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Document - Amnesty International assessment of states' implementation of recommendations from the previous UPR
� �Amnesty International assessment of implementation of previous UPR recommendations 16th Session of the UPR Working Group, 22 April – 3 May 2013
16th session of the UPR Working Group, 22 april - 3 may 2013
In its submissions for the UPR, Amnesty International endeavours to assess the level of implementation of some of the recommendations, made by other states in the previous UPR cycle, that the organization considers to be of the greatest importance in terms of improving the human rights situation in the countries reviewed. The information in this document is drawn from the submissions made by Amnesty International for the 16th session of the UPR Working Group on the following countries: Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Germany, Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The UPR modalities stipulate that, from the second cycle onwards, the reviews should focus, inter alia, on the implementation of the preceding review outcome.� Amnesty International considers that this aspect of the UPR is crucial if the UPR is to fulfil its key objective of improving the human rights situation on the ground. Amnesty International urges all states participating in the UPR to raise the issue of implementation of previous recommendations during the interactive debate in the UPR Working Group, including exploring obstacles to implementation and options for cooperation and sharing of good practice in the respective area.
In the course of its first review in 2009, the government of Azerbaijan accepted –
but also rejected – a large number of recommendations regarding freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression and opinion, and ill-treatment in detention centres. Regardless of the government's position on these recommendations, Amnesty International has seen little evidence of progress on the issues raised in the last UPR; rather the situation has deteriorated in many cases.
Freedom of assembly
Despite accepting recommendations to strengthen the right to freedom of assembly, Amnesty International is concerned by the tightened restrictions regarding this fundamental human right.� Recent amendments passed into Administrative and Criminal law have drastically increased the fines imposed on those participating in peaceful but unsanctioned protests. The increased punishment, coupled with the authorities' continuing blanket ban on protests in Baku city centre has effectively criminalized peaceful anti-government protest. Threats and intimidation against human rights defenders have been used together with legislative and administrative measures to shut down and deny registration to civil society groups working on democracy and human rights.
Freedom of expression
While some recommendations regarding respect for freedom of expression were accepted,� Amnesty International regrets that many of the recommendations regarding this fundamental right were rejected by Azerbaijan, including the recommendation to release people imprisoned for libel.� Amnesty International is alarmed by the increase in the targeting of journalists and imprisonment of individuals on the basis of their political opinion since the last review. Following public protests in March and April 2011, 17 persons were imprisoned on trumped-up charges in relation to the protests. Despite a presidential amnesty in June 2012 leading to the release of most of those arrested in connection with the 2011 protests, the clampdown and arrests of those critical of the government have continued unabated in 2012. Many people remain in detention on questionable charges in what appears to be retaliation for their activities and voicing of criticism.
Journalists have been beaten, ill-treated and abducted, while a range of independent media outlets has been curbed through laws banning foreign broadcasters from national airwaves. Additionally, the government has begun cracking down on dissent on the internet and in social media forums. Bloggers and youth activists have been harassed and imprisoned on trumped-up charges.
Torture and other ill-treatment in detention facilities
Amnesty International regrets that the government either rejected or took no position on all the recommendations regarding detention.� Amnesty International remains deeply concerned about the use of torture and other ill-treatment in detention facilities in Azerbaijan. Several activists detained at and after the protests in March and April 2011, as well as following the dispersal of protests in March, April and October 2012, have complained of ill-treatment at the time of their arrest and while in police custody. To date, none of these allegations have been investigated in an effective manner.
During its first Universal Period Review in 2009, recommendations were made to Cameroon regarding freedom of expression, journalists and human rights defenders, violence against women and female genital mutilation (FGM), and LGBTI rights. Amnesty International is concerned to note that progress on these issues has been negligible.
Freedom of expression
Despite supporting recommendations to adopt measures to ensure protections in line with international standards to protect the right to freedom of expression of journalists and human rights defenders (HRDs),� Amnesty International is concerned that the authorities continue to show high levels of intolerance towards journalists and HRDs who are critical of the government and its policies. Journalists are often arrested and subjected to lengthy periods of detention without trial and ill-treatment while in detention.
Female genital mutilation
Cameroon also supported several recommendations to adopt legislation prohibiting and combating FGM.� In 2010, senior officials at the Ministry of Justice told Amnesty International that they were in the process of revising the Penal Code and that FGM was to be abolished and made a criminal offence in a new Penal Code. However, as of October 2012, the Penal Code had not been revised. The authorities appear to minimize the gravity of the harm caused by FGM. The Minister of Justice also told Amnesty International that in Cameroon FGM amounts to slicing off a section of the clitoris and is not as dramatic as in West Africa.
Violence against women and girls
Cameroon further accepted recommendations to make efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.� Progress on this issue has been minimal. Amnesty International is seriously concerned about inadequate domestic legislation to prevent and punish rape. While the Penal Code penalizes acts of rape of women, Sections 73 and 297 exonerate the perpetrators if they subsequently marry their victims as long as the victim has attained puberty and has freely consented to the marriage.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex rights
Amnesty International regrets that Cameroon rejected all recommendations intended to ensure that the government adheres to its international human rights obligations towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people.� The Penal Code criminalizes same-sex sexual acts and the offence is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of up to US$ 350. This breaches Cameroon's international human rights obligations with regard to the rights to non-discrimination, privacy, liberty, and security of person.
There has been no public reporting by the Canadian government with respect to implementing the outcome of its 2009 Universal Periodic Review and there is no publicly available information indicating the status of the recommendations that were accepted and the commitments made by Canada. At the time of this submission, there have been no consultations with Indigenous Peoples and no meaningful dialogue with civil society groups to discuss the 2009 UPR or prepare for the 2013 UPR.
The system in place in Canada for coordinating and ensuring the implementation of international human rights obligations, including UPR outcomes, Concluding Observations and views of treaty bodies and recommendations made by the Special Procedures, is inadequate.� Numerous UN treaty bodies have called for an approach that is publicly accessible, broadly consultative, politically accountable and well-coordinated among various levels of government. Amnesty International has endorsed a widely supported submission calling for legislation to address this longstanding shortcoming.�
During its previous review in 2008, Colombia supported a number of recommendations on human rights defenders, violence against women, the rule of law and justice, including impunity, and on international standards and UN mechanisms.�
Human rights defenders
Colombia supported 21 recommendations on the issue of human rights defenders, including to ensure their effective protection, to denounce attacks against them and to recognize the legitimacy of their work.� Amnesty International notes that President Juan Manuel Santos has adopted a less hostile stance towards human rights issues in general, and human rights defenders in particular, than his predecessor, and that the government has engaged in constructive dialogue with human rights defenders and made public statements condemning human rights abuses against them. However, high-ranking government and state officials continue to make statements that threaten to undermine the legitimacy of human rights work.
