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Groups > Petitions R Us > Discussions > Topic: HUMAN RIGHTS # 15
Topic: HUMAN RIGHTS # 15

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Dusty R.	December 16, 2009 4:13 AM South Africa: Update on Sun International dispute "The international campaign of solidarity with striking workers at Sun International has substantially boosted the morale and determination of workers and we have witnessed an increase in numbers of striking workers on the picket-line and other activities." So reports Mike Abrahams of the South African union SACCAWU today (read his full report here). You've sent off over 2,700 messages in the first 24 hours of this campaign -- but we need to send many more. Please take a moment to tell Sun International to stop harassing and arresting workers and to negotiate an agreement with their union -- send off your message today. The global union for the food and hotel sector, the IUF, yesterday urged all its affiliates to join the campaign. Thailand/Philippines: Send a Christmas card to Triumph International We've received an urgent appeal from the Clean Clothes Campaign to support the 3,660 workers who have been sacked by Triumph International in Thailand and the Philippines. This is not just a case of workers losing their jobs, which is bad enough -- it's a company deliberately targeting profitable factories in which unions are strong, in a bid to break the union. The Campaign has done up a "Christmas card" which you can send off with a single click. USA/Germany: T-Mobile's double standard Some companies are very nice to their workers where unions are established and powerful, but the moment they don't have to deal with such unions, they turn nasty. T-Mobile is a case in point. In Germany they brag about how well they get along with unions and what a great employer they are. But in the USA, they harass and intimidate workers who are trying to form a union. American Rights at Work (together with the Communications Workers of America, ver.di, and UNI Global Union) has launched an online campaign urging T-Mobile to respect workers rights everywhere. [ send green star]
Just C.	Aminatou Haidar: Dying For Her Rights! December 15, 2009 9:24 AM Please . . . Note/circulate this news submission and sign the Petition. Aminatou Haidar: Dying For Her Rights - A Tragedy for Western Sahara World (tags: WesternSahara, AminatouHaidar, 'HUMANRIGHTS!', africa, freedoms, humanrights, HumanRights ) Joanna - 35 minutes ago - guardian.co.uk As the world's diplomats duel over her destiny, Aminatou Haidar, on the 29th day of her hunger strike, could be hours from death she has been on hunger strike in Lanzarote airport since being deported there from her home in Western Sahara . . . [ send green star] [ accepted]
Dusty R.	December 14, 2009 8:19 AM Sex Trafficking Hotels Right now, children are falling prey to sex trafficking in American-owned hotels all over the world, including right here in the states. Take, for instance, a North Carolina Comfort Inn, where five-year-old Shaniya Davis was sold for sex shortly before her body was found on the side of the road. Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer writes that hotels have a responsibility to make sure that child prostitution isn't happening within their rooms. There's a simple code of conduct, known as EPCAT, that hotels can sign in order to prevent child prostitution. Sadly, Comfort Inn's parent company, Choice Hotels, still hasn't signed up. Click here to demand they take action now. (Read More) [ send green star]
Dusty R.	December 11, 2009 5:49 AM 11 December 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- SRI LANKA: Police block a poor mother's request for a criminal investigation into the death of her daughter Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received the information that Galle police have refused to register a mother's complaint about suspicions that her 24-year-old daughter was murdered. The authorities also failed to adequately look into the woman's concerns that the girl was being put to work by her foster family, years before. The mother is from a very poor background and is being denied her access to the country's complaint mechanism. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	December 11, 2009 5:49 AM CASE DETAILS: According to local sources, R.G. Malini found out about the death of her daughter from a neighbour on 19 September, 2009 (see the funeral announcement here). Malini had given up her daughter Vajira Kumari to another family in 1992, when she was seven. She was able to visit the girl occasionally and reports being concerned about her treatment in the home. Vajira had allegedly told her in 1997 that she was not sent to school, was used as a domestic servant and was often assaulted by her host family. After numerous complaints to various police stations by Malini, the matter was reportedly loosely investigated, but not to the mother's satisfaction; the girl was returned to her hosts, Mr Ahoka Jayasekera and his wife, of Osanagoda, Maha Modara, Galle. Malini reports that in July this year her daughter, now 24, had come to her reporting further ill treatment, and a wish to leave the care of the Jayasekeras. Since learning about Vajira's death she has tried to register her suspicions in a complaint to Galle police station, with the support of her employer Stanley Perera, but her attempts have been obstructed. Instead two officers accompanied them to the funeral house where Malini was told that Vajira had died of an unspecified sickness, and was told by officers not to make a commotion. There is no cause of death on the certificate. Ms. Malini should have the right to be informed of the conditions surrounding her daughter's death. She also has the right to register a complaint and request a criminal investigation, at which point all efforts must be made to protect and preserve the medical evidence. Investigations must also be conducted into the custody agreement and legal status under which Vajira lived, and her treatment by the Jayasekeras. Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in July 1991 and is obliged to take claims of child abuse, child labour and the denial of a child extremely seriously. SUGESTED ACTION: Please write to the authorities below supporting Ms. Malini's right to file a complaint, and requesting a criminal investigation into the death and former living circumstances of Vajira Kumari. The Asian Human Rights Commission has written to the Committee on the Rights of the Child requesting its intervention into this case. SAMPLE LETTER: Dear _________, SRI LANKA: Police block a poor mother's request for a criminal investigation into the death of her daughter Name of victim: Vajira Kumari, 24, deceased Perpetrating officials: Officers attached to Galle Police Station, Galle Divison, Southern Range. Place of incident: Osanagoda, Maha Modara, Galle Date of incident: 19 September 2009 I'm writing to express my concern over the rejection, by Galle police, of a mother's complaint about suspicions that her 24-year-old daughter was murdered. According to local sources, R.G. Malini found out about the death of her daughter from a neighbour on 19 September, 2009. Ms. Malini had given up her daughter, Vajira Kumari, to another family in 1992, when she was seven but alleges that the young girl reported ill treatment. Vajira had allegedly told her in 1997 that she was not sent to school, was used as a domestic servant and was often assaulted by her host family. I am told that after numerous complaints to various police stations by Malini, the matter was reportedly loosely investigated, yet the girl was returned to her hosts, Mr Ahoka Jayasekera, of Osanagoda, Maha Modara, Galle. Ms. Malini reports that in July this year her daughter had come to her reporting further ill treatment and a wish to leave the care of the Jayasekeras. Since learning about Vajira's death, she has tried to register her suspicions in a complaint to Galle police station, with the support of her employer Stanley Perera, but her attempts have been obstructed. Instead two officers accompanied them to the funeral house where Malini was told that Vajira, at 24, had died of an unspecified sickness, and was told by officers not to make a commotion. There is no cause of death on the certificate. Ms. Malini is from an underprivileged background, and has been frustrated by her lack of acces to information about her daughter's death, and to the complaint mechanism. Please ensure that she is able to register her complaint, and see that a criminal investigation takes place, at which point all efforts must be made to protect and preserve the medical evidence. Investigations must also be conducted into the custody agreement and legal status under which Vajira lived, and her treatment by the Jayasekeras. As you are aware, as a state party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child Sri Lanka is obliged to take claims of child abuse, child labour and the denial of a child extremely seriously. Yours sincerely, ---- PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: Mr. Mahinda Balasuriya Inspector General of Police (IGP), New Secretariat, Colombo 1, SRI LANKA Fax: +94 11 2 440440 E-mail: igp@police.lk Mr. Mohan Peiris Attorney General Attorney General's Department Colombo 12 SRI LANKA Fax: +94 11 2 436421 Secretary, National Police Commission, 3rd Floor Rotunda Towers, 109 Galle Road Colombo 03, SRI LANKA Tel/Fax: +94 11 2 395960 E-ma [ send green star]
Dusty R.	December 04, 2009 5:03 AM 4 December 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- BANGLADESH: A former liberation fighter gets state honours at his funeral, but no investigation into his murder in custody ISSUES: Extrajudicial execution; rule of law; impunity --------------------------------------------------------------------- RELATED REPORTS: Use of Police Powers for Profit: Disconnected policing and the justice trade in Bangladesh --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that the Khulna police have killed a man in a so-called 'encounter'. The victim was known as a freedom-fighter for his role in the Bangladesh liberation from Pakistan, but no investigations have been made into his death after he was illegally arrested and detained. Relatives were not allowed near his body before his cremation, which was carried out by police and local officials under the guise of giving him state honours. CASE DETAILS: Mr. Nirapad Boiragi, a 58-year-old tailor, fought in the liberation war of 1971 and used to work as a dressmaker under the Dakope police station in Khulna. According to statements and documents from his family, Boiragi was summoned to his local police station on 7 October 2009, where he was arrested without a warrant and detained illegally. His relatives were denied access to him or the police in charge of him, but sources inside the station told that that he had been tortured. After one night’s detention the district police allegedly took Boiragi to the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP) in Khulna city, but his family was unable to locate him at the time; they were therefore not able to arrange a lawyer for him. Early on 9 October they were told that he had been killed in 'crossfire' with the Dumuria police in their district (photo of the body click here. Warning: graphic image). The Dumuria Officer-in-Charge (OC), Mr. Md. Fauzul Kabir has since claimed that Boiragi had been arrested during a meeting of an ultra-leftist underground group, called the 'New Biplobi (Rebel) Communist Party'. According to the official report, the victim and around 15 to 20 others were caught holding a meeting on the bank of the river Bhodra. The police allegedly returned gun fire and Boiragi was hit and succumbed his wounds at Dumuria Hospital. Boiragi's wife Ms. Kalpana Boiragi disputes this. She has also told the Asian Human Rights Commission that when she and her son Amit went to the Dumuria hospital after hearing of his death, they were kept at a distance from the body. They describe it lying on the floor in a thick pool of blood with signs of bullet wounds in his chest, throat, lower abdomen and back, but were prevented from attending to the body, as is customary. Instead, after preparing an inquest report and arranging a post mortem at Khulna Medical College Hospital, the police monopolised the cremation process. Even though the body was taken to the family's house for an hour on 9 October at 9pm, they report that no one was allowed to see or touch the body. At 10pm Boiragi was cremated at the local funeral yard in the presence of the Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (the administrative head of a sub-district) Mr. Sakhawat Hossain and the OC of the Dumuria police Mr. Md. Fauzul Kabir, along with a large number of police officers. State honour was paid with a salute, but without a bugle call, as is often custom in the case of former liberation fighters. According to his family, Boiragi had been arbitrarily arrested three times in the past, and had charges fabricated against him by police; his son alleges that officers have urged the family to not look further into his death. His wife considered the state tribute 'extremely ridiculous', remarking to the AHRC that: 'Nirapad’s achievement was his extrajudicial death at the hands of law-enforcers in the same state for which he fought four decades ago. The Bangladeshi police were able to do something that even Pakistani soldiers couldn't do in the war – put an end to the life of my husband. Justice is an unthinkable matter in this country'. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please write to the officials listed below, calling for them to investigate the suspicious death of Nirapad Boiragi while in the custody of the Khulna police. Please also ask the authorities to arrange adequate compensation for the victim's family. The Asian Human Rights Commission has already written a separate letter t [ send green star]
Dusty R.	December 03, 2009 6:28 AM End Child Trafficking Sponsored by: Plan USA Urge Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to help stop children from being sold into slavery. Take action! Goal: 4,000 • Progress: 2,996 Stand Up for Orphans' Rights Sponsored by: SOS Children's Villages Help us give orphans worldwide a chance of a better future. Take action! Goal: 10,000 • Progress: 7,286 [ send green star]
Leigh B.	November 23, 2009 2:01 PM Help Feed A U.S. Family Today \| Fair Trade Special Values Mon, November 23, 2009 11:42:15 AM From: The Rainforest Site <newstrs@therainforestsite.com> greatergood.com/emails/2009/news-112309-TRS-w.html Click to Give--FREE \| Shop Our Store & Give More \| Send an E-card Dear Supporter, The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report last week that featured some alarming statistics about hunger in America. According to their findings, 49 million Americans--including nearly 17 million children--"had difficulty obtaining food due to a lack of resources." That's one in every seven households. As a result, thousands of people are turning to their local food banks and food pantries for help to keep their dinner tables full. In states hardest hit by the recession, many food banks are reporting a 50% increase in the number of people looking to them for their next meal. During this Thanksgiving week, we're providing you with the opportunity to aid hungry families by benefiting the food assistance programs that help feed them. Every order placed today through Thursday, November 26th (11:59 p.m PT) in The Rainforest Site store will generate a donation to Feeding America, the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity. This cost-free contribution will go to support their network of more than 200 food banks, which distributes over 2.5 billion pounds of food and grocery products to families in need annually. While you gift-shop to help feed families in need in the U.S., you can also help positively impact the lives of people across the globe with purchases from our Fair Trade Special Values. Shopping fair trade products is a great way to give thanks, as well as equitable compensation, to these artisans for their hard work. We have dozens of unique items at special prices, so you can get your gift shopping done early for less. During this season of giving, consider making it a fair trade holiday. We hope you have a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving! Sincerely, [ send green star]
Leigh B.	November 23, 2009 1:58 PM Support A Woman's Access To Mammograms Mon, November 23, 2009 3:20:50 PM From: Take Action! at GreaterGood Network <news@greatergood.com> greatergood.com/emails/2009/pet-112309-women-w.html Dear Supporter, Like many of us, you may be wondering about the recent statement regarding breast cancer screenings released by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, a government-appointed, independent panel of medical professionals whose recommendations inform decisions by health care providers and insurers. Because so many questions have been raised, we have set up a resource page with more information: Click here to visit our Mammogram Guidelines page. One thing that remains clear: Mammograms continue to be an important tool in early diagnosis and treatment. The most recent and comprehensive research on breast cancer detection clearly indicates that regular mammogram screening saves lives, reducing the rate of death from breast cancer by an average of 15 percent. The concern now is that with these recommendations, many insurance companies will no longer cover preventative mammograms for women under the age of 50, or over the age of 74. By signing our featured petition below, you can help ensure that when a woman makes the choice to start screening for breast cancer, she will have access to a mammogram. Keep reading to learn more. Sincerely, Don't Restrict Access To Mammograms The National Association of Insurance Commissioners helps to determine which medical procedures should be covered by insurance companies. They are being put into the spotlight in the wake of new government recommendations against mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 49. All women should have access to preventive care, including mammograms. But if insurance does not cover the cost of the mammogram, prohibitive costs will prevent many women from being able to make that decision based on her medical needs. Let the National Association of Insurance Commissioners know that they must not use these new recommendations as an excuse to allow insurance companies to restrict women from receiving preventative care. Take Action Today [ send green star]
Dusty R.	October 08, 2009 3:39 PM [ send green star]
Dusty R.	October 08, 2009 3:36 PM Former child laborer advocates for child protection in her community. Exploitative child labor threatens the safety of millions of children around the world and denies them an education that can lead to a better life. But advocates like Joanne are making a difference. A former child laborer in the Philippines, Joanne is now speaking out to reduce child labor practices in her community. Read more... Action of the month: Support the Child Protection Compact Act Recently introduced in the House of Representatives, the Child Protection Compact Act (H.R. 2737) is one way that the United States can help reduce the trafficking, forced labor, and sexual exploitation of children. Ask your member of Congress to cosponsor this critical bill. Make the call today … [ send green star]
