10

10 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!
learn more »
earn credits for web search

community & fun

groups

get together & make a difference

Groups > Nuestra America Nueva~Our New America > Discussions > Topic: Petitions (Intl)
Topic: Petitions (Intl)

powered by Care2.com • Care2 Home • E-cards & Fun • Shopping • Healthy Living • News Network • Petitions • Click to Donate

This thread is displayed with the most recent posts first.


DancingDove S.	June 19, 2008 9:08 AM Mexican Union Leaders in Imminent Danger Union leadership at the Mexmode factory in Puebla, Mexico are being intimidated and threatened by the Antorcha Campesina organization, known as the paramilitary arm of the Mexican Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI). In an illegal move to oust the union leadership, state labor officials announced today that they are calling a meeting of workers to hold an election between Josefina Hernandez, the current union president, and the Antorcha Campesina sponsored group. This action is illegal under Mexican law, which establishes union autonomy and prohibits the government from interfering in the internal affairs of unions. These events come in the context of increasing anti-union violence, which has at times been instigated by local government officials. Maritoña Espejel, director of culture for the Municipality of Atlixco, has repeateldy been seen and photographed outside of the factory during working hours leafleting workers. During a work stoppage, pictures show Ms. Espejel calling on workers to lynch a group of observers from atop the company's wall. Write to the Puebla Government and request that they cease to support violence against Mexmode workers, end impunity for the instigators and authors of the violence, and cease to use Antorcha Campesina to instigate conflict between workers. When you enter your information below, the following letter will be sent in Spanish to local Puebla authorities: As a consumer concerned about labor rights violations in Mexico, I am alarmed to learn that the Antorcha Capesina organization is carrying out a campaign of harassment and intimidation against the Independent Union of Workers of Mexmode (Sitemex). A recent report indicates that the situation with Antorcha Campesina has worsened and the local government has not attempted to stop the violence. It concerns me to hear that the Puebla government announced an illegal election between the independent union and Antorcha Campesina. Due to the recent violence against the SITEMEX union, a fair election is impossible. Furthermore, intervention in the internal concerns of a union is illegal in Mexico. I urge you to stop the violence against the SITEMEX workers, end your support for Antorcha Campesina, and cancel the illegal election. Lic. Mario Marín Torres C. Gobernador Constitucional del Estado de Puebla Lic. Pericles Olivares Flores Secretario del Trabajo y Competitividad Av. Reforma #710 Col Centro Puebla,Pue. CP 72000 Estimado Sr. Marín y Sr. Olivares: En mi calidad de consumidor preocupado por las violaciones de los derechos laborales en México, les escribo para expresar mi alarma al saber que la organización Antorcha Campesina está realizando una campaña de hostigamiento e intimidación en contra del Sindicato Independiente de Trabajadores de la Empresa Mexmode (SITEMEX). Un informe reciente indica que la situación con Antorcha Campesina ha peorado y el gobierno local no ha intentado parar la violencia. Me preocupa oír que el gobierno de Puebla anunció una elección ilegal entre el sindicato independiente y Antorcha Campesina. Debido a la violencia reciente en contra del sindicato SITEMEX, una elección justo es imposible. Ademas, intervención en los asuntos interiores de un sindicato es ilegal en Mexico. Les insto a parar la violencia en contra de trabajadores de SITEMEX, terminar su apoya de Antorcha Campesina, y cancelar la elección ilegal. Atentamente, http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1618/t/3757/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24705 [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Help Revitalize Native American Languages! June 17, 2008 10:19 AM Your help is urgently needed to save and revitalize Native American languages. Among the more than 300 original languages once spoken in the U.S. only 155-175 are spoken today. Scholars estimate that only 20 of these remaining indigenous languages are being widely transmitted to today's Native children. Fully 70 languages could vanish within the next 10 years without immediate and significant funding for tribal language programs. The National Alliance to Save Native Languages, an intertribal leadership coalition says, "Native languages are national treasures that have served this nation in time of war, with the legendary service of Native code talkers, and they remain vital part of Native American culture and identity today. Notably, Native students who are fluent in both English and their Native language perform substantially