Amnesty International also notes the establishment of a new National Protection Programme (NPP) to replace the plethora of protection programmes run by the Interior Ministry for, among others, human rights defenders, and the decision to disband the discredited civilian intelligence service, the Administrative Department of Security (Departamento Administrativo de Seguridad, DAS).� However, many NPP staff, some of whom have been engaged in protective duties, are believed to be former members of the DAS. Amnesty International is concerned that no effective controls are in place to ensure that private security companies, some of which are providing bodyguards for human rights defenders, as well as the NPP, do not employ former paramilitaries, guerrillas or members of the security forces implicated in human rights violations.�
Amnesty International continues to receive reports of human rights defenders being threatened and killed, especially those working on land restitution.� Criminal investigations into threats and attacks against human rights defenders have made little progress, and most perpetrators have not been identified, let alone brought to justice.�
Violence against women
Colombia accepted key recommendations to address gender-based violence and Amnesty International notes that the authorities are now demonstrating a greater degree of commitment to combat such violence as well as the impunity that has marked such cases.� Amnesty International welcomes the introduction in recent years of several new laws, decrees and resolutions to address the problem.� However, most of these have not been implemented effectively, and have therefore had little discernible impact on survivors' access to justice. A bill currently before Congress "to guarantee access to justice for victims of sexual violence, especially sexual violence in the context of the armed conflict",� could, if approved and implemented effectively, make a real difference in efforts to combat sexual violence.� The Constitutional Court has affirmed that sexual violence is widespread as well as systematic; however, the state's implementation of Judicial Ruling 092 of 2008 (Auto 092) on combating conflict-related sexual violence and the overwhelming impunity which plagues such crimes, has been poor.�
Rule of law, justice and impunity for human rights abuses
Colombia accepted a number of recommendations to ensure appropriate investigation of human rights abuses and to combat impunity for such crimes.� Amnesty International welcomes progress in recent years to bring to justice a few of those responsible for human rights abuses; however, this remains the exception rather the rule. Those participating in human rights criminal investigations, such as witnesses and lawyers, continue to be threatened and killed.
Colombia also accepted a recommendation to ensure that the military justice system does not have jurisdiction in human rights cases involving members of the security forces, yet the military justice system continues to refuse to hand over many such cases to the civilian prosecuting authorities.�
International human rights standards and mechanisms
Colombia ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in July 2012, in line with recommendations it supported at its 2008 review.� However, it has not recognized the competence of the Committee to receive and consider communications from or on behalf of victims or from other states parties, leaving survivors and victims' families without an important recourse to justice.� Colombian human rights NGOs estimate there have been more than 30,000 forced disappearances in the course of the conflict, although the real figure could be higher.
At the time of its first Universal Periodic Review in February 2009, Cuba accepted 60 recommendations of the 89 commendations made to it by other States.�
Most of the recommendations accepted by Cuba concerned economic and social rights policies that had already been implemented.� However, Cuba also accepted several recommendations on issues that Amnesty International believes are key to improving the human rights situation in the country, including as regards the promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms,� the death penalty,� cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms,� and the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.�
Promotion and protection of human rights
With respect to advancing the promotion and protection of human rights, Amnesty International notes that Cuba's repressive legal framework - limiting the rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and movement - remains unchanged.
Cuba has also yet to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Cuba signed in February 2008. At the time of the Human Rights Council's adoption of the outcome of Cuba's first review, Cuba noted that it needed sufficient time to assess the provisions of the Covenants and its own political and judicial system to ensure their compatibility.�
In practice, Amnesty International has noted that respect for fundamental human rights has not progressed in Cuba since its first review. In fact, during this period, repression of the peaceful exercise of civil and political rights has increased. Independent journalists, human rights activists and political opponents have often been harassed by state security services, and some have been detained and sentenced. Moreover, there has been a steady increase in the number of arbitrary detentions since 2009.
Abolition of the death penalty
During its first review, Cuba accepted a recommendation to refrain from applying the death penalty, and took under consideration a recommendation to reduce the number of criminal offences punishable by the death penalty, or to take measures towards its abolition.� In setting out its view on the recommendations taken under consideration, Cuba noted that it was "philosophically" against the punishment and in favour of "eliminating [the death penalty] when conditions are right". However, Cuba also stated that it needed to maintain the death penalty in its legislation in order to defend its national security against terrorist attacks.�
In 2010, the People's Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of the last two political prisoners on death row.� At the time of this writing, Amnesty International believes that no prisoners are on death row.
Cooperation with UN special procedures and treaty bodies
Regarding the recommendation supported by Cuba to strengthen its cooperation with UN Special Procedures and treaty bodies, Amnesty International acknowledges Cuba's efforts to submit periodic reports to the treaty bodies.� However, Cuba has shown no commitment to working with UN Special Procedures; a visit of the Special Rapporteur on torture was agreed in 2009, but has not yet gone ahead. So far, Cuba has failed to issue an invitation to the Special Rapporteur on freedom of association and assembly, who requested to visit in 2003 and again in 2011, or to the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion, who requested to visit in 2006.
Application of the standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners
Amnesty International receives regular reports that could indicate a breach of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, including ill-treatment of common and political prisoners. The organization has concerns based on interviews with former prisoners of conscience who were released between 2009 and 2011; however, it is unable to verify the validity of current reports first hand. For this reason, Amnesty International believes that it is paramount that Cuba allows the Special Rapporteur on torture to visit the country and have unrestricted access to the prison population.
Shortcomings in cuba's first universal periodic review
In Amnesty International's view, Cuba's first review in February 2009 was highly politicized and resulted in a weak review of Cuba's human rights record. With few exceptions, most of the recommendations made by other states did not address the human rights situation in Cuba.
Amnesty International also regrets that Cuba rejected some of the recommendations by claiming that existing national institutions and legislation offer full protection of human rights and do not require further change. On these grounds, Cuba rejected the need to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles� and refused to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.� Cuba also rejected a recommendation to provide full access to the International Committee of the Red Cross to prisons,� and to establish a system of review of its prisons by the UN and other international observers.�
At the time of its first UPR in February 2009, Germany accepted a number of recommendations on issues that are key to improving the human rights situation in the country, including on racism and discrimination;� on migrants, asylum-seekers and minority groups;� and on the ratification and implementation of international human rights law and standards.�
International human rights standards
Some positive steps have been taken by the government to give effect to these recommendations, including the establishment in 2009 of a National Preventive Mechanism as required by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. However, Amnesty International is concerned that the inadequate resources provided to it may prevent the mechanism from functioning effectively.
In another positive move, Germany has recently withdrawn its reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, despite having rejected a recommendation to do so during its first Universal Periodic Review.� Amnesty International remains concerned, however, that the Convention is not fully implemented as regards unaccompanied or separated asylum-seeking children.
Migrants, asylum-seekers and minority groups
Much remains to be done as regards other issues on which Germany accepted recommendations during the first review. Amnesty International is particularly concerned about the lack of progress on issues facing migrants and asylum-seekers, such as the lack of effective protection for some asylum-seekers, including as regards the right to remain; the accelerated asylum determination procedure, known as the "Airport Procedure"; and forcible returns.
