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press release
Democracy in Central & Eastern Europe Focus of Upcoming Helsinki Commission BriefingTuesday, July 18, 2017
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing: DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: RENEWING THE PROMISE OF DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS Wednesday, July 26, 2017 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Capitol Visitors Center Room SVC-215 Live Webcast: www.facebook.com/HelsinkiCommission In 1990, at a moment of historic transition, the countries of the Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe adopted a watershed agreement recognizing the relationship between political pluralism and market economies. To advance both, they committed to fundamental principles regarding democracy, free elections, and the rule of law. In recent years, however, concerns have emerged about the health of the democratic transition in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in the face of ongoing governance challenges and persistent corruption. At this briefing, speakers will examine the current state of democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and analyze efforts to address the region's challenges. They will also discuss the declaration adopted on June 1 by civil society representatives, members of business communities, and others, which seeks to reinvigorate the region's democratic trajectory, support democratic and economic reform, and strengthen the transatlantic partnership. The following panelists are scheduled to speak: Andrew Wilson, Managing Director, Center for International Private Enterprise Peter Golias, Director, Institute for Economic and Social Reforms, Slovakia Andras Loke, Chair, Transparency International, Hungary Marek Tatala, Vice-President, Civil Development Forum, Poland Additional comments will be provided by: Jan Surotchak, Regional Director for Europe, International Republican Institute Jonathan Katz, Senior Resident Fellow, German Marshall Fund
press release
One Year After Coup Attempt, Helsinki Commission Calls on Turkish Government to Respect OSCE Commitments, End CrackdownFriday, July 14, 2017
WASHINGTON—Ahead of the one-year anniversary of the attempted coup in Turkey, Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) and Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) issued the following statements: "Last July, thousands of Turks took to the streets to stand against a military coup attempt. Turkish democracy still hangs in the balance one year later," said Chairman Wicker. "I urge the Turkish government to restore stability and trust in its institutions by ending the state of emergency, releasing all prisoners of conscience, and guaranteeing full due process to all those who face credible charges." "The Turkish government's campaign against parliamentarians, academics, journalists, and thousands of others is marked by grave human rights violations," said Co-Chairman Smith. "The Turkish courts' support for this campaign is a sad sign of the challenges ahead – we recently saw this in a court's confirmation of the expropriation of a Syriac Orthodox monastery. I call on the Turkish government and courts not to continue down the path to dictatorship." Ahead of the May 2017 meeting between President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Helsinki Commission leaders urged President Trump to seek guarantees that several U.S. citizens currently jailed in Turkey will have their cases promptly and fairly adjudicated and receive full consular assistance. They called for the prompt release of imprisoned American pastor Andrew Brunson; for consular access and fair trials for American dual citizens like Serkan Golge; and for timely and transparent due process for long-standing U.S. consulate employee Hamza Uluçay. Chairman Wicker also submitted a statement to the Congressional Record expressing his concern about the outcome of the April 16 constitutional referendum in Turkey, which approved Turkey's conversion from a parliamentary government into an "executive presidency," further weakening crucial checks and balances.
Countering Corruption in the OSCE Region: Returning Ill-Gotten Assets and Closing Safe HavensThursday, June 01, 2017
The World Bank estimates that twenty to forty billion dollars are stolen from developing countries every year. The majority of stolen funds are never found, and even if they are, recovering stolen assets and repatriating victims is a complicated process. The process often involves many different countries with different legal frameworks and financial structures. On June 1, 2017, the Helsinki Commission held a briefing on asset recovery in the OSCE region. Ill-gotten assets from the region frequently end up in money laundering safe havens in the West, where Western financial services enable the safeguarding of stolen funds. Briefers included Charles Davidson, executive director of the Kleptocracy Initiative at the Hudson Institute; Brian Campbell, legal advisor for the Cotton Campaign; and Ken Hurwitz, senior managing legal officer on anti-corruption with the Open Society Justice Initiative. The briefing was moderated by Paul Massaro, economic and environmental policy advisor with the Helsinki Commission. Panelists at the briefing discussed methods to achieve responsible repatriation for grand corruption. After tracing and freezing assets, Western authorities are faced with the dilemma of how to return assets stolen by kleptocrats to the people of that country. A critical part of anti-corruption work, successful repatriation can empower civil society and democratic development in affected countries. In turn, civil society and the judiciary can play critical roles in fighting and exposing grand corruption. Panelists drew comparisons between the challenges associated with returning assets stolen by the Karimov regime in Uzbekistan and the successful case in Kazakhstan, where $115 million in disputed assets was returned to the people through the BOTA Foundation. While grand corruption takes on many different forms, most corrupt countries in the OSCE region are former members of the Soviet Union and have imported Moscow's own brand of corruption. Panelists discussed how the lack of transparency and accountability in Western financial systems facilitate the looting of former Soviet countries. Additionally, they argued for the United States' national interest in countering corruption and ensuring responsible repatriation.
A Call to OSCE Commitments in Aftermath of Turkish ReferendumThursday, May 04, 2017
Mr. President, I rise today to express my concerns about the outcome of the April 16 constitutional referendum in Turkey, when more than 50 million Turkish citizens voted on constitutional amendments to convert Turkey's parliamentary government into a presidential system. Turkey is a longstanding friend of the United States and a NATO ally. Our bilateral partnership dates back to the Cold War when Turkey served as an important bulwark against the creeping influence of the Soviet Union. Time has not diminished Turkey's geostrategic importance. Today, Ankara finds itself at the intersection of several critical challenges: the instability in Syria and Iraq, the threat of ISIS and other extremist groups, and the refugee crisis spawned by this regional upheaval. The United States relies on Turkey and other regional partners to help coordinate and strengthen our collective response. I was deeply troubled when renegade military units attempted to overthrow Turkey's democratically elected government last July. Turkey's strength is rooted in the democratic legitimacy of its government – a pillar of stability targeted by the reckless and criminal coup attempt. As Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, or U.S. Helsinki Commission, I take very seriously the political commitments made by the 57 participating States of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). These commitments – held by both the United States and Turkey – represent the foundation of security and cooperation in the OSCE region. They include an indispensable focus on human rights, rule of law, and democratic institutions. In the OSCE's founding document, the Helsinki Final Act, participating States affirm "the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms" and consider respect for these to be an "essential factor" for international peace and security. This vision is consistent with long-established U.S. foreign policy promoting human rights and democracy as cornerstones of a safer, more stable international order. With these principles in mind, the United States must pay urgent attention to the current situation in Turkey and the danger it poses to Turkish and regional stability. Eroding respect for fundamental freedoms, rule of law, and democratic institutions in Turkey has proceeded at an alarming pace. The government's planned "executive presidency" will further decrease government accountability. Since the attempted coup more than nine months ago, Turkey has operated under a state of emergency that gives the government sweeping authority to curtail rights and silence opponents. Certain extraordinary measures may have been justified in the immediate aftermath to restore order, investigate events, and bring perpetrators to justice, but the government's actions have stretched far beyond these legitimate aims. The ongoing purge has touched every institution of government, sector of society, corner of the country, and shade of opposition – military or civilian, Turk or Kurd, religious or secular, nationalist or leftist, political or non-political. An atmosphere of fear and uncertainty has settled over Turkish society as more than 100,000 people have been detained or arrested. Tens of thousands have been fired from their jobs, had their professional licenses revoked, and had their names released on public lists without any recognizable due process. The government removed and replaced thousands of judges and prosecutors within hours of the coup's defeat, compromising the independence of the judiciary at a moment when an impartial justice system had become more important than ever. The government has also closed more than 150 media outlets. Upwards of 80 journalists are behind bars. The offices of the country's oldest newspaper were raided, and the paper's editor-in-chief and other staff were arrested. The media environment was already under extraordinary pressure before the coup. Last spring, the government seized control of the country's highest-circulation paper. Self-censorship is now widely practiced to avoid provoking the government's ire. Additionally, state of emergency decrees have given regional governors the ability to curtail freedom of assembly rights, harming the ability of civil society organizations to organize rallies concerning the referendum. Since July, the government has detained more than a dozen opposition parliamentarians. Many more continue to face criminal charges for political statements they made before the coup attempt. It is difficult to overstate the chilling effect these measures have had on political debate in Turkey. And yet, these are the circumstances under which Turks voted on April 16. These major constitutional changes passed with a slim majority of 51 percent. The OSCE's international observation mission stated in its preliminary conclusions that the vote "took place on an unlevel playing field" and that "fundamental freedoms essential to a genuinely democratic process were curtailed." Under the revised constitution, the once largely ceremonial position of president will convert into an "executive presidency" and the position of prime minister will be abolished. The president will be elected along with the national assembly every five years and has the ability to dissolve the assembly and call new elections at will. The president will also appoint a larger proportion — nearly half — of the country's supreme judicial council. In a report on these new constitutional provisions, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe concluded that the amendments are a "step backwards" and pose "dangers of degeneration … towards an authoritarian and personal regime." Turkey is undergoing a disturbing transformation, and I am concerned these changes could undermine the strength of our partnership. President Erdogan's government has dramatically repressed dissent, purged opponents from every sector of government and society, and is now poised to consolidate power further under his self-described "executive presidency." In the short term, the Turkish government should act swiftly and transparently to investigate credible claims of voting irregularities in the referendum as well as the legality of a surprise electoral board decision to admit an unknown number of ballots that should be deemed invalid under existing rules. Public trust in the outcome of such a consequential vote is of utmost importance. Sadly, until now, the government has responded to these challenges with dismissiveness and suppression. In the past week, dozens of activists have been detained for participating in protests against the election results. Furthermore, the government should lift the state of emergency, stop all forms of repression against the free press, release all imprisoned journalists and political activists, and urgently restore public confidence in the judiciary. Only then can it credibly and independently adjudicate the tens of thousands of cases caught up in the government's months-long dragnet operations. A country where disagreements are suppressed rather than debated is less secure. A country where institutions are subordinated to personalities is less stable. A country where criticism is conflated with sedition is less democratic. Unless President Erdogan moves urgently to reverse these trends, I fear our partnership will inevitably become more transactional and less strategic. It will become more difficult to justify long-term investment in our relationship with Turkey if the future of the country becomes synonymous with the fortunes of one party or one individual. The United States and Turkey need a solid foundation for enduring cooperation to tackle regional instability, terrorism, migration, and other challenges. The future of this partnership is difficult to imagine in the midst of a prolonged state of emergency, wide-scale purges, and weakened democratic institutions.
