The Senate's latest push to bring back kangaroo courts for good through the reinstatement of Military Commissions is a stark reminder that the fundamental principles of freedom and justice our country were founded on are still under as great a threat as ever.

Think we've turned the page on the policies of the Bush era? Think again. Provisions included in legislation that's currently before the Senate — passed in the House last week as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 — would make kangaroo courts a permanent fixture of the U.S. justice system, even for minors.

The military commissions were designed by politicians who caved to fear instead of standing up for American ideals of justice. These courts fail to meet standards for fairness upheld worldwide as well as by our very own federal government and armed forces.

We must hold those responsible for terrorism to account. But real justice requires real courts.

Act now. Stand with us as we stand against failed Bush policies that threaten to be passed into law.

Right now, Amnesty is conducting an all-out effort to send Congress the message that Bush-era torture policy belongs in the past. We're getting the word out to activists in key districts, phone-banking Congressional offices, meeting with legislative allies on the hill and organizing rallies.

We're also running targeted ads in one of the most-read publications on Capitol Hill and in the D.C. Metro stations that legislators and their staff pass through every day.

Help us continue to rally people nationwide who understand that our greatest strength is our commitment to freedom and justice.

Reversing the damage done under the Bush administration has proven to be no easy task and it's clear that there will be more challenges ahead.

But we must reverse these policies if we are to restore human rights in the United States and remove the stain left on our reputation in the global community.

Thank you for standing with us today –

Tom Parker
Policy Director, (Counter) Terrorism and Human Rights
Amnesty International USA

 [ send green star]

CIGNA Insurance Refuses Dawn Smith Treatment For Tumour
Health & Wellness  (tags: CIGNA, Insurance, health care, refusal, treatment )

Elsie
- 3 minutes ago - pol.moveon.org

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Stop Housing Demolitions and Forced Evictions in N’Djamena

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 http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/IranianWomenIranelection

Role of women in the protests is extremely important. Please help those who still rely on us for support; Sign the petition.
They beat them with AXE, electric batons, Lashes, Knives and shot them.
They tortured them, raped sometimes as live eyewitnesses reported from night to dawn in gangs. Mothers raped while sons and daughters were made to listen next door to her pleads...
Nightmare comes live. Please help by singing and distributing;

Please share your feelings through this petition.

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Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court delayed a decision on whether to grant Troy Davis an appeal until after it returns from recess in September. The court's decision (or non-decision) should be taken as a good sign. It gives us hope that at least some Supreme Court Justices may finally be waking up to the strong claims of innocence in this case and want to take more time to weigh the facts.

We are convinced that if the justices agree to hold a hearing and allow all evidence to be weighed, then they will come to see what we have known all along – the pieces just don't add up. When Davis was sentenced to death for the 1989 shooting of a police officer in Savannah, there was an absence of any physical evidence against him. Furthermore, the majority of witnesses who testified against him then, have now recanted or changed their stories altogether.

Troy's case continues to inspire the support of millions of activists and countless leaders speaking on behalf of human rights, including former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond TuTu.

Our activism has already put the U.S. Supreme Court and Georgia officials on the fence. Now we've got to do all we can these next couple of months to guarantee justice for Troy Davis!

Join the thousands in Savannah, Georgia who are calling for the new District Attorney to reopen Troy's case. Then, forward the link onto everyone you know!

Troy's life continues to be saved because of people like you who take the time to make the difference.

Thank you,

–Laura Moye, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign Director

P.S. Stay informed of the latest Troy news by checking back here: http://amnestyusa.org/troy

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"Dear U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the U.N. Security Council,

I urge the U.N. Security Council, representing the international community, to insist upon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's immediate release, along with the other political prisoners that Burma's military junta has detained. The charge of violating her house arrest by inviting a foreigner into her home, which refers to American John William Yettaw's attempt to secretly attain entrance, is unsupported.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee in 1991 lauded Suu Kyi's struggle as "one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades." Her courage should be vindicated, and her country's misery ended. It is time for the international community to take action and jointly call on the military junta to:

- Immediately and unconditionally free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi;

- Free all additional unjustly detained political prisoners, and;

- Allow Suu Kyi to take her place as rightfully elected leader of the country."

http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces?siteId=1&campaign=FreeSuuKyi

                                   

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http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.2590179/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&aid=11240

Please urge the President of Indonesia to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage. For peacefully raising a flag, Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage may spend the next decade or more in prison in Indonesia. In December 2004, about 200 people participated in a nonviolent ceremony outside Abepura in Papua, Indonesia. Part of the annual ceremony was raising the "Morning Star" flag, a traditional Papuan symbol of independence. Police fired on the crowd and Karma was beaten on the way to the police station. Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage were sentenced to 15 and 10 years respectively. Amnesty International considers Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage to be prisoners of conscience who have been detained for the peaceful and legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of expression.