In Amnesty International's view, the 2009 UPR did not adequately address a number of key human rights concerns on issues such as the situation of migrants in Germany and the use of diplomatic assurances for the purpose of deporting "terrorist" suspects.
Excessive use of force
Finally, Amnesty International regrets that during the 2009 review, Germany rejected a recommendation to strengthen efforts to prevent law enforcement officials from using excessive force and to put in place independent complaints mechanisms.� At the time of the review, Germany claimed that excessive force by police was uncommon and that sufficient complaints mechanisms were already available.� However, although some federal states have improved the independence of investigations in cases of alleged excessive use of force by police, no federal state has established an independent body to investigate such cases.�
During its first review in 2009, the Russian Federation supported a number of recommendations, including the following:
Ratification of international instruments
The Russian Federation accepted recommendations to ratify the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance;� it has, however, failed to act on these.
The Russian Federation rejected the recommendation to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading �Treatment or Punishment (OP-CAT) and stated that the Public Monitoring Commissions, established under the European Convention on the Prevention of Torture, largely duplicate the provisions of the OP-CAT.
Human rights defenders, journalists and lawyers
The Russian Federation accepted recommendations to protect human rights defenders, including by revising legislation on combating extremism and on NGOs to conform to international standards.�� Amnesty International is concerned to note that, as yet, the Law 'On Combating Extremist Activities' has not been revised. New pieces of legislation governing the operation of NGOs were introduced during 2012 which, contrary to the Russian Federation's commitments, signal further stifling of civil society activism (see also below). �
Reform of the judiciary
The Russian Federation accepted recommendations to reform its judiciary, including by increasing its independence.� However, the steps taken so far by the government have failed to ensure the independence of the judiciary and to fully uphold the principles of fair trial.
Women's human rights
The Russian Federation supported recommendations to promote equality between men and women and to adopt specific legislation on combating domestic violence.�
Amnesty International is concerned to note that no such legislation has yet been adopted. Violence against women in the family remains widespread.
Torture and other ill-treatment
The Russian Federation supported recommendations to step up efforts to combat torture and to address the concerns of the Committee against Torture about the use of torture and other ill-treatment in the North Caucasus.� However, despite a number of steps taken, torture and other ill-treatment, and impunity for the perpetrators, remain widespread across the Russian Federation.
The death penalty
Amnesty International regrets that the Russian Federation rejected a number of recommendations concerning the death penalty� on the grounds that no executions have been carried out since 1996 and that all individuals sentenced to death have had their sentences commuted to 25 years or life imprisonment.� Amnesty International welcomes, however, the November 2009 decision of the Russian Constitutional Court to extend the moratorium on executions.�
Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) rights
In its review in 2009, the Russian Federation rejected a recommendation to take policy measures to promote tolerance of LGBTI persons on the grounds that there was no official policy of discrimination against them.� However, in recent years laws banning "propaganda of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderness amongst minors'" have entered into force in nine of Russia's regions, and a similar draft has received a nearly-unanimous support in the federal parliament.
At the time of its first Universal Periodic Review in 2008, Turkmenistan accepted recommendations on key human rights issues, including to improve its cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms;� to guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and end harassment and intimidation of journalists;� to allow independent non-governmental organizations to register and work freely;� and to fully respect the freedom of movement.�
Since then, very little progress has been made on these issues, and Turkmenistan has failed to take adequate measures to implement the UPR recommendations it accepted.
UN human rights mechanisms
As regards cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms, the authorities have allowed the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to visit, and have submitted periodic reports to some of the UN treaty bodies. However, several other UN Special Procedures have requested visits, but have not been granted access. A request by the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment for permission to visit the country has been pending since 2003. The UN Working Group on arbitrary detention has requested to visit repeatedly since 2004, but to date has not been granted access.
Freedom of expression, association and assembly
With respect to the commitments Turkmenistan made to guarantee freedom of expression, association and assembly and prevent harassment and intimidation of journalists, Amnesty International considers that there has been no genuine attempt on the part of the authorities to improve the situation. On the contrary, freedom of expression continues to be under threat and critical media reporting is rarely tolerated. Amnesty International's research shows that journalists, human rights defenders and other activists continue to be subjected to harassment, torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary detention and imprisonment following unfair trials, as discussed in more detail below. Similarly, Turkmenistan has failed to take measures to allow independent non-governmental organizations to work freely without harassment, or to reform the registration process for such organizations.
Despite Turkmenistan's commitment to fully respect the right to freedom of movement, the problematic "propiska" system of registering an individual's place of residence also remains in place. This restricts freedom of movement and impedes access to housing, employment and services, as discussed below.
Gaps in the previous review
Amnesty International regrets that most of the recommendations accepted by Turkmenistan during the 2008 review were very general in nature, while vital recommendations were rejected, including in relation to persons incarcerated on politically motivated charges.� Amnesty International also notes with concern that most of the issues raised in its previous submission to the UPR have still not been addressed by the Turkmenistani authorities.� In addition to the issues already highlighted, these include concerns over the definition of "high treason", enforced disappearances following unfair trial, restrictions on the right to freedom of religion, conscientious objection to military service, and discrimination against ethnic minorities.
In the first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Uzbekistan in December 2008, 31 recommendations were supported by the authorities, 12 were taken under consideration, 27 were considered implemented or in the process of being implemented and 16 recommendations were rejected.
Regarding the recommendations taken under consideration, Uzbekistan failed to indicate its position on these and only made general comments in the report addendum presented to the 10th session of the Human Rights Council.�
May 2005 events
Uzbekistan categorically rejected calls by several states to allow a thorough, impartial and independent international investigation into the events of May 2005.� Of particular dismay to Amnesty International is the fact that during the interactive dialogue in the Working Group, the government representatives rejected as unfounded reports that excessive and disproportionate force had been used. The government continues to assert, as it did in December 2008, that two rounds of expert talks with representatives of the European Union (EU) in December 2006 and April 2007 have addressed all the relevant issues.� At the review, the government stated that it considered the issue closed and it has emphatically reaffirmed this position both at the UN Human Rights Committee's examination of Uzbekistan's implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in March 2010 and again during successive rounds of the EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue in 2011 and 2012. The Uzbekistani representatives insist that the Andizhan events were a strictly internal matter and that no international body or foreign state has the right to call for an international investigation into mass killings. However, Amnesty International considers that the talks with the EU are not a substitute for and are not sufficient to fulfil the government's obligation under international law to ensure an effective, independent and impartial investigation.
National human rights mechanism
Uzbekistan supported recommendations by several states to establish a national independent mechanism to monitor all places of detention and to consider complaints.� Amnesty International welcomes Uzbekistan's support of these recommendations and considers that such a mechanism could significantly contribute towards protecting individuals deprived of their liberty from torture or other ill-treatment. This recommendation has also been made repeatedly by UN mechanisms, including the Human Rights Committee in 2001, 2005 and 2010.� However, to date, no such national independent mechanism has been established.
