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Western Sahara
Rafto Laureate attacked in Western Sahara
Sahrawi human rights defender and the 2002 Rafto Prize Laureate, Sidi Mohammed Daddach was subjected to a brutal aggression on June 17.
Daddach was severely beaten by the Moroccon police while he was visiting a political prisoner, Ibrahim Sabbar, who was newly released.
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Burma
Bergen for Burma
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi spent her 63. birthday in Burma in house arrest on June 19. In the meantime the Burmese people are fighting for their survival after the Cyclone Nargis.
The Rafto Foundation, Amnesty International Norway and Save the Children Norway organised several events in Bergen on June 19.
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Burma
Memorial ceremony for Burma - June 19
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's democratic leader who is still in house arrest, will turn 63 years on June 19 this year. Traditionally this is celebrated and marked in many places around the world.
The Rafto Foundation in cooperation with Amnesty International Norway Region West, Save the Children Norway and exile Burmese in Bergen invite to a memorial ceremony, seminar and a concert in Bergen.
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Belarus
Belarussians in isolation
Gennady Grushevoy, a former member of the Belarussian parliament and the 1999 Rafto Prize laureate, visited Bergen on June 11. During his stay Grushevoy gave stern warnings about the lack of democratic development in Belarus.
The Belarusian population suffers from isolation from the European community. Todays Schengen visa policy is a great obstacle to the democratization of the Belarus society.
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The Rafto Prize 1999
Rafto Prize laureate from Belarus visits Norway
Gennady Grushevoy, the 1999 Rafto Prize laureate from Belarus is visiting Norway from June 10-12. He was awarded the Rafto Prize for his many years of brave work for democracy and human rights in Belarus.
Following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, which hit Belarus harder than any other country, Grushevoy founded the NGO «For Children of Chernobyl». He and his co-workers is helping thousands of victims, despite the oppression of the civil society in Belarus.
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Burma
Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest extended
The Burmese military junta has extended the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi, reports the Norwegian Burma Committee and the international news agencies.
The extension was issued despite a Burmese law that stipulates no one can be held longer than five years without being released or put on trial. Suu Kyi has been under house arrest continuously since 2003.
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Western Sahara
Saharawi expectations
Despite a series of peace talks, expectations for a sustainable solution to the conflict in Western Sahara seem distant. That is a perspective the Saharawis have grown quite used to.
Photo (right): Saharawi are proud of their cultural traditions. Norwegian Refugee Council/Ronny Hansen.
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Seminar
Dignity and Human Rights
The Rafto Foundation will have focus on elderly patiens and human rights on Tuesday, May 20. Toghether with A Dignified Old Age – A lifetime Guarantee, Rafto invite to the seminar DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: Elderly patients with cognitive failure.
Professor Dr. Jur. Thomas Klie, an internationally highly respected expert on dignity, ethics and human rights related to patients with dementia will participate.
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Uyghurs
China's Minority Challenge
What happens in the more distant regions of today’s China is kept away from outside eyes and ears. Gaining insights from contested sites in China is demanding task.
No matter its size in area China has increased its control over its minorities, such as the Uyghurs and the Tibetans. Read interview with Rebiya Kadeer.
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Burma
Solidarity message to Aung San Suu Kyi
Following the human tragedy in Burma caused by cyclone, Thich Quang Do, the 2006 Rafto Prize laureate sends solidarity message to Aung San Suu Kyi and the Buddhist monks and people of Burma.
The message is sent from Thanh Minh Zen Monastery in Saigon, where Thich Quang Do is in a house arrest and distributed by the International Buddhist Information Bureau.
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Beijing Olympics
Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch relay in Vietnam
Thich Quang Do, the 2006 Rafto Prize laureate attended demonstration on Olympic torch relay in Saigon on April 29, reports the International Buddhist Information Bureau.
The streets were blocked with Security and riot police and filled with young Chinese, tells Thich Quang Do.
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Beijing Olympics
The light is on China – does it shine?
