AI Madison Group #139 Member List of "Other" Links & Petitions - March 25 to April 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:

• Peace and Planet website, many actions on their website.

April Webinar - Youth Activism in the Americas - April 6th at 3:00 EST

Amnesty International USA

Join Amnesty International USA on April 6th, 3:00PM (EST) for a webinar with me, Pamela Carmona, the Youth and Activism Coordinator at Amnesty International’s regional office in Mexico City. I will be speaking about the structure of the regional office as well as some of the projects our various teams are working on. In addition to describing the makeup of the regional office, I will talk in more depth about my work on the Youth and Activism team and the projects I support.

The Regional Office for the Americas acts as the main base for the global movement’s research, campaign and communications work to address human rights violations in the region. Many responsibilities that were previously held at the offices in London have now transferred to this new office.

The main objective of the Regional Office is to establish a greater link with the people and organizations fighting for human rights in the region and work hand-in-hand with human rights defenders.

     This will be a great opportunity to better understand how the work at the regional office connects to the global movement’s strategies. There will be plenty of time to submit questions during the webinar, and I will answer them live!

Pamela Carmona

Youth and Activism Coordinator

Amnesty International

Click here to REGISTER. 

Amnesty Insider Newsletter - March 2016

Amnesty International USA

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE
     Welcome to the first monthly issue of Amnesty Insider for those
who make Amnesty International USA what it is—members and
activists across the country and around the world who take
injustice personally and work for human rights for all people.
The last few weeks have been extraordinary, with the release of
     Alfred Woodfox in Louisiana and the government of Burkina Faso
affirming its commitment to eradicating early and forced
marriage—two major victories that Amnesty activists and members helped make happen.
     As always, we celebrate these phenomenal successes by working even harder for the
individuals whose human rights are still being denied and by helping change the systems
that perpetuate injustice—from Rio de Janeiro to Missouri.
     You can read about some of our latest work in this newsletter, and I hope you’ll be joining
us at the Annual General Meeting in Miami this weekend to begin to shape our work for
the years ahead. If you won’t be attending in person, you can follow along online through
our live-stream.
     Thank you for your activism,
     Margaret Huang

Click here for entire NEWSLETTER.

Iran: Iranian Kurd, Yousef Kakehmami, Sentenced After Letter to United Nations - URGENT ACTION before May 10th!

Amnesty International
     Iranian Kurdish farmer Yousef Kakehmami, already serving nine years in prison after two unfair trials, has been sentenced to a further five years in prison after writing a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran.

     Yousef Kakehmami is a farmer from Iran’s Kurdish minority serving a nine-year sentence in Oroumieh Central Prison, West Azerbaijan Province. The prison’s branch of the Office for the Implementation of Sentences told him on 18 January that he had been sentenced to a further five years in prison, for “acting against national security through collaboration with PJAK” (Party of Free Life of Kurdistan). He had received an unfair trial on 12 January, where he had no legal representation and there was only one hearing, before Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad. The court did not provide him with a state-appointed lawyer, though it had said it would do so before the trial began. He has not received the written verdict. Yousef Kakemami had been convicted of the same charge after two unfair trials in 2006 and 2008, in which he received three- and six-year sentences, respectively.
 
Please write immediately in English, Persian, Arabic, French, Spanish or your own language.

Click here for more information and URGENT ACTION. Choose your language and view or download file.

• Also see this article.  "Iran sentences Kurd for writing to UN," K24, March 29, 2016

More Terror Attacks in March and Others Around the World - NEWS

• Beyond Brussels: 8 Other Cities Attacked by Terrorists in March, The Atlantic City Lab, March 22, 2016

   March 21: Bamako, Mali; March 20: Istanbul, Turkey; March 16: Peshawar, Pakistan; March 13: Ankara, Turkey; March 13: Grand-Bassam, Ivory Coast; and March 7: Shabqadar, Pakistan.

• Not in Europe: 5 deadly terror attacks which failed to grab world's attention like Brussels & Paris, RT, March 28, 2016

  (1) Nigeria - 86 people killed, (2) Iraq - 29 people killed, (3) Pakistan - 70 people killed, (4) Syria - 83 people killed, and (5) Lebanon - 43 people killed.