Human rights defenders
Amnesty International deeply regrets Uzbekistan's rejection of recommendations by several states during the review in 2008 to release all detained human rights defenders, including on the basis that such information was "factually wrong".� The Uzbekistani authorities have long disputed that human rights defenders are detained and imprisoned. At the March 2010 session of the Human Rights Committee, the Uzbekistani delegation flatly denied that human rights defenders were detained and persecuted. The delegation insisted that Uzbekistan's "enemies" were waging an "information war" against the country and that international NGOs were paid to spread defamation and disinformation.� Uzbekistan remains intransigent in their position on human rights defenders. The authorities have released some human rights defenders over the past four years under the terms of presidential amnesties or under international pressure ahead of high-level diplomatic visits by foreign government representatives. However, at least eight human rights defenders continue to serve long prison terms in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions of detention, including human rights defenders Salidzhon Abdurakhmanov and Agzam Turgunov.�
Cooperation with international mechanisms
Uzbekistan also supported recommendations to strengthen and deepen its interaction with relevant international mechanisms.� The authorities briefly granted temporary shelter to tens of thousands of ethnic Uzbek refugees who fled violence in neighbouring southern Kyrgyzstan in June 2010. The authorities allowed emergency teams from UNHCR access to Uzbekistan and the refugee camps, for the first time since ordering the agency to leave the country in 2006. The access, however, was only temporary and UNHCR had to close its emergency operations in Uzbekistan and leave the country once the majority of refugees had returned to Kyrgyzstan in August 2012. Uzbekistan continues to refuse to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on torture to visit the country despite renewed requests. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders has also repeatedly requested to undertake an official visit to the country; however, by September 2012 the authorities had yet to extend such an invitation. Uzbekistan has also not extended a standing invitation to the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council.
� Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, Institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Annex, paragraph 34
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the UPR of Azerbaijan. A/HRC/11/20. 29 May 2009, recommendation 96.18 (Netherlands, Sweden, Canada) (A/HRC/11/20).
� A/HRC/11/20, recommendation 96.15 (Poland, Bangladesh, Ireland, Norway).
� A/HRC/11/20, recommendation 96.14 (Ireland).
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the UPR of Azerbaijan- Addendum. A/HRC/11/20/Add.1, paragraphs 16, 20 and 21 (A/HRC/11/20/Add.1).
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Cameroon, A/HRC/11/21, Para. 76.24 (Luxembourg), 76.25 (Israel), 76.26 (Chile)
� A/HRC/11/21, Paras. 76.15 (Germany, Slovenia, Brazil, Italy, Botswana),
� A/HRC/11/21, Para. 76.17 (Mexico, Malaysia, Pakistan)
� A/HRC/11/21, Paras. 78; 22b (Canada), 28c (Luxembourg), 20 (Argentina), 25c (France), 29d (Czech Republic), 32c (Brazil), 46b (Mexico)
� See for instance: Canada: Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Fourth session of the UPR Working Group of the Human Rights Council, February 2009 (AMR 20/004/2008).
� Empty words and Double Standards: Canada's Failure to Respect and Uphold International Human Rights, Joint Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council in relation to the May 2013 Universal Periodic Review of Canada, October 9, 2012.
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Colombia, A/HRC/10/82, 9 January 2009.
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendations 87.2 (Hungary, Mexico), 87.4 (Romania), 87.12 (Sweden), 87.41 and 87.43-54 (Czech Republic, Norway, Switzerland, Uruguay, France, UK, Ireland, Australia, Spain, Albania, Germany, Canada, Azerbaijan, Hungary).
� The DAS had been discredited following a "dirty tricks" scandal, which mainly took place during the government of President Uribe, involving the illegal surveillance and wiretapping of human rights defenders, journalists and judges, as well as death threats and killings carried out in collusion with paramilitary groups.
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.51 (Spain).
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.52 (Albania, Germany, Canada and Azerbaijan).
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.50 (Norway and Australia).
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.15 (Canada and Ireland).
� For example, Ley No.1542 de 2012 "por la cual se reforma el Artículo 74 de la Ley 906 de 2004, código de procedimiento penal". On 5 January 2012, the Office of the Attorney General also published its equality and non-discrimination policy. This detailed how it would implement a differentiated approach, including on gender, in the investigation of crimes. According to the Office of the Attorney General, the aim of this policy, adopted on 12 March 2012 (Resolution No. 00450), is to improve access to justice for groups and communities at risk, such as women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people; Indigenous Peoples; children, and Afro-descendent communities. On 12 September 2012, President Santos also presented the government's National Public Policy for the Gender Equity of Women�, which he claimed would help "guarantee the comprehensive rights of women�", including those affected by the conflict.
� Ley 037 de 2012 "Por el cual se modifican algunos artículos de las leyes 599 de 2000, 906 de 2004 y se adoptan medidas para garantizar el acceso a la justicia de las víctimas de violencia sexual, en especial la violencia sexual con ocasión al conflicto armado, y se dictan otras disposiciones".
� See Amnesty `international, Colombia: Hidden from Justice, Impunity for Conflict-Related sexual Violence, a Follow-up Report (AMR 23/031/2012), This is What we Demand. Justice! Impunity for sexual violence against women in Colombia's armed conflict (AMR 23/018/2011) and Colombia: "Scarred Bodies, Hidden Crimes": sexual violence against women in the armed conflict (AMR 23/040/2004).
� Constitutional Court Judicial Decision (Auto) 092 of 2008 called on the state to implement 13 programmes to prevent sexual violence and protect victims and called on the Office of the Attorney General to make progress in investigating 183 cases of sexual violence, some of which were included in Amnesty International's 2004 report. Auto 092 was a follow-up report to a 2004 Constitutional Court sentence (T-025), which ruled that the lack of an integrated state policy towards displaced communities was unconstitutional. Since then, the Court has issued a series of judicial decisions on specific displaced communities, such as Indigenous Peoples and people with disabilities.
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.24 (Chile), 87.24 (Switzerland, Chile and Turkey)
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.28 (Portugal).
� A/HRC/10/82, recommendation 87.1 (Argentina, Cuba and Mexico).
� See Amnesty International public statement, Colombia: ratification of the enforced disappearance convention, a positive yet incomplete step forward, 17 July 2012, AMR 23/027/2012.
� Human Rights Council, Report of the Human Rights Council on its eleventh session, A/HRC/11/37, 16 October 2009, paragraph 410 (A/HRC/11/37).
� Several recommendations called on Cuba to extend its solidarity programmes or share its experience on promoting the right to health and education. Although Amnesty International acknowledges Cuba's international cooperation programmes in promoting access to health and education in developing countries, the organization does not monitor Cuba's solidarity programmes or to what extent its knowledge-base on health and education has been shared with other states, and therefore cannot comment on whether these recommendations have been implemented.
� Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic review on Cuba, A/HRC/11/22, 29 May 2009, recommendation 130.4 (Jamaica), (A/HRC/11/22).
� A/HRC/11/22, recommendation 130.42 (Brazil).
� A/HRC/11/22, recommendations 130.34 (Brazil) and 130.37 (Chile).
� A/HRC/11/22, recommendation 130.45 (The Netherlands).