Different approaches and strategies on human rights problems were presented at the seminar “Focus: China, human rights and Beijing Olympics” on April 11 in Bergen.
The key-note speaker was the 2004 Rafto Laureate, Rebiya Kadeer (picture, photo: Sean Murray).
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Dalits
The worst job in the world?
On the occasion of Ambedkar day, the Rafto Foundation calls attention to the Dalit struggle against manual scavenging, one of the worst social problems of the Indian subcontinent.
The National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) was the recipient of the 2007 Rafto Prize for human rights.
Photo: Jacob Carlsen
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The Rafto Prize 2004
Rafto Laureate, Kadeer, opened exhibition
Rebiya Kadeer, who is currently visiting Norway, opened an exhibition «In Our World of Good and Evil» on April 13 in Oslo.
Through graphic prints, the exhibition shows children's drawings and their thoughts concerning human rights.
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The Rafto Prize 1994
Leyla Zana convicted to two years in prison
Leyla Zana, a well know political spokesperson for the Kurds in Turkey and the 1994 Rafto Laureate has been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Turkish Court.
The court’s judgment said she violated the Anti-Terrorism Law after a speech she held at a Kurdish Newroz Festival in 2007.
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Seminar
China, Human Rights and Beijing Olympics
The Rafto Foundation and the European Law Student Association in Bergen invites to the international seminar "Focus: China, Human Rights and 2008 Beijing Olympics" on Friday, April 11.
Rebiya Kadeer, the 2004 Rafto Prize laureate, is one of the speakers. For program see Read more.
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Western Sahara
Student imprisoned for speaking out
The Saharawi student and human rights activist Said Bellal (picture) participated in a demonstration in May 2007. Photo: the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara.
In a statement given 31 March, Amnesty International reports he must serve a four month sentence in Moroccan jail.
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Belarus
Statement concerning arrests in Belarus
Andrei Liankevich, photojournalist of Nasha Niva was brutally beaten and arrested by riot police in Minsk, Belarus, while taking part in a peaceful demonstration marking the 90th anniversary of the Belarusian Democratic Republic.
The Rafto Foundation along with other NGOs condemn the arrests and brutal attacks by riot police of peaceful demonstrators and journalists.
Photo: Andrei Liankevich
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Tibet
Kadeer expresses full support to the Tibetan people
Rebiya Kadeer, the 2004 Rafto Prize laureate, expressed her full support and solidarity of the Uyghur people with the Tibetans in light of the brutal crackdown on Tibetan monks and nuns.
As the family of nations prepares to gather for the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing has tainted the Olympics with the blood of innocent people.
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Tibet
Thich Quang Do sends Message of Solidarity
In face of the Chinese government’s violent military crackdown on peaceful protests of Buddhists in Tibet, the Venerable Thich Quang Do, the 2006 Rafto Prize laureate has sent a Message of Solidarity to Dalai Lama and the people of Tibet, expressing support for their peaceful struggle for freedom.
Thich Quang Do is under house arrest in the Thanh Minh Zen Monastery in Saigon.
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Rafto Prize
The 2008 Rafto Prize: call for nominations
Voluntary organisations, institutions and individuals worldwide, with knowledge or interest in human rights are welcome to nominate candidates for the Rafto Prize.
Former recipients of the Prize can also nominate candidates.
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Seminar
Towards Beijing: Sports and Politics
Despite protests from the International Olympic Committee that they have little responsibility for promoting certain political or social developments in host countries for mega-events, The Olympic Games in Beijing 2008 is one of the clearest examples that many people consider sport, politics and the media to be intimately linked.
This subject will be discussed during a seminar on 7 March at The Norwegian School of Sport Science, Oslo.
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EU Turkey Civic Commission
Turkish incursion into Kurdistan
On 21 February, up to 10 000 Turkish soldiers crossed the Iraqi Kurdistan border in order to track down PKK guerrillas.