Iran: Man Arrested in his Teens Nears Execution - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International
  A young Iranian man, Himan Uraminejad, is on death row for an offense carried out when he was a child. He has been told that he will be executed soon after 1 April, when the 13-day Iranian New Year holiday period ends. Please send your appeals to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. If there is no Iranian diplomatic office, please mail the letter to the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN in New York City.  
The Urgent Action will shortly be available on the Amnesty International website at the following link:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/3722/2016/en/

Valuing Diversity at Amnesty International - SURVEY

Amnesty International USA

To Amnesty Members: 

     Amnesty International holds governments to international human rights standards that benefit all people.  We expect no less from ourselves as an organization.  With the launch of our new strategic plan, Amnesty International USA’s board of directors has mandated an initiative to ensure that AIUSA is welcoming to all people and reflective of the richly diverse country in which we live.  A newly-formed Change Team composed of Amnesty members, board and staff (listed below) will help guide this vital initiative. 

     We need your help with a key step in this important work.  Will you please take a few minutes to give us your thoughts in a brief survey exploring your experience with diversity, equity and inclusion in AIUSA?  Your feedback will provide us with valuable insights about our current strengths and where we need to improve.

                              Ann Burroughs                                Margaret Huang

Board Chair                             Interim Executive Director

Amnesty International URGENT ACTIONS - March 25 to April 1, 2016

Click here for entire list of URGENT ACTION for the week of March 18 to March 25. (This post is updated daily.)  

Countries include: China, USA, Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Turkey, Mongolia, Morocco, Russian Federation, and Saudi Arabia.

  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.

AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - March 25, 2016

 Greetings Everyone!

     The people in Belgium turn to each other for comfort and their grief is felt around the world. When I heard the news I immediately contacted my niece and nephew. My niece is from Belgium and I found out that her parents had been at the airport just 24 hours ahead of the bombings. I was selfishly relieved and then I realized that the victims are all someone's niece, son, father, grandmother, or child. We must work harder to spread the message of human rights. We must work harder to spread the message of love and peace around the world... as we are one very large family.

     We are excited to share three very important local events with our membership. If you are in Madison don't miss (1) April 15: "Burning Country" book signing and talk from 2:30 to 4:00 at Vilas Hall (2) April 16: "Burning Country" book signing at Rainbow Bookstore at 426 W. Gilman Street, Madison at 2:00 pm, (3) April 20, 2016: The Annual Fish-Harnack Lecture, Judge Thomas Buergenthal, and (4) May 21, 2016: Racial Justice Madison, WI - Tipping Point Kickoff! 9am-5pm.

     Thank you again for your cards for our 2016 Nowruz Action. If you missed Azam's presentation at Capitol Lakes, here is a link to her presentation. She set a beautiful table and shared the history and customs surrounding Nowruz. Many attending wrote greeting cards and signed petitions.

 "Good Thoughts. Good Words. Good Deeds."

     

     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

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

Iran: The Iran Prison Atlas - Interactive Human Rights Tool and VIDEO (4:16 min)

United for Iran

This interactive tool gives users the ability to learn more about individual judges, prisons and political prisoners and discover patterns of abuse by judges, mistreatment at detention centers, and conviction trends based on race, religion, gender, activity and more.
 The Iran Prison Atlas is a major part of our efforts to improve advocacy for Iran’s political prisoners, both those who are known by the public and the many who have been suffering illegal, unjust treatments in silence. Activists, volunteers and staff have spent more than 8,000 hours of research to create the most comprehensive database of Iran’s current political prisoners, judges and prisons.

Click here for the Iran Prison Atlas.

Madison, WI: Racial Justice Tipping Point Kickoff! - May 21, 2016

Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice

Racial Justice Tipping Point Kickoff!
May 21st 9am-5pm
James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation
2146 E. Johnson St Madison, WI
Register here.  Suggested donation $10

     The stakes are high right now with some incredible work being done for racial justice sparking a new movement moment amidst high levels of overt and institutional racism and violence all around us.  Now is the time for us to connect, learn from, and take action with one another.
      There will be 3 main breakout sessions offered:  organizational change for racial justice, direct action, and engagement for base building.  Visit the website for more information:  racialjusticewi.org

  Training team includes: 

• Cynthia Lin:  WNPJ Board Member, former Western States Center trainer and current organizer with National Network of Abortion Funds
• Barb Munson: WNPJ Co-Chair, Chair of Wisconsin Indian Education Association "Indian" Mascot and Logo Taskforce
• Brandi Grayson:  Young Gifted and Black co-founder, YWCA Empowerment Center Manager
• Claire Tran: WNPJ Board Member, Trainer with School of Unity and Liberation (SOUL), Asians for Black Lives
• Dana Schultz: Executive Director of Wisconsin Voices
• Liz Bruno: WNPJ Board Co-Chair, Herbalist, Generative Somatics trainee
• Z! Haukeness:  WNPJ Organizer, Groundwork, various social justice organizations

Click here for more INFORMATION.