better academically, including on national assessment tests, than Native students who have not gone through such a program." Please sign our petition to Congress urging them to support funding for Native language programs in the FY 2009 Budget of the Administration for Native Americans, Dept. of Health and Human Services. With its historic passage of the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-394), Congress recognized the critical funding needs of Native language revitalization efforts. The FY 2008 budget included $2million in Esther Martinez Language Preservation Act funding; however several hundred tribes must compete for these 25-45 grants. JOIN CULTURAL SURVIVAL AND THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO SAVE NATIVE LANGUAGES IN SENDING THE MESSAGE TO CONGRESS THAT REVITALIZING NATIVE LANGUAGES IS CRITICAL TO NATIVE CULTURAL IDENTITY, SPIRITUALITY AND SURVIVAL, AS WELL AS TO THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS OF NATIVE STUDENTS. SAMPLE LETTER: Among the more than 300 Native American languages once spoken in the U.S. only about 155-175 remain today, and fully 135 are only spoken by elders within Native American communities. This means only 20 languages are still being actively transmitted to younger generations. Scholars have estimated that within ten years over 70 of these languages will cease to exist. Tribal language revitalization programs urgently need a substantial increase in funding for the Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act (P.L. 109-394). Young Native Americans across the U.S. are demanding the right to learn the language of their ancestors to honor their cultural and spiritual beliefs and build healthy foundations for future generations of Native peoples. The National Alliance to Save Native Languages, an intertribal leadership coalition says, %u201CNative languages are national treasures that have served this nation in time of war, with the legendary service of Native code talkers, and they remain a vital part of Native American culture and identity today. Furthermore, Native students who are fluent in both English and their Native language perform substantially better academically, including on national assessment tests.%u201D I am writing you to urge you to support and increase funding for Native American language revitalization programs in the FY 2009 Budget as the $2million in aid allotted through in FY 2008 funded only 25-45 language grants through the Administration for Native Americans, which hundreds of tribes must compete to receive. Please join the National Alliance to Save Native Languages and Cultural Survival in working to increase federal funding to a minimum of $10 million to keep Native American languages, our common national cultural heritage, from falling silent. Thank you for your consideration http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/help-revitalize-native-american-languages [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Help Disappeared Human Rights Activist - Haiti October 12, 2007 11:02 AM Below: Sign online petition for the safe return of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine - missing for 2 months since August 12, 2007 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDREN OF DISAPPEARED HAITIAN HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER LOVINSKY PIERRE-ANTOINE Our names are Stéphane and Olivier Pierre-Antoine, the children of Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine. This week will be the sixth one that we spend without our father, who is kept hostage and it has been more than 42 days since we did not receive any notice from him being alive. The hours and the days go by without anyone, except his close relatives, seeming to worry about his fate. We have felt a big void in our hearts since this disappearance. This deplorable situation prevent us from sleeping, eating and forces us to concentrate our thoughts on the slow agony that our father is living. Deprived of freedom, our father incurs the risks to catch diseases, to be victim of physical violence by his abductors and to have his spirit devoured by despair. We ask you, who probably are fathers and mothers, to listen to the words of two teenagers who crave the presence of their father. Listen well to this outcry of pain and anguish that comes directly from our heart. It is not only our father that we miss, we are also deprived of our dear friend, of our counselor and of our spiritual guide. We ask the authorities of the country and the Haitian people to do all this that is in their power to free our dad. We particularly ask his abductors to grant us the return of our daddy who is so dear to us. Even if we are aware that a release is a complex and long process, it has been more than a month than we did not see our dad and we want to insist on the unbearable wait that we are confronted with. In the name of Human Rights and of the inherent duty to save people in lethal danger, we massively call on the Haitian