2002-2003/FRANCE: Right Turn in the Land of Revolution

This was the year of a landmark turn in recent French history. A nation that once led a revolution against an absolutist monarch, which formulated human and political rights for all people, took a sharp turn to the right.

RIGHTS-YUGOSLAVIA: Women Sold ‘Like Sacks of Potatoes’

After the wars that tore the former Yugoslav federation apart in the nineties, the area has become notorious now for trafficking of women who end up as sex slaves.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Thousands of Women Sold Abroad Every Year

It was not a happy homecoming for Natasha and her sister Sveta from Greece earlier this month. The sisters were sent back from an orphanage in which they had found themselves after they were abducted from their home town Rostov-on-Don back in 1997.

RIGHTS-YUGOSLAVIA: Women Sold ‘Like Sacks of Potatoes’

After the wars that tore the former Yugoslav federation apart in the nineties, the area has become notorious now for trafficking of women who end up as sex slaves.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Thousands of Women Sold Abroad Every Year

It was not a happy homecoming for Natasha and her sister Sveta from Greece earlier this month. The sisters were sent back from an orphanage in which they had found themselves after they were abducted from their home town Rostov-on-Don back in 1997.

2002-2003/YUGOSLAVIA: Into a Brighter Future Already

Two years after former leader Slobodan Milosevic fell from power, some good signs are beginning to show.

2002-2003/RUSSIA: Economy Brighter but Still Brittle

The Russian economy is picking up after a decade of decline through the nineties, though the pace of growth has slowed. Some fundamentals are still uncertain.

2002-2003/YUGOSLAVIA: Into a Brighter Future Already

Two years after former leader Slobodan Milosevic fell from power, some good signs are beginning to show.

2002-2003/RUSSIA: Economy Brighter but Still Brittle

The Russian economy is picking up after a decade of decline through the nineties, though the pace of growth has slowed. Some fundamentals are still uncertain.

2002-2003/SLOVAKIA: When Two Doors to the West Opened

Dominated by national elections and invitations to NATO and the EU, this been quite the most important year in Slovakia's brief history. But the coming 12 months seem set to be just as crucial.

2002-2003/SLOVAKIA: When Two Doors to the West Opened

Dominated by national elections and invitations to NATO and the EU, this been quite the most important year in Slovakia's brief history. But the coming 12 months seem set to be just as crucial.

SPAIN: Two Ships Sink the Government’s Prestige

Two recent incidents - the sinking of an oil tanker off the coast of Spain and the interception of a freighter by Spanish warships acting on U.S. intelligence - dealt harsh blows to the image of the governing Popular Party (PP), which is running the risk of losing elections for the first time since it came to power in 1996.

SPAIN: Two Ships Sink the Government’s Prestige

Two recent incidents -- the sinking of an oil tanker off the coast of Spain and the interception of a freighter by Spanish warships acting on U.S. intelligence -- dealt harsh blows to the image of the governing Popular Party (PP), which is running the risk of losing elections for the first time since it came to power in 1996.

RIGHTS: Conference on Eradicating Violence Against Women

Political framework conditions and laws alone do not suffice to curb gender-specific violence. State and non-governmental institutions and organisations must ratify and implement political directives aimed at the prevention and punishment of violence against women and the girl-child.

RIGHTS: Conference on Eradicating Violence Against Women

Political framework conditions and laws alone do not suffice to curb gender-specific violence. State and non-governmental institutions and organisations must ratify and implement political directives aimed at the prevention and punishment of violence against women and the girl-child.

DEVELOPMENT-BRITAIN: 7.5 Billion Dollar Govt Aid to NGOs

At 7.5 billion dollars a year, what the British government gives non-governmental organisations is more than what most expected, but less than what civil society groups say they need.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Roma Groups Face Hate Crimes

Seven young men were convicted of the murder of two Roma gypsies by a court in Volgograd in southern Russia last week. The case highlights frequent violence in Russia against the Romas.

DEVELOPMENT-BRITAIN: 7.5 Billion Dollar Govt Aid to NGOs

At 7.5 billion dollars a year, what the British government gives non-governmental organisations is more than what most expected, but less than what civil society groups say they need.

RIGHTS-RUSSIA: Roma Groups Face Hate Crimes

Seven young men were convicted of the murder of two Roma gypsies by a court in Volgograd in southern Russia last week. The case highlights frequent violence in Russia against the Romas.

RIGHTS-SERBIA: Women’s Issues Come Up with New President

Opposition to the imminent appointment of a woman as Serbian President has led to a new debate on discrimination against women.

RIGHTS-SERBIA: Women’s Issues Come Up with New President

Opposition to the imminent appointment of a woman as Serbian President has led to a new debate on discrimination against women.