� Human Rights Council, Informe del Grupo de Trabajo sobre el Examen Periódico Universal, Adición, A/HRC/11/22, 29 May 2009, Add.1, page 2 (A/HRC/11/22).
� A/HRC/11/22. Cuba accepted recommendation 130.42 (Brazil), and took under consideration recommendation 131.13 (Italy).
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Cuba – Addendum. A/HRC/11/22/Add.1, 29 May 2009, page 10 (A/HRC/11/22/Add.1).
� In December 2010, the People's Supreme Court commuted the death sentences of Salvadoran nationals Raúl Ernesto Cruz León and Otto René Rodríguez Llerena to 30 years in prison. They were both convicted of terrorism charges in 1999. On 28 December, Humberto Eladio Real Suárez, a Cuban national sentenced to death in 1996 for the killing of a police officer in 1994, had his sentence commuted to 30 years in prison.
� At the time of writing, Cuba has overdue reports only on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the initial report to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (overdue since June 2010).
� A/HRC/11/22/Add.1, paragraph 6.
� A/HRC/11/22/Add.1, paragraph 3.
� A/HRC/11/22/Add.1, paragraph 10.
� A/HRC/11/22/Add.1, paragraph 14.
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review on Germany, A/HRC/11/15, recommendations 81.9 (Finland), 81.11 (Netherlands), 81.12 (Pakistan), 81.13 (Iran, Chad, Algeria, South Africa, Brazil), 81.14 (Malaysia, Qatar), 81.15 (Ghana, Saudi Arabia), 81.17 (Iran, Djibouti), 81.18 (Cuba), 81.19 (Pakistan), and 81.20 (Algeria).
� A/HRC/11/15, recommendations 81.32 (Italy, Canada, Saudi Arabia), 81.36 (Canada), 81.37 (Egypt, Malaysia), 81.38 (South Africa, Canada, Pakistan, Mexico), 81.39 (Russia), 81.40 (Egypt), and 81.41 (United Kingdom).
� A/HRC/11/15, recommendations 81.3 (France), 81.6 (Pakistan, Iran), 81.7 (Pakistan) and 81.8 (Benin, United Kingdom).
� A/HRC/11/15. recommendation 81.4 (Brazil).
� A/HRC/11/15, recommendation 81.23 (Netherlands, Djibouti).
� Human Rights Council. Addendum to the Report of the Working Group of the Universal Periodic Review – Germany, A/HRC/11/15/Add.1, paragraph 23.
� There are specialized units in the following federal states: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Western-Pomerania, Northrhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the UPR of the Russian Federation. A/HRC/11/19. Paragraphs 85.4 (UK, Brazil, Mexico), and 85.7 (Argentina, Mexico).
� A/HRC/11/19, Paragraphs 85.42 (Slovakia, Netherlands), 85.43 (Australia, Italy, Norway, Switzerland), 85.45 (Netherlands, and 85.46 (Austria)
� Human Rights Council. Report of the Working Group on the UPR of the Russian Federation. A/HRC/11/19. Paragraphs 85.42 (Slovakia, Netherlands)
� Amnesty International, 'Russian Federation: Freedom of Association under a New Attack', public statement, 13 July 2012 (AI Index: EUR 46/029/2012); Amnesty International, '"Dima Yakovlev" Bill in no one's best interests', press release, 20 December 2012 (AI Index: PRE01/628/2012).
� A/HRC/11/19, Paragraphs 85.35 (Malaysia) and 85.36 (New Zealand)
� A/HRC/11/19, Paragraphs 85.27 (Algeria, Belarus) and 85.32 (Czech Republic, South Africa, New Zealand, Sweden).
� A/HRC/11/19. Paragraphs 85.29 (Denmark, Australia)
� A/HRC/11/19, Paragraphs 85.1 (Germany, Australia) and 85.2 (Germany, Brazil Australia).
� Human Rights Council. Addendum to the Working Group Report on the UPR of the Russian Federation. A/HRC/11/19/Add.1/Rev.1, pg 2.
� Russia moves one step closer to death penalty abolition. Amnesty International. November 20, 1999. http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/good-news/russia-moves-one-step-closer-death-penalty-abolition-20091120
� A/HRC/11/19, Paragraph 85.28 (Sweden) and A/HRC/11/19/Add.1, page 5.
� Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Turkmenistan, A/HRC/10/79, paragraph 69.5 (Germany, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Uruguay) (A/HRC/10/79).
� A/HRC/10/79, paragraph 69.13 (Italy, Mexico, Sweden).
� A/HRC/10/79, paragraph 69.14 (Poland, Netherlands, Germany).
� A/HRC/10/79, paragraph 69.16 (Norway)..
� A/HRC/10/79, paragraph 69.71, referring to recommendations made in paragraphs 29 (g) (Canada); 40 (a) (Czech Republic); 41 (a) (Germany); and 43 (last sentence) (United Kingdom).
� Amnesty International, Turkmenistan: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review: Third session of the UPR Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council, December 2008 Amnesty International EUR 61/005/2008, 21 July 2008.
� Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review – Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review, A/HRC/10/83/Add.1, 13 March 2009, paragraph 97 (A/HRC/10/83/Add.1).
� Human Rights Council, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review of Uzbekistan, A/HRC/10/83, paragraph 33a (Chile), 33b (Chile) 65a (Canada), 79h (Czech Republic) (A/HRC/10/83).
� In October 2008 the EU's General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) decided to fully lift the visa ban it had imposed on 12 Uzbekistani officials. Disappointingly GAERC's final conclusions in October 2008 failed to mention the events at Andizhan or the demand for an international independent investigation of them. In October 2010 GAERC also decided to lift the arms embargo it had imposed on Uzbekistan.
� A/HRC/10/83, paragraph 104.11 (France), paragraph 104.12 (United Kingdom).
� Human Rights Committee, Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 40 of the Covenant, Uzbekistan, CCPR/C/UZB/CO/3, 7 April 2010 (CCPR/C/UZB/CO/3).
� A/HRC/10/83, paragraphs 43a (Austria), 44 (Belgium), 50a (Spain), 50b (Spain), 65d (Canada), 67a (Switzerland), 87a (Norway).
� Oral presentation by the Uzbekistani delegation at the March 2010 examination of the state's implementation of its obligations under the ICCPR at the United Nations Human Rights Committee's 98th session in New York, 8-26 March 2010.
� Uzbekistan rejected the recommendation by Spain to release the two human rights defenders specifically: "Liberate all human rights defenders who remain in prison about the situation of Solijon Abdurakhmanov and Agzam Turgunov", A/HRC/10/83, paragraph 50a (Spain) (A/HRC/10/83).
� A/HRC/10/83, paragraph 104.8 (Malaysia, Bangladesh).


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« September 2006 Table of Contents
You have only to check your wallet for proof that gift cards are proliferating with abandon. Most of us carry at least three at any one time, and their presence is a reminder and an incentive to return to the retailers whose cards we carry.
