Thursday, June 30, 2016

Mexico: Sexual violence routinely used as torture to secure “confessions” from women - REPORT and VIDEO (1:27 min)

Amnesty International
June 28, 2016

     An unprecedented Amnesty International investigation of 100 women arrested in Mexico reveals that they are routinely sexually abused by the security forces who want to secure confessions and boost figures in an attempt to show that they are tackling rampant organized crime.
All of the 100 women held in federal prisons who reported torture or other ill-treatment to Amnesty International said they had experienced some form of sexual harassment or psychological abuse during their arrest and interrogation by municipal, state or federal police officers or members of the Army and Navy. Seventy-two said they were sexually abused during their arrest or in the hours that followed. Thirty-three reported being raped.
     Sixty-six of the women said they had reported the abuse to a judge or other authorities but investigations were opened in only 22 cases. Amnesty International is not aware of any criminal charges arising from these investigations.

Click here for ENTIRE article. 

Myanmar: The Lost Girls of Myanmar - VIDEO (7:54 min)

Published on Jun 6, 2016
     Thousands of young women and girls are leaving rural villages in Myanmar in search of work abroad. Though some manage to earn a good living as domestic workers, many fall prey to traffickers who trap them in a cycle of debt bondage.

 


June 2016: Amnesty Insider - HIGHLIGHTS and ACTIONS

Amnesty International

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Government leaders must prioritize human rights, and I was proud to take that message to the leaders of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this week in Ottawa. I joined the heads of Amnesty International sections from Canada and Mexico in meeting with senior officials in all three governments in advance of an annual summit of the three countries' leaders.

On behalf of 2 million Amnesty International supporters in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, we’re calling on the three countries’ leaders to make concrete commitments to protecting human rights. In particular, we’re urging them to do more to protect refugees—and to immediately end the detention of immigrant children. Nearly half of the world’s forcibly displaced people are children. Since the beginning of 2016, more than 39,000 unaccompanied children from El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras have arrived at the U.S. border without parents or other adults. In many cases, these children are being put into prisons in the U.S., without access to any assistance or even translators, and then deported weeks or months later—sent back into the extremely dangerous conditions they were fleeing.

We're fighting to protect those children—and to protect the rights of all refugees and migrants. Hundreds of thousands of Amnesty International supporters are demanding that government leaders do more, while we're also engaging in direct advocacy with key decision-makers. We won't stop until every person's human rights are fully protected. Please take action to join us.

In solidarity,
Margaret Huang


UPDATES and ACTIONS

Thailand: Activists facing five years in prison for reporting torture - SEND MESSAGE

Amnesty International Australia
     Three activists in Thailand are facing prison and hefty fines for reporting torture by officials in the Thai army and police. Two of the activists at risk are the former and current Amnesty International board members in Thailand.Instead of investigating the alleged torture, army officials threatened and harassed Somchai Homla-or, Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, and Anchana Heemmina. Act now to demand protection for activists to carry out their work without fear or harassment. Last month, the army officials filed criminal defamation charges against the activists which could see them locked up for their peaceful activism. They have been ordered to report to police in July. Join our call on Thai authorities to drop these absurd charges immediately and unconditionally.

Click here for ONLINE message information. 

Iran: Jailed trade unionist Jafar Azimzadeh's health and life at risk - URGENT ACTION before August 10, 2016