Dusty R.	September 17, 2009 6:03 AM ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-121-2009 17 September 2009 ------------------------------------------------------ INDONESIA: Investigation needed into the two week detainment and ill-treatment of a Papuan man ISSUES: Right to liberty and security; inhuman treatment; militarization ------------------------------------------------------ Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned of the abduction, ill treatment and two-week detention of a Papuan man, during which he was interrogated about a fire that destroyed property owned by former Indonesian president Suharto. The incident is similar to past cases of abduction by army personnel and we are concerned that the matter will not be thoroughly investigated by local officials. CASE DETAILS: According to the victim's family, and the KPKC Sinode Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) in Papua, Mr. Oktavianus Bukuap was abducted by unidentified men in civilian clothing on 1 August 2009. He had been on his way from Warombaim to Nimbokrang II and was forced into a car, blindfolded and anesthetized until he blacked out. He woke in a dark room which he believed was underground, and over the following two weeks was kept there, fed once a day and forced to urinate and defecate in the corner of the room. He was questioned about his involvement in a fire that took place at Hanurata Coy Inc twenty three years ago. Since he wasn't aware of the case, there was no information he could give. Hanurata Coy, Inc. is a timber corporation owned by the family of former president Suharto, and some of the shares are believed to be held by army personnel. The corporation holds the rights to Forestry Management (HPH) of a 188.500 hectare forest in Keerom regency, Jayapura. He was released on August 13 at 4AM, and dropped into Kodam Baru Polimak IV Street while blindfolded with his hands and legs tied. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please send your letters to the authorities listed below to urge a complete and thorough investigation by the authorities. To support this appeal please click here: [ send green star]
Dusty R.	September 17, 2009 5:26 AM SRI LANKA: Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and end gross violations of rights (Hong Kong, September 16, 2009) The Asian Human Rights Commission today launched an urgent appeal demanding the Repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and end gross violations of rights. The online appeal calls for everyone to sign up for letters which will automatically reach the President, The Speaker of the Parliament and the Opposition Leader of Sri Lanka. The petition states: There is no longer any reason for the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Sri Lanka; on the contrary, there are many compelling reasons as to why it should immediately be repealed. It was the existence of the LTTE and its ruthless violence that the government used to justify the promulgation and maintenance of the PTA. Now, by the very admission of the government this threat has ceased to exist. Even at a time of grave danger the PTA was too draconian and many of the provisions in the act could not have been justified. This has been pointed out by local legal opinion, local human rights groups and governments around the world, as well as international human rights agencies and several United Nations agencies and experts. After the defeat of the LTTE the government said that elements associated with it could remain, and that some new elements may emerge; yet every country faces this possibility all the time. If this reasoning is used to suspend the operation of a normal legal system then this would need to apply everywhere, forever. Terrorism – even war – is always possible, but if people are willing to abandon their freedoms and their normal legal rights to preempt these possibilities, draconian law will reign indefinitely. As long as the PTA remains in operation there is reason to suspect that it is being used by the government for political advantage, as an instrument to perpetuate its own power. Complaints of oppression by the opposition and other dissenting voices will have legitimate weight. The Act has effectively aided the destruction of the normal rule of law within Sri Lanka and undermined the independence of its judiciary; indeed litigants, lawyers and even the judges may have started to forget what a strong, functioning legal system is like. To maintain the PTA is to continue destroying what is left. The disadvantages far outweigh the advantage that the the government spokesperson may claim that it has. An enduring PTA will continue to place the Criminal Investigation Division and the Terrorism Investigation Division beyond the control of the law, with no checks or balances against its abuse of power. Tales of torture being used, charges being fabricated and deaths occurring in places of detention are heard constantly, yet while the PTA exists there is no way to even investigate such allegations, let alone avoid them. Sri Lanka’s policing system has collapsed; this is now a fact acknowledged by all. Yet no reform process can be set in motion, and under the protection of the PTA Sri Lanka's police force will continue to degenerate, its people given no option but to live under its oppression, corruption and arbitrary violence. What this means is that literally hundreds of thousands of people will suffer without any legal recourse, and large numbers will continue to live outside the protection of the law. The entire population will be affected. It is time for everyone in Sri Lanka and beyond to earnestly request the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act by the Sri Lankan government. The judiciary must no longer be undermined by those with extraordinary power, the rule of law must be revived and all people must be given its protection. Please see the online petition at: http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/repealpta/ [ send green star]
Leigh B.	September 10, 2009 9:45 AM Check out the archive of past newsletter articles Dear Leigh, Harnessing the Private Sector to Provide Sanitation Services to the Poor Water For People CEO Ned Breslin says this is an idea whose time has come Government and nongovernmental organizations in developing countries have limited bandwidth and their focus is—at times—elsewhere. But inadequate sanitation is a proven killer. About 4,000 children die every day from inadequate sanitation, unsafe water and poor hygiene. In countries such as Malawi, the average lifespan in poorer areas is under 40 years due in part to water- and sanitation-related illnesses. Enter the private sector. Here is a motivated group who can help deliver solutions for water and sanitation problems in a way that also benefits their own livelihood and economic well-being. When organizations like Water For People help to build and leverage a strong private sector, the local economy is fortified, people without services can be supported without endless subsidies, innovative ideas blossom, and services can be delivered reliably and quickly due to competition in the market. "Think of cell phones or printers. Companies do not really survive on the sale of cell phones or printers, but rather on the provision of cell phone services and ink cartridges. 'Sanitation as a Business' is based on the same concept." ~ Ned Breslin Water For People representatives, including CEO Ned Breslin and Regional Manager–Africa Sarah Bramley, joined the nongovernmental organization Building Partnerships for Development in Water and Sanitation to discuss and debate the idea of "Sanitation as a Business" during the recent 19th annual World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden. The conference brought together more than 2,500 representatives from the world’s scientific, business, policy and civil society communities to discuss water-related issues. The panel discussion showcased a series of field-based examples of sanitation entrepreneurs who have created successful businesses by bringing their services to customers. "Instead of setting up sanitation businesses that require people to search out the solution (such as a sani-mart selling latrines), entrepreneurs have found they can reach more residents and achieve more profits by bringing sanitation services to the people. Everyone who ‘oos’ is a potential customer," Breslin explained. Continue reading... The Coca-Cola Company 2009 Water For People Golf Classic Raises More than $200,000 On August 19th 85 golfers teed off at the Coca-Cola 2009 Water For People Golf Classic on the beautiful Sanctuary Golf Course near Sedalia, Colorado. The foursomes were treated to a fantastic day of weather and challenging golf on this scenic and secluded course. Sanctuary is one of the world’s most beautiful and acclaimed p [ send green star]
Leigh B.	September 10, 2009 8:44 AM See Your Alert Online HOW FAR WILL A MAN GO TO HAVE NO IMPACT? You'll Be Surprised. Dear Leigh, The Documentary No Impact Man Written and Directed by: Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein Featuring: Colin Beavan, Michelle Conlin Produced by: Eden Wurmfeld Release Date: Sep 11th 2009 in NYC. National expansion to follow. Running time: 90 min Rating: Not Rated by the MPAA The Book No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process is available in stores September 8th, 2009 thru Farrar, Straus and Giroux Sincerely, Your High Impact Team for Water Advocacy Food & Water Watch P.S. Check us out on No Impact Man's Change the World education page where we're featured in the curriculum! Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer organization based in Washington, D.C., works to ensure clean water and safe food in the United States and around the world. We challenge the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take action and transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and drink. For more information, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org. [ send green star]
Leigh B.	September 03, 2009 4:11 PM Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes UFW's SB789 We need to share some very disappointing news with you. Late yesterday, California Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed SB789. We are disappointed, but we are not surprised. It has unfortunately become very clear that the governor has no idea what it is like to work in the fields as a farm worker. His decision to veto SB789 emphasizes the deep disconnection between his words and the reality that hundreds of thousands of farm workers have to endure every day while harvesting the fruits and vegetables that feed America. The governor says he knows that farm workers are subjected to sexual harassment, heat illness, abuses and intimidation at the workplace. He has acknowledged this problem and promised to change the situation. Yet, again and again, he has failed to protect farm workers. Instead, he continues to support employers who are responsible for at least 95% of the reported violations during union election campaigns. Please take a moment and send a message to Governor Schwarzenegger and let him know how disappointed you are. http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/sb789veto [ send green star]
Leigh B.	September 01, 2009 9:38 AM Plan USA eNews September 2009 View as Web Page PLAN IN THE NEWS Overseas spending by nonprofit a boost to U.S. security Children poisoned picking tobacco In pictures: Malawi child workers Changing attitudes about girls in Uganda FEATURED CAMPAIGN Support Education in Niger GET INVOLVED Stop violence in schools! Sign our petition to end violence in schools Dear Friend, The reports are in — the facts clear and irrefutable: girls’ education is linked to improved health for themselves and their children, better opportunities for earning an income, and prevention against HIV and AIDS. Despite the benefits of education, UNICEF found that 101 million children of primary school age were not in school in 2007 — of these, 58 million were girls. Reasons include poverty, social class and caste, and early marriage. Other reasons are related to the overall quality and accessibility of the education provided. As Janella Nelson notes in her visit to Niger, something as simple as a lack of a girl’s bathroom can prevent girls from attending school. The good news is that, with the support of organizations like Plan, girls’ education has been expanding around the world, with many countries closing the gender gap. Plan's IMAGINE project, highlighted below, is an innovative girls' education program in Niger that addresses the most important factors in keeping girls in school: incentive programs, social protection, community school projects, improved sanitation, a relevant and appropriate quality curriculum that delivers, and education that fits their needs. If more girls are to receive the education they need, more investment must go into keeping girls in school. [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 31, 2009 2:45 PM Are You Participating in a Children's Sabbath Weekend? Each of our religious traditions teaches us that children are sacred gifts from God. As adults, we bear responsibility for their nurturing and protection. As a person who stands for justice and compassion, CDF invites you to stand together with us in your places of worship on October 16-18 as part of the 2009 National Observance of Children's Sabbaths^® weekend! By participating in this inspiring weekend, you will be part of a powerful, diverse, multi-faith voice for children across the nation. Through services of worship, educational programs and congregational activities, you can affirm your community's commitment to children while challenging members to take new actions to meet the needs of children in your community, state and our nation. Download or order the Children’s Sabbaths Manual and check out our Children's Sabbaths promotional resources on our website. Show Congress Your Support New Report: Affects of Hurricane Katrina New Health Resources Upcoming Events with CDF President Children's Sabbaths Coming Soon © 2009, Children's Defense Fund, 25 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 \| 1 (800) 233-1200 \| UnsubscribeThe Children's Defense Fund's Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 31, 2009 2:43 PM Over the past few months, you’ve told your Members of Congress through emails, calls and letters that you support health reform that includes affordable, head-to-toe health coverage for all of America's children. *Now is your chance to show* your support! There couldn't be a better way to augment your voice for children than by putting a face on the thousands of child advocates across the country. Share your photo with us. it's easy!** Thank you for continuing to step up and take action on behalf of all children. Four years after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast Region, CDF's Southern Regional and Louisiana offices and the Katrina Citizens Leadership Corps (KCLC) have released a report, What It Takes to Rebuild a Village After a Disaster: Stories from Internally Displaced Children and Families of Hurricane Katrina and Their Lessons for Our Nation, outlining many of the ongoing basic needs and how our nation must do better. Three of the most serious problems still facing these children and famlies are housing, health care and education. In 2007, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the CDF Southern Regional and Louisiana offices organized an effort to address the plight of the thousands of remaining displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina. The effort produced the KCLC, made up of over 250 displaced residents from the Gulf Coast Region. The group sought to highlight and offer strategic solutions to the maze of problems and issues confronting displaced families and children as they try to make their way home. helpful facts on how the current economy is affecting families and their health coverage as well as how health reform will help put our country back on the path to economic recovery. Also, check out our top facts on how providing all children with quality health coverage is not only the right thing to do, but the smart and cost-effective thing to do! Visit the Mind & Life Institute’s website for more information and to register. Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference Representative Bobby Rush (D-IL), CDF Board Member and Founder of the Angelrock Project, Malaak Compton-Rock, CDF Board Member and President of the Harlem Children's Zone Geoffrey Canada and Mrs. Edelman will be speaking on the topic of "Bailout for our Youth: Rescuing Youth from Carnage and Chaos" at the Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative conference. These experts will be discussing youth violence and how it affects our communities, families, schools and neighborhoods. For more information on the conference and to register, visit the CBC website. [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 30, 2009 9:57 AM August 17 - August 23 Overcoming Domestic Abuse; Horse Racing Whips; The Greening of Music Hey Changemakers, A remarkable story came to a happy conclusion on Change.org this week and had our entire team celebrating. A few months ago, a woman named Privilege contacted our Human Trafficking blog asking for help. Like thousands of women each year, she had been brought to the U.S. by a brutally abusive husband who sexually abused and physically enslaved her. Against all odds, Privilege managed to escape with her children after 9 years of surviving the abuse. However, she didn't have a work visa and had no way to support her children, and her application for a "U Visa" for survivors of domestic violence and sexual exploitation was being held up. At her request we published Privilege's story, and another Change.org reader who works at a local social service agency responded in the comments section with advice and connected Privilege to an attorney who could help her navigate visa application process. Then, this week, Privilege sent us the following good news: "Today my attorney called me to inform me that I am now a U Visa recipient!!! I can now earn a living for myself and decide how my life will go!!! I have been waiting two months short of ten years for this moment. There is a God out there and He has smiled on me! Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and called and wrote to USCIS on my behalf. A new day has dawned." We couldn't be happier for the remarkable woman we're proud to call a member of the Change.org community. Special thanks goes to our Human Trafficking blogger Amanda Kloer and Change.org member Jennifer V. for their role in making this possible. If you want to send Privilege your best wishes, please add a comment at the bottom of this blog post. And if you want to find out how you can help more women like Privilege, visit our friends at the Tahirih Justice Center. For more of this week's top news and commentary from the world of change, see the summaries below: Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act by Human Rights Campaign Take action » Unlock the Camps in Sri Lanka by Amnesty International USA Take action » Make 'No Hunger' - Al Gore's Next Movie by Action Against Hunger Take action » Start a Petition » [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 27, 2009 8:33 PM e-update 8.27.2009 Ken and Darcy Bacon Center for the Study of Climate Displacement We send out this month's E-Update with heavy hearts. While we struggle to deal with the death of RI president Ken Bacon on August 15th, we find ourselves feeling immensely grateful for his leadership, his kindness, and his quiet passion, as well as his work to solidify Refugees International's standing as the leading advocacy group on refugee crises. He had a strong commitment to helping some of the world's most vulnerable people and, in his final weeks, Ken and his wife Darcy provided a generous donation to establish the Ken and Darcy Bacon Center for the Study of Climate Displacement at Refugees International. "Climate change will force millions of people from their homes and this will pose enormous challenges to an already stressed humanitarian system," Ken said. "Refugees International is uniquely situated to ensure these people don't fall through the cracks." Get more information about the Ken and Darcy Bacon Center from our press release. Read more about Ken's life, view photos, and leave your comments. See what acting president Joel Charny, as well as RI's former president Lionel Rosenblatt, wrote on our blog. Greater U.S. Role Needed for UN Peacekeeping Operation In our recent report, "Greater Expectations: UN Peacekeeping & Civilian Protection," peacekeeping advocate Erin Weir writes about the need for the U.S. to reassess its relationship with UN peacekeeping operations. "The U.S. has a unique ability to support UN peacekeepers' efforts to protect people in conflict zones," said Erin. "The UN has taken steps to improve the effectiveness of its troops, and the U.S. can provide new forms of support to bolster these efforts." The report looks at the challenges and successes of UN peacekeeping and makes recommendations for improvement, while highlighting areas where the deployment of UN peacekeepers is not appropriate. View the full report. Read Erin's testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Video from Ante Up for Africa You may recall that a few weeks ago, RI was a recipient of part of the proceeds from Ante Up for Africa (AUFA), a celebrity poker tournament at the World Series of Poker dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need. Well, we made a short video from the red carpet interviews we did at the event, featuring AUFA co-founders Annie Duke and Don Cheadle, as well as participants Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Phil Hellmuth and more. Enjoy! [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 21, 2009 2:30 PM SIGN THE PETITION TODAY >> Dear Ms. Bennett, As you know, most children have no meal options in school other than the usual meaty, cheesy fare that is bad for their health, deadly for millions of animals, and terrible for the environment. In January, we launched our Healthy School Lunch petition and more than 85,000 people have given their support. We need just 15,000 more to reach our milestone of 100,000 signatures. May I ask you please to sign our petition today? It asks Congress to help all schools to serve low-fat vegetarian meals. Please click here to sign our petition now. Please do not wait! This fall, when Congress reauthorizes the Child Nutrition Act, which regulates the National School Lunch Program, it can give children healthful meals. This would be a huge step forward in the battle against childhood obesity and poor health and make a difference for so many animals. Thousands of others have already asked for healthier school lunches. Wyntergrace Williams, daughter of Montel, signed our petition. Actor and father Tobey Maguire, star of Spider-Man, sent letters to Congress. May I count on you to help, too? Visit HealthySchoolLunches.org today and join the 85,000 people who have signed our petition asking Congress for the healthy school lunches that students deserve. To learn about other ways you get involved, e-mail hschoollunches@pcrm.org. Best regards, Neal Barnard, M.D. President P.S. Please forward this message to your family and friends to help spread the word! Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 5100 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20016 Phone: 202-686-2210 E-mail: pcrm@pcrm.org Forward this message to a friend Unsubscribe from PCRM e-mail communications View this message as HTML in your browser [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 20, 2009 8:53 PM Unable to view the message below? View an online version of this email. Foward to a Friend \| Subscribe \| Donate Now What I did on my summer vacation: 1. Went to the park. 2. Had a BBQ with the neighbors. 3. Went camping. Wouldn't you also like to add: 4. I did everything I could to ensure all children in America had the affordable, head-to-toe health coverage they deserved. There's still time! Dear Leigh: Adding this item to your summer list is easy, and there couldn’t be a more urgent time to do so! Your Members of Congress are back home in your state right now on a Congressional recess, and they need to hear from you about the need for real child health reform. Once they return to Capitol Hill in September, your Representative and Senators will be putting the finishing touches on health reform legislation, and we need to make sure that they speak up for children to ensure their needs are met. Here are the top five things you can do to add this to your list: 1. Email your Representative and Senators. 2. Call your Members of Congress. 3. Attend an event where your Member of Congress will be present. 4. Encourage your friends and family to join you in doing all of the above. Forward this email to your friends and family and spread the word on Facebook and Twitter! 5. Help support CDF’s efforts to ensure health coverage for all children. Health reform is taking shape in a way that could make millions of children worse off—rather than better off—while at the same time insurance companies and drug companies will profit. Millions of children could face higher costs for fewer benefits. For children to be better off, changes are needed to make it simple for children to enroll in comprehensive and affordable health coverage. Your Members of Congress can help make sure necessary changes for children are included in any final health reform bill. Now is the time to get the message about children to your Members of Congress! — Children’s Defense Fund © 2009, Children’s Defense Fund, 25 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001 \| 1 (800) 233-1200 \| Unsubscribe The Children's Defense Fund's Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a [ send green star]
Dusty R.	August 20, 2009 8:50 AM Dear Dusty, Leaders worldwide condemned Myanmar's decision last week to extend Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's imprisonment by 18 months after finding her guilty of violating the terms of her house arrest. It's time for global leaders to match words with actions. While Amnesty applauds the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' condemnation of the verdict in Aung San Suu Kyi's trial, the 10-nation ASEAN bloc must ratchet up pressure for the release of Suu Kyi and thousands of other political prisoners in Myanmar. The head of the Myanmar's ruling military junta, Than Shwe, has brushed off criticisms before, and there's little reason to believe he'll clean-up his act unless ASEAN shows that this time it means business. That's why we're calling on ASEAN to convene a meeting of the top brass in foreign affairs from all 10 member nations to come up with concrete measures to finally address the growing human rights crisis in Myanmar. We're turning up the heat ourselves by calling on supporters to send 10,000 postcards – instead of emails – to the Thai government, which currently chairs ASEAN. (Don't worry – we'll send the postcard for you, so you don't have to buy postage, lick stamps or find a mailbox.) Send a postcard today demanding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and thousands of other political prisoners in Myanmar. Time is running out. Vietnam will replace Thailand as chair of ASEAN at the end of next month. Critics have raised concerns that ASEAN's new human rights body will be toothless under Vietnam's leadership.¹ We must ramp up our calls on Thailand to show leadership on human rights in Myanmar in order for it to make a difference in the remaining weeks of its chairmanship. Act now. Help us send 10,000 postcards to the Thai government by September 1^st to urge them to call for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and thousands of other political prisoners in Myanmar. Thank you for standing with us – Jim, Nancy, Anil, Ulana and the rest of the Myanmar rapid response team [ send green star]
Dusty R.	August 20, 2009 8:09 AM 20 August 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- INDIA: Social ostracism against Dalits for refusing to dispose of dead animals ISSUES: Police negligence; threats; caste system; administration of justice --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Navsarjan Trust, a Gujarat-based human rights NGO, that there has been a social boycott put into place by the entire non-Dalit community against the Dalits of Nesda village. This was in response to the Dalits' refusal to dispose of dead animals, a duty assigned to their caste in the tradition of the practices of "untouchability." The boycott, which includes a ban on any economic or social interaction, continues to produce tremendous daily hardships for twelve Dalit families. Their struggle to file their case illustrates the difficulties Dalits have regarding access to laws intended to protect them. Their case is currently pending in court and continues to be delayed. CASE DETAILS: On May 2008, Nesda village opted into the Samras Gam Yojana scheme offered by the Gujarat state government, which awards money for developmental work. In these villages, Panchayat (village council) elections are conducted by consensus rather than by formal election. Under the scheme, a village (depending on population size) can receive anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 Indian Rupees (USD 1,230 to 2,050) as a developmental incentive. In Nesda village, the Panchayat allocated the scheme's money towards building concrete roads. However, the plans did not include the development of roads in the Dalit area – meaning that water would run from the raised concrete roads onto the lower dirt roads of the Dalit area. When Dalits objected to this decision, they were rebuked and threatened by members of the dominant caste. On May 21, 2008, the Dalits went to the Police Station in Tankara to notify them of the threats they received. They also pointed out the deprivation of benefits from a government program that was intended for the entire community. Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) R.B Rama refused to take the application. The District Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mr. Solanki, was also approached but he did not act. In protest, the Dalit community decided to cease performing the caste duty of picking up and disposing of dead animals. The dominant-caste community learned of this when Budarbhai Parsotanbhai Bimari, of a dominant caste, demanded someone dispose of his dead ox and was refused. Because of this, the Panchayat called a meeting on August 5, 2008 to announce a social boycott. They forbade any Dalits from engaging in any social or economic interaction with non-Dalits. It was to be enforced by using the threat of the same boycott on anyone breaking the Dalit boycott’s terms. To support this appeal, please click here: [ send green star]
Leigh B.	OOPs, Here's The Rest August 15, 2009 8:22 PM a sharp increase in international assistance for displaced Iraqis, and greater numbers of Iraqis being resettled in this country. Mr. Bacon wrote a few months before his death, "When I came to Refugees International in 2001, I planned to stay for several years and then retire or move on to teaching or writing, but the challenge of the work and the commitment of the staff are too exciting to leave." When he thanked people for their support of the organization, he regularly noted, "We have a lot to do." In 1994, Mr. Bacon became Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Pentagon spokesman. During the U.S. and NATO operations in Kosovo, Mr. Bacon became convinced that the world needed more people working to stop human rights abuses and to assist people displaced by man-made and natural disasters. He became president of Refugees International in 2001 to help further that goal. From 1969 to 1994 Mr. Bacon worked as a reporter and editor at The Wall Street Journal. Mr. Bacon received his Bachelor's degree from Amherst College, and a Master's degree in Business Administration and Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974. Mr. Bacon is survived by his wife, two daughters, two grandchildren, his brother and his father. The board and staff of Refugees International express their deepest condolences to his family and friends. A memorial service will take place in Washington, DC in September and forthcoming details will be posted on the Refugees International website. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family has designated Refugees International for memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Bacon. For more information, go to http://www.refugeesinternational.org/ken-bacon. ### [ send green star]
Leigh B.	August 15, 2009 8:18 PM August 15, 2009 Refugees International Mourns the Death of Kenneth H. Bacon Washington, DC - With grief and a deep sense of loss, Refugees International announces that Kenneth H. Bacon, President of Refugees International, died this morning from an aggressive melanoma that spread into his brain. Mr. Bacon, who became President of Refugees International in 2001 and was only 64 years old at the time of his death, devoted the final years of his life to building the organization into the leading advocacy group on refugee crises. "Ken Bacon was an extraordinary human being. He led by example and dedicated his efforts to help those most vulnerable - refugees and displaced persons across the globe," said Farooq Kathwari, Chair of the Board of Directors of Refugees International. "We are inspired by his passion, his integrity, his humility, and the dignity with which he faced the inevitable. We will sorely miss our friend and colleague." Under Mr. Bacon's leadership, Refugees International doubled in size and grew from an organization that largely sounded the alarm on the latest refugee crisis to a program built on sustained advocacy to transform unwieldy and often ineffective international systems. During his tenure, the organization successfully advocated for increased protection and assistance for displaced people in places like Darfur and Iraq, where he focused much of his own work, as well as in Afghanistan, Burma, the DR Congo, Colombia, and Thailand. Mr. Bacon also launched new advocacy programs on peacekeeping and statelessness. In the last few months of his life, Mr. Bacon turned his passion towards the growing threat of climate displacement. Just a few weeks prior to his death, he and his wife Darcy provided a generous donation to establish the Ken and Darcy Bacon Center for the Study of Climate Displacement. "Ken's death is an enormous loss --- to his family, his friends, and Refugees International. All of us here will miss his leadership, his kindness, and his quiet passion," said Joel Charny acting president of Refugees International. "He never stopped looking for new ways to bring attention to the millions of people who have been uprooted by violence and conflict. The world's most vulnerable people have lost one of their most tireless advocates." In 2004, Mr. Bacon made Darfur his primary regional focus before throngs of activists and celebrities began calling for support to the region. In 2005, he accompanied UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to Darfur, and he met with Sudanese President Al-Bashir in 2007 to push for a ceasefire and greater access for relief workers in Darfur. Over the years, he travelled to Darfur four times, wrote op-ed pieces, conducted media interviews and testified to Congress in his trademark bowtie, participated in think-tank working groups, debated the merits of military action with journalists and humanitarian workers and gave advice to the leaders of the grassroots movements that made Darfur a household name. These efforts helped lead to the substantial funding the U.S. has provided for aid to the people of Darfur and to African Union and United Nations peacekeepers in the region. "Ken would walk the corridors of power one day and then meet with refugees in the most remote areas of Darfur the next. His unique mixture of expertise in the media, military affairs, and U.S. government policy, added to his compassion for vulnerable refugees, made him one of the great voices in humanitarian advocacy," continued Charny. "Ken always saw the best in people. His ability to connect with nearly everyone he met made it possible for him to convince officials at the highest levels of government and the United Nations to make the necessary changes to save lives and protect people from harm." In 2006, Mr. Bacon pushed Refugees International to investigate the plight of Iraqi refugees at a time when no one was willing to acknowledge or speak out about this matter. Drawing on the findings of Refugees International's field research teams, Mr. Bacon was a leader in pushing the U.S. government and the UN to recognize the world's fastest growing refugee crisis at that time. His advocacy with senior administration officials and key members of Congress, such as Senator Edward Kennedy, was instrumental in achieving extensive press coverage and policy discussions on Iraqi displacement, the creation of a State Department task force on the problem, a sharp i [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 31, 2009 6:24 PM Dear Supporters, Thank you to everyone who signed a message of urgent concern to Secretary Solis on Change.org this week. We have made tremendous progress with more than 1,200 messages sent to Secretary Solis' inbox! Every signature is bringing us one step closer to the release of a document that Congress mandated the Department of Labor to make public four years ago- a list of goods produced by forced labor or child labor. The list is designed to identify problem products (seafood, steel, textiles, etc.) and the countries where they were produced. Its release would enable consumers and shareholders to fight slavery worldwide. Empowered by this information, individuals could hold companies accountable and pressure them to rid their supply chains of slave labor. This past December the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act gave the Department until the end of this year to finally comply with the mandate. However, due to the foot-dragging of the last Adminstration's Secretary of Labor, the list is already long overdue. We must hold this Administration to its promise of transparency, and demand the release of this list to the public now. If you have not gotten a chance to sign a message to Secretary Solis, do so today! An influx of messages from the public in her inbox will force the Department of Labor to take more notice of this delayed list of goods. Encourage your friends on Facebook and Twitter to take action today! To read more on the issue, visit the North Star blog. Thank you for all your support! Andrea Austin Program Manager Public Outreach and Communications Polaris Project \| P.O. Box 77892 Washington, DC 20013 You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up with the Polaris Project. Having trouble reading this email? View it in your browser. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe Instantly. [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 31, 2009 3:18 PM Unable to view the message below? View an online version of this email. Foward to a Friend \| Previous Newsletters \| Subscribe \| Donate Now Monthly Newsletter - July 2009 Did you know that whether or not a family can afford to provide quality health coverage for their child often depends on where they live? It's true! The criteria (family income and a child's age) that determine whether or not a child qualifies for the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) or Medicaid vary from state to state. And the enrollment process, the benefits covered and the availability of doctors that will accept children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP can also be different if you live in California to Florida. The result? A confusing health care system where if a family moves to another state, it can mean a child loses health coverage. *This "lottery of geography" is just one of the ways* our current health care system is not providing affordable, head-to-toe health coverage for our nation's children. The good news:** Health reform legislation is moving fast on Capitol Hill, and crucial decisions are being made right now to improve our broken health care system. The bad news: The House of Representatives' health reform bill currently does not make the necessary changes children need to have real health reform, including doing away with the lottery of geography. There is a solution! Watch our latest video and find out how you can ensure children don't get left out of health reform! CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action. This day is just one component of the CDF Freedom Schools program that provides summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Approximately 135 CDF Freedom Schools sites in 27 states participated in the event to urge health reform for children. View a photo slideshow, watch video news clips and read more about CDF Freedom Schools National Day of Social Action on our website. Congressional hearing on the Youth PROMISE Act. The Youth PROMISE Act shifts the paradigm from ineffective punishment and incarceration to evidence-based prevention and intervention to address juvenile delinquency. To learn more about CDF's juvenile justice work, visit our website. More information about the Youth PROMISE Act can be found on [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 31, 2009 8:25 AM Support The Child Nutrition And WIC Reauthorization Act Over the last decade the proportion of overweight children has more than doubled, and for adolescents (age twelve to nineteen) it more than tripled. The culprit is easy access to endless spoonfuls of sugar in soft drinks and mountains of calories in cheap, fat-dripping, processed foods. Type 2 diabetes, coronary disease, hypertension, and some cancers are associated with excess weight. Please use the form on this page to send an e-mail to your Senators and Congressperson. Ask for federal policies to direct all schools to provide ample fruits and vegetables and make available a plant-based meal option every day. The new legislation should also award additional funding to schools that take extra steps to serve nutritious foods. These life-affirming changes could make all the difference in the health of future generations, as well as other species. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 23, 2009 10:48 AM ACT Make it personal: No excuses! With the recent passage of the Matthew Shepard Act, we've seen that relentless pressure can move Congress. Now is the time to demand that Congress stop putting equality on the back burner – and to do it in person. HRC is rolling out an unprecedented grassroots campaign: scores of HRC activists from every state will meet with their lawmakers when they are home from Washington this August. Will you be a part of it? Sign up today to let us know you're interested! take action » [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 22, 2009 5:24 PM Signed, thanks Dusty, you should be in bed grifriend! Love and hugs.....Leigh and Sam [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 22, 2009 5:21 PM Dear ONE Member, Matt Damon took a break from visiting clean water projects in India to thank the more than 103,000 ONE members who signed our petition supporting the Durbin-Corker Water for the World Act—a bill that would bring first-time, sustainable clean water and sanitation access to 100 million of the world's poorest people. Hear it straight from Matt in this new video: http://www.one.org/blog/2009/07/22/thanks-from-matt-damon/?id=1074-4116152-RqJF3px&t=2 On July 1, a team of 40 ONE volunteers, staff, interns and partners flooded the Senate with our petition signatures asking our senators to cosponsor the bipartisan Water for the World Act. Since then, five new senators have signed on as cosponsors, bringing the total count to 14 and the bill that much closer to becoming law. Find out whether your senators have co-sponsored the Water for the World Act, and learn what more you can do to support this critical legislation: http://www.one.org/blog/2009/07/22/thanks-from-matt-damon/?id=1074-4116152-RqJF3px&t=3 Thank you for making a difference, David Lane President, ONE.org ONE.ORG \| BLOG \| PRIVACY \| SUBSCRIBE \| UNSUBSCRIBE \| CONTACT US \| ABOUT [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 20, 2009 2:30 PM Dear Dusty, Armed thugs have silenced forever an ardent voice for human rights in Russia's North Caucasus region. Until she was bundled into a van and shot dead last Wednesday, Natalia Estemirova had bravely investigated human rights abuses in the Chechen wars, which often put her in the line of fire. The small but courageous group of human rights defenders in Russia researching war crimes and other abuses in the string of conflicts that have plagued the North Caucasus for decades are all too aware of the real risks they are taking each day. Estemirova had spent years defying the cruel fate that had recently befallen several of her colleagues. Lawyer and human rights defender Stanislav Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova were both shot dead in broad day light in January in the center of Moscow. Markelov was preparing to appeal against the early release of a Russian former colonel sentenced for the murder of a Chechen girl. Journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya was shot and killed in 2006. Amnesty believes Politkovskaya was targeted because of her work as a journalist, reporting on human rights abuses in Chechnya and other regions of the Russian Federation. Act now. Stand with Amnesty today in demanding a full investigation by Russian authorities into these brutal murders. Only by sending Russian authorities a message from every corner of the global human rights movement can we prevent them from sweeping Estemirova's and other murders under the rug. The killings of Estemirova and her colleagues are an attempt to gag civil society in Russia. Estemirova's human rights investigations in Chechnya — which included reporting on torture, unlawful killings and enforced disappearances — represented a direct threat to local government and other groups, who in turn intimidated her in vain attempts to shut her up.¹ Don't let intimidation prevent justice in Russia. Join us in calling on Russian authorities to fully investigate these brutal acts and end impunity for murders of human rights activists. Thank you for standing with us, Luda Gordon Country Specialist for Russia Amnesty International USA [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 20, 2009 9:21 AM Dear Dusty, Guantanamo will be closed – but military commissions remain. Senators are discussing revisions to the system this week – write now to say you want an end to unfair and flawed military commissions! On January 22, you may have thought it was over for Guantánamo. Executive order signed, the prison was to be closed in a year – an end to an ugly chapter of U.S. history. So you may have thought. But the real stain at Guantánamo was not the prison. The flawed military commissions system remain. In fact, right now your senators are discussing revisions to this system – write today to urge them to speak out about the flaws in the proposed commission rules. The problems with proposed revisions to the commissions include: Continuing to permit the admission of coerced evidence and hearsay evidence that would be excluded in any court in the United States; a failure to use the procedures for dealing with classified evidence that have proven effective in civilian courts; the lack of a sunset provision to direct Congress to reconsider the legislation in the future; and an overbroad jurisdiction that reaches individuals far from any battlefield. We've made some costly mistakes – now is the time to start on the road to redemption, not derail our efforts by clinging to a system that goes against our principles and harms our national security. Write your senators today to say that you are against reviving unfair military commissions.Thank you for your commitment to restoring the rule of law to the United States. Sharon Kelly Communications Director [ send green star]
Leigh B.	July 18, 2009 4:50 PM Unable to view the message below? View an online version of this email. Foward to a Friend \| Subscribe \| Donate Now Urgent: Health Reform Legislation Fails to Include Important Provisions for Children! There's still time to ensure children get real health reform! Dear Leigh: Email Congress today to support real health reform for children! Health reform is at a critical turning point on Capitol Hill, and crucial decisions are being made right now to improve our broken health care system. Earlier this week, children marched across the country to make sure their voices were heard in this debate, but Congress is still not getting the message. With all of the improvements being proposed, you can imagine our shock and disappointment when we learned that *the House of Representatives' health reform legislation does not* include what children truly need to have real health care reform! There’s good news! There’s still time to make changes to this legislation, but you need to act today!** Your Representative has the ability to influence key Representatives and House Leadership to support amendments to this legislation that would ensure real health care reform for children. *Email your Representative today and tell him/her to support real* health reform for children—not forget children and make their coverage worse!** The current bill would provide affordable coverage for millions of Americans who are not happy with the coverage they have now. But for millions of children, the bill does not guarantee affordable, comprehensive coverage and some children will lose the affordable, comprehensive coverage, they have today! We know that a system designed for adults will not work for children, who have unique developmental needs. It has been decades since we've seen a major health care system overhaul. We know how desperately families need affordable coverage, which is why we need to ensure that this reform gives every family the peace of mind that they will always be able to afford quality, head-to-toe health coverage for their children. It is inexcusable that any of our children—our country’s future—would not benefit from health care reform like everyone else, but instead would be left out. But, you have to act quickly—they are making final edits to this legislation as you read this email! *Email your Representative today and tell him/her to support real* health reform for children and not make their situation worse!** [ send green star]
Davida P.	Because torture does not end. July 15, 2009 1:03 PM President Obama reads 10 hand-picked letters every day to get a glimpse of what's on people's minds and in their hearts. Amnesty International has compiled powerful letters written by 10 influential thinkers – from an exiled poet to a former military interrogator to an esteemed actor and activist – that boldly make the case against torture. Read the Ten Against Torture letters and send the one you find most moving to President Obama. Every day, President Obama reads ten hand-picked letters chosen because they can offer him a glimpse of what's on people's minds and in their hearts. With that in mind, Amnesty International has compiled powerful letters written by 10 influential thinkers – from an exiled poet to a former military interrogator to an esteemed actor and activist – that boldly make the case against torture. These letters could not come at a more critical time. News reports last weekend stated that Attorney General Eric Holder is considering naming a special prosecutor to look into Bush-era torture. Ever since Obama's first days in office, Amnesty activists and their allies have called on the administration to investigate abuses committed during Bush's tenure and prosecute former officials where warranted. While we're still obtaining details on the shape of the investigation, it's clear that we're making headway in our fight for accountability. These ten letters describe what torture does to its victims, how it undermines our spirit, and what it does to a country that lets those who authorized it go unpunished. With your help, we want to make sure that these letters make their way directly to President Obama's desk. Through Amnesty's Ten Against Torture effort, you can help draw dramatic, high-profile attention to these letters as they reach the White House and help support our call for accountability. Read the Ten Against Torture letters and send the one you find most moving to President Obama. Each letter is a passionate plea to President Obama to restore the United States' reputation, respect the rule of law, and act on values and ideals fundamental to the America we believe in. Please take a moment to read the powerful words of Sister Dianna Ortiz, who has personally suffered the unimaginable pain of torture: Mr. President, from anonymous graves, voices still cry out. From clandestine prisons, in the midst of indescribable pain, we, my sisters and brothers, beg you to hear. Will you listen to what we alone know of this crime against humanity —what we know from the inside out? Please hear us! Torture does not end with the release from some clandestine prison. It is not something we 'get over.' Simply, "looking forward" is not an option for us. Read the rest of Sister Ortiz's letter here and send it to President Obama today. No organization understands better than Amnesty International the power of writing a simple, honest letter. For nearly 50 years, Amnesty supporters have signed letters to help free political prisoners from jail and bring brutal human rights abuses to an end. Now, by joining in our Ten Against Torture campaign, you can make sure those responsible for the illegal U.S. torture program are brought to justice. Make sure that President Obama knows that torture has no place in the America we believe in. Thanks, Larry Cox Executive Director Amnesty International USA [ send green star] [ accepted]
Dusty R.	July 10, 2009 7:17 AM Dear Dusty, Four prominent politicians are being held in the notorious section 209 of Evin prison, where incommunicado detention and torture are routine and deaths in custody have occurred. The men face indefinite detention all because they publicly supported either Mir Hossein Mousavi – who according to the Guardian Council lost the disputed election – or the other "reformist" presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi. Powerful Iranian government officials want to make an example out of well-known opposition leaders by charging them with serious offenses, where if found guilty, they could be sentenced to death. These four opposition leaders are at risk of facing this senseless and brutal punishment unless we show Iran's leaders that even the harshest of sentences will not silence the Iranian people's calls for justice and human rights. Remind the Iranian government that the world is still watching. Demand the release of opposition leaders from Tehran's infamous Evin prison. We have strong reasons to fear that these four men – Ali Abtahi, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Mohsen Aminzadeh and Abdollah Ramazanzadeh – are already experiencing Evin prison's infamous practices of severe torture first-hand. For over three weeks now, these four men have been locked away without any official charges. Since being taken from their homes, they have had no contact with family members or lawyers. If the Iranian government thinks that it can coerce genuine confessions from these men using these disdainful tactics, then they are sorely mistaken. But there are signs that Iran's wall is penetrable. Just last week, Mohammed Mostafaei, a lawyer mostly known for his work in defending juvenile defenders in death penalty cases, was released from Evin prison. While he must still face charges in court, he is at least free from the immediate threat of torture. Call on Iranian authorities to release opposition leaders from Evin prison immediately. Almost one month has passed since a flood of activism was unleashed on the streets of Iran. Over 2,200 people were arrested in the post-election unrest. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad most recently gave a speech on state television¹ insisting that the meddling of Western nations was the cause of the violence. But as the fight shifts from off the streets and into the courtroom, it is imperative that all eyes stay fixed on those who stood up in opposition. Since the post-election violence broke out, nearly 30,000 Amnesty activists have put the pressure on Iranian authorities by sending a firestorm of emails and letters to their offices. We've got to keep up this intensity if we want to get through to them that the responsibility for protecting human rights cannot be deflected, nor will it be forgotten. This is an opportunity for the leaders in Iran to prove to the world that they are ready to embrace change. Until they do, we cannot lose sight of what continues to be the driving force for so many in Iran – an unrelenting need to protect human rights. In Solidarity -- Elise, Zahir, Christoph and the rest of the Iran crisis response team [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 10, 2009 7:14 AM Stop the Death Penalty: Save Troy Davis In 1991, Troy Davis was convicted for the murder of police officer Mark MacPhail in Savanna, GA, despite the fact that there was no physical evidence, no DNA, no smoking gun, tying him to the crime. On top of that, since his trial, 7 of the 9 witnesses in his case have recanted their testimony, some citing police pressure to testify. To make matters worse, "several people have said that one of those who testified at Davis' trial, Sylvester 'Redd' Coles, has admitted to them that he was the killer." Around the world, thousands of people, including Pope Benedict XVI, former President Jimmy Carter, and actress Susan Sarandon are asking Chatham County District Attorney Larry Chisholm to reopen Troy Davis's case. This would give his lawyers the chance to prove his innocence with the information that has come to light since his 1989 trial. Please, take action now, sign the petition and ask Larry Chisholm to reopen Troy Davis' case! This post was modified from its original form on 10 Jul, 7:14 [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 06, 2009 7:00 AM Honduras Emergency Alert Support the people of Honduras against the coup! Demand the return of President Manuel Zelaya! Child among those shot and killed by the military On July 5, hundreds of soldiers blocked the runway at the International Airport of Honduras' capital using military vehicles, preventing the return of democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya. President Zelaya has stated he will attempt another return flight in the coming days. More than 120,000 people had marched to the airport in Tegucigalpa to demand that the Honduran coup plotters allow Zelaya to land his plane and resume his presidency, and to fight against the repression of the people's movement. The military fired live rounds against the unarmed protesters, killing at least three people, including one child. Hundreds more have been wounded. Send a letter to President Obama and Congress now! Zelaya was illegally ousted by the right-wing oligarchy in its attempt to stop a non-binding referendum for the people to give their opinion on whether they want constitutional changes for greater social and economic rights. Take action now! Click here to send a letter to the White House and the representatives and senators from your state. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 9:05 AM Dear Dusty, A policy that punishes people for being HIV-positive is close to being repealed. But we need to make sure it actually happens. Help eliminate this discriminatory policy once and for all! It's one of the ugliest remnants of discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS – hurtful, obsolete, and wrong. A decades-old policy BANS nearly every foreign person with HIV from setting foot on U.S. soil. But that could change very soon. President Obama's Department of Health and Human Services has finally proposed ending the ban. Starting today, the public has 45 days to weigh in. And the right wing certainly will. We need to show broad support for ending this discriminatory policy. We shouldn't punish people for being HIV-positive! Help the Obama administration follow through and end the ban. This draconian ban tears apart families, denies American businesses access to talented workers, and bars tourists from supporting our economy. It bans students and researchers. It's the reason why the U.S. hasn't hosted a global AIDS conference since 1990. And it is just downright pointless. Leading doctors have opposed this policy for decades because it has no benefit for public health. In fact, the U.S. is one of only a handful of countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia and Sudan that maintains such harsh policies. It's time we got with the program. Congress finally repealed the law a year ago, but only HHS can actually remove HIV/AIDS from the list of diseases with travel restrictions. The Obama administration has proposed the necessary change, but they need our help to get it across the finish line. Take action now! Help end the ban, once and for all. Thank you for taking action. This hurtful policy has harmed HIV-positive people for far too long, and with your help, we'll end it. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 8:53 AM Since the murder of Matthew Shepard more than a decade ago, Congress has been trying to pass a law that would ensure that law enforcement officials have the tools necessary to combat such heinous acts of hate. We may now see it happen. The critical bill – already passed in the House, and pending in the Senate – will extend protection to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) and disabled persons and provide other necessary reforms. If you haven't already, participate in our campaign to support this bill. If you're interested in learning more, read HRF's Paul LeGendre's piece on Huffington Post, and check out a heart-wrenching PBS documentary on a 2002 hate crime in France that will air June 30 at 10 p.m. Read an HRF review – as well as one from the mother of Matthew Shepard – here. This post was modified from its original form on 03 Jul, 8:54 [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 8:52 AM Check it out. The New York Times also ran a piece on detention issues that highlights our report and features one of our clients who received asylum through our pro bono legal representation program. These two pieces show the two reinforcing sides of our work–olicy changes for refugees at large and legal representation for individuals in need. If you haven't already signed our petition to the Department of Homeland Security, stand up for refugees—tell DHS to end detention policies that are inconsistent with international human rights standards. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 8:23 AM Take Action: NO to the Military Coup Stand in Solidarity with the People of Honduras Take Action: Click here to send a message about the military coup to the State Department The School of the Americas graduate-led military overthrow of the democratically elected government of President Zelaya is in its fifth day and the resistance by the Honduran social movements continues to stand strong despite the increasing repression. Yesterday, the Honduran Congress announced a suspension of citizens' rights in Honduras for 24 hours. Citizens may not organize or otherwise congregate for any reason, and homes may be entered by government forces without permit. The curfew that has been in place since Sunday has been extended for 6 more days. SOA Watch is in constant contact with our friends in Honduras, who are courageously defending their democracy against the coup. The social movements are resisting the military takeover through protests, occupations and strikes. Thousands are again taking to the streets right now for a march from the Obelisk to the center of the city and to the Congress building. Repression is expected to occur. The Honduran democracy protesters are calling on the international community to speak up in defense of real and direct democracy, for life, justice, liberty, dignity and peace. SOA Watch activists are among the organizers of solidarity actions against the military coup throughout the Americas and some have traveled to Honduras in the past few days to stand with the Honduran people. The national SOA Watch staff is in close communication with activists in Honduras. We are engaged in media outreach around the coup and we are networking with partner organizations to defend democracy in Honduras. The Washington, DC staff took part in protests at the White House, the Honduran embassy, the Organization of American States and the State Department. Witnessing the determination of our friends in Honduras, we believe that the coup can still be reversed and that President Zelaya will return to Honduras as the rightful president. However, for that to happen, we also have to step up the pressure on decision makers here in the United States. Click here to download a flier to mobilize your community. Call the office of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and ask that Secretary Clinton takes action for the unconditional reinstatement of Honduran President Zelaya. Call 202-647-5548. Click here to send a message online. The Pentagon claim -- that the School of the Americas / Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation instills respect for democracy and civilian leadership while teaching combat skills to Latin American soldiers -- has once again been disproved by the actions of the institute's graduates. The SOA/ WHINSEC needs to be shut down without delay. Despite the decision by the U.S. Southern Command to suspend interactions between the U.S. and the Honduran militaries, Honduran soldiers have not been withdrawn from the School of the Americas (SOA/ WHINSEC). SOA/ WHINSEC trained militaries continue to violate human rights - not only in Honduras but in Colombia and other parts of Latin America. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 7:57 AM Dear friend, Today UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon arrived in Burma, as the regime once more delayed Aung San Suu Kyi's trial. When he arrived Ban Ki-Moon said it was his top priority to secure the release of all of Burma's political prisoners - this is a breakthrough for us as that's what we've been campaigning for him to do for many months. We need to ensure that Ban turns words into action. The regime is hoping that by stringing out Aung San Suu Kyi's trial the world will forget her; we can't let that happen. We need tens of thousands of people across the world to show that they haven't forgotten her by demanding that the regime release Suu Kyi and all of Burma's political prisoners at http://www.64forSuu.org The global movement calling for the release of Suu Kyi has never been stronger. With over 16,000 messages, and the backing of political leaders, major celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and Bono, 64forSuu.org has demonstrated the scale of global outrage. Over a hundred thousand people support her on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/aungsansuukyi, and thousands are supporting her on Twitter (by using the hashtag #ASSK64 Twitter). TAKE ACTION: LET'S KEEP THE PRESSURE UP Aung San Suu Kyi is Burma's most high profile political prisoners but across Burma there are 2,154 other political prisoners enduring appalling conditions inside Burma's squalid prisons. They face brutal torture, are banned from receiving family visits and denied proper medical care. Please go to http://www.64forSuu.org now and leave a message calling for their release. With your help we can show that no matter what the regime try the world will never forget Burma's brave political prisoners. Thank you, Johnny Chatterton Campaigns Officer Burma Campaign UK [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 6:46 AM Immediate July Action 23 miles off the coast of Gaza, Israeli Defense Forces surrounded, attacked boarded and confiscated the Free Gaza Movement boat, the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY. The boat was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, in international waters, with a large group of human rights workers including former Rep. Cynthia McKinney. Please do what you can to spread this to your networks and to contact the numbers below and demand White House and State Department intervention and condemnation of this illegal act and release of all people confined www.freegaza.org WHAT YOU CAN DO! CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Justice tel: +972 2646 6666 or +972 2646 6340 fax: +972 2646 6357 CONTACT the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs tel: +972 2530 3111 fax: +972 2530 3367 CONTACT Mark Regev in the Prime Minister's office at: tel: +972 5 0620 3264 or +972 2670 5354 mark.regev@it.pmo.gov.il CONTACT the International Committee of the Red Cross to ask for their assistance in establishing the wellbeing of the kidnapped human rights workers and help in securing their immediate release! Red Cross Israel tel: +972 3524 5286 fax: +972 3527 0370 tel_aviv.tel@icrc.org Red Cross Switzerland: tel: +41 22 730 3443 fax: +41 22 734 8280 Red Cross USA: tel: +1 212 599 6021 fax: +1 212 599 6009 This post was modified from its original form on 03 Jul, 6:47 [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 6:43 AM Support Afghan War resister Victor Agosto! Fort Hood, Texas - SPC Agosto, assigned to C Company, 57th ESB, at Fort Hood, Texas, is now facing court-martial for standing up for his beliefs. On April 30, he informed his company commander that he would not deploy to Afghanistan. Since May 11, he has refused all orders directly supporting his unit’s deployment. Demand that the commanding general of Fort Hood, TX, and the convening authority for his court-martial drop all charges against SPC Victor Agosto! Take action As of July 1, 28 supporters have donated $1,233 towards Victor's defense. Estimated fees will be $3,500. Please donate to Victor's defense fund "I support Army Specialist Victor Agosto's principled stance against the unjust war against the citizens of Afghanistan." Add you name to the online petition and send Victor a message! Read more... [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 6:17 AM 3 July 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- PHILIPPINES: Death threats sent to three human rights defenders campaigning against a nuclear power plant ISSUES: Human rights defenders; threats; right to liberty and security --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing to inform you that the three human rights defenders who are leading a campaign against the operation of a nuclear power plant in the province of Bataan, have received threatening messages on their mobile phones. The threats began when they started assisting three other campaigners who had earlier been arbitrarily arrested, tortured and detained. CASE DETAILS: (According to the victims’ The defenders currently under threat are Aurora Broquil, chairperson of the Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) (Movement for Nationalism and Democracy) in Central Luzon; Emily Fajardo, member of KPD and treasurer of the Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM); and Francisco Honra, secretary general of the NFBM. It was on June 26, at about 7pm that Honra received an SMS (short messaging service) on his mobile phone which read: 'Dulo ng aming baril ang huli mong makikita! Kayong mga komunista na may mga utang na dugo sa mamamayan ay magbabayad!' ('The barrel of our guns will be the last thing that you see! You, communists who have blood debts to the Filipino people will pay for it!'). The number of the sender was +63 9187158404. The following day Broquil and Fajardo received similar threatening messages from the same mobile phone number. Broquil received hers at 9:44pm, Fajardo at 10pm. When Honra tried calling the sender he heard the voice of a man on the line whose accent is similar to local persons in Bataan. The AHRC today tried calling the mobile number but couldn't get through. On May 27 three of their colleagues, namely Rafael Limcumpao, Domingo Alcantara and Archie Bathan, had been arbitrarily arrested, tortured and held in police custody (for more details, please read: UAC-056-2009). They have been charged for acts of terror under the Human Security Act of 2007 (RA 9372). However it is believed that their arrests, detention and charges are due to their active involvement in the campaign against the nuclear power plant in Bataan. Apart from receiving threats, on June 28 Broquil noticed the presence of unknown persons riding on a motorcycle and observing the area around their office. Although they have had threats in the past, the incidents on June 26 and 28 were their first direct threats. The group is now in the process of making a formal complaint to the local police to have the incidents investigated. Apart from these activists, a number of leaders from the local transport sector and officials from the local village in Bataan who are also actively supporting the campaign, have reportedly themselves been subjected to threats and harassment. The full details of these are not immediately available. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The AHRC believes that the threats against these human rights defenders are serious and very real and that they require the immediate attention of the authorities. In the past many similar threats delivered via mobile phones have been documented and more than a few of the recipients have been extra judicially killed within days. Take the case of activists George Vigo and his wife, Maricel, who were murdered on 19 June 2006 in Kidapawan City. Two weeks prior to their deaths they also received threatening messages on their mobile phones. (See further: UAC-205-2006). The couple had been involved in development work. Threats via mobile phones are common in the Philippines. For example in another case four activists received threats on their mobile phones in General Santos City on 5 July 2006 (see UAC-228-2006), warning them that their days were numbered. It also accused them of being supporters of the communist movement. In Cebu City four activists were threatened after they began investigating a disappearance (see UAC-190-2008). The message contained warnings they would 'suffer the consequences' if they did not cease investigating the complaint. In the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is not capable of effectively investigating these threats, and there is little that activists themselves can do. When a SIM card (subscriber identity module) is used they can be discarded in order to avoid detection. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please write letters to the concerned authorities below requesting their immediate intervention into this case. Appropriate protection and security should also be afforded to those under threat. The AHRC has also written letters to the Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders. To support this appeal please click here: [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 03, 2009 5:55 AM Dear Dusty, Watch this video – featuring an interview with a leading human rights activist in Moscow who has been personally threatened for standing up against these abuses. He explains how you can help. In Russia, the number of violent hate crimes is rising at a disturbing rate. What's worse – there is a prevailing culture of impunity for those who perpetrate them. President Obama will be meeting with President Medvedev at the U.S.-Russia Summit in Moscow next week – tell him that we cannot ignore these issues! Sincerely, Paul LeGendre Director, Fighting Discrimination Program Human Rights First [ send green star]