A sample letter has been provided, but please be encouraged to add your own thoughts.

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1. If you didn't get a chance to call your Senator last week, take 2 minutes to call now. Our new click-to-call tool makes calling your Senators easy and we'll give you a simple script and talking points.
2. Follow-up your call by signing our letter to Congress demanding a full, independent investigation.

The hearing can either be the beginning or the end of our efforts to find out how we became a nation that tortures. What happens after the hearing depends in large part on us. We need to show the Senate that the public has the stomach for an independent investigation.

Every step our champions like Senator Leahy make toward setting up an independent investigation will bring intense criticism from the other side.

Let's make sure our voices drown out those who prefer to bury the truth.

Sincerely,

Njambi Good
Director, Counter Terror with Justice Campaign

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60 years ago - after the horrors of World War II - the world came together at the United Nations to unanimously pass the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This powerful declaration says that every human being deserves dignity, freedom and respect. It's the first blueprint for global rights, establishing fundamental freedoms for every human being.

The UDHR set in motion a global movement that literally opened prison doors, shut down torture and execution chambers, and caused the downfall of the worst tyrannies.

60 years later, despite much progress, millions are still denied basic human rights. Many governments still show more interest in abusing power than respecting those they lead. For far too many, injustice, inequality and impunity are still the hallmarks of our world today. [i]

But hope exists. Grassroots actions like those that catapulted Barack Obama to office, are the same that put abusive nations on notice.

Help us fulfill the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

• Watch "The Price of Silence": our exciting new music video featuring some of the world’s greatest musicians, including some who've fled oppressive regimes. The track, donated by Aterciopelados and Nacional Records, combines the voices of Natalie Merchant, Hugh Masekela, Stephen Marley, Angelique Kidjo, Emmanual Jal and others.
• Buy the music exclusively on iTunes: all proceeds will go to support our important life saving work.
• Tell the world you support the UDHR: add your name to the ProtectTheHuman.org petition.
• Tell at least one friend to watch the music video and help spread the message. 

Since 1961, millions of Amnesty International supporters just like you have taken countless small actions. And now many millions more enjoy greater freedom and a safer, more just world.

Help us fulfill the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Send this email to at least one friend or family member and ask them to watch "The Price of Silence". And let's together build the global movement that will bring dignity and freedom to every human being on earth.

Sincerely,

Larry Cox
Executive Director

P.S. Special thanks to Link TV, Nacional Records, music producer Adres Levin and video director Josh Atesh Litle for their help creating "The Price of Silence".

[i] http://thereport.amnesty.org/eng/introduction

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Take action for police accountability in Chicago.
Tell Mayor Daley that homophobic abuses will not be tolerated.

 

Three women were assaulted by a police officer on their way home from a Gay Pride event in Chicago last summer. They say the officer physically assaulted them, used homophobic language and knocked them into the pathway of traffic. Another man says he was physically and verbally abused by a Chicago police officer because of his sexual orientation.

This pattern must stop. These two cases of homophobic human rights abuses are consistent with the pattern of abuse and impunity documented by AIUSA three years ago in its report, Stonewalled. In the report AI documented a widespread pattern of police abuse and misconduct against LGBT people without accountability.

 Send a loud message to Mayor Daley and the Chicago Police Commissioner Jody Weis that these human rights abuses will not be tolerated.

Your voice can make a difference. As one of the finalist cities to host the 2016 summer Olympics, Chicago is sensitive to its international image. The pattern of police impunity and human rights violations against LGBTs is a big tarnish on that image, especially in a city generally considered to be progressive on LGBT issues.

Tell Mayor Daley and Police Commissioner Weis they must both make strong public statements declaring that police abuse, including homophobic abuse, will not be tolerated.

EVENT
June 19, in Chicago, IL
Beyond Stonewalled.

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The people of Myanmar are still waiting to receive humanitarian aid.

Call on Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders to put pressure on Myanmar authorities to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis.

Another week has passed. More opportunities are lost in providing immediate assistance to the people of Myanmar. While innocent people try to piece their lives back together after the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar authorities continue to obstruct aid. The lives and health of thousands are at risk.

Put pressure on Myanmar authorities to distribute humanitarian aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis.