authorities and the international community to help us find the means that will allow the release of our dad. We do not doubt that in the future, all efforts will be set in motion to make the release of our dear dad an absolute priority. We wish for energetic and effective measures to be deployed to this end. We take this opportunity to cordially thank all those who, in a way or another, brought us their moral support during this sad period of our life. Stéphane Pierre-Antoine and Olivier Pierre-Antoine Urgent help needed to ensure the safe return of Haitian human rights activist Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine Dear Friends, Lovinsky Pierre-Antoine, the internationally respected Haitian human rights activist, has been missing in Haiti since 12 August. The following is a call for his safe return to his family and to his human rights work, to be sent to President Rene Preval of Haiti, as well as to the Brazilian, Canadian & US High Commissions /Embassies/Consulates in whatever countries we find ourselves. These governments play a key role in relation to the UN forces (headed by Brazil) which have taken responsibility for law and order in Haiti. Background is given below. The link is http://www.petitiononline.com/august/petition.html Please add your name to let those to whom the call is addressed know how urgent you believe is Lovinsky's safe return. Thus far there are over 90 organizations, public figures and other individuals who have signed from 16 Caribbean countries as well as from other countries, including: actor/activist Danny Glover, writer George Lamming, journalist Rickey Singh; the Walter Rodney Commemorative Committee (Caribbean, USA, UK, Canada, Africa); Crossroads Women's Centers (Guyana, Spain, UK, U; the Local Station Board, KPFK, Pacifica Radio (So. California). Names of all signatories are being sent to those to whom the letter is addressed, and will be published at a later date. Thank you. [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO DEFEND UNION ORGANIZERS IN GUATEMALA September 27, 2007 6:19 PM ALERT: TAKE ACTION TO DEFEND UNION ORGANIZERS IN GUATEMALA In the early morning hours of Sunday September 23, Marco Tulio Portela Ramirez prepared to go to work at a banana plantation in Izabal, Guatemala. He never made it to work. He was gunned down in front of his house by armed masked men. Marco was the secretary of culture and sport at SITRABI, the union for banana workers in Izabal. His brother NoÃ© Ramirez is the general secretary. He leaves behind a wife and young children. Follow this link to contact the Guatemalan Ambassador now! The union firmly believes this killing is directly related to the work they have been doing to end the intimidation and harassment of their union. Most recently the union intervened with the Public Ministry and the Ministry of Defense in Guatemala in response to military personnel who forcibly visited their office. SITRABI has been working with local and international forces to pressure the Public Ministry and Ministry of Defense in Guatemala to investigate these crimes. Now they need our help and international solidarity to let the government know that this type of harassment and murder of unionists will not stand! Stand with SITRABI to stop the violence and intimidation of UNIONISTS! Contact the Guatemalan Ambassador in the United States and urge the Guatemalan Government to act now! [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Labor Activist's Killers Must be Found December 14, 2006 7:13 PM On November 5, 2004, Teamsters Port Division Representative Gilberto Soto was assassinated in Usulutan, El Salvador. Soto, an American citizen, had returned to his native country to meet with Central American trade union leaders and port drivers, and to document worker rights violations. The murder remains unsolved. In a gruesome echo of the Salvadoran government’s response to the death squad assassinations of the 1980s, the Salvadoran Interior Minister labeled Soto’s death a “common crime” within days of his murder—and before the government had launched any investigation. One Salvadoran official took the assassination seriously and sprang into action: Beatrice de Carrillo, the ombudsman and director of the official Salvadoran Human Rights Office. Though her office is mandated by the Salvadoran constitution, the police refused to give her access to the investigation files or the officers conducting the investigation. She predicted that the government would soon make an arrest, call the murder a “crime of passion” and then after the media attention faded, ultimately drop the case. That’s exactly what happened. Within a week the government of El Salvador arrested Soto’s mother-in-law, claiming that she hoped to collect the Teamsters’ million-dollar life insurance policy. In fact, Soto’s policy was for only $50,000 and his children were the beneficiaries, not his wife. Fourteen months later, Soto’s mother-in-law was acquitted. The government has continued to obstruct, frustrate