Myanmar: Phyoe Phyoe Aung 13 years in prison for a peaceful protest - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International New Zealand

Early in 2015 a new law was introduced in Myanmar that limited a student’s academic freedom. Phyoe Phyoe and her colleagues decided to show their disagreement by organising a peaceful protest. More groups from across the country joined the protest in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city.

However as marchers converged into the city they were blocked by police, leading to a stand-off that lasted eight days. The stand-off only came to an end when police forcibly dispersed the students and used batons to stop advancing protesters. As a result many of the students who were participating in this largely peaceful event were injured.

They arrested Phyoe Phyoe Aung and more than a hundred other students and charged them with questionable criminal offences. Many of those arrested have been in prison ever since - some held in solitary confinement, with limited access to lawyers and in poor prison conditions.

In mid February this year, Phyoe Phyoe Aung was charged with a range of offences in connection with the protest,  each one carrying an additional six months imprisonment. She now faces up to 13 years in jail.

Click here for more INFORMATION and ONLINE PETITION.  

More Information

•  March 24, 2016: Beaten, Arrested & Facing a Decade Behind Bars, Amnesty International USA

Growing the Movement to End Torture - 2015 ANNUAL REPORT

National Religious Campaign to End Torture
      In 2015, the deep and wide collaboration of NRCAT network faith leaders brought about great gains in our mission to end torture.  Momentum from 2015 positions us well in 2016 for an even greater voice and impact in our work to end U.S.-sponsored torture, eliminate solitary confinement, and address anti-Muslim bigotry.

Read about this work and more in our 2015 Annual Report, and join us in Growing the Movement to End Torture as we mark NRCAT’s 10th Anniversary year!

Take Action Against Hate Sign HRC’s No Hate in My State Pledge - ONLINE PLEDGE

Human Rights Campaign

I pledge to fight for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality in my state and across the country. No one deserves to be discriminated against — and I will stand up against hateful and discriminatory legislation.
If my legislature tries to pass bills that make it legal to discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, I will not be silent. I will raise my voice for what’s right.
If an elected official makes a comment about how members of the LGBT community are “less than” others, I will call it out.
When rights are at risk, I will advocate for full equality for all because no person deserves to be treated like a second-class citizen.

Click here for ONLINE PLEDGE.

North Carolina Legislature: Convening to Overturn Charlotte Protections - ONLINE PETITION & UPDATE

Human Rights Campaign

     In an effort to undermine equality, the North Carolina state legislature is convening a special session on Wednesday to discuss voiding Charlotte’s recently-passed inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance.
Take action with HRC today by sending a message to Governor McCrory and legislative leaders in North Carolina — act quickly and help us defend nondiscrimination protections in Charlotte!

Click here for more information and ONLINE PETITION.  

Update:

March 23, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina General Assembly voted Wednesday afternoon to pass a bill that will overturn Charlotte's expansion of its non-discrimination ordinances, which was slated to take effect April 1.
The House voted 83-25 to strike down the ordinance which contains a controversial provision allowing a transgender person to the use the bathroom that they identify with.
Following the House's vote, the Senate approved the bill 32-0, with Senate Democrats refusing to vote on the bill.
With the General Assembly approving the bill, all this is left is the signing of the bill by Governor Pat McCrory.

Click here for ENTIRE article.

Belgium: Amnesty International strongly condemns Brussels attacks - NEWSFLASH

Amnesty International
March 22, 2016


     "Today’s attacks in Brussels show an utter contempt for human life, Amnesty International said as it condemned them in the strongest possible terms.
“To deliberately target civilian lives is, and always will be, inexcusable. Those responsible for these attacks must be brought to justice. All our thoughts are with the victims of the recent attacks and their families,” said Philippe Hensmans, Managing Director of Amnesty International Belgium-Francophone Section and Han Verleyen, Acting Director of Amnesty International Belgium-Flemish Section.
      Amnesty International is calling on the Belgian authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation so that those responsible for these acts are brought to justice."

Click here for ENTIRE statement. 