World Press Freedom Day 2017Wednesday, May 03, 2017
By Jordan Warlick, Staff Associate Although freedom of the press is recognized by democracies around the world as an essential and basic human right, emerging reports show that it is globally in decline, even in countries considered strong democracies. The recently published Freedom House 2017 Freedom of the Press Report and Reporters Without Borders' 2017 World Press Freedom Index both indicate grim trends – Freedom House declares press freedom at its lowest point in 13 years, and Reporters Without Borders describes the "ever darker world map" it has published this year. The OSCE region is not uniform when it comes to freedom of the press. OSCE participating States include some of the freest nations in the world, like Norway and the Netherlands, alongside some of the least free nations, like Azerbaijan and Turkey. The worst-performing region in the aforementioned Freedom House report is Eurasia, while the best-performing is Europe, both of which are largely encompassed in the OSCE region. The central problems of media freedom are also varied between countries, from violence, intimidation, and incarceration of journalists; to emerging contempt for the media among politicians; to media outlet ownership and transparency issues. While some countries require more attention and monitoring than others, any conditions that impede on press freedom or that are considered harmful for journalists deserve attention. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media was an office created in 1997 to do just that: monitor and assist participating States with compliance commitments on freedom of expression and free media. The most recent OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, was a fierce advocate for the rights of journalists across the OSCE. The OSCE participating States currently are in the process of selecting her successor, an appointment that requires consensus among the 57 OSCE participating States. This office's function as a watchdog for violations and deteriorating conditions for media has been critical to bringing attention to issues and cases that may otherwise go unnoticed. Still, undemocratic regimes, changing political tides in the region, and the evolving landscape of journalism present ongoing challenges. Over the last week alone, the Helsinki Commission has held three different events where media freedom has been an important topic of discussion: a hearing on human rights abuses in Russia; a briefing on Russian human rights violations of Ukrainian citizens; and a briefing on human rights in Turkey after its referendum on changes to the constitution. At the hearing on human rights in Russia, each witness brought attention to the Kremlin's control of the media and persecution of independent journalists. The briefing on Russian human rights violations against Ukrainian citizens focused on the incarceration of filmmaker Oleg Sentsov, but highlighted other cases of imprisoned journalists such as Roman Sushchenko of Ukrinform News and Mykola Semena, a contributor to Radio Free Europe. On Turkey, Freedom House panelist Nate Schenkkan described the severe restrictions on access to information and underscored Turkey's status as the number one jailer of journalists in the world. If there is any hope for the future of press freedom in these countries where media is especially unfree, it is in the passion and talent of journalists who are committed to holding their governments accountable despite the risks. It is vital that the United States continue to be an exemplar of and advocate for freedom of the press, enshrined by our founders in the First Amendment in recognition of its importance for democracy, for other countries around the world.
Turkey Post-Referendum: Institutions and Human RightsTuesday, May 02, 2017
Human rights abuses by the Turkish government have proliferated under the state-sanctioned emergency measures imposed in the aftermath of the July 2016 failed coup attempt. Turkish authorities have fired as many as 130,000 public workers, including teachers, academics, police officers, and soldiers, and thousands have been arrested. Hundreds of journalists have had their credentials revoked and dozens of media outlets have been shut down. Human rights groups have documented widespread reports of intimidation, ill-treatment and torture of those in police custody. On April 16, 2017, Turkey held a referendum on a package of amendments that transforms the country's institutions in major ways. The position of prime minister was eliminated and the executive powers of the president were expanded, enabling him to appoint ministers without parliamentary approval, exert more influence over the judiciary, and call early elections. Coming on top of the post-coup crackdown, how will Turkey's changing institutions affect human rights in the country? Panelists at the briefing discussed how U.S. policymakers can most effectively encourage the protection of human rights to promote the interests of the Turkish people given the strategic importance of the U.S.-Turkey bilateral relationship.
Political Prisoners in RussiaTuesday, May 02, 2017
Principle VII of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act recognizes the right of individuals to know and act upon their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. The following individuals who were profiled in the Helsinki Commission's April 2017 hearing, "Democracy & Human Rights Abuses in Russia: No End in Sight," illustrate the many cases of political prisoners in Russia today. Dmitry Buchenkov – Buchenkov was charged under Article 212 of the Russian criminal code ("participation in mass riots") and Article 318 ("use of force against a representative of the authority") for his participation in the 2012 Bolotnaya Square protests against fraud in the 2011 presidential elections. He was arrested in December 2015 and is currently under house arrest. He is recognized by Memorial as a political prisoner not only because the alleged offense did not take place, but also due to the lack of a fair trial and the disproportionate use of pretrial detention in light of the charge against him. His case illustrates the prosecution of individuals for engaging in nonviolent public protest against the government in general and the Bolotnaya Square cases in particular. Oleg Navalny – Navalny was charged under Article 159 ("swindling on a large scale"), article 159.4 ("swindling on a particularly large scale in the entrepreneurial sphere"), and article 174.1.a (laundering of funds on a large scale acquired by a person through a crime committed by him"). He was sentenced to 3 ½ years in a closed proceeding, Memorial considers him a political prisoner because the alleged offense did not take place and he was not given a fair trial. In reality, Oleg Navalny was targeted because he is the brother of prominent political activist Alexei Navalny. It appears the authorities are unwilling to make a martyr out of Alexei Navalny but seek to exert pressure on him by persecuting his brother. Oleg Navalny's case illustrates the willingness of the government to target family members as a means of exerting pressure on political activists, which is specifically prohibited under the OSCE 1989 Vienna Concluding Document. Darya Polyudova – Polyudova was charged under article 280 of the Russian criminal code ("public appeals for extremist activity" and "public appeals for actions aimed at a violation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation") in connection with her participation in preparation for a march that did not take place. In reality, she was indicted for criticizing Moscow online for its support of Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's east. She is recognized as a political prisoner because the offense did not take place, her right to a fair trial was violated, and the government disproportionately used pretrial detention given the nature of the charges. She was sentenced to two years in prison, becoming the first person in Russia convicted under a 2014 law criminalizing calls for separatism on the Internet. Her case illustrates the government's prosecution of Russian nationals who criticize Russia's actions and policies in Ukraine. Sergei Udaltsov – Udaltsov was charged under Article 30 of the Russian criminal code ("preparation of actions aimed at organizing mass riots") and Article 212 ("organization of mass riots") after participating in the Bolotnaya Square protests. He has been arrested multiple times before for protesting against the government. Memorial recognizes him as a political prisoner on the grounds that he was charged with an offense that did not take place; his right to a fair trial was violated; and the government disproportionately used pretrial detention. He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison. Ivan Nepomniashchikh – Nepomniashchikh was charged with Article 212 of the Russian criminal code ("participation in mass riots") and Article 318 ("use of force against a representative of the authority"). He is recognized as a political prisoner on the grounds that he is being prosecuted for exercising his right to freedom of assembly; he is being charged with an offense that did not take place; he was not allowed a fair trial; and the government disproportionately used pretrial detention. He is another example of those being prosecuted for participating in the Bolotnaya Square protests against the 2011 fraud in the presidential election. Alexei Pichugin – Pichugin was charged under Article 162 of the Russian criminal code ("robbery") and Article 105 ("murder"). At a closed trial, Pichugin, the former head of internal economic security for the Yukos Company then headed by Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was sentenced to life imprisonment in a special-regime penal colony. He has been in prison since 2003 and is recognized as a political prisoner on the grounds that his prosecution was conducted without a fair trial. The European Court on Human Rights also has held that Pichugin was denied a fair trial. Oleg Sentsov – Senstov is a Ukrainian filmmaker imprisoned in Russia since 2015, and was the focus of a separate Helsinki Commission briefing. Sentsov was arrested in the Russian-occupied Crimean territory of Ukraine and charged under Article 205.4 of the Russian criminal code ("organization of a terrorist group"), Article 205 ("terrorist act committed by an organized group"), Article 30 in connection with Article 205 ("preparation of a terrorist act"), Article 30 in connection with Article 222 ("attempted illegal acquisition of firearms and explosive devices"), and Article 222 ("illegal acquisition and storage of far arms and explosive devices"). He was accused of planning an attack on a monument to Lenin, a charge he denies. He was sentenced in a Russian military court to 20 years in a strict regime penal colony for terrorism. Other Illustrative Cases Alexander Kolchenko – Kolchenko, a Crimean activist, was charged under article 205 of Russia's criminal code (art. 205.4 part 2: "Participation in a terrorist organization," and art. 