and harass Dr. de Carrillo. She has also received death threats because of her ongoing search for the truth. On November 15, 2006, the International Labor Organization (ILO) issued a report that demanding that the Salvadoran government reopen the case file on Soto’s murder. The Teamsters union has joined with labor leaders in El Salvador to demand that the true killers be brought to justice. If we allow this murder to go unsolved, labor and human rights leaders will never be safe in El Salvador. Tell Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Ambassador to the United States from El Salvador Rene Leon to demand that the Salvadoran government reopen the investigation into the Gilberto Soto murder and protect and the work of the Salvadoran Human Rights Ombudsman. Check out the Teamsters website for more information and the sign the petition. <http://www.teamsterstakeaction.org/campaign/soto> [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Help Protect Mining Activists & Free Speech in Ecuadodr October 31, 2006 10:31 AM http://tinyurl.com/y6tjk5 Carlos Zorrilla Last week, heavily-armed policemen raided the home of Carlos Zorrilla, a mining activist in the Intag cloudforest region of northwestern Ecuador. For over a decade, Carlos and his organization, DECOIN, have been working to protect the biodiverse Intag region from large-scale copper mining. The US-Canadian company Ascendant Copper acquired the rights to a copper concession in Intag in 2004. As a well-known local activist who is respected internationally, Carlos and his colleagues are seen as leading the opposition to copper mining in the region. They have had to face intimidation and harassment by mining proponents, including death threats and a public smear campaign. Carlos informs us that he now faces trumped-up charges of robbery that could result in his arrest. TAKE ACTION! Please send a letter demanding an end to the intimidation of Ecuadorian mining activists and urge officials in Ecuador to investigate the circumstances of the police raid and the charges that have been brought against Carlos. [ send green star]
Madalena L.	October 18, 2006 10:29 AM Donna Eres un sol! Gracias Amiga [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	from Mada, thank you... October 18, 2006 9:00 AM Chile must adopt the Declaration of the United Nations on the rights of indigenous peoples http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/534460491 In every region of the world, the survival or well-being of Indigenous peoples is threatened by grave and persistent violations of their fundamental human rights. I affirm my commitment to continue making progress in the advancement of the human rights of the world’s indigenous peoples at the local, national, regional and international levels, including through consultation and collaboration with them, and to present for adoption a final draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples as soon as possible. A strong and uplifting United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is urgently needed to establish minimum international standards to inspire and urge states and others to respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples without discrimination. I call upon all states to support as a priority the draft UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Chair’s Proposal, UN Document E/CN.4/2006/79, Annex I) and its adoption by the General Assembly before the end of 2006. En todas las regiones del mundo, la sobrevivencia y bienestar de los Pueblos Indígenas està amenazado por graves y persistentes violaciones de sus derechos fundamentales. Yo señalo mi compromiso para continuar progresando en el avance de los derechos humanos de los Pueblos Indígenas del mundo a nivel local, nacional, regional e internacional con la consulta y colaboración de los Pueblos Indígenas para que en el XII periodo de sesiones de la Asamblea General se adopte la Declaración de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. Se necesita urgentemente una Declaración de las Naciones Unidas de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas fuerte y eficaz para establecer un standard internacional mínimo que inspire y urja a los Estados y otros para respetar y apoyar los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas sin discriminación. Pido al Gobierno de Chile y a los gobiernos de los Estados miembros de las Naciones Unidad que apoyen la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y su adopción por la Asamblea General antes de finalizar el año 2006. [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	send letter to George Bush for Bolivia August 15, 2006 9:42 AM Spanish In September and October of 2003, the Bolivian people suffered a violent repression by their government as they gathered to protest the decisions made by Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and his ministers to export Bolivia´s natural gas, through Chilean ports, under conditions that were absolutely contrary