Myanmar may believe that it does not need to be responsive to its own people; however it does have to answer to the fellow member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Under the ASEAN Charter, member states, including Myanmar, are committed to:

• Respecting fundamental freedoms
• Promoting and protecting human rights and social justice
• Upholding the United Nations Charter and international law

Myanmar's actions to obstruct aid from reaching people desperately in need are in violation of the spirit of ASEAN's work. It is time for the ASEAN member states to step up and show leadership in assisting the people of Myanmar. Call on ASEAN to urge the government of Myanmar to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis.

Irene Khan, Amnesty International's Secretary General, recently wrote an open letter to ASEAN(PDF). In it, she warns that "without immediate action by ASEAN leaders, the humanitarian disaster created by Cyclone Nargis and the deliberate obstruction to aid by the Myanmar authorities will result in further massive human rights violations, putting at risk the lives and health of hundreds of thousands of people."

A natural disaster destroyed the lives of many innocent people. A humanitarian disaster shouldn't be the reason they continue to suffer. Call on ASEAN to urge Myanmar authorities to ensure that cyclone victims receive aid.

Sincerely,

Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA

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Put (1) the lack of affordable housing in New Orleans and (2) the absence security safeguards in Mexico, on the crucial agenda for North American leaders.

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This week, President Bush will host the Mexican and Canadian heads of state in New Orleans to discuss issues of security and prosperity. Two key issues must be on the agenda: (1) the absence of security safeguards in Mexico, and (2) the lack of affordable housing in New Orleans.

Amnesty International sent a letter pushing the North American leaders to address these issues at their meeting¹. Now we need your help to support our request with your grassroots actions:

Demand housing rights for residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina

Put Human rights at the core of U.S. assitance to Mexico.

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Global day for Darfur is April 13th, some actions:  

http://www.amnestyusa.org/Global-Day-for-Darfur/Action/page.do?id=YCA1554148000E&n1=52&n2=1554

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http://www.amnestyusa.org/Urgent-Action-Network/Take-Action-for-Arrested-Tibetan-Monks/page.do?id=1181035&n1=3&n2=34&n3=66&tr=y&auid=3514091

Be the voice for those facing imminent and often life-threatening human rights violations.

Join together to help individuals like the 15 Tibetan monks who are at risk of torture and severe mistreatment.

Get connected. Join the Urgent Action Network.

When peaceful protestors are beaten and jailed...

When human rights defenders are threatened and assaulted for daring to speak the truth...

When fast action can mean the difference between life and death...

Amnesty International's Urgent Action Network is ready to respond. Please add your voice and join the Urgent Action Network.

Recent news about the crackdown on rights and freedoms in Tibet is a clear case for urgent action. Hundreds of monks took to the streets in peaceful protest against the government's "patriotic re-education" campaign which forced them to renounce the Dalai Lama. As demonstrations spread throughout various communities, Chinese authorities responded with force. Citizens reportedly were dragged from their homes and beaten.

In the midst of this unrest, at least 15 Tibetan monks have been detained and are at significant risk of being tortured and severely mistreated. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. They need your help. They need your urgent action. Please ask authorities to release the 15 monks, as well as others detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly.

Unfortunately, cases such as these are not rare. Every year, the members of Amnesty International’s Urgent Action Network mobilize to help hundreds of people, like these 15 Tibetan monks, who are facing imminent and often life-threatening human rights violations. This vast worldwide network of concerned human rights activists are ready to take immediate action in defense of those who have been arbitrarily detained, threatened for their beliefs, and/or tortured by authorities. You can be part of this vital global network.

Get connected to the Urgent Action Network, stay connected to human rights. Make yours one of the thousands of messages that send a powerful signal to government officials that their actions are being watched. Your letters can make a difference and are the reason so many of our cases result in success!

Join the Urgent Action Network today and start saving lives!

Sincerely,
Michael O'Reilly
Campaign Director
Amnesty International USA

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http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=10045&tr=y&auid=3502116

Tell Congress to put pressure on the Department of Justice and prosecute human rights violations committed by private military and security contractors! 

Photos depicting Iraqi detainees being abused at Abu Ghraib prison caused shock and outrage across the world. Following publication of these horrific images, serious allegations of involvement in the abuse by private military companies contracted by the U.S. government emerged.

A demonstrator, dressed as an Abu Ghraib prisoner poses in front of the White House. © KAREN BLEIER/AFP/ Getty Images

Take action now and demand that human rights violations committed by US contractors are prosecuted.  