205, paragraph "a," part 2: "A terrorist act conducted by a terrorist group"). He refuted the accusations of terrorism. Mr. Kolchenko was detained in May 2014, in Simferopol, Crimea, shortly after Russia took control over the peninsula. On August 25, 2016, the North Caucasus District Military Court of Russia sentenced Mr. Kolchenko to 10 years of imprisonment in a strict-regime colony. He is serving his sentence in the Chelyabinsk Oblast, in the city of Kopeysk, a facility notorious for its poor treatment of convicts. Mr. Kolchenko is recognized as a political prisoner by Russia's Memorial watchdog group. Mykola Semena (under a travel ban) – Semena, a Crimean journalist, has been charged under Article 280.1 of Russia's criminal code, which penalizes "public calls for actions violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation." The law was added to the Russian criminal code in December 2013, and came into force in May 2014 - several weeks after Crimea was annexed by Russia. Semena was one of the only independent journalists to remain on the peninsula following Russia's March 2014 annexation of Crimea. He contributed reporting to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and its Crimea Desk. On April 19, 2016, after Russian police searched Semena's home and confiscated computers and storage media, the de facto Crimean prosecutor-general ordered Semena to remain on the peninsula while he was investigated for alleged "calls to undermine Russia's territorial integrity via the mass media." Semena has been forced to stay in Crimea ever since, despite his requests to travel to Kyiv for urgently needed medical care. Roman Sushchenko (in pre-trial detention) – Sushchenko, a Ukrainian journalist, is charged under article 276 of Russia's criminal code (espionage). He has worked as a Paris-based correspondent for Ukraine's state news agency, Ukrinform, since 2010. He was detained at a Moscow airport on September 30, 2016, upon his arrival from Paris on private business. He was accused of collecting classified information on the activities of Russia's armed forces and the National Guard. Mr. Sushchenko denies any involvement in espionage. His employer, Ukrinform, also considers the accusations false and called his detention a "planned provocation." Mr. Sushchenko's attorney is Mark Feygin, who previously represented Pussy Riot and Nadezhda Savchenko. Memorial, a Russian organization established to report on the crimes of Stalinism, documents cases of political prisoners as well as cases of those persecuted for their faith.This information was compiled by Helsinki Commission staff from Memorial, the U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices, and news sources. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also tracks cases of individuals imprisoned in connection with their faith.
in the news
How the State of Russian Media Becomes the State of International MediaFriday, April 28, 2017
It was a bad week for reports on freedom of the media in Russia. On Wednesday, Reporters Without Borders released its 2017 world press freedom index. Russia came in at 148, after such bastions of independent media as South Sudan and Thailand. On Thursday, a Ukrainian human rights delegation briefed the Helsinki Commission on the case of Oleg Sentsov — a Ukrainian filmmaker imprisoned in a Siberian penal colony for his opposition to the annexation of Crimea — and abuses of Ukrainian journalists and creative professionals more broadly. On Friday, Freedom House unveiled its Freedom of the Press 2017 report. That report gives Russia partial credit for the world's 13-year low in press freedom. "Vladimir Putin's regime in Russia has been a trailblazer in globalizing state propaganda. It continues to leverage pro-Kremlin reporting around the world," the report states. The three taken in tandem tell a story — one in which violence against journalists in Russia and the region is connected to violence against journalism around the world. Consider the case of Oleg Sentsov. In 2015, Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in prison for planning terrorist attacks in Crimea. In his trial, he said he had been tortured. The international human rights community believes this to have been payback for the filmmaker's outspoken stance against the annexation of Crimea (it is also worth noting that Russia treated Sentsov, a Ukrainian, as though he were a Russian citizen; after the annexation of Crimea, Russia considered all who did not explicitly apply for Ukrainian citizenship to be Russian, to which Sentsov objected in court by saying, "I am not a serf to be transferred with the land"). Russian-backed media reported it as a terrorism case. And so the case contains both the physical threat that looms over journalists and creative types who fail to parrot the party line and also the threat that Russian state-backed media can pose to understanding in the wider world. "Many people perceive [Russian state-backed media] not as propaganda, but as an alternative point of view," Natalya Kaplan, Sentsov's cousin, told Foreign Policy in an interview before heading to the Helsinki Commission briefing. "They tend to trust what Russian propaganda says." In the case of Sentsov, that means some outside of Russia (to say nothing of those in it) thought he was neither filmmaker nor terrorist, but some combination of the two. Americans can no longer tell the difference between actual fake news and fake fake news, Ukrainian PEN member Halya Coynash told FP. "The thing is that you really think the media and information you get from Russian media, it is media. Which is wrong. We have state media, and state media are part of [the] strategy of [the state]," said Mustafa Nayyem, journalist turned Ukrainian member of parliament. Alternative facts are not facts, and false equivalences are not equivalent. But consumers of Russian state-backed media around the globe can be duped into treating them as such, Nayyem said. He argued Russia presents reality and a bold-faced lie as though they are but two different perspectives, the truth of which lies somewhere in the middle, for viewers to decide for themselves. "We know that [Sentsov] never was involved in some attacks, or in some revolution, in terroristic things. He's a filmmaker, and his movies are recognized internationally. The lie is that this guy was a terrorist, and no one even tried to understand the basis of this [accusation] … There is guy: a filmmaker, and a terrorist. What is true? They think that maybe he's some filmmaker-terrorist. It's insane." Nayyem ardently believes those who want to protect freedom of media and speech need to build up conventions regulating what are accepted as media outlets and news. But there's a thin line between banning propaganda and furthering censorship and repression. Russia's independent Dozhd (TV Rain), for example, was recently banned in Ukraine for reporting that Crimea is part of Russia. "Recent democratic gains have bolstered media freedom overall," the Freedom House report states, "but restrictions on Russian outlets and attempts to foster 'patriotic' reporting raise questions about the government's commitment to media autonomy." And besides, even Ukrainians, more prepared for Russian media influence than their western counterparts, are not entirely immune. "The Russian media are much better funded" than their Ukrainian counterparts, Kaplan said, and it takes time and resources to counter reports put out by the Russian state-backed media machine. "Even my Ukrainian friends who live in Kiev, after watching two hours of Russian TV, start to question themselves. 'Am I a fascist?'" Kaplan does not, at present, see much reason for optimism. While it was a bad week for reports on the state of Russian media, it was inevitably a much worse week for those trying to correct or improve it. "Journalism in Russia is dead. It happened quite a while ago," Kaplan said. "There are small islands of freedom of speech in Russia," she said, but they aren't on TV, and they aren't available to those who don't know how to access certain sites. Besides, she said, the sophisticated propaganda machine will figure out how to move onto the internet, too. "Russian journalists face the biggest challenge. Their job is simply to survive." Hanging in the air is the idea that, at present, surviving is actually journalism's job, too.
Oleg Sentsov and Russia's Human Rights Violations against Ukrainian CitizensThursday, April 27, 2017
On April 27, the U.S. Helsinki Commission held a briefing focusing on human rights violations against Ukrainian citizens. In particular, this hearing was used as a platform to raise awareness for Oleg Sentsov, a political prisoner being held in Siberia. Sentsov was honored by PEN America this year with their 2017 Freedom to Write award for his work exposing Russian human rights violations. Panelist included Natalya Kaplan, cousin of Oleg Sentsov and campaigner for his freedom, and journalist in Kiev; Mustafa Nayyem, Member of Ukrainian Parliament and former journalist and early organizer of the 2013 Euromaidan protests; and Halya Coynash, spokesperson for Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. The panelists provided much context and background detailing Sentsov and others' cases. Natalya Kaplan spoke to the audience about the terrible conditions her cousin faces in Siberia, including torture, while Mustafa Nayyem spoke about the need to pressure Russia publically to end these human rights abuses. Halya Coynash reminded the audience of the severity of this case by highlighting that Sentsov was the first Ukrainian to be so brazenly imprisoned after the Russian occupation of Crimea; in her eyes, this was the first time the full force of Russian government had been used to fabricate charges and host a show trial against a Ukrainian. The panelists agreed that the media freedom situation in Russian-occupied territory is dire and only growing worse. Of greatest concern was the length to which Russia is willing to go in their efforts to arrest and prosecute journalists. Russia also sets a dangerous precedent with its recent attempts to foist Russian citizenship onto Ukrainians in Crimea, in efforts to undermine international court rulings and give legitimacy to its actions. When it comes to monitoring the human rights situation in Ukraine, the panelists expressed concerns with the lack of access to political prisoners and the inability to target individual Russians involved in creating the sham trials. The panelists believed that the ability to target individuals involved in these trials would be extremely helpful in de-escalating the situation, and they made many references to the Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Overwhelmingly, the response to these issues was a desire to work with Congress to strengthen and update the Magnistky Act, as well as broaden civil society and NGO engagment. Mustafa Nayyem expressed hope that NGOs, such as PEN America, would play a more pivotal role in helping prevent future repression. News articles following the briefing expressed hope that there would be work within Congress to better address issues involving Ukrainian political prisoners.
press release
Helsinki Commission Calls for Proclamation Recognizing Importance of Helsinki Final ActWednesday, April 26, 2017