to the national interest. The Lozada government´s violent response left 67 people dead and more than 400 wounded. Since those days until now, a strong legal case has been assembled against Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada and his ex-ministers. Unfortunately, however, the Bolivian government has been unable to officially notify Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, Carlos Sanchez Berzain and Jorge Berindoague of their responsibility to return to Bolivia from the U.S. and participate in the trial of responsibility. Last year, the Bolivian government sent rogatory letters to your officials, so that these persons could be officially notified by the appropriate authorities in the U.S. We are aware that your government—specifically the U.S. Department of State -- received these letters from the Bolivian government on June 22, 2005. Sadly, however, your government has not fulfilled Bolivia´s request, has notified no one, and has communicated nothing to the Bolivian government in response to this official request. In a country whose people claim to respect the rule of law, you have done nothing to fulfil a formal request by the Bolivian government to notify their citizens who are living in the U.S. We are in solidarity with the Bolivian people, because of our belief that we are all equals under the law. We stand with the Bolivian people because we believe that if someone commits a crime, they should receive a trial, be judged and sentenced without regard to their social or economic position. Among the victims of October 2003 is little Alex Llusco Mollericona, who was only five years old when he was shot in the head by a soldier´s bullet. Marlene Nancy Rojas was eight years old. Teodocia Morales Mamani was a mother of seven children, and was pregnant with her eighth. In September and October 2003, many innocent people were killed. All of the dead and all of the wounded deserve that this case be tried, and that those responsible for the violence be brought to justice. Mr. President, you believe that the U.S. is a model of democracy, and a true democracy must show its respect for human rights. And thus, in solidarity with the Bolivian people we ask that you do your part to allow justice to be served. We ask you, as the leader of the government of the United States, to notify Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, Carlos Sanchez Berzain and Jorge Berindoague of the documents that have been presented demanding their return to Bolivia so that they can participate in the trial of responsibility for the dead and the wounded of September and October 2003. Sincerely, http://www.juiciogoniya.org.bo/ [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	CEDO August 03, 2006 5:52 PM Desarrolladores en Puerto Peñasco invaden y destruyen la propiedad del centro ambiental más antiguo del Golfo de California El Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Océanos (CEDO) ha trabajado en servicio de las comunidades y el medio ambiente del noroeste costero mexicano por 26 años. CEDO se dedica a la investigación, educación ambiental, desarrollo sustentable y conservación. El sábado 8 de julio, un grupo de inversionistas del desarrollo Fuentes del Mar de la empresa Clifton-Meridian invadieron de manera ilegal el CEDO y comenzaron a destruir uno de los recursos educativos y atractivos turísticos más importantes del Norte del Golfo de California. El CEDO A.C. inició labores en 1980 dentro de un predio ubicado en el fraccionamiento Las Conchas, Puerto Peñasco, Sonora que fue donado específicamente para la investigación y educación ambiental. CEDO construyó una casa ambiental de materiales reciclados, un hermoso mural, montó un esqueleto de ballena, inició un jardín botánico y ha desarrollado otras exhibiciones y materiales educativos para escuelas y el público en general. A pesar de los beneficios que CEDO brinda a las comunidades locales e internacionales, y al país, el día sábado 8 de julio los desarrolladores del proyecto Las Fuentes del Mar invadieron los terrenos de esta institución, construyeron una cerca alrededor del edificio principal cerrando el único acceso a la puerta de entrada y en general amenazan las operaciones de esta organización. Las Fuentes del Mar pretende construir un desarrollo de 38 condominios alrededor del edificio principal de CEDO. El lunes 10 de julio destruyeron el mural y la barda que delimitan los terrenos que CEDO ha utilizado durante 26 años. Las implicaciones que la destrucción de las instalaciones tiene para el CEDO y para la comunidad son diversas. Por un lado, se impiden que las actividades del CEDO se desarrollen correctamente, incluyendo: 1) no hay acceso para vehículos de emergencia ni servicios (Ej. Gas, agua), 2) no hay espacio para descargar el equipo de investigación y educación, 3) el jardín botánico del Gran Desierto será removido, 4) no hay una barda para brindar seguridad al edificio, y 5) destruye los planes del CEDO de crear un museo y un centro de educación para