If your restaurant does not offer a gift-card program, you might want to consider adding one. According to the National Restaurant Association, restaurant gift certificates and cards are No. 1 among consumers who were asked to rate their interest in receiving certain gifts, including clothing, books, CDs, DVDs, flowers, perfume, sports equipment and candy.
That interest was corroborated in a survey conducted by the Marketing Workshop, in which 47 percent of respondents indicated a higher preference for a restaurant gift card than any other type.
"The restaurant industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the gift-card space," says Paul Panos, business development manager at Moneris Solutions.
"In 2004, 7 percent of all gift-card purchases were made at restaurants, and in 2005, that number went up to 12 percent."
Gift cards can have a very favorable impact on your restaurant's bottom line, says Karen Renk, executive director of the Incentive Gift Card Council.
"They drive business into the restaurant, and they're a form of marketing for a restaurant if the card is branded with its name and logo," she says.
"Every time that card is distributed, it's a marketing opportunity. And generally speaking, when a person receives a gift card to a restaurant and redeems it, they'll spend more money in that restaurant than is on the face value of the card."
Gift cards had their genesis in 1995, and their popularity has exploded. Tower Group data indicates gift-card dollar volume grew 50 percent from 2002 to 2003. Future growth is estimated to be more than $90 billion in sales by 2007.
A February 2005 post-holiday gift-card survey commissioned by Deloitte & Touche USA showed that the number of gift cards received per adult increased more than 20 percent from 2004, and that the redemption of those cards likely boosted retail sales by an estimated $18 billion.
"It's important to note that consumers are likely still holding on to another $9 billion of unredeemed value on their cards," says Tara Weiner, national managing partner of the Consumer Business Industries practice at Deloitte & Touche USA.
The survey found that 33 percent of respondents received at least one gift card to a restaurant or fast-food establishment, valued between $32 and $78.
Sixty-two percent of gift-card recipients spent more than the face value of the card, which led to the survey's conclusion that "the unused cards, once redeemed, have the potential to add another $13 billion or more to retail sales, based on the buying trends discerned."
There are few situations where it doesn't make sense to have a gift card program, says Panos. One is a cash-based business that does not accept credit cards.
"You'd need a terminal that already accepts credit cards, or a PC-based solution that would allow software to reside on the PC or a Web-based solution," he says.
It is easier to choose a package from one of various gift-card-program providers than to try to create a gift card program yourself.
"The gift-card world is still evolving," Panos says. "It hasn't found a standard format, especially in the small-business world, and pricing varies from a per-card basis to a per-transaction basis."
Several legalities also must be considered before finalizing a gift-card program. For example, certain states prohibit the appearance of an expiration date on the gift card, and service charges have to be disclosed.
"It's best to start with your attorney," cautions Renk.
One seafood restaurant chain that has done a commendable job on its gift cards is Darden, parent company of Red Lobster.
"They have a very successful gift-card program, and theirs is a restaurant gift card of choice, especially in the incentive field [for employee motivation or rewards]," Renk says. "That's because the gift cards are interchangeable at the company's various restaurants, which makes them very effective, especially for an incentive application."
Darden initiated its gift-card program in September 2000 and sells its cards at major retailers like CVS and grocery stores, online, at its restaurants, on order by telephone and in bulk through its corporate offices.
"[Gift cards do] have an impact on our business," says Denise Wilson in Red Lobster's media-relations department, though she can't comment on how great the impact is.
Not everyone is thrilled with Darden's gift cards, however. The Federal Trade Commission notified Darden Restaurants last month that the company was violating a law prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices regarding gift cards.
That's because Darden purportedly failed to disclose that its cards lose value because of a dormancy fee if not used for 24 months.
Darden indicated that the FTC had suggested a payment of $31 million to settle the issue, and that if negotiations were unsuccessful within a 30-day period, the FTC would sue the company in federal district court, according to an Aug. 3 article in the Orlando Sentinel. Calls to Wilson were unanswered at press time.
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Georgia moved eight years ago from paper gift certificates to a gift card it calls the Ultimate Card. The program "is definitely a significant part of our bottom line," says Stacie Hanna, Buckhead's director of marketing.
Valid at all 12 of the group's restaurants, the rechargeable Ultimate Cards can be purchased online, by telephone, at the company's corporate office and at the individual restaurants.
"Redemption of our cards is extremely high, and that's what we want, because it's a great marketing avenue," she says.
"When the cards are in their hands, it makes customers choose to dine in our restaurants."
The bottom line is that gift cards are desirable, Renk notes. "They're convenient, they offer choice, and they're preferred over giving cash."
Contributing Editor Lauren Kramer lives in British Columbia

subset: commoncrawl


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By Matt Fussell
Looking for great drawing lessons online? Below, you'll find tutorials on a wide range of subject matter and media. This list is updated often and most of the drawing lessons include videos. All of the demonstrations are taught to you in an easy to understand and follow format. Tutorials offered are for art beginners, intermediate students, and advanced drawing students. Explore all that is offered and expand your drawing ability and understanding. TheVirtualInstructor.com also offers lessons on painting and digital art. There are over 300 instruction videos available and growing! You can see the full list of all of the free videos here> Art Instruction Videos
Members have access to even more including courses, ebooks, and more! Learn about membership here> Become a member
When I started TheVirtualInstructor.com, I created short, but concise videos on a variety of art-making subjects. I still do this on a consistent basis. But over time, many visitors reached out and told me that they'd like to see more on specific subjects. Some wanted to know a specific order in which to watch the videos. This gave me the idea to begin to develop courses. The courses below are the drawing courses that I have developed and are developing in response. I have put all of myself as an artist and teacher into these courses and labored to make them a collection of complete instruction, designed for beginner and intermediate artists. "The Colored Pencil Course" has now been completed and features over 5 hours of video. (Access to the courses requires membership)
This course is for beginner and intermediate artists and features over 300 minutes of HD video instruction and 178 pages of eBooks covering the true essence of drawing including the elements and principles of art, and a variety of drawing media and techniques. (28 Modules)
"Pastel Landscape Mastery" is a members only video course on drawing landscapes using pastels. The goal of the course is to provide the student with the most comprehensive approach to drawing landscapes with pastels through easy to understand modules that include over 200 minutes (nearly 4 hours) of HD video and 148 pages of eBooks. (15 Modules)
"The Colored Pencil Course" is a members only video course on drawing with colored pencils. Featuring over 5 hours of video instruction and 146 pages of eBooks, the goal of the course is to provide the student with a comprehensive experience with colored pencils. This course is designed to guide absolute beginners and intermediate artists to a level of producing professional quality colored pencil drawings through concise and "easy to digest" modules that include HD videos and Ebooks. (22 Modules)
Below you'll find links to single demonstration video pages. The following drawing tutorials are organized by drawing medium. If you're looking for specific subjects, be sure to use the sidebar links.
Drawing is making any mark on any surface with any mark-making material. YOU can draw and these lessons are designed to help you draw better.