WASHINGTON—Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker (MS) today introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution urging President Trump to recognize the importance of the Helsinki Final Act – the founding document of today's Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) – and its relevance to American national security. The resolution was cosponsored by all other Senators currently serving on the Helsinki Commission: Sen. Ben Cardin (MD), Sen. John Boozman (AR), Sen. Cory Gardner (CO), Sen. Marco Rubio (FL), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Sen. Thom Tillis (NC), Sen. Tom Udall (NM), and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (RI). "Peace and prosperity in the OSCE region rest on a respect for human rights and the preservation of fundamental freedoms, democratic principles, and economic liberty. Unfortunately, the commitment to these ideals by some OSCE participating States is eroding," Chairman Wicker said. "The shrinking space for civil society in many nations has become reminiscent of the Communist era – a time when many Helsinki Monitoring Groups were violently persecuted for their courageous support of basic human rights," he continued. "With its actions in Ukraine and Georgia, the Russian Federation in particular has demonstrated how closely such internal repression can be tied to external aggression. We were reminded of these abuses in this morning's Helsinki Commission hearing. I urge the President to make it clear that Helsinki principles are vital not only to American national interests but also to the security of the OSCE region as a whole." "What was remarkable about the Helsinki Final Act was the commitment that these standards we agreed to would not only be of internal interest to the member country, but that any country signatory to the Helsinki Final Act could challenge the actions of any other country," said Ranking Commissioner Cardin, who is also Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "We have not only the right but the responsibility to call out countries that fail to adhere to the basic principles that were agreed to in 1975." Defining security in a uniquely comprehensive manner, the Helsinki Final Act contains 10 principles guiding inter-state relations, among them respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief (Principle VII). Other principles include respect for sovereign equality (Principle I), the territorial integrity of states (Principle IV), and states' fulfilment in good faith of their obligations under international law (Principle X). S.Con.Res.13 encourages President Trump to reaffirm America's commitment to the principles and implementation of the Helsinki Final Act. The resolution also calls on the President to urge other participating States to respect their OSCE commitments and to condemn the Russian Federation's clear, gross, and uncorrected violations of all 10 core OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act.
Democracy & Human Rights Abuses in Russia: No End in SightWednesday, April 26, 2017
The U.S Helsinki Commission held a hearing on Wednesday on "Democracy and Human Rights Abuses in Russia: No End in Sight." It was the first hearing in the 115th Congress focused on internal human rights repression in Russia. Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice-chairman of pro-reform movement Open Russia; Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division at Human Rights Watch; and Dr. Daniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President of Freedom House, testified about the crisis of Russian democracy and the country's worsening human rights record under President Vladimir Putin. In his opening statement, Mr. Kara-Murza underscored the necessity for the OSCE participating States to give an honest assessment about what is happening in Russia, where the number of political prisoners now exceeds a hundred people (a number that has doubled in less than a year). Mr. Kara-Murza, a vocal critic of the Kremlin who has survived two poisoning attempts, estimated that more than 30 activists have been murdered by the Putin regime since Vladimir Putin assumed power in 2000. He also called for an end to impunity for human rights violations in Russia. "The U.S. does have a mechanism for such accountability in the Magnitsky Act that provides for targeted sanctions on human rights abusers. This law should continue to be implemented to its full extent," Mr. Kara-Murza said. His concerns were echoed by Human Rights Watch's Rachel Denber, who noted that today, "Russia is more repressive that it has ever been in the post-Soviet era." At Chairman Wicker's request, Ms. Denber provided detailed information about each of the Russian political prisoners who were featured on posters in the room, and also spoke at length about the repression of gay men in Chechnya. Dr. Daniel Calingaert of Freedom House highlighted the fact that Mr. Putin was the primary author of the modern authoritarian's playbook, which has subsequently been replicated by many autocratic rulers in the region. "His methods for suppressing civil society and political opposition have inspired other dictators, and his media manipulation has impacted most of Eurasia directly and extended to Europe and the United States," Dr. Calingaert said. However, despite the grim situation, Mr. Kara-Murza voiced some optimism about the future. "Increasingly, the young generation in Russia – the very generation that grew up under Vladimir Putin – is demanding respect and accountability from those in power," he said. Mr. Kara-Murza pointed to a wave of anti-corruption demonstrations that took place in dozens of cities across Russia in late March, with tens of thousands of people, mostly young protesters, taking out to the streets to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Dimitriy Medvedev. "This movement will continue. And these growing demands for accountability are the best guarantee that Russia will one day become a country where citizens can exercise the rights and freedoms to which they are entitled," he added.
press release
Helsinki Commission To Hold Briefing on Russia's Human Rights Violations against Ukrainian CitizensWednesday, April 19, 2017
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing: OLEG SENTSOV AND RUSSIA'S HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AGAINST UKRAINIAN CITIZENS Thursday, April 27, 2017 3:00 PM Senate Visitors Center (SVC) Room 210 In May 2014, Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov – an outspoken opponent of Russia's takeover of his native Crimea – disappeared from his hometown of Simferopol only to resurface in Russian custody in Moscow. Convicted on charges of terrorism that the human rights community has condemned as fabricated, Sentsov is now serving a 20-year sentence in a Siberian penal colony. His case not only stands as a marker for Russia's reach in silencing dissent abroad, but also illuminates broader issues of Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine, and human rights violations against Ukrainian citizens. The Helsinki Commission briefing will present three perspectives on this disturbing situation and its broader context: from Sentsov's cousin and chief champion; from a human rights defender investigating cases in the region; and from a member of the Ukrainian parliament. The following panelists are scheduled to participate: Natalya Kaplan, cousin of Oleg Sentsov and journalist in Kiev Mustafa Nayyem, Member of Ukrainian Parliament; former journalist and early organizer of the 2013 Euromaidan protests Halya Coynash, Spokesperson, Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group
press release
Human Rights Abuses in Russia Focus of Upcoming Helsinki Commission HearingTuesday, April 18, 2017
WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, today announced a hearing to examine the grim state of human rights and democracy in the Russian Federation. DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN RUSSIA: NO END IN SIGHT Wednesday, April 26, 2017 9:30 AM Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 124 Live Webcast: http://www.senate.gov/isvp/?type=live&comm=csce&filename=csce042617 Russia's overt external aggression against countries such as Ukraine, its support for the Assad regime in Syria, and its efforts to disrupt western democracies are made possible by the internal repression of its own people. For example, Russia has not had a free and fair election since March 2000. Opposition activists are routinely assaulted or even murdered, giving rise to a new term: "Sudden Kremlin Death Syndrome." Political prisoner numbers now match those of the late Soviet era, and on March 26, tens of thousands of people in cities across 11 time zones protested widespread government corruption, with more than 1,000 arrested. More nationwide protests are expected on June 12, the national holiday of the Russian Federation. The following witnesses are scheduled to testify: Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice Chairman, Open Russia Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division, Human Rights Watch Daniel Calingaert, Executive Vice President, Freedom House
press release
Helsinki Commission Leaders to Azerbaijan: Release All Political PrisonersMonday, March 20, 2017
WASHINGTON—On the traditional holiday of Nowruz, Helsinki Commission leaders called on the Azerbaijani government to immediately release all remaining political prisoners and honor its OSCE commitments to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. "It is disappointing that President Aliyev released only a small number of political prisoners among several hundred pardons he issued prior to Nowruz," said Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS). "OSCE participating States commit to respecting freedom of expression, including the freedom to exchange information and views without interference from public authorities. The Government of Azerbaijan should uphold this commitment by releasing opposition figures, civil rights activists, journalists, and religious leaders who are currently in jail for peacefully exercising their rights. This is particularly true in the case of former presidential candidate Ilgar Mammadov, who recently entered his fifth year in prison on politically-motivated charges." "President Aliyev's pardons left dozens of human rights activists, journalists, and political dissidents languishing in prison and subject to mistreatment," said Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04). "I call on President Aliyev to respect human rights and democracy in his country and immediately release all prisoners of conscience." In 2016, the Government of Azerbaijan pardoned 148 inmates in the days leading up to Nowruz, including more than a dozen people identified as political prisoners by leading human rights organizations. This year, the Government issued pardons to more than 400 prisoners, but only four political prisoners were freed.
U.S. Congressional Delegation Expresses Bicameral, Bipartisan Commitment to Enduring Partnerships with Jordan and IsraelWednesday, March 08, 2017
Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger F. Wicker (MS) led a bicameral and bipartisan delegation of nine Members of the U.S. Congress to Jordan and Israel from February 19-22, 2017 before traveling to Vienna for the Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. This was the first major U.S. Congressional delegation to visit Jordan and Israel, two of the United States' strongest Middle East allies, since the start of the 115th Congress and the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. As such, it manifested the United States' lasting and bipartisan commitment to these partnerships that are vital to defending American interests overseas and at home. In addition to Senator Wicker, the U.S. Delegation included Helsinki Commissioners Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08), as well as Senator Lamar Alexander (TN), Rep. Eliot L. Engel (NY-16), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), and Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01). In Jordan, the delegation met with King Abdullah II and reviewed the full horizon of threats and opportunities that lie ahead for Jordan and the United States, particularly concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran, Syria, and the fight against terrorism. The King also shared his views about the economic and social challenges facing Jordan in the near- and medium-term, including slow economic growth, high unemployment, and a massive refugee population. Members of the delegation also had the opportunity to visit a Jordanian military unit and meet with the unit's United States and United Kingdom military trainers to witness the depth of US-Jordanian cooperation and integration. The delegation also consulted with leading members of Jordan's cabinet, parliament, business community, and civil society. In Israel, the delegation further discussed regional dynamics with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Political Director Alon Ushpiz. In their capacities as U.S. lawmakers, members of the delegation also met with their counterparts from the Israeli Knesset, including members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, to discuss the role of legislative institutions in fostering effective foreign policy. In each location the delegation held consultations with the United States' leading diplomatic and military officers to learn about the work of the United States interagency to strengthen our foreign government partners, communicate our values, protect our personnel overseas, and defend the homeland. Jordanian and Israeli interlocutors commonly stressed the importance of reinvigorating American leadership in the region to address the emergence of power vacuums where pernicious influences thrive. The delegation heard concerns in both countries about the impact of Russia and Iran's ascendant influence in regional conflicts, particularly Syria. These officials further emphasized the need for the US to shape a coalition of moderate regional countries that can challenge the reach of terrorist groups, radical ideologies, and Iran's destabilizing foreign policy. The U.S. delegation reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's security, which faces threats from virtually every direction on a daily basis. Delegation members also elicited Jordanian and Israeli officials' views about recent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the prospects for peace, particularly the possibility of achieving a two-state solution. Neither Jordanian nor Israeli officials expressed optimism about the near-term feasibility of achieving a final status agreement and establishing a Palestinian state. Although they emphasized different obstacles to achieving peace, both sides acknowledged the significant challenge posed by weak Palestinian leadership and institutions. Members of the delegation also heard about the importance of U.S. foreign aid to Jordan and Israel, two of the world's largest recipients of American foreign assistance. The delegation heard how such assistance fosters closer coordination and forges lasting partnerships that are unrivaled by the cooperation offered by other regional stakeholders, thus representing a critical mechanism of US influence.