la sustentabilidad. Para la comunidad las implicaciones son igualmente graves: el precedente de un solo desarrollador, operando por arriba de la ley, alterando caminos y destruyendo una institución Mexicana no es el camino que Puerto Peñasco debe de seguir. La importancia de CEDO como atractivo turístico es enorme. CEDO se ha convertido en la institución que ofrece platicas y actividades sobre la historia natural y el medio ambiente de Puerto Peñasco para un promedio de 15,000 visitantes cada año. Pedimos a las autoridades en todos los niveles de gobierno y a la comunidad que no dejen que esta institución sea destruida. Finalmente, a pesar de la invasión y destrucción ilegal que está ocurriendo en este momento, el CEDO no se detiene. El 10 de Julio inició el campamento de verano en donde participan 20 niños de diversas escuelas primarias de Puerto Peñasco. Nuestros cursos con los quintos años de primaria en Puerto Peñasco y los estudios de las pesquerías ribereñas y los humedales costeros continúan en pie. Nuestro compromiso con el medio ambiente y la comunidad de Puerto Peñasco es más fuerte que nunca. ATENTAMENTE, El Centro Intercultural de Estudios de Desiertos y Océanos, A.C. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CEDO7/ [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Help Kick Suez OUT OF BOLIVIA July 24, 2006 6:34 PM WHEN WILL SUEZ LEAVE BOLIVIA??? In January 2005 thousands of Bolivians took to the streets to protest the lack of potable water service being provided in El Alto, Bolivia by the French transnational Suez (called Aguas de Illimani in Bolivia). After weeks of protest on January 12, 2005, the Bolivian government published a Supreme Decree that initiated the termination of the concession contract with Aguas de Illimani. Yet, the company still remains in Bolivia today. Negotiations with the Bolivian government are statemated. Suez is demanding compensation and threatening to take their case to the World Bank secret court (International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes-ICSID). Last week an independent audit of the operations of the company was released. The results of the audit reveal beyond a doubt that Aguas del Illimani did NOT comply with the concession contract and in order to obtain lucrative profits the company denied people access to potable water services, refused to upgrade or maintain the service, and did not comply with basic water quality standards. To read a summary of the audit in English go to: http://www.fwwatch.org/water/AISA_audit_english.pdf The audit also shows that Bolivia does not owe Suez a cent, but rather Suez owes Bolivia approximately US$6 million in unpaid fines and fees. Tell Suez to leave Bolivia! The Bolivian people don't owe Suez one cent! Send this message to Suez at: http://www.fwwatch.org/water/campaign-to-kick-suez-out-of-bolivia-and-the-americas-1 [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Sign the Fair Trade pledge July 14, 2006 12:18 PM On July 28th, 2005 CAFTA passed by one vote in the United States. Once again, the free traders are pulling out a CAFTA style model for Peru and Oman. Let your community, your senators and your representatives know they have choices. Who needs CAFTA when there are much more sustainable trade models out there? As these two other free trade agreements are coming up fast for a vote, and the midterm elections draw near, the Stop CAFTA Coalition is asking everyone to sign a pledge saying no more CAFTAs and yes to trade justice! Read the pledge at http://www.stopcafta.org the trade justice pledge and say no more CAFTAs! You can find the pledge at the Stop CAFTA site. . . http://www.stopcafta.org/modinput.php?modin=2 [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	gracias July 04, 2006 10:16 PM Sandra y Rui - [ send green star]
anonymous	July 04, 2006 4:10 PM Thanks Donna! Signed! [report anonymous abuse]
DancingDove S.	Letter from La Paz - Justicia para Bolivia July 04, 2006 11:38 AM I am writing to urge your ongoing support and participation in this important campaign for justice for the Bolivian people. We need to keep the pressure on the U.S. government to do the right thing. The Bolivian people have asked us to raise our voices and demand that the U.S. government fulfill its ethical responsibility in this process. Please send a letter today to the White House asking that the U.S. government formally notify Sanchez de Lozada, Carlos Sanchez Berzain and Jorge Berindoague, as was requested over one year ago by the Bolivian government. If you have already sent a letter, please encourage your friends, coworkers, neighbors, family members to do so. If you are involved in a Latin American solidarity group, pass this message along. Forward this to other email listservs. Print and post this message on information boards. I have attached a sample letter which you can send or use as a model for your own letter. You will also find the information for contacting the White House by phone, by email and by regular mail. If you send a letter, please let us know, by sending an email to juiciogoniya@gmail.com. We need your help to show that people throughout the world who care about justice are serious about this important issue. Thanks so much for your participation! Please feel free to email me with any thoughts or questions. All the best, Maggie Fogarty, El Alto Bolivia Bolivia Solidarity Network English Petition link http://www.petitiononline.com/bolivia1/petition.html Spanish Petition link http://new.petitiononline.com/goniespn/petition.html [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	A Care2 petition to close Guatanamo here: July 04, 2006 11:35 AM Tell President Bush: Close Guantanamo Prison! [ send green star]