Dusty R.	July 01, 2009 6:11 AM PERU Government prepares to investigate 'Amazon's Tiananmen' Peru’s government is gearing up to investigate the tragic violence in the Amazon last month that left more than 30 people dead, over a hundred injured, and many still missing. Read more and take action – write a letter [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 29, 2009 7:54 AM Alert: How can the World Stay Silent? (76 comments \| 0 discussions)— I will continue to bring news to humanity about the mistreatment of Native Americans & Indigenous People from around the world. I want humanity to know abuse and racism is not the thing of the past, it continues daily... Please everyone sign the petition and forward/repost/crosspost.....this is such an injustice and people need to know. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 29, 2009 7:53 AM Thanks Tere! You're such a Blessing........... [ send green star]
Teresa D.	June 29, 2009 7:52 AM I posted this link in my Twitter, I hope this helps. Hi Dusty!!! [ send green star] [ accepted]
Dusty R.	June 29, 2009 7:30 AM Dear Dusty, Eagle Industries, a U.S. Army contractor, is planning to close its factory in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The company has already started shipping machinery to Puerto Rico, where labor is cheaper. The move would put 350 people out of work. But Eagle workers are standing up and fighting back. They include single mothers of young children, pregnant women, middle-aged folks, and parents who both work at Eagle. Eagle workers make soldiers' backpacks under an Army contract which requires the backpacks to be made in New Bedford. If Eagle moves to Puerto Rico, the Army must agree to change the location of production or Eagle will lose its Army contract. Because Eagle doesn't want to lose this contract, Army decision-makers may be able to save the workers' jobs. Please help Eagle workers save their jobs by sending a letter to the Army today. Since April 2008, the workers have been trying to form a union in order to win improvements in their working conditions. The workers want better benefits and a safer work environment. Previously SweatFree Communities has reported on the poor labor conditions at Eagle. SFC is now working closely with Workers United, helping with mass meetings and rallies. Two months ago, Alliant Techsystems (ATK), a large defense contractor, purchased Eagle Industries. At first, workers hoped that conditions might improve but instead they are facing unemployment. Sens. John Kerry and Ted Kennedy and Rep. Barney Frank have urged the Army to keep the contract in New Bedford, giving workers hope that their jobs could be saved. Now we need to add to this momentum with an outpouring of public support. Help by sending a letter to the Army today. To learn more, check out the coverage on our blog and the latest media hits. Thanks for your help, [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 25, 2009 7:10 AM Just this spring, in the span of two weeks, two 11-year-old middle school students - Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover of Springfield, MA and Jaheem Herrera of DeKalb County, GA - hanged themselves after enduring non-stop bullying at school, including relentless anti-gay taunts. The heartbreaking stories of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera serve as reminders that we all must take a firm stand against bullying, including the key issue of anti-LGBT behavior. Please take a few minutes to add your name to our petition today demanding that Congress take swift and decisive action to stop student bullying. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 19, 2009 2:33 PM Dear Dusty, Peru's rainforests and the people who depend on them continue to need your help. Last week, thousands upon thousands of you joined me to demand that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to demand an end to Peru's violent crackdown on Indigenous protestors who have been blockading roads in order to defend their lands from oil, gas, mining and logging interests. But still, so far the US has been silent. Join me today as we amplify our voices and demand action from those who have a responsibility to speak out: the key congressional leaders who ignored the concerns of RAN and the Indigenous groups and supported the Peru Free Trade Agreement. President Garcia has defended opening up the Peruvian Amazon to industry as necessary to allow Peru to meet its Free Trade Agreement responsibilities with the United States. Secretary Clinton and the State Department have the power to stop the violence in Peru by formally demanding that Peru's President Garcia stop using the US as an excuse for trampling human rights. But our voices alone have not been enough. That's why we urgently need to tell US Representatives Sander Levin, Earl Blumenauer, Lloyd Doggett and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to tell Secretary Clinton to formally renounce violence against Peru's peaceful Indigenous peoples in the name of free trade with the United States. The US Government must take a stand and formally demand that Peru recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples, repeal the questionable laws, and institute a democratic process to ensure that rights are respected and safety is restored. Thank you, Jennifer Krill Program Director Rainforest Action Network [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 19, 2009 2:30 PM End Government Harassment of Pakistani Champion of Women's Rights In 2002, Mukhtar Mai was gang-raped on orders of a traditional village council as punishment for acts allegedly committed by her younger brother. Instead of suffering in silence, Ms. Mai fought back and testified in a rape case against her attackers and is now a leading Pakistani women's rights activist. For her activism, she has faced constant harassment, including from government officials, who have strongly discouraged her from proceeding with her case. In the latest incident, on June 11, 2009, a power company raided her human rights organization, falsely accusing it of stealing electricity. The company proceeded to disconnect all of the electricity, also affecting hundreds of families in the surrounding area. According to witnesses to the raid, power company officials claimed that a member of the Pakistani government ordered the raid. This raid is only the most recent incident of harassment against Ms. Mai and has significantly hindered her organization's ability to carry out its important human rights work. Demand that government officials immediately cease these harassing tactics. Click Here to Take Action>> Click Here for More Information about This Case>> Alert Date: June 19, 2009 [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 12, 2009 2:15 PM Dear Dusty, Great news! Protests against Peru's most recent violation of Indigenous land rights have yielded a victory. Just two days ago, we sent you an action alert about the mounting crisis in the Amazon region of Peru, so I'm thrilled to be able to share this news. The Peruvian government agreed to a key demand of Indigenous protesters. It has suspended two of the laws that allow multi-national corporations to further exploit natural resources on Indigenous territories. The laws were passed to facilitate the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement and protests against them have been with extreme police violence. Earlier this week, MADRE joined the international Indigenous movement in condemning the Peruvian government's incursions onto Indigenous territories in the Amazon. To everyone who has already signed on to the petition: THANK YOU! For our friends and partners in Peru who are standing off against heavily-armed police, it means the world to know that they have your support. That support helped fuel their courage this week. It helped win this victory - a victory for Indigenous rights and in the fight to preserve the natural balance of the entire Amazonian ecosystem. So, again, thank you. If you haven't had a chance to sign the petition, you still can. It's more important than ever that President Obama hear what we have to say about the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement. Ultimately, trade deals that trample human rights and environmental common sense are a raw deal for everyone. Peru's suspension of these two laws is a first step towards negotiating a better policy. Thank you again for your support of human rights. I hope that hearing about this victory has made your day like it made mine. Best, [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 12, 2009 2:10 PM Dear Dusty , As you know, the American Freedom Campaign has long argued that Bush administration officials should be held accountable for their involvement in the development and implementation of a program of torture in the years following 9/11. In that spirit, we are pleased to pass along this alert from our friends at the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. They are encouraging all members of the public and individuals in some specific occupations to sign letters to Attorney General Eric Holder and the Senate Intelligence Committee, demanding accountability. I encourage you to click on the appropriate link below and add your name to this call. Best, Steve Steve Fox, Campaign Director American Freedom Campaign Action Fund ====================== Sign on for torture accountability! The Attorney General's reluctance to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate potential crimes by former officials involved in torturing detainees is endangering our nation's fundamental values and our credibility as a worldwide human rights leader. Take a stand today by signing BORDC's letter to Attorney General Eric Holder and the Senate Intelligence Committee demanding accountability for torture. We will be sending a series of letters, including some on behalf of individuals practicing particular professions, reflecting the unique challenges they face. • Letter open to all signers • Letter signed by legal professionals • Letter signed by education professionals • Letter signed by clergy and religious lay-leaders Sign your name today to join a chorus of voices from around the country demanding accountability. Torture is illegal, immoral, and un-American, and officials responsible for it should be held accountable. Sincerely, Shahid Buttar, Executive Director Bill of Rights Defense Committee www.bordc.org [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 12, 2009 6:14 AM Help Austrian Activists According to reports, the Austrian Minister of Justice is planning to charge 30 people, as well as the 10 people imprisoned for four months last year, without any direct evidence of criminal activity by these individuals. Charges will be brought merely on the basis of acts of civil disobedience and snippets of intercepted conversation taken out of context. Please politely contact the Austrian Minister of Justice, the President and the Chancellor to express your concerns about what appears to be a repression of the Austrian animal advocacy movement. Austrian Minister of Justice Claudia Bandion-Ortner Bundesministerin für Justiz Palais Trautson, Museumstraße 7 Vienna 1070 Austria Email:minister.justiz@bmj.gv.at Chancellor (Head of government) Bundeskanzler Werner Faymann Federal Chancellery Ballhausplatz 1 Vienna 1014 Austria Email: buergerservice@bka.gv.at President (Head of State) Bundespräsident Heinz Fischer Office of the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Hofburg, Leopoldinischer Trakt Vienna A-1014 Austria Email: buergerservice@hofburg.at Sample letter [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 11, 2009 6:45 AM Again in Austria... "police came in the morning (10 june) to the home of an activist in vienna, who has been raided and arrested and put on remand last year (elmar). in other words: police has been in the same flat a year ago, for the same reason! the flat owner, who is renting it out to elmar, was called by police but refused to open the flat in solidarity. the news was spread and in no time 60 activists were present, who blockaded the flat. after hours of a stand off, the police moved in and broke the blockade. about 20 activists were arrested and soon released. only one activist was to be brought to the police station, because she had no ID on her. the activists blockaded the police vehicle so more police was called in and with police dogs and many more officers the activists were removed and held at bay, while the arrested person was put in a private car and driven to the police station. she has been released already. the house search was done and 5 DVD videos, 3 external disks, 1 fotokamera and 1 old computer were taken. police also raided the house of the mother of elmar. there they took an old mobile phone and the mobile phone contract, and his mother's computer. the police also went to elmar's fathers flat, but the tragedy is, that his father had committed suicide just 2 months or so ago. hence the house was already empty. there was lots and lots of media when the blockades took place. we all hope that the reports will be favourably. please do write to all people responsible for this further escalation and complain: minister.justiz@bmj.gv.at minister of justice ministerbuero@bmi.gv.at minister of police werner.faymann@spoe.at prime minister buergerservice@bka.gv.at ombudsman prime minister heinz.fischer@hofburg.at president of austria bpdw.wien@polizei.gv.at head of viennese police and in copy to martin.balluch@vgt.at the demo outside the ministry of justice in vienna has been going since 6 am and still going strong. at 10 am, 2 people handed in the petition, i.e. the open letter in english signed by more than 300 international groups." article and video in german: http://wien.orf.at/stories/367712/ [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 10, 2009 5:52 AM E-news special: Indian leader forced into exile PERU Indian leader forced into exile as President labels protesters ‘savages’ The President of Peru’s Amazon Indian organisation AIDESEP, Alberto Pizango, has been forced into exile after he was charged with sedition. Read more » The move follows the violent confrontation between hundreds of indigenous protesters and riot police near Bagua, northern Peru, on June 5th. This is the first time that a regional-wide Amazon Indian clamour to protect their lands has resulted in many killings since 1742. Over 30 Indians are thought to have been killed, and the police have been accused of throwing large numbers of bodies into the Marañon river. More than 20 police officers are also believed to have died. Peru’s President Alan Garcia has labelled the indigenous protesters ‘savages’, ‘barbaric’, ‘ignorant’ and ‘second-class citizens’. The cause of the protests is the government’s push to open up Indian territories in the Amazon to oil and gas companies. Please write to the Peruvian President: Oil and gas companies must suspend their operations in the Amazon until the government holds negotiations with the Indians’ representatives. There must be an independent inquiry into the tragic events of June 5th. All charges against Sr. Pizango should be dropped. You can use Survival's online letter-writing tool to prepare your letter. Read more about this story » [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 10, 2009 5:15 AM 10 June 2009 ------------------------------------------------------ SRI LANKA: A local criminal disables a man and police fail to act ISSUES: Right to justice; police negligence ------------------------------------------------------ Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that police and the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission have failed to investigate case in which a man was attacked and disabled by thugs allegedly working for a local criminal. The case highlights a relationship of convenience between criminal informers and the police in Moragahahena, and unwillingness on the part of the SLHRC. CASE DETAILS: (according to the testimony of the victim and his wife) Cattle driver Janaka Bulathsinhalage was disabled for life last year when he was attacked by two men, who told him they were acting under the orders of a local thug; he was hospitalised with severe leg fractures. The next day, August, 24 2008, his wife Kamani lodged a complaint (CIB/1/122/316) with the Moragahahena Police and then met with the station’s Officer-in-Charge (OIC) a day later. According to Kamani the OIC was dismissive and verbally abusive, claiming that he knew the identity of the attackers. The officer suggested that Janaka deserved his punishment since the local thug, Tudor--who he described as the only informant in the village--had told him that Janaka had sexually abused his stepdaughter and that Kamani’s accusations were bogus. Humiliated and worried for her daughter, Kamani went to meet the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Horana the next day with the girl to refute the claims, and he gave them a complaint form to submit at Moragahahena Station. After various delays and minor harassment her complaint (Minor Crime Report: MCR/1946/08) was written on a loose piece of paper and she was told that it would be pasted in the book later. To date no follow up has been made. On October 28, 2008 Kamani made another complaint and a request for protection (CIB 242/377 C11) to the Moragahahena Police, claiming that Tudor had threatened to assault her. On October 30 both parties were called for an inquiry but were dismissed on the grounds that there were no witnesses, so on October 30 Kamani submitted the names of two witnesses (CIB11 267/395). An officer then took a statement from the witnesses and from her at home. Seven months later action has still not been taken. On 27 March the couple made separate written complaints to the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission (HRC/1586/09 and 1587/09), the Chairman of the National Police Commission, the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Inspector General (Legal) and the Senior Superintendent of Police in Panadura regarding the incident and the lack of action taken by the Moragahathenna Police. The Chairman of the SLHRC replied (April 1, 2009) noting that there was a time limit for complaints, and that since three months has lapsed since the incident (August 23, 2008) they could do nothing. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 09, 2009 1:05 PM Monday June 8, 2009 5 DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST TORTURE Veterans For Peace is sponsoring five days of action to stop the use of torture! Each day this week you will receive an email with one important step you can take to Stop Torture Now. DAY 1 ACTION AGAINST TORTURE Picture Yourself Against Torture Add your face to the growing list of others who call for no more torture. We will eventually give all photos to the White House! Policies of the Bush Administration, specifically under the encouragement of Vice-President Dick Cheney, have led to aggressive interrogation techniques being used consistently by our government. As veterans, we have an important role in speaking out against the justification and use of torture! That is why Veterans For Peace joined the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations in the recent lawsuit that forced release of the Bush White House torture memos last month. We are also party to the law suit seeking release of remaining torture photos. Unfortunately, President Obama is refusing to release those photos. Releasing the photographs will allow the people of our nation to assess what our government has done in our name and act accordingly. It will show that we as U.S. citizens can face our shame and emerge better from the experience. It will show that our Republic is strong and can weather most any storm. It is of vital interest to military men and women all over the world that protections against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment be even-handedly applied by all nations at all times. This is the only way we can assure that these protections will be afforded to our citizens [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 09, 2009 12:59 PM Tuesday, June 9, 2009 5 DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST TORTURE Veterans For Peace is sponsoring five days of action to stop the use of torture! Each day this week you will receive an email with one important step you can take to Stop Torture Now. DAY 2 ACTION AGAINST TORTURE Contact your Senators and Representative Contact your Senators and Representative to let them know you are against the use of torture. A template letter is provided, but we encourage you to make it your own! See additional talking points here. You can also fax or call your Senator or Representative. Learn more about who your representatives are and how to contact them here. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 09, 2009 12:54 PM Dear Dusty, On the heels of our major win in New Hampshire last week, New York's marriage equality bill is about to come up for a vote in the state Senate. This is a huge opportunity. New York's population is nearly the size of Australia's – with over 19 million people. But as we speak, the bill's fate hinges on a few undecided state senators. And the debate is only intensifying, with control of the state Senate swapping hands in a major upset yesterday. The new majority leader is a supporter of marriage equality, but it's clearer than ever that this bill could very well pass or fail by a single vote. So we're coming to you. Our 16 on-the-ground staff have been laying the groundwork for this vote for months and are now working around the clock, running nightly phone banks, canvassing door-to-door, collecting hundreds of hand written letters and more. But they need your help, too. Please reach out to every single New Yorker you know. Every email and phone call from a New York state resident can help tip the scales, and your contact list is key. *Simply copy this sample message into an email to everyone you know in NY:* Hi, I just read about the bill that would allow same-sex couples to marry in New York, and I thought I'd write you. This issue is really important to me, and I'm hoping you'll take a minute to ask your NY state senator to support the bill. The state Senate is going to vote on it soon, and Governor Paterson has vowed to sign it. But a handful of senators are still sitting on the fence, and yours might be one of them. Even if your state senator supports marriage equality, it is important that they hear from constituents that they are doing the right thing – opponents of marriage equality are trying to convince them otherwise. Will you tell your state senator to vote YES on marriage equality? Here's a link to an action page with a pre-written message – simply enter your name and address and click "send message," and an email goes to your state senator automatically: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/nysenatemarriage?source=200906_adv_ny_taf If you want to make even more of a difference, you can call your state senator at 518-455-2800. And be sure to send this to everyone else you know in New York. Thank you so much for your support! Thank you for helping us connect with as many New Yorkers as possible about this critical piece of legislation. HRC has been hard at work in New York for years in anticipation of this moment. In 2008, we played an active role in supporting fair-minded state legislators. Our staff trained more than 50 New York activists in HRC's Camp Equality and worked to elect fair-minded senators. This year, we're following up on our election work by co-organizing a major rally in Manhattan, lobbying lawmakers directly and helping coordinate an aggressive and far-reaching grassroots campaign. Millions of New Yorkers are counting on us right now. Thanks for your help. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 09, 2009 7:45 AM U.S. ACTION ALERT IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF PERU - stop violence and unnecessary deaths now! Honoring our fallen brothers and sisters victims of the Bagua massacre of June 5 and 6, 2009. Our condolences go to the people of Peru, to the relatives, friends and communities of the Indigenous activists and the Police members who were killed in a tragic event that should have never occurred. Emergency Demonstrations in the United States of Protest and Solidarity with the Amazon Indigenous Peoples of Peru "Amazon Indigenous peoples are not first class citizens in Peru" Peru's president Alan Garcia, justifying his attacks on civilians using snipers and bombs, which has caused between 35 to 85 deaths and hundred of injured people." Protest in front of the Peruvian Embassy in Washington DC 1700 Massachusetts Ave., N.W Washington D.C. 20036 Monday June 8, 2009 12:30 PM EST Protest in front of the Consulate General of Peru in Los Angeles, CA 3450 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90010 Monday June 8, 2009 3:30 PM PST Protest in front of the Consulate General of Peru in New York, NY 241 East 49th Street between 2nd and 3rd Aves, Manhattan, NYC. Wed, June 10 12:00 noon EST IF YOU LIVE IN THE U.S. PLEASE ORGANIZE A PROTEST AT A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE, A FEDERAL BUILDING OR CONTACT THE CLOSEST PERUVIAN CONSULATE. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 09, 2009 7:45 AM The message is simple: stop genocide, stop violence, respect human rights, avoid useless casualties, promote dialogue and respect of Indigenous peoples rights in Peru, stop using U.S. free trade policies to destroy the lives of millions of peoples in Peru, promote democracy and equality. Talking points: Few minutes of your time can make a huge difference! Indigenous peoples rights must be respected by Peru, included in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007. The right of consultations with Indigenous peoples is included at the ILO 169 Convention. This must be done with respect and honest intention of defending the rights of all Peruvian citizens and not only the interests of multinational corporations. This massacre is a direct result of an abusive implementation of policies included in the US-Peru Free Trade Agreement, by Peru’s president Alan Garcia who used it as an instrument of corporate corruption and collusion in the genocide of the Indigenous peoples. The Peruvian government is presenting this tragedy as if it was caused by the Native peoples, which is not truth. Amazonian peoples protested without violence for almost 2 months, until the Police attacked them. All the casualties are unjustified and should have never happened. The Peruvian media which is mostly biased and controlled by the government and corporate interests, is reporting that Police officers were kidnapped and massacred by the Indigenous peoples, but is not reporting about the abusive attack on civilians, and snipers and helicopters shooting at civilians including children. Witnesses have said that dead bodies were burned down and thrown to the rivers, and that police prevented civilians from rescuing injured protesters. In the last 56 days, Amazonian Indigenous peoples of Peru are fighting to protect their territories, as the government of Lima has passed decrees that lease 73% of the Amazon forest and allow extractive industries corporations to take over their land, without previous consultation. The Amazonian peoples are requesting especifically for Lima to repeal those decrees. Indigenous peoples do not oppose progress and private investment. They want to protect their land, their families and the environment, they want for corporations to respect their traditions and ways of living. There have been years of protests since the signing of the Peru FTA by then presidents George W. Bush and Alejandro Toledo. Indigenous peoples have tried to dialogue, but the Lima government refused to listen and even prevented a national referendum in 2006. As a way to protest and demand to be heard, the Amazon Indigenous peoples started popular strikes, oil facilities takeovers and road blockades in 8 regions of the country. This was replied by the Garcia administration by sending police and military forces to repress the protesters violently. People in Bagua responded burning down government buildings and lootings have also occurred. Indigenous peoples value the land as a part of a our system of life, we don't own the land but we belong to it. There will not be a way for the government of Peru to impose its corporate benefiting laws because Indigenous people will defend their territories. After the recent bloody attack, violence has slowed as today Sunday June 7. The military has taken over control of the region in conflict, but Lima has issued a warrant arrest for Alberto Pizango, the most prominent leader of the Amazon Indigenous peoples and his whereabouts are unknown at this moment. Unfortunately, other leaders are also being prosecuted by the government and there is a possibility of future attacks of the military on other Indigenous communities. WE MUST ACT NOW! [ send green star]
Dusty R.	continued June 09, 2009 7:44 AM Contact the government of Peru Demand to cease the State of Emergency and martial laws that are a threat to other communities that are still protesting. Demand the end of violence against Indigenous peoples of the Amazon and Andean regions, to restore peace and to restart dialogue so that Indigenous peoples can keep their lands and the environment can be protected. Click Here to Send a Message to the President of Peru Click here to EMAIL: President of the Council of Ministers of Peru, Yehude Simon Munaro or Fax +51 1- 716- 87-35 Click here to EMAIL: President of the Congress of Peru, Javier Velásquez-Quesquén Embassy of Peru in Washington, DC: Telephone: (202) 833-9860 to 9869 Fax: (202) 659-8124 Ambassador Luis Valdivieso Montano Emails: lvaldivieso@embassyofperu.us jsanchez@embassyofperu.us conperla@mpowercom.net Click here to EMAIL: Public Ombudsman Office of Peru Click here to contact the Peruvian Embassies in your country Click here for a List of Peruvian Consulates in the U.S.: Request for the Obama administration to take a stand in defense of human rights in Peru and for the government of Peru to stop using the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement FTA as a legal tool to attack the Indigenous communities. Tell president Barack Obama, Congress members and State Secretary Hillary Clinton, that this is not the way to promote trade and progress, and that Peru must comply with the labor and environmental rights regulations included in the Peru FTA, which president Obama praised during his campaign. Click here to Contact President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden Click here to find and Contact U.S. Senators Click here to find and Contact U.S. House Representatives [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 03, 2009 6:14 AM 3 June 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------- PAKISTAN: A young man is shot dead by police at a wedding party ISSUES: Extrajudicial killing; impunity; rule of law --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received reports that a young unarmed man was shot dead during his cousin’s wedding party by a police officer in Panjgore district, Balochistan province last month. The Assistant Sub Inspector accused of the shooting has defended his own authority regarding who he does and does not choose to shoot. Despite protests, no case against him has been lodged by police. CASE DETAILS: (According to the victim’s relatives and lawyer) At around noon on May 31, 2009, police chased a car of armed men into a village, where the men disbanded after a shoot out. The village was Mohalla Gharibabad, UC Chitkan, Panjgore, and a wedding party was taking place nearby. At the first sign of shooting the wedding guests took shelter in nearby houses. Spectators have noted that though the armed men ran off in the opposite direction, police continued to shoot in the area. According to our reports, after some time a number of older guests came out of hiding and asked the leading officer, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Mohammad Ismail, to stop shooting in the air; since the men had appeared to have left. Then Mr. Noor Amad Baloch, 32, a cousin of the groom’s also came out to ask what was happening. He noted that there were children around and asked the officers to stop firing. According to eye witnesses ASI Ismail responded by shooting him in the head from around 25 metres away. Noor Amad Baloch was taken to hospital at Panjgore city where he was pronounced dead. Villagers started to protest outside Panjore hospital, and were told by officials that a case would be lodged against the officer. However nothing was done. When civilians and a number of lawyers gathered to complain at Panjore police station later that day the ASI was defiant. He allegedly announced that his pursuit of criminals should not be interfered with in any way and that his judgment should not be questioned. He also allegedly made threats against anyone who filed against him. No case has yet been lodged. Local residents believe that he was responsible for another unnecessary shooting in the same area three months ago. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS In poor, remote areas like this one, impunity is a continuing problem. The rule of law here is not strong, and due process is not followed; police officers may generally act as they wish without fear of punishment. Because of this the line has blurred between law enforcement and vigilante acts of violence. Civilians also tend to take matters into their own hands due to a lack of faith in the system. Balochistan has hosted various strong military operations since 2001 to control a resistance movement for greater autonomy. This fight against ‘terrorism’ is often used to justify killings, beatings and abductions that take place outside of the law, and while more than 3000 persons have been reported killed in the fighting, according to our reports a further 4000 missing persons remain unaccounted for. The general situation, and other incidents of impunity by the authorities, are laid out in a statement made at the tenth session of the Human Rights Council by the AHRC’s sister organisation, the Asian Legal Resources Centre: ALRC-CWS-10-15-2009. As the law enforcement system continues to break down, displays of violence by the police are becoming increasingly erratic. This is the second time in four months that a wedding party has been attacked in the province by officials; in February 13 people were killed. AHRC-STM-026-2009 It should be noted that sections 300, 301 and 302 of the Pakistan Penal code have provisions for qatl-e-amd (intentional murder). Those charged with this can be punished with death or imprisonment for up to 25 years. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please write letters to the authorities demanding that they initiate a probe into the killing of Noor Amad Baloch by a policeman, and prosecute those responsible. An investigation into the breakdown of the law enforcement systems in Balochistan must be swiftly instigated before more lives are needlessly lost. The Asian Human Rights Commission has already written a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions urging his intervention into this case. To support this appeal please click here: [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 02, 2009 9:08 AM Dear Dusty, Today, June 2, 2009, the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry is scheduled to take place.There are protests planned in the U.S., Canada and Europe. (see the list below). In Texas demonstrations will be carried out in Austin, Huntsville and Houston. Other demonstrations will be held in Albuquerque; Paris, France; Leipzig, Germany, Brussels, Belgium; and Montreal, Canada. In Houston, people will gather at "The Old Hanging Tree" located at the former site of a county courthouse. This 400-year-old oak tree was likely the site of lynchings in the 1800's and is now a recognized historic site by the City of Houston. In Huntsville, the protest will be held outside of the death house, the Walls Unit, where the execution will be carried out. In Austin, a demonstration will be held at the Texas Capitol on the sidewalk at 11th and Congress. In Paris, there will be a protest June 3 on the Place de la Concorde, Tuileries/US Consulate side from 6pm to 7pm. In Leipzig, Germany, activists organized by Amnesty International will place 200 white paper crosses and 200 candles outside the US Consulate on June 2. Leipzig is a sister city of Houston. In Brussels, Belgium, protesters with banners will be in front of the US Embassy between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. In Montreal there will be a Die-In organized by Amnesty International where the 200 executions will be reenacted. Since he became governor of Texas in December 2000, Perry has allowed more executions to proceed than any other governor in U.S. history. Terry Hankins is scheduled to be the 200th person executed under Rick Perry at 6 PM today. How you can protest the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry 1) Call Governor Perry today at 512-463-1782 or 512-463-2000 and tell him your opinion on the death penalty. If you live in the U.S., you can use his the form on his website to email him. We suggest you both call him and email him. If you live outside the U.S., you can fax him at (512) 463-1849. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	June 02, 2009 9:08 AM Attend a protest in your city either on the day of the 200th execution or sometime before. If a protest is not scheduled, you can organize a protest. If you live outside the U.S., organize a protest at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Send us a photo or video of your protest by email and we will post it on this website and on YouTube. Or you can upload your photos and videos yourself to our social networking site or directly to our group on YouTube. If your organization is planning a protest, please let us know so that we can list your protest on this site. 3) Sign the petition and add your name to the list of people who are raising their voices to protest the 200th execution under Texas Governor Rick Perry. 4) Donate a symbolic 200 cents towards helping us organize against the Texas death penalty. That is one penny for every execution under Rick Perry. We are asking everyone to donate $2, which is the equivalent of 200 pennies. You are welcome to donate more if you can afford it, but everyone can afford to donate $2. The artwork at www.protest200executions.com is by German artist Jasmin Hilmer represents the isolation of Texas in the world community. While most of the rest of the world, including all of Europe, have turned their backs on the use of capital punishment, Texas continues to execute people at a shocking rate. Scott Cobb President, Texas Moratorium Network [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 27, 2009 10:05 AM A coalition of celebrities, NGOs and trade unions have launched a new website http://www.64ForSuu.org calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, and all of Burma’s political prisoners. 