press release
Helsinki Commissioners Champion Security, Human Rights at OSCE PA Winter Meeting in ViennaTuesday, February 28, 2017
WASHINGTON—Led by Helsinki Commission Chairman Roger Wicker (MS), five members of the Helsinki Commission and five other members of Congress traveled to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Winter Meeting in Vienna last week to demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. Congress to security, human rights, and the rule of law in the 57-nation OSCE region. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is vital to shaping the future of our European partnership and contributing to upholding the Helsinki principles. I am pleased that we were able to debate a number of issues – including terrorism, human rights, refugees, and Ukraine – in a constructive way," said Chairman Wicker. "Americans have a stake in uniting the community of participating nations in comprehensive security. I look forward to the opportunity to seek consensus on these and other issues." Much of this debate took place in the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security (First Committee), which Wicker chairs. Senator Wicker (MS) was joined in Austria by Helsinki Commissioners Rep. Roger Aderholt (AL-04), Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09), Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL-20), and Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08). The Delegation also included Senator Lamar Alexander (TN), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Rep. Eliot Engel (NY-16), Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01), and Rep. Steve King (IA-04), making the bipartisan, bicameral Delegation the largest U.S. delegation to a Winter Meeting in OSCE PA history. Speaking at the First Committee meeting, Rep. Hudson raised the issue of religious freedom, saying, "Violent extremism and terrorism – including in the name of religion – are real threats that must be countered and the related crimes prosecuted. However, religious affiliation itself is never a justification for detention and imprisonment." He observed that several participating States, including Russia, misuse laws regarding extremism or terrorism to persecute entire religious groups. In a plenary debate on human rights in times of crises, Rep. Aderholt, who also serves as a vice-president of the OSCE PA, stated, "Since 2014, Ukraine has been in a time of crisis based on the threat posed by Russian aggression. Such a situation could easily lead to deterioration in the human rights situation as well as increased corruption and societal intolerance. To Ukraine's credit, this has not happened … it must, of course, be noted that there has been a contrasting deterioration in the human rights record in those parts of Ukraine which have been seized by Russia and its separatist proxies." During the same debate, Rep. King spoke on the situation in Turkey, noting, "Turkey has every right to undertake policies that serve the interests of national security within the bounds of its human rights commitments, including the Helsinki Final Act. There has never been a more critical time to reaffirm that document's uniquely comprehensive idea of security that considers human rights and the building of democratic institutions as key pillars of a sustainable regional order." While in Vienna, members of the Delegation also discussed issues confronting the OSCE with the organization's leading diplomatic representatives, as well as the acting U.S. representative to the OSCE. Prior to attending the Winter Meeting, several members of the Delegation also visited Italy, Jordan, and Israel. At the Naples-based headquarters of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, members were briefed on key military issues, including ongoing operations against ISIS; migration flows across the Mediterranean; and Russia's increasingly assertive regional military posture and activities. In Jordan, Jordanian King Abdullah II received the Delegation and expressed his appreciation for the enduring support of the United States for his government and the Jordanian people. He underscored the importance of American leadership in the region and reviewed the regional and domestic challenges facing Jordan, particularly the security and humanitarian consequences of the civil war in Syria and war against ISIS. In Israel, the Delegation met with Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who stressed the grave and existential threat posed by Iran through its nuclear ambitions, advanced missile program, and regional terrorist proxies. He urged the U.S. to exercise leadership in the region to marginalize destabilizing forces and forge peaceful solutions to conflicts. The Delegation also met with Israeli Deputy Minister for Diplomacy Michael Oren and Political Director of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alon Usphiz, who echoed calls for renewed American leadership in the region and expressed concerns about the instability that arises from power vacuums left by conflicts like the civil war in Syria.
press release
Helsinki Commission Chairman Wicker Comments on Poisoning of Pro-Democracy Russian Activist, Fighting in UkraineWednesday, February 08, 2017
WASHINGTON–Helsinki Commission Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) today issued the following statement regarding the recent acts of aggression perpetrated by the Russian government: "In today's Russia, there is a disturbing trend of violence that targets members of the political opposition. I am particularly concerned about Vladimir Kara-Murza, who is fighting for his life in a Moscow hospital after being poisoned. Mr. Kara-Murza has appeared at multiple Helsinki Commission events and is a tireless advocate for restoring democratic freedoms to the Russian people. The United States should have no illusions about the nature of the Russian regime. "Meanwhile, fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to spread. Last week, the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine reported the heaviest fighting since combined Russian-separatist forces captured Debaltseve in January 2015. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has repeatedly condemned Russia's 'clear, gross, and uncorrected' violations of OSCE principles with respect to Ukraine. "I stand with UN Ambassador Nikki Haley in condemning the escalation of violence. Russia should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Vladimir Kara-Murza has a longstanding relationship with the Helsinki Commission. He first appeared at a Helsinki Commission briefing in 2011. He testified at a Helsinki Commission hearing on Russia in 2015 and briefed Commission staff before the 2016 Russian parliamentary elections.
press release
Co-Chairman Smith Expresses Support for Vladimir Kara-MurzaMonday, February 06, 2017
WASHINGTON—Responding to reports that Russian democracy activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, currently in a coma in a Russian hospital, was diagnosed with "acute poisoning by an undetermined substance," Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04) released the following statement: "I am deeply concerned by reports that, just as in 2015, Vladimir Kara-Murza was poisoned in Russia. Kara-Murza has been a champion of free and fair elections in Russia, and has fought bravely to hold Russian officials accountable for human rights violations. Vladimir and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. We all hope that he recovers quickly–and I call upon the Russian government to take all measures to investigate this incident, and to bring those responsible to justice." Kara-Murza testified before Smith at a Helsinki Commission hearing in October 2015, several months after a suspected poisoning earlier that year. Kara-Murza was also the target of death threats before the 2016 Russian parliamentary elections.
press release
Helsinki Commission Leaders Mark International Human Rights DayFriday, December 09, 2016
WASHINGTON—To mark International Human Rights Day on December 10, Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, and Sen. Roger Wicker (MS), Co-Chairman of the Commission, issued the following statements: "2016 has been a challenging year for the OSCE region – some governments have backslid on human rights, and humanitarian crises on the OSCE's periphery in Syria, Iraq, and elsewhere have driven waves of refugees into the OSCE region," Chairman Smith said. "And despite our best efforts, child sex tourism is soaring while protection lags. We each have an essential role to play in fighting for the human rights of those who are persecuted, whether they are political prisoners in Azerbaijan, refugees fleeing genocide in Syria, journalists in Turkey, or victims of human trafficking in our own country. We must all become human rights defenders." "We live in a world with significant security challenges, from cyber threats to terrorism to acts of aggression by one of our own OSCE participating States," said Co-Chairman Wicker. "However, as we work to maintain regional stability, we remember that security cannot exist independently from securing fundamental human rights. Today, we recommit ourselves to democracy, the rule of the law, and the rights of all people to determine their future free from tyranny and oppression." "The Helsinki Final Act is clear: human rights issues in one OSCE country are of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States," Chairman Smith concluded. "I call on the 57 nations of the OSCE to defend the rights and dignity of the most vulnerable, and to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of genocide and war in the Middle East."
Turkey: Human Rights in RetreatFriday, December 09, 2016
Five months after the failed coup attempt of July 15th, 2016, serious questions have emerged with regard to the future of democracy and the rule of law in Turkey. The Turkish government maintains sweeping state of emergency decrees, which have shuttered educational institutions, civic associations, and media organizations. Tens of thousands of people have been arrested, suspended, or fired for colluding with coup plotters, a determination often made with little to no credible documentation. In the wake of this ongoing crackdown, the Helsinki Commission convened a briefing to examine Turkey's deteriorating human rights conditions and the future of U.S.-Turkey relations. Helsinki Commission staff member Everett Price opened the briefing by recalling the Commission's original mandate, its fundamental mission to shed light on human rights violations, and the importance of candor in fostering friendly international relations. Dr. Y. Alp Aslandogan, Executive Director of the Alliance for Shared Values, provided a detailed description of the government's post-coup persecution of the Hizmet movement, minority groups such as the Kurds and Alevis, journalists, and teachers. Dr. Karin Karlekar, Director of the Free Expression Advocacy Team at PEN America, shed light on the Turkish government's intensified suppression of press freedom and free expression in the wake of the failed coup attempt. Finally, Dr. Nicholas Danforth, Senior Policy Analyst at the Bipartisan Policy Center, assessed the risks posed by the Turkish government's disregard for the rule of law and their potential implications for U.S.-Turkey relations. In the subsequent exchange of views moderated by Everett Price, the panelists reflected on the international community's role in promoting human rights, threats to academic freedom, and the potential for a renewed democratic trajectory in Turkey.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
United States