Sandra V.	June 26, 2006 4:48 PM Firmadas... las que me dejo a lo menos... [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Petition to Close Guantanamo June 25, 2006 11:55 PM Petition link: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/guantanamo Call for the Closure of Guantanamo and an End to Indefinite and Arbitrary Detentions Background Information - Approximately 460 men from roughly 35 countries are currently being held, most without charge, in detention facilities at the US Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Some were picked up on the battlefield in Afghanistan, while others were sold to US forces by Afghani warlords and Pakistani officials. Some were picked up in places like Bosnia and Gambia, far from any battlefield. Many of the men in Guantanamo are half way through their fifth year of detention, and only 10 have been charged with any crime. Although the Bush administration has labeled these men as ?enemy combatants,? Amnesty International has long stated that the administrative processes in place that reached this determination do no meet basic due process standards and do not offer detainees a legitimate opportunity to challenge their detention. In addition, the Bush administration continues to argue in court that detainees have no rights under US or international law. Since the first detainees have arrived in Guantanamo, the US government lists 41 suicide attempts by 29 detainees. However, Amnesty International believes this number is artificially low due to a US policy of reclassifying suicide attempts as ?manipulative self injurious behavior.? In addition, there have been several hunger strikes on Guantanamo Bay by detainees protesting their indefinite detention and their conditions in custody. Most recently, the number of detainees on a hunger strike spiked to over 89 detainees. The US has apparently resorted to aggressive force feeding methods of detainees, including the use of restraint chairs which have caused 18 deaths in custody in the US in recent years. A Guantanamo official stated in January that the restraint chairs were introduced to break the hunger strike. Recently, the United Nations Committee Against Torture, in commenting on the United States? periodic review of its compliance with the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, called on the US to close the detention facilities at Guantanamo, concluding that this indefinite detention without charge is itself a violation of the Convention Against Torture. The ICRC has been concerned that the prisoners' uncertainty about their fate and their inadequate legal status could affect their state of mind. Amnesty International is calling for a fully independent investigation led by civilians into the deaths of three Guantanamo detainees after apparent suicides. The organization is also calling on the US government to give the group of five UN experts immediate and unrestricted access to the Guantánamo detention center, and in particular allow the experts to talk privately with detainees. The five were refused unfettered access to speak to detainees as a condition of access last November, at which time they declined to visit the facilities In light of the apparent suicides, the Appointing Authority for the Office of Military Commissions has ordered an indefinite stay in all military commission proceedings. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the fairness of the military commission proceedings later this month. http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/guantanamo [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Justicia en Guatemala June 25, 2006 2:39 PM To: Guatemalan Government The undersigned organizations and individuals, in solidarity with the survivors of State terrorism involved in the struggle against impunity in Guatemala, express the following: With the arrival of the Spanish Investigative Commission comes the responsibility on the part of the State of Guatemala to ensure the safety of all those involved. The international community will accompany and monitor this process. To the President of the Republic of Guatemala, To the President of the Supreme Justice Court, To the President of Congress, To the Attorney General, To our accredited diplomatic representatives in Guatemala, With great