EU Turkey Civic Commission and the 1994 Rafto Prize laureate Leyla Zana strongly condemn Turkish incursion into Kurdistan.
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East Timor
Rafto prize recipient José Ramos-Horta shot in his home
The Rafto Foundation has received the news of the violent attack on José Ramos-Horta (right), President of East Timor, with shock and worry.
Rafto Chairman Arne Liljedahl Lynngård condemns the attack in the strongest possible manner, and expresses his deepest concern for the health of the President on behalf of the entire Rafto Foundation.
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Xinjiang, China
Ghulja massacre - memorial event in Bergen
On the eleventh anniversary of the Ghulja massacre, the Rafto Foundation and uyghurs in Bergen remembered the hundreds of Uyghurs who were killed, imprisoned, or who disappeared after having taken part in a peaceful demonstration in Ghulja in the northwest of East Turkestan.
The event was opened at the UN Human Rights Plaza in Bergen. After the ceremony a documentary film "On a Tightrope" was showed.
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Xinjiang, China
Remembering the Ghulja massacre
February 5, 2008 marks the 11th anniversary of a brutal crackdown on a peaceful demonstration in the city of Ghulja in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
Remembering the massacre, the Rafto Foundation invites to a ceremony at the Human Rights Plaza (Menneskerettighetenes plass 1) in Bergen on 5 February at 16:00.
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North Korea
Rafto – North Korea Conference in London
The 8th International Conference on North Korean Human Rights and Refugees was arranged at January 22 under the theme "North Korea: New Approaches."
- We need a dialogue to get further in the discussion of human rights issues in North Korea, says Therese Jebsen, Executive Director of the Rafto Foundation.
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Western Sahara
Occupied and Abandoned
Ever since 1975 Western Sahara has been under illegal Moroccan occupation. Rabab Amidane (right), a Saharawi student, visits Bergen on November 19 to talk about the abuse and human rights violations she and her fellow students have suffered. In addition, a representative from the South African Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs will explain why these atrocities keep happening in silence.
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EU Turkey Civic Commission
Letter to European Commission
The EU Turkey Civic Commission chaired by Kariane Westrheim, board member of the Rafto Foundation, has sent a letter to the European Commission's Enlargment office in connection with the current situation between Turkey and the Kurds.
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The 2007 Rafto Prize
The 2007 Rafto Prize events in Bergen, November 1-4
The 2007 Rafto Prize is awarded to the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), India. Representatives from the NCDHR will arrive in Bergen for the award ceremony in the beginning of November. See the overview of our events related to this year's prize. On the right: poster of the 2007 Rafto Prize.
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The 2007 Rafto Prize
The 2007 Rafto Prize
The Board of the Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights awarded on September 20 the 2007 Rafto Prize to the Indian organisation The National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR). Millions of Indians are born into a social and cultural system which fundamentally conflicts with the notion that all human beings are born free with equal rights. The NCDHR receives the 2007 Rafto Prize for its brave struggle to promote Dalit rights, and for its efforts to emphasise that the discrimination and oppression resulting from caste prejudice is a serious violation of international human rights. Photo: Vincent Manoharan, General Secretary NCDHR, photo credit: Jakob Carlsen
Press release:
[English] [Norsk]
[Deutsch]
Video – Press release:
[English]
Pictures:
[Vincent Manoharan] [Vincent Manoharan]
Photo credit: Jacob Carlsen
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Burma
Bergen for Burma - next demonstration on October 27
Join our demonstration on Saturday, October 27 at 13:00 at Torgallmenningen. There will be appeals and a quiet march around the square behind the banner of the democracy movement. Dress in something red, and contribute to make it heard that also Bergen demands freedom for the Burmese people.
“Please use your liberty to promote ours!” - Aung San Suu Kyi
See video from October 20 demonstration
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Burma
Burmese-Norwegian statement on Burma
On the occasion of United Nations (UN) Day and the twelfth anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi’s detention, the Burmese people in Norway express their deep concern regarding the current situation in Burma. While many in the world are enjoying fundamental rights, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Burmese citizens are being arbitrarily arrested and tortured for attempting to practice freedom of expression, freedom of association, and freedom of assembly.