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And the 'Dancing With The Stars' season 18 winner is...
Meryl Davis is the latest celebrity to capture the "Dancing With the Stars" mirrorball trophy. The Olympic ice dancer earned the hardware on Tuesday night's season 18 finale of the ABC reality show. But while Meryl was the "star" she gave the spotlight to partner Maks, who marked his first win after 14 seasons in the competition.
Meryl and Maks were one of the top contenders all throughout the run. They led the way into Tuesday's finale, and ended with a perfect score of 90 for their finale dances.
Paralympic snowboarder Amy Purdy finished in the runner-up spot. She and her partner, and her partner, Derek Hough, were just one point behind Meryl on the leaderboard, with a judges' score of 89. Former "Full House" star Candace Cameron Bure said she was thrilled to take third place, adding that being in the finale was a victory to her.
The two-hour finale also featured memories and performances from the other season 18 contenders. Singer and actor James Maslow, who was eliminated in fourth place Monday night, received the encore request.
A number of musical performances were also peppered in throughout the night. Iggy Azaelea, Amber Riley, Ariana Grande, Christina Perri, and returning season 18 contender Cody Simpson also provided musical moments to the show.
Photo Credit ABC

subset: commoncrawl


text:
All Android applications categories
ABC for Kids : A to Z Alphabets with phonics and images for toddlers.
Kids ABC Alphabets with Phonics :
Kids ABC is a new and innovative way of learning basic ABC for Kids by playing with alphabets and listening to them.
The Phonics and pictures helps your kids to understand the basics of ABC.
This free application has all the letters from A to Z along with high quality animation. Toddlers can repeat ABC along with the phonics in this app.
Kids or toddlers learn ABC faster when its fun and this app provides a simple and sweet interface without any complex navigation stuffs.
Repeated phonics in this app helps your kids to memorize ABC while playing with them. Alphabets with words pictures and phonics make this app a perfect learning tool for basic or preschool ABC for kids.
ABC for Kids is for kids between 2-5 years.
from 1 reviews
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Best Of :: Bars & Clubs
Tired of going out and looking for a beer but having a limited selection to choose from? Looking for a place that offers the full gamut to fill your goblet? The Papago Brewing Company knows your pain. The owners believe that there is more to beer than Pabst Blue Ribbon and Coors Light. Featuring 30 different beers on tap as well as two engines for cask-conditioned ales, this place aims high and soars. It has a wide variety of imported, domestic and microbrew beers (more than 450) to wet your palate. Not to mention more than 100 unique and hard-to-find wines, ports and meads to quench your thirst. So, all you liquid dieters who are looking for an extensive menu of the finest suds in the land, head over to Papago Brewing Company and knock back some of nature's bliss.
Readers' Choice for Best Beer Selection: Timber Wolf Pub
Readers' Choice for Best Brew Pub: Four Peaks Brewing Company
Get your motor runnin'? Head out on the highway? Lookin' for adventure? Looking for your dentures, more likely. If you haven't already noticed, the median age for the heavy-metal thunder-riding Harleys these days is about 56, and it's the guys who stayed in med school in the '60s instead of pursuing personal freedom and white-line fever across America. So it's to be expected that this motorcycle clique making up for lost time makes its hedonistic home a chic, relatively new bar in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, wearing more leather apparel than most wanna-be punks half their age.
Despite the metal and marble bar's proximity to the Easyriders Tattoo Parlor, most of the marked men who come in for a drink are under the age of 29 and are too smarting from being under the needle to spike the "Born to Be Mild" set. But don't you make the mistake of writing off these geezers as two tires short of a wheelchair -- they're old enough to remember how to have a good time; they punch up mostly agreeable dinosaur rock selections on the corner "Jukebox-zilla," as it is affectionately known; they drink responsibly; and on Thursday ladies' nights, they usually have a fortysomething hottie in tow.
Can your old man pull off any of this without getting clocked in the head with a fryer by your Mom? Nah, didn't think so.
(and 10825 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 480-348-1666) The devil's in the details, and this ritzy bar knows exactly what it takes to mix the perfect mart. These toss-backs can get expensive ($7.50 for a basic recipe), but wow, they're worth it, with generous three-ounce pours of alcohol. Of course, these martinis are based on vodka (nobody uses gin anymore, it's so passé) with fruit (no olives, no onions; today's young drinkers want high-octane, cotton-candy punch). What shall it be tonight? Top picks: "Sex & the City," with Absolut Mandarin, Amaretto Disarrono, peach schnapps, orange juice and cranberry; and the "Soprano," with Campari, triple sec, Absolut Mandarin and a shake of OJ. Appetizers are needed to soak up the sting of lethally poured Stoli Razberi, served as the "Turner" with triple sec and lemon juice, or the Kaiser Soze, shaken with Stoli vanilla, Kahlúa, Bailey's, milk and Goldschlager. This is one devil we really want to dance with.
Readers' Choice: Martini Ranch
This is your cue to make a break to Kolbys Corner Pocket. Forget about those rinky-dink matchbox tables you have to pop quarters into. The 22 regulation-size tables here are works of art from the likes of Gandy, Gold Crown III and Brunswick. At Kolbys, you rent by the hour, which makes it a great destination for a group outing of wholesome fun. This place is serious about its pool and so are its patrons. There won't be some wayward drinker disrupting that crucial shot at the eight ball. Find the angle, line it up and sink into Kolbys Corner Pocket.
Readers' Choice: Clicks Billiards
There's only one place in the Valley to find and enjoy a truly great smoke -- Goodfella's. The recently opened lounge has two buildings in which to relax. The front houses the humidor that is stocked with premium cigars such as Romeo y Julieta, Don Thomas, Arturo Fuente and Montecristo. There is also a flat-screen TV and parlor sofas. If you smoke up an appetite, grab a sandwich from the deli.
A separate building in back is home to the members-only cigar club (membership is $175 a year). There's a salon fully equipped with a pool table, dart room, plush leather couches, a conference room and more. Members receive discounts on cigars and special events like televised fights. The real flavor to this place is here, in an atmosphere that allows you to enjoy your tobacco with other like-minded individuals.
Readers' Choice: Ritz-Carlton
Is there a place that meets these requirements: a) a huge selection of top-shelf liquors; b) a spacious floor plan with lots of comfortable seating; c) an outdoor area to take in some fresh air; and d) rows upon rows of beautiful men?
Yes sir! Only one place in the Valley can serve up these requirements and keep them coming -- Amsterdam. Enjoy martinis and a manicure (on Mondays) or just come every day of the week for an abundance of eye candy. Is it a coincidence that this ultra-hip bar is named after the unofficial gay capital of the world? We don't think so.
Readers' Choice: Amsterdam