Amnesty International
     
     Iranian trade unionist and prisoner of conscience Jafar Azimzadeh, a welder and the Chair of the Free Union of Workers of Iran, has lost consciousness several times since his transfer to Sina Hospital in Tehran on 18 June from Evin Prison, where he is serving a six-year prison term in connection with his peaceful trade union activities. His health deteriorated after he started an indefinite hunger strike on 29 April, in advance of International Workers' Day on 1 May. He began the hunger strike in protest at the arrest and conviction of himself and other trade unionists and teachers on trumped-up national security-related charges; the repression of trade unionists’ peaceful assemblies and strikes; the ban on independently organized events for International Workers' Day and World Teachers’ Day; and the continuing existence of wages that fall below the poverty line. Jafar Azimzadeh is refusing food and medication in hospital but has allowed doctors to administer intravenous fluids to him. In addition to losing consciousness, he is experiencing heart palpitations, intestinal bleeding and kidney, bladder and urinary problems; his hearing and eyesight have become impaired, and he feels dizzy and has trouble walking. He is also experiencing numbness on the left side of his body. The Prosecutor General of Tehran has dismissed his family’s pleas for help, saying that he will not do anything even if it means that Jafar Azimzadeh will die. This is despite a letter from the Legal Medicine Organization of Iran (a state forensic body) declaring that Jafar Azimzadeh should be released on medical leave.

Click here for ENTIRE Urgent Action. 

Stop the Hate: 49 Celebrities Honor 49 Victims of Orlando Tragedy in Ryan Murphy-Produced Tribute - VIDEO (18:07 min)

Human Rights Campaign


      Special thanks to Ryan Murphy, Ned Martel and their colleagues at Ryan Murphy Television for making this project possible and all of our friends in the entertainment community for their support of this project including (in order of appearance) Lady Gaga, Chris Pine, Cuba Gooding Jr., Connie Britton, Matt Bomer, Sarah Paulson, Angela Bassett, Lea Michele, Colton Haynes, Sophia Bush, Jane Fonda, Harry Shum Jr., Denis O’Hare, Rob Reiner, Melissa Benoist, Caitlyn Jenner, Édgar Ramírez, Max Greenfield, Chaz Bono, Cheyenne Jackson, Emma Roberts, Kerry Washington, George Lopez, Evan Rachel Wood, Sofia Vergara, Diego Boneta, Nina Jacobson, Demi Lovato, Tyler Oakley, Yeardley Smith, Kid Cudi, Kaitlin Olson, Kevin McHale, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lee Daniels, Chace Crawford, Evan Peters, Gerard Butler, Katey Sagal, John Stamos, Laverne Cox, Jordana Brewster, Wes Bentley, Finn Wittrock, Darren Criss, Kathy Bates, Anna Paquin, Guillermo Díaz and Joe Mantello.

June 28 Action Alerts - ACTIONS and NEWS

Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice

Action Alert 1: Gun Violence Day of Action TODAY
Action Alert 2: Hunger Strike Solidarity March
Action Alert 3:  Help Send an Activist to Camp
Action Alert 4:  Support Family and Medical Leave Insurance


Click here for these stories and more! 
Click here for their website. 

NOTE: We do not raise or advocate donations to any of the organizations in our postings. 

Colombia: A Moment of Great Promise: Agreement to End the Armed Conflict - NEWS

Colombia Support Network
June 24, 2016

      We celebrate the agreement between the FARC guerrillas and the Colombian government to end 52 years of armed conflict through a verifiable agreement for a bilateral ceasefire. We fervently hope that the serious issues facing Colombia can now be addressed through dialogue and negotiation, without any party seeking to enforce its concepts through a call to arms. The transitional justice system, while complicated and sure to be very costly, holds great promise for a lasting peace with social justice, as long as a strong commitment by the government and civilian society supports the application of the procedures decided upon.

Click here for ENTIRE article. 
Also see:

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Iran: Let women in Iran buy tickets! - ONLINE ACTION

Human Rights Watch

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has broken its promise, again, to support women’s rights in Iran.

Iran bans women from watching volleyball – a national obsession – in stadiums.

Twice, the FIVB has promised to ensure women would be allowed into stadiums to watch volleyball. Twice, this hasn’t happened.

No more. Now is your chance to hold the FIVB to their promise.

Between July 1st and 3rd, Iran will host a series of games in Tehran as part of the men’s 2016 FIVB World League tournament. Right now, the FIVB's Persian website states – unironically – that "As the designated seats for female spectators are limited, currently we do not sell tickets to women.”