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Seminar
Freedom of Speech and Human Rights - What are our present day's challenges?
As a part of the program Edvard Grieg - The Humanist, Grieg 07 have initiated a full Grieg/Dreyfus-day in Paris on October 22. Major partners are The Norwegian Embassy in Paris, FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Oslo-center for Peace and Human Rights and the Rafto Foundation.
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Burma
STØTTEMARKERING FOR BURMA PÅ FESTEN FOR BRANN OG INTERNASJONAL UKE
FESTPLASSEN, LØRDAG 20.OKTOBER KL. 17.45
I anledning av at TV2 donerer midler til Raftostiftelsen for bruk av Burmas demokratibevegelse, vil Raftostiftelsen holde en støttemarkering for Burma i forkant av den store festen for Brann.
TORGALLMENNINGEN, LØRDAG 20.OKTOBER KL. 13.00
I anledning åpningen av Internasjonal uke, vil Raftostiftelsen også avholde en støttemarkering for Burma.
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Belarus
CHECKPOINTS - Human Rights Films in Bergen
CHECKPOINTS 2007 is a challenging, moving and gripping film program which we hope will mark the start of a long partnership between the Rafto Foundation and the Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF). The program opens on October 18 with "Belarusian Waltz", the second film in the Rafto Human Rights Series.
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Burma
Third Burma Rally in Bergen
The third Saturday rally for Burma was organized in Bergen on October 13 by the Rafto Foundation and the Burmese diaspora. Member of Parliament, Ms Ågot Valle, was the main speaker.
See video and pictures from the demonstration
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The Kurds
In Memory of the Kurdish writer Mehmet Uzun
EU Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC) has received the sad message that the dear, prominent and internationally recognised Kurdish writer, Mehmet Uzun (right), died on 11 October in Diyarbakir. Although the Kurdish language was outlawed in Turkey from 1920 to 1990, he started to write in his mother tongue. As a writer, he has achieved a great deal towards shaping a modern Kurdish literary language and reviving the Kurdish tradition of storytelling.
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Burma
BRANN, BERGEN AND BURMA
I dag, 10.oktober, kom gladmeldingen om at TV2 og Bergen kommune er kommet til enighet om visning av Aalesund - Brann på Festplassen. Kommunen betaler TV2 100 000 kroner for å kunne vise kampen på storskjerm. TV 2 sier i en pressemelding at de gir beløpet videre til demokratiarbeidet for Burma, ved Raftostiftelsen.
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Press freedom
A tribute to Anna Politkovskaya - memorial event in Bergen
Anna Politkovskaya was a Russian journalist and human rights activist well known for her opposition to the Chechen conflict and Russian president Putin. On October 7, 2006 she was shot dead in her apartment building. Last Sunday on October 7 memorial events took place in Bergen, Oslo, Moscow, Vilnius, Prague, Milan and many other places.
See video and pictures from the memorial event in Bergen
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Burma
Free Burma demonstration in Bergen
On Saturday 6 October global demonstrations of support for Burma were held in many cities all over the world. The Rafto Foundation in co-operation with Amnesty International Norway and the Campaign Committee for Burma in Norway organized a demonstration in the city centre of Bergen.
See video and pictures from demonstration
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Burma
Demonstration in Bergen to support the Burmese people in their fight for democracy
The demonstration held in Bergen on 29 September concluded with a series of similar answers throughout the whole world. Arne Liljedahl Lynngård, Chairperson of the Rafto Foundation, was among the protesters at the demonstration. “We are humbled and full of admiration for the bravery that the Burmese monks, nuns and other protesters have shown in their peaceful fight,” he said.
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The 2007 Rafto Prize
Resources on the Dalit question
For more information on resources on the Dalit question please view Read more. Here we have gathered overview of useful internet sites, news, reports and books, as well people who have written something in the recent years on the Dalit issue. Photo: A Dalit boy, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp.