64forSuu.org allows anyone to upload video, text, image or twitter messages of support to Burma’s imprisoned democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. We want to gather thousands of messages by her 64th birthday on June 19th 2009. The campaign has the backing of major celebrities, including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Vaclav Havel, David Beckham, Daniel Craig, Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Kevin Spacey and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Show your support and add your message today Just go to http://www.64ForSuu.org to add a video, text, image or twitter. If you’re using Twitter, please tweet your 64 with the hashtag #assk64 The launch on 27th May coincides with the day that, according to the Burmese regime, Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest expires. The UN has already ruled that her detention is illegal. More than 2,100 political prisoners are being held in Burma’s jails. On 18th May Aung San Suu Kyi was put on trial, charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest after an American man, John Yettaw, swam to her house and refused to leave. The dictatorship is using the visit as an opportunity to extend her detention. Her trial is ongoing and she could face a further five years in detention. 64forSuu.org aims to demonstrate the scale of outrage over her continued detention by encouraging high profile individuals and the public around the world to write a 64 word message for Aung San Suu Kyi’s 64th birthday on June 19th. Organisations supporting the website include; Burma Campaign UK, Amnesty International, the Trades Union Congress, Not On Our Watch, Human Rights Watch, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Open Society Institute, Avaaz, English Pen and US Campaign For Burma. The site has messages from high-profile supporters including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Vaclav Havel, David Beckham, Daniel Craig, and the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard, Kevin Spacey and Sarah Brown are twittering on the site. Please add your message at http://www.64ForSuu.org Thank you for your support Anna Roberts Director Burma Campaign UK [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 25, 2009 7:52 AM US neo-conservatives are undermining Obama's attempts to close Guantanamo Bay and put an end to torture. We urgently need to respond with visible public pressure -- let's chip in to create a massive 'Stay Strong Obama' billboard right in the centre of Washington: President Obama's commitment to reverse and investigate Bush's brutal and illegal detention and interrogation policies is under real threat. Torture advocates like former Vice-President Dick Cheney, perhaps fearing personal consequences for their actions, have launched a massive campaign to oppose Obama -- and, incredibly, they're winning. Even many members of Obama's own party are now withdrawing support for the closure of Guantanamo Bay. If a country like the US refuses to reject these policies, it will be a massive global step backwards for the cause of human rights. Obama officials say visible public pressure is vital for them to stay strong on this issue. To make sure we're heard, let's put up a massive billboard right in the middle of Washington DC, where all the political staffers pass by every day. For $25 each of us can buy one square foot of support for President Obama; for $1000, we can own a letter -- click here: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/stay_strong_obama The billboard will point to what we want - the closure of Guantanamo this year, all the victims of secret prisons accounted for, an independent investigation into past torture practices, those who authorized or committed acts of torture held accountable, and effective detention and interrogation practices that respect the rule of law in all ongoing wars. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 23, 2009 9:36 AM Stop Attacks on Colombian Human Rights Defenders Demand Investigation into Kidnapping of Gladys Monterroso [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 23, 2009 8:21 AM PUERTO RICO: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS TO BE FIRED On 1 July this year, the Puerto Rican government plans to dismiss 30,000-45,000 public sector workers and suspend public sector collective bargaining rights, according to Public Services International (PSI). We've been asked to promote a campaign of solidarity with those workers. Please send off your message today: http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=522 ALGERIA: APPEAL FROM WORKERS IN THE SAHARA DESERT We've received an extraordinary appeal for help from catering workers deep in the Sahara desert. They are employed by a subsidiary of Compass, a giant transnational corporation. When they attempted to form a union more than two years ago, the company cracked down. Their union's general secretary, Yassin Zaid, was suspended from work and now has been charged by the company with 'slander on the Internet'. The union is reaching out, asking for all of us to send protest messages to Compass. Please take a moment to do so today: http://www.labourstart.org/cgi-bin/solidarityforever/show_campaign.cgi?c=525 BURMA: UNIONS BACK PETITION CALLING FOR RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS Trade unions in a number of countries are lending their support to a huge global petition campaign to pressure the Burmese dictatorship to free all political prisoners. A number of these are in prison because they up for workers' rights -- including Su Su Nway who reported cases of forced labour and Thu Rein Aung and Wai Lin who dared to hold a meeting on workers rights' on May Day in 2007. Here's the petition: http://www.fbppn.net/?page_id=5 [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 19, 2009 8:43 AM Act NOW to STOP THE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS! TELL THE GEORGIA GOV., LEGISLATURE, PARDONS AND PAROLE BOARD, PRESIDENT OBAMA, ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER, CONGRESS AND THE MEDIA: STOP THE EXECUTION OF TROY DAVIS! Please join the online campaign to STOP THE EXECUTION! FREE TROY DAVIS NOW! YOUR EMERGENCY ACTION IS NEEDED NOW! Click HERE to Fill in Online Form Tell Gov. Perdue and the Georgia Pardons and Parole Board: STOP THE EXECUTION! FREE TROY DAVIS! Troy Davis is an African American on death row in Georgia. Davis was convicted in the 1989 killing of a police officer despite what Amnesty International calls "overwhelming doubts about his guilt." No physical forensic evidence was presented at Davis' trial, and 7 of the 9 witnesses have recanted their testimony, with at least two saying they were pressured by police to finger Davis as the killer. Yet on October 14, 2008 the Supreme Court refused to allow a new hearing in his case, and on April 16, 2009 the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to deny his appeal. TAKE ACTION NOW using the form below to let the Georgia Parole Board, Governor, Legislature, and congressional delegation as well as President Obama, U.N. Secretary-General Ban, Congressional leaders and members of the media know you demand No Execution of Troy Davis! On May 19, from Alaska to West Virginia and from Argentina to Uganda, high school and college students, faith-based groups and progressive community organizations are organizing vigils, rallies and petition drives as well as the vital means of communication to bring worldwide pressure on Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Pardons and Parole Board to stop the execution of Troy Anthony Davis. Your messages will go to hundreds of public officials, including the Governor of Georgia, the entire Georgia legislature, each member of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, the full Georgia Congressional delegation, as well as President Obama, Attorney General Holder, Congressional leaders, U.N. Secretary-General Ban, and national and local media representatives. To fill in the online petition, go to: http://www.iacenter.org/troydavis For more information and to find a demonstration near you go to: http://www.gfadp.org/TakingAction/TroyDavis/tabid/68/Default.aspx The text of the message reads as follows (you will have the opportunity to edit it if you wish): To: Governor Perdue, Georgia Pardons and Parole Board, Georgia Legislature, Georgia Congressional Delegation, President Obama, Attorney General Holder, Congressional Leaders, U.N. Secretary General Ban cc: members of the media On April 16, 2009, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 to deny the appeal of Troy Davis, an innocent man on death row in Georgia. He was convicted solely on witness testimony, and 7 of the 9 witnesses have since recanted, many alleging that police coerced them into making false statements. I join with millions in the US and around the world in demanding that you stop the execution of Troy Davis. Innocence matters to me. Justice matters to everyone. I urge you to act now. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 18, 2009 2:12 PM Dear Fellow Abolitionists, Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, is Troy Anthony Davis Global Day of Action. This is an opportunity to "shout from the rooftops" in opposition to what could be the execution of an innocent man. We invite you to join NCADP by participating in this day of action in some meaningful way. More on that is below. We also wanted to take the opportunity to thank each of the 649 supporters who posted a comment in support of NCADP on the Jenzabar Foundation blog. We here at NCADP were deeply touched by your support and comments. While NCADP received the most comments and that is what got us to the finals, the Jenzabar Foundation chose to make its award to another worthy organization called Forge, which helps refugees in Africa. We applaud the folks at Forge, and we thank the Jenzabar Foundation for its work and for the benefits NCADP has derived from participating in the contest. Again, thank you. Troy Anthony Davis Global Day of Action Troy Anthony Davis is currently on death row in Georgia, where he awaits a decision in his case by the U.S. Supreme Court. If the Court refuses to hear his case or otherwise grant relief, his execution date could be set at any time. Tuesday, May 19th is Troy Anthony Davis Global Day of Action, an event sponsored by Amnesty International and endorsed by the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Learn more and take action here. NCADP Executive Director Diann Rust-Tierney wrote about this case last week on the Huffington Post - read that here. Additional Background In 1991, Troy was convicted in the murder of off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail largely on the basis of eyewitness testimony - no physical evidence links him to the crime. Since his trial, seven of nine eyewitnesses have recanted their original statements, yet federal law prevents these new eyewitness statements from being heard. Troy's execution had been scheduled for September 23rd, 2008. On September 12, 2008 he was denied clemency by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. Two hours before he was to be killed he received stay from the U.S. Supreme Court pending its decision as to whether it would hear his appeal. On October 14, 2008, the Court denied his request for relief so that his evidence of innocence could be heard in a legal proceeding. Just one day later, Troy Davis' execution was set for October 27 at 7pm EST. On October 24, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay pending further examination and possible acceptance of a new appeal. On April 16, by a 2-1 vote the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Troy's appeal but issued a 30 stay to allow time for an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The stay has now expired. Learn more about this case and take action here. Thank you. [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 16, 2009 8:08 AM ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-050-2009 16 May 2009 ------------------------------------------------------ PAKISTAN: Two peasants are arrested on fabricated charges the day before they testify in court, another remains missing ISSUES: Illegal arrest; land grabbing; misuse of power; dissapearance ------------------------------------------------------ Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that two peasants have been arrested under fabricated charges the day before their long awaited court case against a local criminal. The criminal, who abducted one of the peasant’s brothers, beat his family members and is known for illegal land grabs, has close ties with the police. The AHRC is concerned that the men will be harmed in custody and that their case will be derailed. It is also extremelu concerned for the welfare of the missing man, who was kidnapped in 2005. CASE DETAILS: (According to a local NGO) On 14 May 2009 Mr. Salman Maher, 60, received an instruction from the Session Court to appear before it on May 15, regarding his complaints against Mr. Mithal, an alleged land grabber and police informant. It was a long-awaited summons; Maher had fought for fourteen years to have his case investigated. However moments after the notice was issued, police officers from Naushehro Feroz Station descended on the house and arrested his eldest son, Nizam Din (22), on the charge of stealing a buffalo. Maher himself was elsewhere, but early the next morning the officers returned to arrest him. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The conflict between the Maher family and Mithal started in 1995, when the family denied Mithal their eldest daughter’s hand in marriage. Maher was picked up by police shortly afterwards and detained for a week without charge; he was released when a local peasant leader--also an advisor to the then-Chief Minister of Sindh Province--intervened. Mithal himself has been arrested before a number of times in land grabbing cases--one involving the land of former provincial minister --but he has always been released immediately without charge. Mithal’s campaign against the Mahers continued: he occupied two of their ancestral houses, and in 2005 after the victim wrote complaints to local and provincial authorities, he occupied five acres of land and openly abducted his younger brother Gul Hassan Maher in retaliation. Gul Hassan has not been seen since. Police dismissed Maher’s requests to lodge an FIR (a first information report--necessary for investigation into the case), and when Salman successfully applied to do so in the Naushehro Feroz session court with the help of a lawyer, the court requested the police to investigate but still no action was taken. Maher continued to write to officials despite threats of further harm from Mithal. Then on 24 April 2009 men working for Mithal allegedly attacked Maher’s house and his family with iron bars and long wooden sticks. His younger son, Dadan Maher,16, was knocked unconscious and remained so for two days in Naushehro Feroz hospital. Hospital authorities refused to give the medical certificate upon the boy’s release, hampering the Mahers’ ability to lodge a criminal case. Help from human rights activist, Mr. Adam Malik of Action Aid Pakistan generated interest among higher officials, but prompted a new series of threats from Mithal by phone. Complaints to police at Naushehro Feroz Station, where Mr. Nisar Channa is district police officer, were not responded to. Finally, a session judge of the Naushehro Feroz court instructed both parties to be in court on May 15, 2009, to address the issues in Maher’s applications. Maher and his eldest son are now in the custody of a police station that appears to operate at his tormentor’s request, and which has already fabricated charges, held him illegally and refused him access to the law. The AHRC believes the chances of the men being tortured are high. SUGGESTED ACTION: The Asian Human Rights Commission has already written to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture, asking for intervention. Please write letters to the following authorities to demand the release of Salman Maher and his son unharmed from illegal detention and the swift investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks, land grabs and abduction. Please also urge the authorities to recover Gul Hassan Maher and arrange compensation for his ordeal. To support this appeal, please click here: [ send green star]
Dusty R.	May 16, 2009 7:43 AM Six weeks after launching STOP THE TRAFFIK's campaign March on Mars, Mars made an announcement. They have promised to make their GLOBAL product range traffik free by 2020, starting with Galaxy bars in the UK and Ireland next year. Mars are giving us a short term commitment with Galaxy bars while we keep asking for evidence of long term, global change. STOP THE TRAFFIK chocolate campaign developments: July 2008: Verkade committed to 100% fairtrade cocoa and sugar in their chocolate bars in Netherlands from autumn 2008 February 2009: Swiss Noir committed to fairtrade cocoa in their chocolate bars in Netherlands from March 2009 March 2009: Cadbury committed to fairtrade Dairy Milk in the UK and Ireland April 2009: Mars committed to traffik free (Rainforest Alliance) Galaxy in the UK and Ireland from 2010 and across whole product range globally by 2020 STOP THE TRAFFIK congratulates Verkade, Swiss Noir, Cadbury and MARS [ send green star]
Dusty R.	HUMAN RIGHTS # 15 May 14, 2009 2:34 PM DESA Workers Win Supreme Court Case, Buyers Must Act NOW! Almost a year to the day since DESA workers began their struggle for union recognition, the Supreme Court in Turkey has confirmed that 18 of the workers sacked by the Turkish leather factory had been illegally dismissed as a result of union organising. The Supreme Court rulings represent a significant victory for the DESA workers, including worker-organiser Emine Arslan. But the struggle is not over yet. Without your help, the 18 workers may still be out of a job and threats against workers may persist. Since the Supreme Court decision, DESA management is reported to have renewed its harassment of the protesting workers and threatened employees who associate with the protesters. Workers were told that management would be monitoring union members through security cameras and any worker found speaking to them would be fired. ------------------------------------------------------------------ TAKE ACTION NOW: Tell DESA buyers, which include Prada, M&S, Debenhams, Mulberry, Nicole Fahri, Jaeger and Aspinalls, that DESA must respect freedom of association by giving the illegally dismissed workers their jobs back today and negotiating with the union. http://www.cleanclothes.org/desa-renews-threats#action [ send green star]