We need your help to turn up the heat on the FIVB! Join us and support equality for women in Iran by emailing the federation president, Dr. Ary S. Graça Filho, demanding women be allowed to buy tickets and attend these world-class games.

Female fans – not to mention players’ mothers and sisters – should be allowed to cheer on their team in person.

Tweet the FIVB and tell them to support women's rights in Iran by letting them buy tickets.

National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention - June 29, 2016

Events were held across the U.S. Some of our members sent these photos and links.

     On Wednesday, June 29, at 1 pm, on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall, we invite you to join Congressman Becerra, Congresswoman Chu, Congresswoman Bass and Congresswoman Royball-Allard on a National Day of Action on Gun Violence Prevention.
     National Day of Action will have the same message as the 26-hour “sit-in”:  demanding that House Speaker Ryan bring up for an up-or-down vote the bipartisan bill strengthening and expanding background checks and the bipartisan bill banning people on terrorism watch lists from buying guns.


 House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra's #NoBillNoBreak Sit In Remark, June 23, 2016

 Madison – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), along with community leaders and local activists will gather on the steps of the City/County Building in downtown Madison at 5pm CT on Wednesday, June 29, to hold a National Day of Action rally on gun violence prevention. Last week, the Democratic #NoBillNoBreak Sit-In on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives showed that Republican Leadership can no longer ignore the epidemic of gun violence. Wednesday marks a National Day of Action on gun violence prevention, as Democratic Members of Congress from across the county will take the fight for commonsense gun safety to the streets. Click here for more information.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Iran: Thirty Five Years of War on Drugs - NEWS

Human Rights and Democracy for Iran
     In the past few years, the Islamic Republic’s leaders have shown a more moderate and open face to the world. The rate of executions, however, in particular for drug offenders, unseen in two decades, shows another face of Iranian decision makers, one of senseless brutality and contempt for citizens’ lives.
      Refusing to acknowledge facts or hear the voices of reason, including of officials who call for a change of focus from punitive action to prevention and harm reduction, they have preferred so far to eliminate the symptom of the problem by attacking the weak and the poor.
      On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, 26 June 2016, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon called “on countries and communities to continue to improve the lives of everyone blighted by drug abuse by integrating security and public safety with a heightened focus on health, human rights, and sustainable development." This is an appropriate opportunity to open a window into Iran’s now 35 years old aggressive and punitive drug control policy, the human cost of which is simply too high to be ignored.
Click here for ENTIRE article. 

Help torture survivor, Mustafa al-Hawsawi, at Guantánamo get urgent medical care - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International USA

Mustafa al-Hawsawi has languished in Guantánamo since 2006, where he is facing charges before the unfair military commissions system. Before that, he was in the custody of the CIA from 2003 to 2006, where he was subjected to torture and other cruel treatment.

He is now reported to be suffering chronic extreme pain, and potentially life-threatening illness that may well be a result of his torture. A failure of the military authorities responsible for his treatment in Guantánamo to provide him the appropriate care is a violation of international legal obligations.

Act now to tell the Department of Defense to immediately provide Mr. al-Hawsawi adequate medical assessment and care.

 Click here for MORE information and ONLINE PETITION. 

Sunday, June 26, 2016

AI Madison Group #139 Member List of "Other" Links & Petitions - June 24 to July 1 , 2016

     We have such a wonderful membership! Not only do we hold human rights dear to our hearts but there are also  other issues such as the environment, poverty, children's health, etc that can be related to human rights but may not be addressed by Amnesty International. 
  Here are some of those links submitted by our members:

Iran: Day 83 #FreeNazanin – ONLINE PETITION UPDATE

Change.org

Jun 26, 2016 — It has been an eventful week – and I have struggled to keep up. I owe you updates on Nazanin’s latest family visit and conditions (good thing), on an online candlelit vigil (Tuesday if you’re free), but first I wanted to say something on those accusations.
You may have read: Nazanin was accused in the Iranian press of being the ringleader of a network planning the ‘soft overthrow’ of the Islamic Republic - through her membership in foreign media companies, and projects involving the media and social media. She was effectively accused of espionage.
Click here for ENTIRE update and PETITION. 
Click here for ONLINE PETITION. 