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Burma
Monks believe the Burmese people have suffered enough
A representative for the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights conducted a telephone interview on 25 September with Mr. Aye Chan Naing, the Director at the Democratic Voice of Burma, Oslo to report on the situation. According to Aye Chan Naing the protests against the repressive military government that has ruled Burma (Myanmar) since 1962 are growing and they will continue to grow with the further involvement of respected and influential individuals and the Burmese people’s increased dissatisfaction with their welfare. Photo: Terry Evans
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Burma
Urgent request concerning Burma (Myanmar)
The Rafto Foundation has issued an urgent request to the Norwegian authorities, as well ambassadors of Russia, China and India in Norway concerning recent demonstrations in Burma. Photo: Terry Evans. This is the first time in 18 years that monks have withheld their recognition of leading members of the military junta.
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Kurdistan
Leyla Zana : 'Öcalan is a Kurdish leader '
The former DEP MP Leyla Zana (right) testified for the speeches she made in Diyarbakýr, Adýyaman and Iðdýr before the election on July 22. Zana had suggested a state system in her speech. Leyla Zana testified for three different investigations on PKK propaganda and said the leader of PKK Abdullah Öcalan is not a terrorist organization leader but a leader of Kurdish public.
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Chechnya
Bearing witness: Impressions from a journey in the footsteps of Anna Politkovskaya
The Rafto Foundation and psychologist Zoia Grannes held an open meeting on 5 September in Bergen to highlight the situation in Chechnya and recent project work in Grozny. Zoia Grannes is the first Norwegian psychologist to visit the capital of Chechnya for some time. She was selected to join a small group of psychologists from Norway and Denmark commissioned by The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) to establish a facility for psychological rehabilitation of war victims in Grozny. Photo: Salman Ibragimov (3) in Grozny, AP.
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Western Sahara
Foreign activists detained in Western Sahara
Only two years have passed since a Norwegian delegation was expelled from Western Sahara. Sad memories resurface now as two youth politicians were detained and interrogated by Moroccan security forces earlier this week. Photo: Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara. From the left: Andrea Gustavsson, Rabab Amidane, Kamilla Eidsvik
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Seminar
Freedom of belief and human rights in Vietnam
The seminar takes place on September 13 and will focus on the freedom of belief as a fundamental human right, and discuss freedom of belief in Vietnam. The background for the discussion is the changes taking place in communist Vietnam as rapid economic development intensifies relations with western democracies. Tendencies towards a more vigorous enforcement of human rights are visible in Vietnam. Nevertheless, reports indicate that simultaneously a considerable number of individuals are arrested for opposing the regime. The situations still seems very difficult for many minorities, who risk persecution if converting to other beliefs.
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Burma
19 years since people's uprising in Burma
On August 8 it is 19 years since people took to the streets in the capital Rangoon in protest against the military junta. The demonstrators demanded free elections and democracy. The generals responded with fire. An unknown number of peaceful protesters were killed on August 8, 1988, reports the Norwegian Burma Committee.
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The Rafto Prize 1994
Zana accused of advocating autonomy for Kurds
Former Kurdish deputy Leyla Zana, the Rafto Prize Laureate 1994, faces an investigation after she called for division of Turkey into administrative states, including a “state of Kurdistan.” Zana spoke at a rally before elections in Turkey in support of pro-Kurdish independent candidates for Parliament. The investigation will determine whether Zana violated laws on incitement and state unity.
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The Rafto Prize 2006
Thich Quang Do speaks out in public
Thich Quang Do, the 2006 Rafto Prize Laureate, addressed farmers demonstrating in Ho Chi Minh City against power abuse and state appropriation of lands on July 17. "To solve these problems, we must work together for political pluralism, democracy and human rights, especially freedom of expression. There can be no justice under the one-Party state". This is the first time in 26 years of detention and house arrest that prominent dissident Thich Quang Do has addressed a public demonstration.
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