Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Urgent Action: FOUR Appeals for Letterwriting Today

  • UA 103/14  
Issue Date: 30 April 2014
Country: Thailand
HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST MISSING IN THAILAND
A prominent human rights activist has been missing in Thailand since 17 April 2014. It is feared that Pholachi Rakchongcharoen, also known as “Billy,” has been subjected to enforced disappearance in response to his activism.
Name: Pholachi Rakchongcharoen, also known as “Billy” (m)
Issue(s): Enforced disappearance

  • UA 104/14
Issue Date: 30 April 2014
Country: Colombia
DEATH THREATS RECEIVED IN ‘HUMANITARIAN ZONE’
Three human rights defenders have been threatened by paramilitaries in the port city of Buenavenutra, southern Colombia, following the creation of the Humanitarian Zone of Puente Nayero, a civilian initiative to protect the mainly Afro-descendant community.
Name: Danilo Rueda (m), Orlando Castillo (m), Luis Yasmani Grueso Sinisterra (m), Afro-descendant community
Issue(s): Death threats

  • UA: 105/14
Issue Date: 30 April 2014
CALL FOR INQUIRIES INTO TWO KILLINGS IN RIO
A man was shot dead during a protest in the Pavão-Pavãozinho community in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro on 22 April. The community was protesting in reaction to the death of another man earlier that day during a police operation in the favela.  
Name: Edilson Silva dos Santos (m), Douglas Rafael Pereira da Silva (m), Maria de Fátima (f)
Issues: Extrajudicial killings, Death threats

  • Further information on UA: 75/14 (28 March 2014)
Issue Date: 30 April 2014
Country: Egypt
COURT SENTENCES 37 TO DEATH, 491 TO LIFE IN JAIL
An Egyptian court sentenced 37 people to death and 491 others to life in prison on 28 April. This followed a grossly unfair trial which breached both international fair trial standards and Egyptian law.
Name: 528 people (m)
Issues: Unfair trial, Death penalty, Imminent execution