Today’s attacks in Brussels show an utter contempt for human life, Amnesty International said as it condemned them in the strongest possible terms.
“To deliberately target civilian lives is, and always will be, inexcusable. Those responsible for these attacks must be brought to justice. All our thoughts are with the victims of the recent attacks and their families,” said Philippe Hensmans, Managing Director of Amnesty International Belgium-Francophone Section and Han Verleyen, Acting Director of Amnesty International Belgium-Flemish Section.
Amnesty International is calling on the Belgian authorities to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation so that those responsible for these acts are brought to justice.
- See more at: http://www.amnesty.org.ph/news/amnesty-international-strongly-condemns-brussels-attacks/#sthash.iRCApuRj.dpuf

Indonesia: Provide mental health medication in local health centers and support services for all who seek it - TWEET & EMAIL ACTIONS

Human Rights Watch

Despite a 1977 ban on shackling - known as pasung - in Indonesia, the practice continues. More than 18,000 people with perceived psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions) are locked up in chains, wooden stocks, or animal pens because families don’t know what else to do or because of the lack of access to mental health care. They are confined to unsanitary and inhumane conditions, sometimes for decades.
 
There are only 48 mental hospitals and less than 1000 psychiatrists in a country of over 250 million people. Due to the government’s refusal to supply adequate mental health medication and services, many families shackle their relatives with disabilities because they don’t know what else to do. 

No one should have to resort to shackling their loved ones. 

It is time to END the shackling of people with disabilities.

JOIN US and call on the Ministry of Health to provide mental health medication in local health centers and support services for all who seek it.

Tweet Minister of Health Dr. Nila Farid Moeloek

AND

Email Minister of Health Dr. Nila Farid Moeloek

It is time for this inhumane act to be banished from Indonesia once and for all. Visit http://hrw.org/breakthechains to show your support.

Issue Briefs for TUESDAY's Lobby Weeks Phone Briefing - ACTIONS

Amnesty International USA
Ulana Moroz Senenko

We've included Issue Briefs and the Refugee Resettlement Plan from Amnesty International that can be shared with your congressional offices during Lobby Week. 

• Issue Brief: The Global Refugee Crisis
• Issue Brief: Geolocation Privacy and Surveillance Act of 2015
• Refugee Resettlement Plan: Security Screening of Refugees Admitted to the United States: A Detailed, Rigorous Process
• Online Petition: Congressional In-District Lobby Weeks  (March 21 - April 8)

Somalia: Ban the cut - great news! - ONLINE PETITION

AVAAZ
 
     200 million women and girls in 30 countries across the world have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). But in Somalia, where an astounding 98% of girls are cut, the Minister for Women is developing a ban right now. Local experts say that a global wave of support for nationwide zero tolerance could help win an outright ban on this cruel practice in weeks!

Click here for more information and ONLINE PETITION.

North Korea: Don't let Otto spend 15 years doing hard labor in North Korea! - ONLINE PETITION

Care2

 BY: Lacey Kohlmoos 

TARGET: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence

 

     North Korea has been detaining 21-year-old American college student Otto Warmbier for more than two months simply for trying to take a poster home as a souvenir. Add your name now to urge Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to negotiate his immediate release!

     On January 2nd 2016, Otto was in the customs line with his tourist group when North Korean officials arrested him. He has been detained ever since. Otto was attempting to take home a banner with a political slogan - North Korea is calling this a “hostile act”. Months later, Warmbier appeared in a press conference where he was forced to apologize and say that the U.S. government manipulated him into taking the banner.

 Click here for ONLINE PETITION.

AI Madison Group #139 Member List of "Other" Links & Petitions - March 18 to March 25, 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:

• Tell Congress: Fund the National Criminal Background Check System, Americans for Responsible Solutions, ONLINE PETITION
•  Demand "Just Pups" to be Shut Down for Animal Abuse! ONLINE PETITION

• Save Russian Orcas From Being Captured and Put on Display, ONLINE PETITION

•  Alberta Officials: Help Send Lucy the Lonely Elephant to a Sanctuary! ONLINE PETITION

Madison, WI: "Burning Country" Book Signing and Talk - UPCOMING EVENTS April 15 and April 16, 2016

Huffington Post
March 14, 2016
      March 15, 2016 marks the fifth anniversary of the Syrian civil war, a battle that began in 2011 with scattered anti-government demonstrations and has since become a full-blown geopolitical and humanitarian crisis. So far, the conflict has mired regional and world powers in what some experts describe as a proxy war, taken more than 250,000 lives, left 13.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, internally displaced more than 6.5 million, forced 4.8 million into refugee life and seen the terrorist group the Islamic State rise from the ashes of Al Qaeda in Iraq to become a self-proclaimed “caliphate” that controls parts of the country.

