The 2011 Human Rights Film Festival will take place from 27th to 30th of January 2011 at Cinema Metropolis Empire Sofil, Beirut.

Festivals play a powerful role in turning a delicate issue, like human rights abuses (torture and arbitrary detention, women’s rights, rights of refugees and migrant workers) in an accessible way for the general public.

As festivals reach a big audience, this is an important goal that we are willing to achieve through the screening of a series of documentaries on human rights in Lebanon.

The event will last 4 days and each one will focus on a specific human right issue:

Women’s rights – 27/01/2011
Refugees’ rights – 28/01/2011
Migrants’ rights and discrimination – 29/01/2011
Detainees’ rights and arbitrary detention – 30/01/2011

The program includes screening of human rights documentaries, artistic performances related to the same issue (music or theatre), speakers and panel discussions with the public.

The Festival will also host photo exhibitions, a selection of human rights publications available from the project’s Documentation Centre, will see the presence of all the 13 associations taking part at the “Human Rights is Lebanon” Coalition and much more!

Starting at 6pm – FREE ENTRANCE

June 12 is Global Day of Action to Free Prisoners of Conscience in Iran.

Why June 12?

Almost a year has passed since the flawed presidential election in Iran, which spurred to action the people of Iran, who joined together, regardless of demographic, to protest their stolen votes, and later to advocate for their civil & human rights. Movements like these are rarely witnessed in Muslim countries.

June 12, 2010 will mark one year since the initial systematic human and civil rights crackdowns following the election, which has led to the arrests and detainment of thousands of activists, students, writers, minorities, and everyday citizens.

For the day, prominent international human right NGOs, grassroots groups, networks, university campuses, and individuals will join forces to support the civil and human rights movement in Iran and call the Islamic Republic of Iran on its blatant human rights abuses.

In addition to promoting this Global Day of Action, we at Nasawiya have taken it upon ourselves to call for  the release of Hengameh Shahidi, about 35, a journalist and political activist who is currently serving a six-year sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran. The six- year prison term includes five years for “gathering and colluding with intent to harm state security” and one year for “propaganda against the system.” She is a prisoner of conscience.

In April 2010, Shahidi, while meeting her mother in Evin prison, sent a message despite the trend of illegal detention, interrogations and also an approved heavy sentence from Court of Appeals, she respects what is defined as punishment for her and have prepared herself for serving a 6 year sentence. (You can read her full message here.)

On June 12, whether you’re tweeting, blogging, writing, thinking or talking to friends, please take a few moments to remember all the imprisoned Iranian activists and freedom fighters, our partners in the struggle for justice.