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Justin Bieber posts racy cartoon picture of himself in bed with a 'Belieber'
Listen to Justin Bieber on iHeartRadio
Some of Justin Bieber's fans may not have been ready for a photo he posted on his Instagram earlier this week. The singer provided some distraction from his Anne Frank controversy by starting another, when he posted a cartoon image of a bare-chested male bearing his resemblance lying in bed with a young woman who appears to be topless.
If there was any confusion about who was who, the words "Justin" and "Belieber" appear above each of them.
It's unclear what the origin of the racy cartoon is, but it's possible it could have been a piece of fan artwork sent to the 19-year-old. The photo got quite the response from his young fans, who voiced their envy of the animated girl cuddling with the star.
Photo Credit Instagram


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BT already has drivers that support that card built-in. If you install the ubiquiti drivers, it will may overwrite the modules already included.
To build and install the ubiquiti drivers run make in the ubnt directory, then cd into src/madwifi-dfs-* and run make install.
I haven't tried these. The SRC isn't listed as a supported card and I haven't bought any ubiquiti mini-pci cards yet.
I'd be interested in how they work for you. Injection, monitor mode, reported txpower, stuff like that if the drivers recognize your card.Driver Compatibility: SR2, SR5, SR4, SR9, XR2, XR3, XR4, XR5, XR7, XR9
Good Luck


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|index by Group
|index by Distribution
|index by Vendor
|index by creation date
|index by Name
|Name: sqlite2
|Distribution: openSUSE 12.1
|Version: 2.8.17
|Vendor: openSUSE
|Release: 179.1.2
|Build date: Sat Oct 29 09:52:39 2011
|Group: Productivity/Databases/Servers
|Build host: build20
|Size: 348072
|Source RPM: sqlite2-2.8.17-179.1.2.src.rpm
|Packager: http://bugs.opensuse.org
|Url: http://www.sqlite.org/
|Summary: Embeddable SQL Database Engine
SQLite is a C library that implements an embeddable SQL database engine. Programs that link with the SQLite library can have SQL database access without running a separate RDBMS process. SQLite is not a client library used to connect to a big database server. SQLite is the server and the SQLite library reads and writes directly to and from the database files on disk. SQLite can be used via the sqlite command line tool or via any application that supports the Qt database plug-ins. Authors: -------- D. Richard Hipp <email@example.com>
Public Domain, Freeware
* Thu Jul 01 2010 email@example.com - use %_smp_mflags * Sat Dec 19 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - add baselibs.conf as a source * Wed Aug 26 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - make patch0 usage consistent * Sun Feb 22 2009 firstname.lastname@example.com - remove sttaic libraries and "la" files * Wed Jan 07 2009 email@example.com - obsolete old -XXbit packages (bnc#437293) * Wed May 14 2008 firstname.lastname@example.com - Fix broken cast. * Thu Apr 10 2008 firstname.lastname@example.com - added baselibs.conf file to build xxbit packages for multilib support * Mon Apr 07 2008 firstname.lastname@example.com - Fix the test suite for Tcl 8.5 (sqlite2-tcl.diff). * Tue Nov 14 2006 firstname.lastname@example.com - apply additional pointer check for avoiding crash within php5 (#218295) * Fri Nov 10 2006 email@example.com - fix permissions of man page file
/usr/bin/sqlite /usr/lib/libsqlite.so.0 /usr/lib/libsqlite.so.0.8.6 /usr/share/man/man1/sqlite.1.gz
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Man planted camera in JCPenney's bathroom, police say
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RSS readers are available as software that you download or via an internet website. Both Google and Yahoo! offer a selection of readers to choose from. News readers vary slightly in how they are used, so you may want to test several to find one that suits you best.
After you have chosen an RSS reader, you will need to subscribe to our news feed. To do this, include the address http://www.doj.state.or.us/_layouts/OID.Web.DOJ/Pages/Rss.aspx as one of your reader's subscriptions.
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As grant projects are completed, a fact sheet is created after conducting site visitations and contacting grantees.
The following fact sheets are a sample of the different grant project categories (Land Acquisition, Applied Research, Planning/Coordination/Management, Low Cost Construction, and Education/Outreach, as well as a selection from 2003 to 2013 to display the diverse project locations and content. Fact sheets are in PDF format.


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How many books can I check out at one time?
There is no limit to the number of books that can be checked out by UAB faculty, staff, and students. LHL courtesy card holders may only check out 5 books at one time.
For more information call the HUB at (205) 934-3306.
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text: Well, the wedding might be delayed because of the unrest in Ukraine but Hayden Panettiere is pregnant with her boyfriend, Wladimir Klitschko's baby. I'm not really sure why the couple can't get married. Yes, I know Wladimir's brother is big in politics in Ukraine and that a destination wedding in the country is probably not ideal, but it seems to me that if the unrest is not stopping you from having a baby, then it probably shouldn't stop you from getting married. There are other places to get married. Of course this could have been a trade. He doesn't want to get married yet, but is willing to have a baby. Or, maybe it was just an accident. US Weekly doesn't give a due date, but a friend of Hayden's told the magazine that she is "totally pregnant." Yeah, that definitely sounds like a friend of Hayden.


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1. Learn about what's happening on and around campus:
2. Faculty Postings:
Occasionally, faculty will post openings through SOURCE. We will link these specifically from the SOURCE home page when they exist.
3. Faculty:
Faculty are a great resource for learning about research (their own as well as the department) and potential research mentors.
4. Friends:
CWRU has an undergraduate research culture, so many of your friends may know when something is coming open in their own labs.
5. The SOURCE office:
Part of our job really is to inform you how to get connected to research positions on campus.
Off campus summer opportunities are numerous. Be mindful of deadlines, which mostly are between mid-January and mid-March. Do not limit yourself to just the section you feel you fall under. Many STEM (Science, Technology, Enginnering, Math) programs also have programs for non-STEM students. Please look over the entire list located here: http://www.case.edu/provost/source/opp/offcampus.htm.


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This offer is subject to change, alteration, or termination by BERRICLE in its sole discretion at any time. FREE standard shipping apply to all U.S. orders with no minimum order amount. For a limited time, orders over $100 after discount / promo (if any) and shipped to a single U.S. address will get FREE upgrade with priority shipping.
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MANUFACTURER: Atlantic Merchandising.
Brut Cologne by Faberge, Launched by the design house of faberge in 1964, brut is classified as a refined, spicy, lavender, amber fragrance. This masculine scent possesses a blend of citrus top notes with hints of spicy woods. It is recommended for evening wear.
Cuba Gold Giftset For Men With 3.3 Oz Edt Spray, 3.4 Oz Aftershave Spray, 6.7 Oz Deodorant - 1 Ea
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Acqua Di Gio Edt Spray By Giorgio Armani For Women - 3.4 Oz
Our Price:$78.93


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Mauviel M' Cook Saute Pan, 3.4 Quarts
• 5 ply Construction - High performance cookware, works on all cooking surfaces, including induction.
• 2.6 mm Thickness on all shapes - even heat distribution (fast, uniform, controlled cooking).
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• Available in cast stainless steel, cast iron, or bronze handles.
• Oversized handles - for safe lifting of stew pans, roasters and other large pots.
• Professional diameters and heights - M'Cook products have high sides and are designed for both professional and household cooking.
• Oven safe to 680 °F.
• Dishwasher safe.
• Each piece handcrafted in France by Mauviel - manufacturing cookware since 1830.
• Lifetime guarantee.
• 9.5" diameter.
• 3.4 quart capacity.


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Carolyn from Creamery, Pennsylvania writes:
Every day I get emails that contain red X's and I cannot open the pictures within the emails. What can I do to be able to open these pictures? Thank you!
If you're getting a red X in place of the image in an e-mail a few things could be the cause. The fixes are simple, too. Here' a a list of possible causes and solutions, arranged from the most likely cause to the least likely.
Images not displayed link.
Most modern e-mail clients and web based e-mail is set up to automatically block pictures from downloading unless you've added the sender to your approved e-mail list. You can click the link at the top of the e-mail to always display images or add the senders e-mail address to your approved senders list. The reason images are blocked by default is that when you download an image, that download can be tracked and used to identify when and if an e-mail is read.
Bad picture URL/website down/network issues.
If the website that is hosting the images is offline or the address was typed incorrectly in the e-mail before it was sent, the picture may not be able to load. If you right click on the picture you may be able to open image in new tab or inspect the properties. If the image does not load and you receive a 404 or not found error that means the picture address is incorrect and a new e-mail with the correct addresses needs to be sent out to you. Your local internet provider may also be having problems communicating correctly with the web server and you will be able to view the e-mail once the network issues have been resolved.
Blocked Attachments/Anti-Virus Blocked
The pictures that were set to download in the e-mail may have been flagged as blocked content by your company's IT policy, or your anti-virus program may have determined an image had contained a possible virus. If your company blocked the download, you should contact your IT department to see about unblocking images or enabling image download. If the image was blocked by your anti-virus program and you're 100% sure it's safe, you can disable the anti-virus and reload the e-mail.
There are other possible causes, including an e-mail communication problem where the entire message was not downloaded, your e-mail client not supporting the file (if a .png image for example is used but your e-mail client doesn't support viewing that type of image file) or the computer gremlin that appears once in a while to cause random problems for no apparent reason. If all else fail,s you can try responding to the e-mail or contacting the company who sent it to see if they have any recommendations to resolve the problem.
P.S. If you're using Internet Explorer and seeing small image icons instead of red x you may have to reset your security settings. Click here to read Microsoft's knowledge base article on how to fix this problem.
Tags: e-mail help images, images not loading, red x, red x picture, red x where picture is


