Amazon Indians' protest forces repeal of laws

{From Survival International} Protests by thousands of Indians across the Peruvian Amazon have led to the repeal of two controversial laws by the Peruvian Congress. The protests were in response to new laws decreed by President Garcia that the Indians said undermined their rights and made it easier for outsiders to seize control of their territories. Following ten days of protests, Congress voted to repeal two of the most controversial laws – Legislative Decrees 1015 and 1073. The leader of Peru’s national Amazon Indian organisation, AIDESEP, described the decision as heralding a ‘new dawn’ for indigenous peoples in Peru. The protests, called off last week, involved an estimated 14,000 Indians. Roads and a river were blockaded, an oil pipeline picketed, and a hydroelectric plant surrounded. The repeal of the two laws must be approved by Peru’s Executive.

Call for Papers: 2009 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD

CALL FOR PAPERS 2009 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law American University Washington College of Law The Academy is proud to announce the topic of the 2009 Human Rights Essay Award. This year’s topic for the essay in English is: “60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: its contemporary normative impact”. Deadline for submissions is February 3, 2009. About the Award This annual competition seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly works in international human rights law. The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law grants two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish. The Jury deciding the Award will be comprised of professionals with a recognized expertise in international human rights law. The best articles may be published in the American University International Law Review. The Award in each case will consist of: a scholarship to the 2009 Specialized Human Rights Program travel expenses* to Washington D.C. housing* at the university dorms per diem for living expenses* for the three-week session Eligibility and Requirements · Participants may choose any subject related to the assigned topic: “60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: its contemporary normative impact”. · Candidates must hold a law degree. · Submissions must be unpublished legal papers in English, written solely by the candidate. · Articles must not exceed 35 pages, including footnotes, and must be double spaced using 12-point Times New Roman font. · Articles must be submitted via email to hracademy@wcl.american.edu in Microsoft Word format. · The deadline to submit articles is February 3, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. EST. · Winners will be announced on April 1, 2009 on our website · A comprehensive list of rules is available at: www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy.hraward.cfm If you have questions please contact the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at 202-274-4070 or via email at hracademy@wcl.american.edu *subject to restrictions