Over three years ago, the Justice Department (DOJ) required that all cases of detainee abuse by private military and security contractors be handled by one US Attorney's Office. 

As of today, that US Attorney's office has not prosecuted a single private military or security contractor and the DOJ has provided almost no explanation for their apparent inaction in the face of reported torture and abuse of detainees, rape of co-workers, and killing of Iraqi civilians by contractors.

Urge your representatives in Congress to pressure the DOJ to prosecute human rights violations committed by private military and security contractors and to explain how cases connected to the horrific abuses at Abu Ghraib and other locations could be so quietly yet thoroughly dismissed.

Sincerely,

Larry Cox
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA 

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March 10th, 2008 marked the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising against the Chinese occupation in Lhasa. Not surprisingly, many Tibetans have decided to demonstrate on this occasion, against the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, torture, lack of freedom of expression and religion, discrimination, exploitation, and killing that continue in Tibet to this day. And also not surprisingly, Chinese authorities have responded by beating, shooting, arresting, and torturing the protesters. You can support the protesters and advocate for their safety: 1) Lodge a complaint with the Chinese authorities in Lhasa for their treatment of Tibetans: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tibet_protests?rk=%2d7SKEBEqOz9CE http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/amdoprotest/ 2) Contact the Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith and ask him to publicly call upon the Chinese Government to immediately provide information on the welfare and whereabouts of the detained Buddhist monks: https://www.atc.org.au/members/ecampaign/send_email/8 3) Call on your representatives to condemn the attacks: US: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/supporttibet UK: http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfm Canada: http://tinyurl.com/zqd9g 4) Pledge to boycott the Olympics: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1189/t/5102/signUp.jsp?key=3127 5) Complain to the IOC: http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/tibet_IOC 6) Please call the Chinese authorities in Lhasa to show them the whole world is monitoring their actions closely: Please call after 9am in Chinese time. To see the current time in China, click here: http://www.worldtimeserver.com/current_time_in_CN.aspx Secretary of the Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR): +86 891 632 5889 TAR People's Government: +86 891 633 2067 People's Armed Police (Riot Troop Division): +86 891 633 0443 TAR People's Congress: +86 891 683 2423 If the person on the phone doesn't speak English, please read out loud the below lines in Chinese. English: The Chinese government must not arrest the Tibetans Chinese: "jang-fu bu-shue daibu zang-tsu" (Pinyin: zhengfu buxu daibu zangzu) English: We are watching you Chinese: "wamen guanju nimen" (Pinyin: women guanzhu nimen) 7) Take action here on Care2! Care2 Petitions for Tibet: http://tinyurl.com/35kqdc http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/tibets-independence http://tinyurl.com/2oybtc http://tinyurl.com/2jvdzs http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/313171490

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http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=10022

Today's stunning decision by the Georgia Supreme Court to let the death sentence stand in the Troy Anthony Davis case means that the state of Georgia might execute a man who well may be innocent.

Take action now and tell the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles to commute the death sentence for Troy Anthony Davis.

With this decision, the Supreme Court is demonstrating a blatant disregard for justice and turning its back on the fundamental flaws that taint Mr. Davis's case at every level.

Tell the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles to commute the death sentence for Troy Anthony Davis.

Over 60,000 supporters signed petitions on Troy's behalf, and letters of support continue to pour into his mailbox. "I want to thank all Amnesty supporters," he said, "I want to thank everyone all over the world who have been praying for me, supporting me, writing letters and signing petitions on my behalf." Troy needs your continued support today, now more than ever.

Troy Davis was convicted of the murder of Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail in 1991. No murder weapon was found and no physical evidence linked Davis to the crime. Since his conviction, seven out of nine original witnesses have either recanted or changed their testimony. Officer MacPhail's life was cut tragically short, and his family and the people of Georgia also deserve true justice. However, this will not be accomplished by executing a man with such strong claims of innocence.

Take action now: help rescue a possibly innocent man from paying the ultimate price.

In light of today's Supreme Court decision, we ask that you call on the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles to commute Mr. Davis' death sentence. Executing Troy Anthony Davis would be an irrevocable error that would haunt the conscience of the state of Georgia forever.

In Solidarity,

Sue Gunawardena-Vaughn
Director, Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA

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Amnesty in UK run a campaign against torture called "unsubscribe-me". They made a short film entitled "Waiting for the Guards" which brings home how inhumane the treatment of prisoners, particularly the War on Terror suspects, can be. It is a powerful film. Our Government in the UK suggested to increase the pre-charge detention period from 28 to 42 days which means you could be locked up for six weeks without having been told the reason for your detention.