satisfaction, we received the October 5th, 2005 decision of the Spanish Constitutional Court confirming the legitimacy of the Spanish Justice System to investigate and prosecute for genocide and crimes against humanity committed in Guatemala, regardless of victims’ nationality. This decision represents a transcendental advance toward establishing “Universal Jurisdiction” and, as such, is an important step in the struggle against impunity in Guatemala. The atrocities that took place in Guatemala during the internal armed conflict are well-documented in the report of the UN Commission for Historical Clarification. They include at least 626 massacres committed by State forces as well as acts of genocide. We are saddened that the Guatemalan Justice System has been incapable of convicting those responsible for these crimes despite the many cases filed and evidence presented by the survivors and other human rights activists. Furthermore, we are concerned that continual attacks suffered by human rights activists will remain uninvestigated. To date, not one suspect has been charged. Ultimately, we ask the State of Guatemala to demonstrate its commitment to human rights, the fight against impunity, and the enforcement of the Rule of Law, by actively supporting the investigation carried out by the Spanish Commission starting on June 24th as it gathers testimonies related to crimes of genocide, torture and terrorism that occurred in Guatemala. In particular, we ask that the State comply with requests for the protection of the physical and psychological security of the human rights defenders involved including those who will present testimony. It is therefore essential that attacks against activists be investigated and that those found responsible be convicted. The work being done in the political arena toward justice and against impunity must be respected. We ask our accredited diplomatic representatives in Guatemala to fulfill their mandate to oversee that human rights are respected and that they demand that the Guatemalan State follow through with its responsibility to protect human rights defenders and to investigate any attacks against them. We would like to reiterate our commitment to accompany the struggle against impunity, and we will continue to oversee the security of those human rights defenders involved in legal processes for human rights violations committed in Guatemala and, in particular, those who are providing evidence to the Spanish Investigative Commission. We thank you for your attention and hope that, in fulfilling your duties, you assume the responsibility to ensure that the respective entities take the necessary measures to guarantee that this judicial process be carried out free of violence against human rights defenders in Guatemala. Sincerely, The Undersigned http://new.petitiononline.com/nisgua/petition.html View Current Signatures [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Petition to free the Cuban 5 June 08, 2006 9:57 AM The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 http://www.freethecuban5.com FreethecubanFIVE@hotmail.com Free the Cuban 5 Hotline: 718-601-4751 **************************************************************************** The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 is calling on all freedom loving people to support this new initiative to grant the families of the Cuban 5 visas to visit them. The Popular Education Project to Free the Cuban 5 needs your help in pressuring Louise Arbour, the High Commissioner of Human Rights of the United Nations Office of Geneva, so she can intercede in this matter and request the U.S. government grant visas to the family members of the Cuban 5. SIGN THE FOLLOWING PETITION: http://www.petitiononline.com/Cuban5/petition.html Download our letter to Louise Arbour and MAKE SURE TO MAIL IT TO THE ADDRESS ON THE TOP OF THE LETTER. MIALING IT IS IMPORTANT!! IT HELPS SHOW THAT THERE MANY PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF THIS CAMPAIGN: http://www.freethecuban5.com/PEPLetterGeneva.pdf ************************************************************************** Download the June 2006 edition of Justice for the FIVE: http://www.freethecuban5.com/JF5June2006.pdf **************************************************************************** [ send green star]
DancingDove S.	Petitions (Intl) June 05, 2006 9:54 AM We, the Undersigned, endorse the following petition: Open Letter to the AFL-CIO Target: AFL-CIO Sponsor: See Full Petition The Worker to Worker Solidarity Committee is a coalition of union members and solidarity and peoples' democracy activists. We are calling on the AFL-CIO to end its relationship with the mis-named National Endowment for Democracy and other organs of the State Department, and to open its books and come clear about its foreign relations. Special mention is made about AFL-CIO activities in Venezuela, Haiti, Chile and Iraq. http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/377712600?ltl=1149525449 [ send green star]