia), and Muborak Tashpoulatova (Uzbekistan). Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky is also scheduled to make remarks. "It is a critical time to emphasize to Western audiences the existence and commitment of democratic voices in all parts of the Muslim world, and the need to respond to them," said NED Chairman Vin Weber. "In choosing this year's award recipients, the NED Board of Directors seeks to recognize the courageous and innovative work being done by Muslim women throughout the world on behalf of democracy and human rights." "By selecting women from different parts of the Muslim world, the Endowment hopes to provide international recognition that will reinforce the efforts of these women and their colleagues," said NED President Carl Gershman. "The Endowment's own work during the past two decades has revealed that it is often women who take the lead in pushing for greater democracy and respect for human rights, and that this is especially true in the Muslim world," Gershman said. The award presentation will take place at a reception in Room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Building from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. Press should pre-set by 3:00. The National Endowment for Democracy is a private, nonprofit, grant-making organization created in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. It is active in more than 90 countries, supporting grassroots democratic initiatives. 2002 Democracy Award Recipients Mehrangiz Kar is a prominent Iranian attorney, writer, and activist who has been working to promote democracy, rule of law, and human rights within the framework of Islamic law in Iran since the revolution of 1979. In her speeches and writings, she has criticized discrimination against women and non-Muslims in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In April 2000, following her participation in a symposium in Berlin, she was arrested and imprisoned on charges of acting against national security interests. Last fall, she was released on bail and allowed to go abroad to seek medical treatment in the West. Ms. Kar is the wife of Mr. Siamak Pourzand, a well-known journalist, who is currently unjustly imprisoned in Tehran. Concerned for his health and safety, human rights organizations are seeking his immediate release. Mariam Hussein Mohamed is Founder and Co-Chairperson of Somalia's leading human rights group, the Dr. Ismail Jumale Human rights Organization (DIJHRO). Her group impartially monitors human rights conditions, documents violations committed by all groups in Somalia, and has also conducted numerous human rights campaigns and training activities. Mrs. Mohamed is also the co-founder of the Peace and Human rights Network (PHRN), an umbrella group of twenty-four prominent Somali civil society organizations across the country. Living with her daughter in the most devastated area of Mogadishu, Mrs. Mohamed continues her work under constant threat in the midst of a dangerous armed conflict, and within a sharply divided society. Muborak Tashpulatova is Director of the Tashkent Public Education Center (TPEC). The Center, which was founded by a group of Uzbek educators, has produced textbooks on civic education, handbooks for teaching human rights, and has conducted "town hall" style civic forums for parents, youth, and government. Its 9th grade textbook on Uzbekistan's constitution has been adopted for use in all high schools in the country. TPEC organizes seminars on civic education and related teaching methodologies in which over 1,000 educators have participated. |
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Alisher Saipov established himself as one of the best reporters in Central Asia. As founder and editor of the newspaper Siyosat, which NED was proud to support, he was able to reach a broad readership that has little access to independent reporting on topics that include human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, the manipulation of the upcoming presidential election there, and the criminal activities of Uzbek security services operating across the border in Kyrgyzstan. Because of his reporting of such abuses, many friends and colleagues were concerned about his safety during the period leading up to Alisher's murder, with attacks against him on Uzbek web pages and surveillance of his office.
Mr. Ali Afshari (Iran)
Anna's colleagues at Novaya Gazeta have called on the Russian public to honor her on October 16. This day, the ninth since her murder, holds special significance in Russia; according to Russian peasant tradition, the soul then leaves the body and is guided by angels to its next destination.
WASHINGTON, DC - Azar Nafisi, best-selling author of Reading Lolita in Teheran, will address the topic, "Women, Culture, Human Rights: The Case of Iran," at the second lecture of the New York Democracy Forum (NYDF) to be held at the Kaye Playhouse of Hunter College on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 6:00 p.m.
WASHINGTON, DC -- On Monday, December 6, 2004, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Embassy of Canada will inaugurate an important new forum for discourse on democracy and its progress worldwide: the Seymour Martin Lipset Lecture on Democracy in the World. The lecture will be delivered by former President of Brazil Fernando Henrique Cardoso.