 

Amnesty International URGENT ACTIONS - June 24 to July 1, 2016

Click here or entire list of URGENT ACTION for the week of June 24 to July 1. (This post is updated daily.)


Countries include: China, Guatemala, Sudan, Italy, Bahrain, Maldives, Iran, Dominican Republic, Myanmar, and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Note: Most Urgent Actions require a written letter. See our guidelines for writing letters.  Countries are added to this list during the week. The link contains all Urgent Actions for the week.

AIUSA’s “The America I Believe In” Campaign - MEMO & ACTIONS

Amnesty International USA
June 24, 2016

Today, AIUSA is launching “The America I Believe In,” a public awareness and engagement campaign to advance positive human rights values and fight policies that are based on fear and bigotry. Specifically, we aim to expose and challenge the anti-Muslim prejudice that’s fueling both restrictions on refugees and national security policies that violate human rights. 
This memo includes short background, talking points, links to material you can circulate and share, and sample social media posts.
Click here for ENTIRE memo. 

Links and resources you can use and share
  • The main microsite of the campaign, which launched this morning: www.amnestyusa.org/IBelieve
  • The AIUSA “The America I Believe In” Toolkit, which includes comprehensive background and resources for individual activists and groups.
  • The action alert to Congress that went out to all AIUSA supporters today, calling on Congress to lead with human rights and reject policies based on fear and bigotry.
  • The video AIUSA released today, in advance of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
  • An op-ed from AIUSA Interim Executive Director Margaret Huang, published today in The Hill (the influential newspaper reaching policymakers on Capitol Hill), which you can post to social media and share. Additional media will run later today and over the weekend, and you can repost it from AIUSA’s social media platforms.
  • AIUSA’s press release about the campaign launch.
  • A quote graphic about the Brexit vote and xenophobia in the U.S., which you can post and share. 

Friday, June 24, 2016

Keeping You Connected 23 June 2016 - AIUSA Board UPDATE

Thank you, Farideh, for sending us this important update.

Part 1

1  GOOD NEWS (Individuals At Risk - IAR) GLOBAL CASES
2  ACTION: 26 June (Sunday) INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE
3 SURVEILLANCE / DOMESTIC COUNTERTERRORISM
4  GUANTANAMO / TORTURE
5  ARTS FOR AMNESTY (USA)
6  MEDIA MENTIONS
7  REPORTS

Part 2
  • World Refugee Day (was Monday, 20 June)
Angie Hougas
Member, AIUSA BD of Directors
Director, Rhythm N' Rights

Click here for the these stories and more in the ENTIRE update.


AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - June 24, 2016

Greetings Everyone!
     One of the features on our website is a list of "Take Action Now" links. These links can be found on our sidebar. The latest Action Toolkit from Amnesty International relates to refugees. We update the list as we receive them. If you want to do more... try one of these links. Our website can be found here.
     We would like to thank all of our contributors to this week's Weekly Update. Without your suggestions we would not have so many opportunities to learn about Human Rights and to take action. THANK YOU. If you have suggestions, please send them to azamnrad@gmail.com (our Group Coordinator, Dr. Azam Niroomand-Rad). 

     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

Click here for links to this week's Amnesty International and Human Rights Information and Actions.

USA: Tell Congress that the America You Believe in Leads With Human Rights - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International USA
       A climate of fear and hate is sweeping the United States. By stirring up society's worst instincts of prejudice and bigotry, some media and public figures are exploiting the public's genuine need for security in ways that could have disastrous consequences for human rights.
      The evidence: a wave of anti-refugee legislation, harassment of American Muslims, and calls to respond to terrorism by committing torture and war crimes.
      Don't let fear win. Take the action and share it on social media to tell your family, friends, neighbors, and elected officials that you reject fear, hate, and bigotry. Tell them that the America you believe in leads with human rights. 
     Only those with a U.S. address can take this action.

