preventing these attacks in cooperation with the civil society organisations of the countries concerned, while taking care not to expose these organisations’ staff and supporters to danger; 101. Remains vigilant vis-à-vis non-EU governments which use the adoption of controversial laws governing NGOs as an attempt to silence the human rights movement, such as the so-called 'Charities and Societies Proclamation', passed by the Ethiopian Parliament in January 2009, which virtually forbids all human rights activities; 102. Condemns the fact that in several countries attacks and anonymous threats against human rights defenders are commonplace, journalists, in particular those covering corruption and drug trafficking facing threats and attacks for their work; 103. Expresses its deep regret at the assassinations of, among others, Stanislav Markelov, Anastasia Baburova and Natalya Estemirova in Russia and of André Rwisereka and Jean Leonard Rugambage in Rwanda, the arbitrary detention of Roxana Saberi and Abdolfattah Soltani in Iran, and the continued detention and the lack of adequate access to healthcare to which Hu Jia, 2008 Sakharov Prize, was submitted in China, all of which took place during the reporting period; urges the Chinese authorities to clarify without delay the situation of the prominent human rights lawyer Mr Gao Zhisheng, who disappeared on 4 February 2009, and to open a fully independent and transparent investigation into his disappearance; 104. Condemns the detention and harassment of Saharawi human rights defenders in the Moroccancontrolled, Western Saharan territory, and urges the UN to include the monitoring of the human rights situation in the UN mission for the Western Sahara mandate (MINURSO); 105. Notes the release of local human rights defenders in Cuba; deeply regrets the fact that the Cuban Government refuses to recognise human rights monitoring as a legitimate activity, denying legal status to local human rights groups; notes with concern that the detention of human rights defenders in the country is also a grave human rights violation; calls on the Government of Cuba not to exile political prisoners and to give them the freedom to leave and to travel back to Cuba without being arrested; 106. Welcomes the decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to award Liu Xiaobo with the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights and freedoms in China; urges the Beijing Government to release Liu Xiaobo immediately and unconditionally from detention and to lift the restrictions on his wife Liu Xia; 107. Is greatly concerned that Iran has continued in 2008 and 2009 to suppress independent human rights defenders and members of civil society, and that serious violations of human rights have persisted, even increased; condemns the arbitrary arrest, torture and imprisonment of human rights defenders for their work, on the charge of "activities contrary to national security"; regrets the current government policy directed against teachers and academics, barring students from access to higher education, and condemns the persecution and imprisonment of student activists; regrets the turmoil in the aftermath of the 12 June 2009 Presidential elections and the violence used by the Iranian authorities, resulting in the arbitrary detention of at least 400 people, the reported killing of at least 40, mass trials of people accused of crimes against national security, the ill-treatment and torture that took place, and the death sentences issued; Human rights clauses 108. Emphasises the importance and indispensability of human rights and democracy clauses and