Drawing is not rocket science. In fact, it is simple when you understand the true concept behind drawing. Drawing is about seeing. It is about looking at an object and understanding how you see it. Then it is simply taking that information and putting it on a surface through a series of marks. When you learn how to see as an artist, quality drawing naturally follows. These lessons are designed to help you learn how to see as an artist, show you a few tricks that I've picked up along the way, and help you become simply better at drawing. With practice any skill can be learned.
Many people look at objects, immediately forget what they see and draw what they think an object should look like. Instead, when you draw, you should look for shapes, values, and lines and try to make those shapes, values, and lines on your paper. When they are matched correctly, you get a drawing that's representational. Forget what you think it should look like and just draw what you see!
As you can see, a huge part of learning how to draw is learning how to see. There isn't a magic formula for drawing well. Instead, it's about practicing "seeing as an artist". So many people think that it is more than that and that's when they hit a "brick wall", give up and say, "I can't".
If the passion is there, then the skill can and will follow. This means that if you have the passion for drawing, then the skill is possible for you to attain.
As you grow and develop as an artist, keep this idea in mind. You will face obstacles. There will be days when your resolve is tested - and you will want to give up. But keep in mind that skills are developed over time. And perseverance manifests through passion.
My drawing skills have taken over thirty years to develop and there are still days that I hit "the wall". I've learned that improvements can come all at once, or they can come slowly. But as long as I'm working to improve myself - then I am growing.
Keep this in mind as you grow in your own art.
If you're looking for my very best advice for learning how to draw, check out my 10 tips on drawing...
Drawing is the process or technique used while medium is the actual material used to create the artwork. There are a variety of different drawing media that can be used to create artworks. Each medium has different characteristics and produces different effects. There are also different drawing techniques associated with each medium. Many of these techniques are explored in the video drawing lessons listed above. (Remember that this list of drawing lessons is added to on a consistent basis, so if an art or drawing lesson is not listed above, it may be coming soon. So check back often.)
Graphite- most commonly referred to as pencil or lead. Graphite is a grayish material that is available in a variety of different grades. " HB" is most commonly called a #2 pencil and is found in the middle of the grades. Softer graphite pencils are named "B" pencils and range from "B" (soft) to "9B" (extremely soft). "B" pencils generally make darker marks because of the softness of the graphite. One downside to "B" pencils are that they become dull easily. "H" pencils are made of harder graphite and range from "H" (hard) to "9H" (hardest). "H" pencils make lighter marks but keep a sharp point for a longer period of time. Graphite also comes in large chunks that are not in pencils. This graphite is used for covering large areas of a surface quickly.
Charcoal- While graphite is grayish in value, charcoal provides rich, dark blacks in the creation of drawings. Charcoal is burnt organic material and is usually some type of wood. Charcoal comes in a variety of different types. Vine charcoal is soft, makes lighter marks and is easily erased. Compressed charcoal is harder, makes darker marks and is harder to erase. Charcoal is produced in both stick and pencil form.
Colored Pencils- Colored pencils are made of a pigmented stick held together by a waxy binder. Colored pencils vary in brand quality and price. They are available almost anywhere.
Chalk Pastels- Chalk pastels are powdery pigmented sticks that are held together by a gum binder. Finished chalk pastel drawings can look like paintings and are often referred to as paintings.
Oil Pastels- are colored sticks that are held together by linseed oil. They can be thinned and spread by using traditional oil painting solvents. Finished oil pastel drawings are also referred to as paintings.
Pen and Ink- Ink that is applied to a surface through the application of a pen is considered pen and ink. Inks come in a variety of different colors and can be applied in a variety of different pens. Hatching, cross hatching, and stippling are most commonly the techniques used in pen and ink drawing.
Markers- Markers are typically used for design work. Markers are generally not permanent, (despite what it may say on the marker). Therefore, markers are used in fashion design, graphic design, industrial design, and illustration. Rarely are markers used for what is considered "fine art".


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Fight Moscow - Munich (DME-MUC): the fast non-stop connection at an attractive price
You will find a convenient flight from Moscow to Munich with airberlin quickly and easily by logging on to our user-friendly web site. Our search function is self-explanatory and takes you straight to the results you are looking for. What is more, our prices are all-inclusive, so you don't pay extra for food and drinks on board. Moscow's Domodedowo Airport, which is the biggest airport in the Russian capital, is located 35 kms south of the city centre. Munich Airport, which was named after Franz Josef Strauss, is about 28 kms northeast of the city near the town of Freising. We operate flights from Moscow to Munich on a regular basis making it easier for you to plan your journey.
Flight from Moscow to Munich: drink a few beers together at the Oktoberfest
In autumn the Oktoberfest attracts a huge number of tourists to Munich. But this picturesque city on the river Isar has a lot more than just beer tents to offer. From a cultural point of view, in particular, there is a lot to see, such as the numerous museums where you can learn about art and science. The vast park known as the English Garden, where you will find unparalleled natural landscapes in the middle of the city, is an ideal place for long walks. Once your flight from Moscow to Munich has landed, you will be able to completely unwind here.
Check out the flight schedule for Moskau-Domodedovo - München.


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Beyond 4th Dimension
Name: Brad Status: student Age: N/A Location: N/A Country: N/A Date: N/A
I already know the first four geometric dimensions, but I'm not clear on the 5th and 6th geometric dimensions. Can you explain to me the 5th and 6th dimensions? And how they work
If you mean how higher dimension spaces are handled in mathematics, it is just an extension to 'n' dimension obeying the same algebra and calculus: An 'n' dimensional space is an ordered 'j'-tuple numbers: (n1,n2, n3,...nj) obeying the rules of 3 dimensional numbers. In some of the operations that follow it is necessary to take "cross terms" into account, then a new algebra, tensor analysis it needed. If you are talking about higher order dimensions that arise in theoretical cosmology, I defer to people more knowledge than I.
Vince Calder
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Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 400...Chelsey WilkesAtlanta, GAMakes My Job Easier!!I LOVE this hairdryer because it is so efficient and lightweight. its very easy to hold and use through a 9 to 10 hour day of doing clients. It definitely dries the hair faster and more smooth than my other hairdryer. I totally recommend this product to any busy hairstylist or to anyone for at home use!posted Jun 21, 2009Link to this post
Sedu Revolution Pro Tourmaline Ionic 400...Kris KujawinskiEast Village, New York City, NYA Gift That Keeps On Giving.I bought this hair dryer as a gift for my coworker. A stylist in one of the trade magazines listed it as something he couldnt live without while working. The long cord, lightweight, quiet motor, and size features sold me. Also, the best part is the air flow nozzle snaps on and wont fall off. My friends previous hair dryers would not last her long ( she is pretty rough on them). Im happy to say her TGR 4000i hair dryer is still going strong after two years and mine is about to have a one year anniversary. I think we both cant live without them at work. No complaints here.posted Jun 21, 2009Link to this post
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HOT 100 2011 Preview: Part 4
Our annual roundup of great things within web and digital design is back for the New Year and we thought we give you a sneak preview before the magazine goes on sale in January
Web Designer's HOT 100 2011 online preview: Part 4
Our annual roundup of great things within web and digital design is back for the New Year and we thought we give you a sneak preview before the magazine goes on sale in January
Yes, Happy New Year everybody and with this being the fourth day of January we thought we'd offer a really cool treat to get you in the mood for issue 179′s very special cover feature. The HOT 100 is our way of bringing together the hottest tips for what will surely be hot to watch over the coming year, covering Trends, Talent, Technology, Events, Websites and Products. As per usual we've opened the floodgates for a barrage of insider tips from some of the most influential people within the community, resulting in a bumper 12 pages bursting with superb content.
