Defending press freedom… every day

 …, kept on constant alert via its network of over 100 correspondents, rigorously condemns any attack on press freedom world-wide by keeping the media and public opinion informed through press releases and public-awareness campaigns.  The association defends journalists and other media contributors and professionals who have been imprisoned or persecuted for doing their work. It speaks out against the abusive treatment and torture that is still common practice in many countries.  The organisation supports journalists who are being threatened in their own countries and provides financial and other types of support to their needy families.  … is fighting to reduce the use of censorship and to oppose laws designed to restrict press freedom.  The association is also working to improve the safety of journalists world-wide, particularly in war zones. It is committed to assist in the rebuilding of media groups and to provide financial and material support to news staffs experiencing hardships.  Finally, since January 2002, when it created the Damocles Network, … acquired a judicial arm. In order to ensure that murderers and torturers of journalists are brought to trial, the Network provides victims with legal services and represents them before the competent national and international courts, so that proper judicial procedures can be implemented.

2.11. After-reading tasks and discussion points.

1. Give an outline of the major activities undertaken by the above organizations.

2. In what do their areas of concern overlap do you think?

3. Which of the four organizations would you choose to join as a volunteer? Amnesty International (Text 1), Human Rights Watch (Text 2), Greenpeace (Text 3), or Reporters without Borders (Text 4)?

4. What examples of these organizations’ activities can you think of?

5. Read the texts again and write out the collocations best describing the organizations’ mission.

6. Work in groups and write mission statements for any of the major international organizations known to you.

3. Focus on Rendering and Translation

3.1. Render the news stories into Russian, paying attention to the words in italics. Amnesty Slams un

Amnesty International accused NATO and the United Nations on Monday of failing to observe high hu­man rights standards in Kosovo.

In a report on an outbreak of vio­lence last month in the volatile city of Mitrovica, the human rights organi­zation called for an independent in­quiry into the fatal shooting of an ethnic Albanian man by the NATO-led KFOR peacekeeping force.

It also said 49 people detained by French troops after the violence were kept in inhumane, cold and unsani­tary conditions and denied rights.

Washington Post. 2000. 21 September.

Lebanon Gets Tough

Lebanon has set tough conditions for the implementation of a 22-year-old UN resolution calling on Israel to withdraw its army from southern Lebanon, demands that could set back efforts to bring about a peaceful pullout by the summer.

The Lebanese conditions, such as UN forces participating in disarming Palestinian guerillas and the world body guaranteeing that Israel respect Lebanese territorial sovereignty, came in the form of questions in a letter from President Emile Lahoud to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Guardian. 1999. 10 May.