If you'd like to check out the campaign, read up on the human rights issues involved and watch the film, then go to www.unsubscribe-me.org

I hope you are successful with your campaign in the US - Good Luck.

 [ send green star]

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.3943995/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=3943995&en=clLNJ3PLLbKWJdMOKaJTLaNZLnLXLjN4IrLWKeP6KzF&tr=y&auid=3453697

Don't Give Bush the Last Word on Torture!

President Bush vetoed legislation forbidding waterboarding and other "alternative interrogation techniques."

Make it clear that the people of the United States abhor what the President condones.

This past Saturday, with a single stroke of his veto pen, President Bush blocked a tough law forbidding the CIA from using waterboarding and other despicable interrogation "techniques." We can't let him have the last word.

In the face of this brutal affront to human rights, we must show that President Bush does not represent the vast majority of American citizens. This starts with each and every one of us acting in our own communities.

Act Now. Call talk radio stations and write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.

It took thousands of calls, letters and emails from Amnesty activists like you to persuade Congress to pass tough anti-torture legislation. And now, it's going to take just as much energy and determination to counter Bush’s unconscionable veto.

 [ send green star]

Action was taken, thank you.

 [ send green star]

Genital cutting, “honor killings”, human trafficking - should another month go by where we hear about women’s rights being violated? You make the call. Call your Senator and ask him or her to join the growing list of co-sponsors standing up to support the rights of women through the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).

This Saturday, March 8th is International Women’s Day, but you can take a stand for women all month because March is also Women’s History month. Make March a month that makes history!

Now is the time – make the call. During one week – Friday, March 7th through Friday, March 14th – we are asking you pick up the phone and make a difference in the lives of women around the world.

Put pressure on your Senator to support a historic piece of legislation designed to give survivors of violence more assistance, hold perpetrators accountable, and combat the negative public attitudes that encourage or condone violence against women and girls. It is critical that this important piece of human rights legislation receive broad bipartisan support, so at this time we are asking for you to only contact your Republican Senators and encourage them to become official I-VAWA co-sponsors.

Your efforts are already making a difference. We are thrilled to add Pennsylvania’s Senator Arlen Specter as the latest co-signer to I-VAWA. With your help, we can continue to build this list of supporters and help make I-VAWA’s goals a reality. />/>/>

Don’t worry if you’ve never contact your Senator before; you can follow these basic talking points to help get your message across. Your Senator needs to hear from you!

If you care about improving the rights of women, then you need to make a call on I-VAWA.

Sincerely,

Michael Heflin
Campaign Director
Amnesty International USA

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/site/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.3932317/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?

 [ send green star]

     Chinese journalist Shi Tao sent an email to a pro-democracy website and 7 months later was imprisoned for "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities".

Urge your Representative to intervene on behalf of Shi Tao!

     Gao Qin Sheng, mother of jailed journalist, Shi Tao, wipes tears from her eyes during a Congressional hearing regarding her son's case.

How do you break a person's spirit?

Deny him the right to freely express himself.
Shi Tao, a Chinese journalist, used his Yahoo! email account to send a message to a U.S.-based pro-democracy website. Seven months later, he was arrested and charged with the vaguely-worded crime of "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities". Urge your Representative to intervene on his behalf and help repair a broken system of neglect of human rights.

Harass his family.
Daily questioning and intimidation tactics were all too much for Shi Tao's wife. Security officials persistently pressured her to divorce Shi Tao. Eventually, she did.

Take away his freedom.
For simply sending an email, Shi Tao was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Demand freedom for Shi Tao and others punished for peacefully expressing their views.

China currently holds the record for the largest known number of imprisoned journalists and cyber-dissidents in the world. Every email, instant message, and online communication passes through a government-controlled router where it is carefully scrutinized. Government officials can filter, block and even discard personal information.

Your Representative can help end this censorship by signing on to a joint Congressional letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

They may be able to easily delete words, but they cannot delete human rights. Urge your Representative to call for justice in China.

Sincerely,

Michael O'Reilly
Campaign Director
Amnesty International USA
Individuals at Risk

 [ send green star]

Actions were Taken, thank you.

 [ send green star]

Maybe some stockholders prefer not to know that their investments support a government responsible for massive human rights abuses. But in today's globalized world, stockholders must make it their business to know the human rights impact of their investments. Increase the pressure on investment firms to support human rights by taking a stand for Darfur.