Inevitably therefore, we've had a few tips that didn't quite make it in print but STILL worthy of inclusion so we're adding a special 4-part series to this very blog! Perfect for leading up to the release of issue 179 on January 13th…
8 ) Mobile data disappears
"For years pundits were predicting that the next year would be the year of mobile data. We're way past that point now. In fact, the next year is likely to see mobile data "disappear" – it will just be assumed that it is available."
Benjamin Dyer, Actinic / www.actinic.co.uk
9) Location-based mobile ads
"2011 looks set to be the year that locally targeted advertising takes off on mobile phones. With the explosive growth in mobile usage and GPS-enabled devices, advertising messages that appear on mobile sites or applications can be tailored to key geographic audiences. Adfonic's self-service tools (http://adfonic.com/) enable advertisers to create and manage campaigns at the city level in the UK and at state or designated marketing area (DMA) level in the US."
10) Year of Social E-Commerce
"Oh, there's a big trend on the web right now all right, it's social e-commerce. Just look at all the shopping start-ups getting investment left and right. It's a multi-billion dollar market that hasn't fully been tapped yet. We're just now seeing bits and pieces of it's potential. That's why I created WUNTED.com, a social shopping site launching soon that empowers the ability of users shopping online together."
Dann Petty, http://dannpetty.com/


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Something is lurking in your inbox. A war driver is sniffing around your Wi-Fi. That e-mail attachment has bad intentions. Your passwords may be compromised. Hackers are salivating over your Web site. Sometimes, it feels like your business is under a constant security siege. Well, it's time to stop worrying and start getting savvy about network security. Knowledge and preparation are the only things standing between you and lost data, lost productivity and lost money. If you've been wondering about biometrics, are curious about the effectiveness of firewalls, or have concerns about employee espionage, then read on to see what experts and other entrepreneurs are doing about these and other issues. After all, when it comes to network security, prevention is more than half the battle. -A.C.K.
Putting the Heat on Spam
Spam isn't just annoying-it also costs your business money. It may be hard to quantify in dollars, but all that time you and your employees spend picking out the e-mail chaff from the e-mail wheat adds up to lost productivity and lost cash. Market and technology research firm Ferris Research Inc. estimates that spam cost American corporations more than $10 billion last year.
President and founder Paul Hodara's company, NetWave Technologies Inc. , has been providing Web services to businesses for years. Demand from customers led the New York City-based company to offer an anti-spam solution that essentially allows companies with their own e-mail servers to outsource spam fighting to NetWave.
Hodara's advice for dealing with spam starts in a very nontech place. "I like to look at policies before looking at software. I like to have employees set up procedures internally within their organization," he says. He suggests that a written policy include items like not responding to spam e-mails, not clicking on opt-out links, and not posting your e-mail address on Web sites where it can be harvested. Make sure your employees are educated and that your anti-spam policy is companywide and well enforced.
With new anti-spam solutions popping up seemingly every week, Hodara has one piece of advice for entrepreneurs searching for the right fit: "Do your research." He recommends trying out downloadable evaluation copies and reading up on reviews and user feedback online. Home offices and businesses with just a few e-mail users can benefit from over-the-counter software like McAfee SpamKiller or Symantec's Norton AntiSpam .
Moving up in size to businesses with their own e-mail servers, you either have to implement a solution on your server, like Trend Micro's InterScan VirusWall , or outsource to a company like NetWave. Outsourcing means not having to maintain the software yourself, a boon for entrepreneurs without an in-house IT staff. Whether you're one person or you have 100 employees, now is the time to take back your e-mail and take back your time and productivity. As the research shows, spam is only going to get worse. -A.C.K.
Spy Games
Employee espionage: It sounds like something out of a spy movie, and you can almost imagine an employee dangling from ropes and sliding under laser beams. The reality isn't as breathtaking, but it's still dangerous for your business. It can manifest in stolen customer lists, proprietary information or software; in business check fraud; or in siphoning money from the books.
The first point to understand is that any business can be at risk. It's not just obviously disgruntled employees who become problems, but also employees who are facing financial difficulties or thinking about starting rival companies. Detective Michael Terrell with the Omaha Police Department in Omaha, Nebraska, has investigated a variety of white-collar crimes and cybercrimes. "We always ask, 'Did you do a background check or a criminal history check?' If you don't do a background check, you don't know who you're getting," says Terrell. In Omaha, for example, a county check is available for $7 through the police department, while a statewide check costs just $10. A small investment upfront can save you from a big loss later.
Protecting your business from employee espionage starts with drafting a policy and putting it into effect. In both your employee handbook and contracts for contract employees, be sure to include language stipulating that all work produced belongs to the company and not to the worker. "If you're going to put [employees] in a sensitive position where they're going to handle client databases or money, there should be a buddy system," Terrell recommends. "One person shouldn't have access to everything." On a computer level, scrupulous backups of your server and use of passwords can help protect your data.
Educating yourself about the dangers of employee espionage, what to look for and how to prepare your business is key. Says Terrell, "Get with your local law enforcement if you do nothing else." Most police departments are available to share information or give presentations. Take advantage of that. -A.C.K.
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This article was originally published in the April 2004 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Secure Horizons.


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As an omnipresent cultural figure, Michael Jackson influenced the ways we grew up, whether you had your first kiss to one of his songs, or just spent hours trying to master the moonwalk. Here, some of your best memories and stories about the King of Pop. Share your own in the comments below! Keep reading »
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CFPB Announces Further Investigation of Campus Debit Card and Student Loan Disbursement Practices, Asks for Student Stories
Statement of U.S. PIRG Higher Education Program Director Christine Lindstrom:
"Banks and other financial firms contracted to disburse federal financial aid often charge high and unfair debit card fees. U.S. PIRG applauds the CFPB for redoubling its efforts today to protect students from being nickel-and-dimed out of their financial aid money.
"U.S. PIRG's recent report, 'The Campus Debit Card Trap,' found that many campus debit cards, including cards used to disburse federal financial aid, are loaded with unfair fees. Some fee practices may even violate federal guidelines. When banks and financial firms are allowed to manage billions of dollars in financial aid, we need to ensure that they demonstrate greater transparency and implement best practices—like allowing students to have an unbiased choice of where to bank and unrestricted access to their funds— so both students and taxpayers are protected.
"The CFPB has asked for stories to inform their efforts; U.S. PIRG will be working to make sure they listen to the voices of students and the public interest."
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