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GLOBAL FAXNET 23

International Women's Tribune Centre, 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017, Tel: (1-212) 687-8633. Fax: (1-212) 661-2704 .

e-mail: iwtc@igc.apc.org

July 14th, 1995

by Anne S. Walker

Activities data base to go on-line plus guidelines for participants

1. The NGO Forum Office team of Chandra Budhu and Anna-Carin Thomer arrived back in New York last night (July 13). We expect to hear about their trip to Huairou and their work with the China Organizing Committee on Monday.

2. Activities Data Base: In discussions with the NGO Forum Office this week, the following has been agreed to: IWTC will put the Forum activities data base on-line, listed by issue area, country and region. For all of you who have access to computer conferencing, this means that you will be able to check to see if your activity is listed correctly, and to network with groups either planning to hold workshops/events in your specific issue area or that are in your country and/or region. We will tell you how to access this information as soon as we know more details and have put everything on-line. This may take a week to do, but you are assured we will move as fast as possible. Initially, the activity data base will not have scheduling information. We want to get information on-line quickly, and will add the scheduling details as soon as they become available. The Forum Office hopes to have scheduling information to activity organizers in the next couple of weeks...

3. Guidelines for Participants: Human Rights Watch has prepared a pamphlet for NGO representatives planning to go to Beijing and Huairou. The publication's purpose is to facilitate the work of NGO delegates. It contains information on Chinese law applicable to delegates' work, precautionary measures applicable to personal safety, and available avenues of redress should problems arise.

HRW hopes to have the pamphlet translated into Spanish and French. Contents include: 1) Introduction: simple precautions; what to do if you encounter problems; how to get the conference message beyond the conference site. 2) Knowing the Chinese Organizers: key organizations; the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), how it operates and restrictions on independent organizing. 3) Getting Your Message Across: Restrictions on Free Expression: censorship in the PRC; attempts to control information flows during international conferences in the past; problems for foreigners who attempt to circumvent Chinese law; what materials can and cannot be brought into China; who decides; State Security Law; prohibitions on import of religious materials. 4)Public Gatherings and Demonstrations: Law on Assembly, Procession and Demonstration; without a permit, all demonstrations are illegal; how to apply for a permit; penalties for breaking the law; if police intervene, what your choices are.

5) Security, Surveillance and Safety: public security officers; the different branches and their responsibilities; how to recognize them; precautions: what to do before leaving home; caring for your passport; knowing your country's consular agreement; traveling with a friend; knowing your rights; knowing limitation on your rights; knowing the risks and penalties. 6) The Chinese Legal System: as it applies to you. 7) The International Media: restrictions that are applicable to 1995 NGO Forum on Women and 'N World Conference on Women; permanent Beijing press corps-selective listing.

4. Organizations in many countries are acting as distribution points for this important pamphlet. If you are able to distribute copies, please contact Mickey Spiegel at Human Rights Watch/Asia, 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY10017. Tel:(1-212) 972-8400 or 972-8405 ext. 291. Fax:(1-212) 687-9786. e-mail: <spieigem@hrw.org>. In addition, Human Righst Watch/Asia have posted the contents on some of the women's conferences that are disseminating news about the meetings, on a human rights gopher, and on a World Wide Web page. Please contact either IWTC or Human Rights Watch if you want more details on this. Note: The < and > marks indicate that you type what is in between. You don't type the marks themselves.