Thousands of you have already joined with Amnesty International to call on firms investing in Sudan's oil sector to make socially responsible investments. By using their influence, these firms have the power to help put an end to the Sudanese government’s stalling tactics against the full deployment of peacekeepers in Darfur. Thanks in part to your actions, JPMorgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, T. Rowe Price and Citigroup have begun taking positive steps to address our concerns. However, we need your help to get the same commitment from two other firms – Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

This April, large institutional shareholders that own stock in Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo will be asked to vote on a resolution that encourages these firms to recognize their human rights responsibilities when investing in Sudan’s oil industry. Make sure Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo shareholders do their part to protect human rights.

With your help, we can rally support for these resolutions and ultimately ensure the speedy deployment of peacekeepers to Darfur. Demand socially responsible investment in Sudan!

It is time to send a clear message to the Government of Sudan that human rights are worth investing in. Take action and support a socially responsible solution.

 [ send green star]

As the Bush administration moves forward with torture-tainted kangaroo courts at Guantánamo Bay, a major Senate vote on torture is at hand. Tell your Senator to vote against torture.

Torture can never lead to justice. That's the powerful message we need to send to the Bush administration and the U.S. Senate right now. 

Even as the Senate prepares for a crucial vote restricting the CIA and other U.S. agents from using waterboarding and other unlawful techniques, the Pentagon is moving forward with torture-tainted show trials for six detainees at Guantánamo Bay suspected of conspiring in the September 11 attacks.

The Senate vote could come as soon as Thursday. Tell the Senate that torture is intolerable and that it undermines justice at every turn.

The heinous attacks on September 11, 2001 were crimes against humanity. Anyone involved must be brought to justice. But, the truth is, the U.S. government has -- at every turn --undermined the opportunity for justice for the victims of those attacks.

They did it by first disappearing the suspects into secret CIA prisons, torturing "high value" suspects for information and then passing off that information as "evidence." Unconscionably, they have shifted the spotlight from justice for the victims of the September 11 attacks to the illegal behavior of the United States.

Tell the Senate that torture is intolerable and that it undermines justice at every turn.

As one former Navy admiral and judge advocate general put it, "Once you torture someone, it’s hard to untorture him." If enough Senators have the courage to act, we can take a huge step forward in ending U.S. torture. 

Please take action today and if you have time, make a follow-up phone call to your Senator. You can find the number to call and talking points here. We'll keep you posted on how things turn out.

Thanks so much for all you do in promoting justice and protecting human rights.

Sincerely,

Larry Cox
Executive Director

P.S. Last week we sent an Amnesty legal observer to monitor the pre-trials at Guantánamo Bay; listen to her on-the-ground report.

P.P.S. Read Amnesty International's just-released report on torture and secret detention.

 [ send green star]

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x.ascx&action=9726&tr=y&auid=3347556

Amnesty International considers the use of sodomy laws to imprison people for same-sex relations in private as a grave violation of human rights.
Tell the Cameroonian government to release and drop charges against 11 men accused of homosexual conduct.

                 ©AIUSA member David Rendell

Eleven men were arrested and detained in Cameroon between 19th July and 1st September 2007 on suspicion of engaging in homosexual acts.

The 11 men were arrested in the cities of Douala and Yaoundé where they remain in custody. Three of the men were sentenced to six months hard labor in January 2008. Consensual homosexual conduct between adults is illegal in Cameroon, and Amnesty International is concerned about the ongoing persecution of Cameroonian men and women for their real or suspected homosexuality.

Amnesty International considers the 11 men to be prisoners of conscience, detained solely on account of their presumed sexual orientation, and is calling for their immediate and unconditional release. AI is also calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality in Cameroon.

Take action today to demand for their release and speak out against criminalization of homosexuality.

Learn more about other cases of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights abuse Amnesty International is working on at our website www.amnestyusa.org/outfront.

Thank you for your support,

Ariel Herrera
Director, LGBT Human Rights
Amnesty International USA

Additional Actions on this newsletter

PERU
Protect Human Rights Defenders involved in Fujimori case .

GAZA STRIP
Ensure medical access to the people of Gaza.
Act now.

IRAQ
Investigate and prosecute military contractors who torture, kill.
Take action

to those of you who choose to act and better the world - Davida

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The last version of this thread was getting too long for our dial-up members to access, so I am starting another.

Here is the prior one, in case anyone needs it

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=40&pst=210448&archival=&posts=77

Please Add Your Local Area Action Center To This Thread

For the US

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/action/index.asp

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