Click here for more information and ONLINE PETITION.

from Shadi Sadr, human rights activist - TWEET

Who is Shadi Sadr? Click here.

#DisarmHate - EMAIL and TWEET ACTION

Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Historic. Almost 200 members of Congress took shifts in a historic sit-in at the U.S. Capitol, led by Representative John Lewis of Georgia, insisting that they at least be allowed to debate reforming our nation’s gun laws and expanding Brady background checks to all gun sales before going on vacation. Speaker Paul Ryan’s response has been to adjourn Congress until July 5th.
That’s right. The Speaker of the House turned his back on the American people - you and me. The fact that Congress is willingly going on vacation while 90 people die every day from gun violence is repulsive.
Join us in letting them know that we won’t be taking a break from fighting gun violence. In fact, because of your ongoing support and the overwhelming public outcry for action, we are taking this to the next level.
Join us in holding our public officials accountable -- those who refuse to support Brady 2.0 -- expanding background checks to all gun sales. Shame them here and help us thank the brave representatives who took a stand to #DisarmHate during the unprecedented sit-in.
Together, we will make sure this moment in history will result in a safer America.

Tweet your House representative

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Turkey: Don’t ban Istanbul Pride - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International UK
     Tens of thousands of people were due to take to the streets of Istanbul and celebrate LGBTI rights this Sunday. But city officials have banned Pride, citing security reasons.
Now it is as important as ever to protect the right to meet and march – for love, for equality, and for rights. Please ask Istanbul authorities to let Pride go ahead, and protect the marchers.

Click here for ONLINE PETITION. 

Honduras: Demand justice for the murder of Berta Cáceres Flores #BertaLives- ONLINE PETITION & NEWS

Greenpeace

Berta Cáceres Flores was a Honduran human rights and environmental activist who led a courageous movement to defend Indigenous lands and communities. On March 2, 2016, intruders broke into her house and shot her to death. At the time of her murder, Berta was working to stop the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project – a dam that threatens a sacred river for the Lenca Indigenous People in Honduras.
Berta’s organization – the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH) – and Berta’s family are demanding:
  • The US State Department insists on an independent commission to investigate her murder and that the government of Honduras allows this investigation to proceed. 
  • The United States should suspend all assistance and training to Honduran security forces, with the exception of investigatory and forensic assistance to the police, so long as the murders of Berta Cáceres and scores of other Honduran activists remain in impunity.
  •  The US Government to stop supporting the Agua Zarca hydroelectric project and projects like it.
Join Berta's family and organization in demanding that the United States Department of State and the President of Honduras fight for justice for Berta. Say no more to the murder of environmental leaders.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Why Gun Violence is a Human Rights Crisis

Amnesty International
May 4, 2016

     Human rights are basic rights and freedoms that all people are entitled to regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, language, or other status.
     Human rights include civil and political rights, such as the right to life, liberty and freedom of expression; and social, cultural and economic rights including the right to participate in culture, the right to food, and the right to work and receive an education.Human rights are protected and upheld by international and national laws and treaties.
     Yet in America, guns kill more than 30,000 men, women and children every single year.
Whether you’re walking down the street, in a school or at church no place is truly safe.
Among high-income countries, the United States accounts for
  • 80% of all firearm deaths
  • 86% of women killed by firearms
  • and 87% of all children up to the age of 14 who are killed by firearms
Click here for ENTIRE article.

Writing A Letters Changes Lives - VIDEO (1:22 min)

Amnesty International
June 15, 2016

Very important video showing the impact our Amnesty International letters have made on behalf human rights.  

Video location, click here. This is a Facebook link. As soon as we find a YouTube link, we'll post that link. I think all of us should be able to access the Facebook link, though. Without an embedded code, I can't make the video visible here. Please click the link.