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now u will see the what tye of chip is u r used wheather chip is supported for bt5/bt4
try 2 patch the drivers and enable RFMON in monitor mode..
every time i use airodump-ng it gives me an error
error :
ioctl(SIOCSIWMODE) failed:
Device or resource busy
ARP linktype is set to 1 (Ethernet) - expected ARPHRD_IEEE80211,
or ARPHRD_IEEE80211_PRISM instead.
sure RFMON is enabled: run 'airmon-ng start wlan0 <#>'
Sysfs injection support was not found either.
i know the card is supported and that it works
when i type in ifconfig it says that encap is configure to ethernet
sorry for bad english and iam new to backtrack
now u will see the what tye of chip is u r used wheather chip is supported for bt5/bt4
try 2 patch the drivers and enable RFMON in monitor mode..
I am newer to backtract&Linux as can be and happen to have the same brand of wireless usb card than you, that is, the TL-WN722N High Gain WIfi Card, Atheros Chipset. I bought it today. So the first time i plugged it to backtrack running on VmWare, i got exactly the same error message than you...
I was all set to come here searching for answers when suddenly i just did the following proceedings in vmware (don't know if you have a HDD install, live CD ou USB, or just running on VmWare like me)....so what i did was simply disconnect the usb wifi card from the virtual machine and reconnected it again...(in the lower right corner where the devices show up) and guess what, after that the error message disappeared and i could proceed. So, just try it if you are using Vmware, it might just work...eheh...
...also read it somewhere in this forum that sometimes there are these kinds of issues and might be also related with the network manager of backtrack..so you could also give it a try to disconnect/disable it and see what is the outcome...
airodump-ng, on wlan0/mon0 works fine and we get a screen with all the wifi nets available around...but i am stuck right now in my next move wich is airodumping in a particular essid and channel. when i issue the proper airodump-ng command, the nest screen starts pumping up the beacons as times elapses but i can't get , in the line bellow the corresponding values, like STATION, for instance, etc. I just get the headres but with no values..... i have the slightest idea why..so i will have to llok around for an answer or make a thread maybe...
Goog luck!


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| RescueSCG is searching for an experienced Research Director to lead the research department. Qualified candidates are well-versed in quantitative and qualitative research methods for both field- and online-based data collection. Understanding of statistical methods with experience in planning and implementing statistically valid procedures and analysis for internal research projects. Must have leadership and project management experience to oversee overlapping research projects and a growing team of researchers.
Applications must be submitted to RescueSCG.com/careers.
When applying for this position, please mention you saw this ad in the APS Employment Network.
|Ad has been online since July 24, 2013


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Bookmark this site
NEW YORK CITY -- Manhattan Amusement, based here and owned by John Cullen, has settled a lawsuit brought by the Amusement And Music Owners Association of New York Inc. for violating business contracts copyrighted by AMOA-NY. Penalties paid by the operator and related settlement terms were not disclosed.
"The parties agreed to settle this matter in a manner consistent with recognition of the validity of the AMOA-NY copyrights," said AMOA-NY executive director Danny Frank. "This demonstrates that AMOA-NY copyrights can be enforced."
Frank added that AMOA-NY will continue its investigations and enforcement actions regarding contract violations. "Those parties who are using AMOA-NY copyrighted material without proper authorization would do best to come forward to our organization," he warned. "We will try to be cooperative in reaching a plan with them to achieve compliance."
The regional trade association announced its lawsuit against Manhattan Amusements in September. | SEE STORY


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Was $69.95 NOW $29.95
This is the portable music player that puts on a dazzling light show as you listen to your favorite songs. While the music plays through the 3" stereo speakers, the mirrored front comes to life, emitting brilliant colored starbursts that flare and sparkle in an ever-changing random pattern, evoking a dance club environment. No larger than a box of tissues, the compact unit connects to virtually any audio source, from a smartphone, MP3 player, or computer, to a USB flash drive or SD memory card. The illuminated volume dial provides easy access in the dark, and a remote control ensures the DJ doesn't have to leave the dance floor to control the entertainment. Also includes an FM radio. Requires three AA batteries. 9" L x 5" H x 5.25" D. (1 1/2 lbs.)
Lifetime Guarantee
The Light Show Music Player comes with The Hammacher Schlemmer Lifetime Guarantee. If this product ever disappoints you, for any reason, you may return your Hammacher Schlemmer purchase for exchange, credit, or refund.
Should you have any questions, we are available seven days a week (8:00 am – midnight EST). Please call 1-800-321-1484 to speak with a specialist or email us at email@example.com to receive a response within three business hours or less.
Sale item quantities are limited — please order soon.
May we recommend:
(based on 8 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
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Reviewed by 8 customers
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(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Light Show is Too Much
By Big dog
from New Jersey
The unit is compact and has great sound. The light show is a nice feature, but there should be an option to turn it off when you just want to use the unit for its speakers. It can become annoying after a while.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- flag this review
Good unit but bad FM radio quality
By John the dragon slayer
from Phoenix, AZ
The unit amplifies iPods and other axilliary inputs good but the self contained FM tuner is highly distorted and you wouldn't want to listen to it. If you don't care about the FM tuner part of it, then the unit works O.K.
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: Thank you for your feedback. FM Radio will play when the unit is turned on. Extend the antenna on the top and press the PREV or NEXT buttons on the control panel to change radio stations. Our customer service team is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-321-1484 and would be happy to assist you.
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
I'm well pleased with the product. I
By Butane
from Loa Angeles, Ca
Could not have made a better deal. I love it.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
good sound
By rabbit
from pittsburgh
good idea.sound is good.however fm did not work on my unit.vendor will make good on problem.
definitely different, cool
By $taffyp$
from Calgary, Alberta Cananda
Bought this item as a gift for a family member, they love it ....
Nice look but the Radio FM does not work
By loco4ti
from Rancho Cucamonga - California
I order this music box for the FM Radio and is not working at all.....not a single radio station found
Everything's a Party!
By CitySlicker
from New York, NY
This product was a great hit as a gift. It has been on constantly since it was received. Sound and lights are fantastic.
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't
By Pete
Does not have a Random function; Always starts with the first song every time you turn it on; light show is not coordinated with the music, it dances to it's own tune; remote does not come with any instructions, and no all buttons are not self explanatory; the power key on the remote does shut the player down, but the light show continues unless you switch it off on the back of the unit.
Hammacher Schlemmer Response: At Hammacher Schlemmer, our goal is for you to be delighted with our products and our service. However, it is clear that this item fell far short of your expectations and for this you have our sincere apologies. Please remember that we back our merchandise with a lifetime guarantee. Should you ever find that an item doesn't perform to your satisfaction, our customer service team is available at 1-800-321-1484 to assist you with returning it.
COPYRIGHT © 2017 HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER & COMPANY, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. W108147 E. 57th ST • NEW YORK, NY • 10022 • 1-800-_321-1484


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Buy a 01309 number and have it pointed to your existing landline or mobile phone.
01309 number online by clicking
Have a question? Call us or view our Frequently asked questions here
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The Grove Dictionary of Art, part of Oxford Art Online, contains over 45,000 articles compiled over a period of 15 years. More than 6,800 scholars from around the world, each writing on his or her own specialist field of study, contributed. Includes more than 20,000 artists biographies and thousands of images of painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture, photography and the decorative arts. Also included in Oxford Art Online are The Oxford Companion to Western Art, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, and The Encyclopedia of Aesthetics.
The Grove Dictionary of Art covers every aspect of the visual arts - painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture, decorative arts and photography - from prehistory to the present day.
Library service desk: 828-262-2820 or Ask a Librarian [1]
Access is restricted to ASU students, faculty, and staff.
Number of simultaneous users: 11


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WATCH: French Montana's Twisted 'Don't Panic' Video Featuring Khloe Kardashian
Listen to French Montana Radio on iHeartRadio
French Montana premiered his "Don't Panic" music video on Wednesday, and it's pretty twisted.
The rapper and girlfriend Khloe Kardashian filmed the clip last month, drawing some controversy after posting photos online with guns.
The finished product is a bit disturbing, featuring a woman seemingly being tortured and masked people causing chaos in the streets armed with weapons.
Can't say we saw the ending coming, however.
Check out the video below!


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Atlanta 'Like Walking Dead' Over 3 Inches of Snow
(NEWSER) – Three inches of snow may not sound like enough to shut down an entire big city, but it is quite enough when that city is Atlanta and the storm is, as the governor of Georgia said last night, "unexpected." Drivers trying to get home from work spent as long as nine hours on the roads, which eventually iced over when temperatures dropped. The Wall Street Journal reports many roads were still gridlocked at midnight. Some kids even spent the night at school when buses weren't able to get them home, while other drivers spent the night in churches, fire stations, strangers' homes, and supermarkets. The governor and Atlanta's mayor admitted errors in the state's response to Winter Storm Leon, partially because it had been expected to hit more to the south.
Read the full story on Newser.com