Amnesty International: Israel and the Palestinian Territories - OVERVIEW and 2015/2016 REPORT

Amnesty International
     In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli forces committed unlawful killings of Palestinian civilians, including children, and detained thousands of Palestinians who protested against or otherwise opposed Israel’s continuing military occupation, holding hundreds in administrative detention. Torture and other ill-treatment remained rife and were committed with impunity. The authorities continued to promote illegal settlements in the West Bank, and severely restricted Palestinians’ freedom of movement, further tightening restrictions amid an escalation of violence from October, which included attacks on Israeli civilians by Palestinians and apparent extrajudicial executions by Israeli forces. Israeli settlers in the West Bank attacked Palestinians and their property with virtual impunity. The Gaza Strip remained under an Israeli military blockade that imposed collective punishment on its inhabitants. The authorities continued to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank and inside Israel, particularly in Bedouin villages in the Negev/Naqab region, forcibly evicting their residents. They also detained and deported thousands of African asylum-seekers, and imprisoned Israeli conscientious objectors.
Click here for ENTIRE article.
Click here for 2015/2016 Amnesty Report

Iran: This mother is denied urgent medical care in prison - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International
     Narges Mohammadi, a distinguished human rights defender in Iran has suffered for years at the hands of Iranian authorities who continue to punish her for peaceful activism. The most recent court decision in April sees Narges sentenced to 16 years in prison for her human rights work. This mother of two should be home with her young twins, not languishing in hardened prisons. Act now to demand her immediate release. To make matters worse, prison officers continue to deny Narges the urgent medical attention she desperately needs.

Click here for ONLINE ACTION. 

Authorities Reverse Decision to Release Detained Dual National Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran
June 21, 2016

      "Richard Ratcliffe’s hopes were dashed when he found out that his wife, a British-Iranian dual national who has been detained in Iran without legal representation since April 3, 2016, wasn’t going to be released after all.
     Ratcliffe told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had telephoned her family in Iran on June 9, 2016 informing them that she had been told she was going to be released “and then, after she did that, someone called her parents and said: ‘there has been a mistake, we are changing things, and she is being transferred.’”
     “So it seems to me like there was a fight within the Revolutionary Guards about what to do,” said Ratcliffe, whose wife was arrested at Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport on her way back home to the UK on April 3, 2016.
     Their infant child, Gabriella Zaghari-Ratcliffe—who was in her mother’s care at the time of Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s arrest—has since been living with her grandparents in Tehran. The passport of the baby, who only holds British citizenship, was confiscated when she was separated from her mother at the airport.
Click here for ENTIRE article.

AI Madison Group #139 Member List of "Other" Links & Petitions - June 17 to June 24, 2016

We have such a wonderful membership! Not only do we hold human rights dear to our hearts but there are also other issues such as the environment, poverty, children's health, etc that can be related to human rights but may not be addressed by Amnesty International.

Here are some of those links submitted by our members:

USA: Tell Congress and Speaker Ryan to Vote on Gun Safety Now! - ONLINE PETITION

Momsrising.org
June 21, 2016

The U.S. Senate just voted down four gun safety measures,[1] centered on expanding background checks for gun purchases which more than 90% of the public supports.[2]
It's time to demand what America really wants and needs: Gun safety policy reform! Tell Congress and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan to schedule a vote on gun safety now!
The following proposals have already been introduced in the House and are ready for floor votes:
  • Expand background checks on gun sales and strengthen the background check system.
  • Give the Department of Justice an avenue to block the sale of guns to suspected terrorists with a robust due process and appeals system in place.
  • Close the Charleston Loophole that allowed the Charleston shooter to purchase his weapons because his background check hadn’t been completed within three days, weapons he then used to kill nine people in their place of worship.
  • Ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
-- Gloria, Kristin, Elyssa, Anita and the entire MomsRising team

[1] "The Senate just voted down 4 gun control proposals," VOX, June 20, 2016.
[2] "90 percent of Americans want expanded background checks on guns. Why isn’t this a political slam dunk?" Washington Post, April 3, 2013.

Click here for ONLINE PETITION.