Click here for ENTIRE article. ​

Upcoming Events for "Burning Country" book signing

• April 15, 2016:  The UW School of Journalism and Mass Communication is sponsoring this event from 2:30 to 4:00 in Vilas Hall. Click here for more information.
• April 16, 2016: Rainbow Bookstore at 426 W. Gilman St, Madison, WI at 2:00 pm

Book Review, click here.

Click here for video interview of Robin Yassin-Kassab in conversation with Kristyan Benedict (@KreaseChan) of Amnesty International UK.

Iran: Justice for my father, imprisoned in Iran - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International UK

      My father, Kamal Foroughi, has been in prison in Iran for nearly five years. We're not allowed to visit him, and he's not allowed to write or receive letters from people outside Iran - all his close family live in the UK.
     It was only after three years into his detention that he was allowed to call us back home in the UK - although these calls have to be in Farsi, not English, so my young children and I have had to learn Farsi so we can speak with him.
We're afraid for his health, and miss him terribly.

Click here for MORE Information and here for the ONLINE PETITION.

USA, Georgia: Tech Company Ditches Georgia Because of Bill That Undermines LGBT Rights - NEWS March 18, 2016

TakePart
March 18, 2016

     Known for peaches, pecans, and good old Southern hospitality, Georgia has also become a popular state for budding businesses thanks to its low cost of living and growing workforce. But a religious liberty bill that many critics say enshrines LGBT discrimination into law is sending at least one business packing.
      “I don’t want to fund Georgia with my corporate income taxes when they want to pass legislation to allow discrimination,” Kelvin Williams, founder of telecommunications company 373K, told TakePart. Williams, a gay man, announced that his company was officially incorporated in Delaware on Thursday. Of the 20 people that work for 373K, only five live in Georgia and work at its headquarters in Decatur. They will each be able to decide whether they want to move to Delaware or work remotely from Georgia.

Click here for ENTIRE article. 

Syrian Refugee Who Swam to Greece Sets Sights on Olympics - NEWS

TakePart
March 18, 2016
     BERLIN—When a tiny motorboat’s engine stalled in salty, cold waters just off the shore of Turkey, the fate of the 20 refugees packed on board fell into the hands of 18-year-old Syrian Yusra Mardini. She, her sister, and a family friend, they were the only swimmers on board of the craft that was trying to make the passage to Lesbos, Greece—a dangerous trip that has already claimed countless lives. As water started filling the boat, the three women jumped out and began swimming to push the boat to Greek shores. What should have been a 45-minute trip became a harrowing physical test.

     “We were [swimming] in the water for three-and-a-half hours until we got to Greece. It was really horrible,” Mardini told TakePart on Friday in Berlin. “I couldn’t see anything, I wear glasses. The trip was a straight line. We could see the island, but never reach it.”

     They did eventually reach shore, and it took 25 days of chaotic travel to reach a safe haven in Germany, where she is now putting those swimming skills to a different test. Mardini is training to compete on the all-refugee team for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Click here for ENTIRE article 

US Congressional Representative: Cosponsor the Freedom of Travel to Cuba Bill - CALL TODAY

Amnesty International USA

The Freedom of Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 [H.R.664] was introduced by Representatives Mark Sanford [R-SC-1] and James P. McGovern [D-MA-2] on February 2, 2015. You can learn more about H.R.664 here. Removing the travel ban placed on U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba would further an agenda for human rights change in Cuba, and continue to normalize relations between the two countries. On March 20-22, 2016, President Obama will travel to Cuba for the first time in 90 years. Given Amnesty’s long time call to lift the embargo and the significant changes in U.S. - Cuba diplomatic relations if the bipartisan bill is passed any U.S. citizen will be able to travel to Cuba. The Freedom of Travel to Cuba has currently 68 cosponsors. We would like to have 100 cosponsors by the time President Obama is in Cuba.

TARGET LIST OF REPRESENTATIVES link.

Call instructions:  Call Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121 and ask the operator to direct you to your representative or one from your State in the target list (see below). Once you are connected ask to speak with the foreign affairs aid or the legislative counsel. If the person is not available ask to leave a voice message. *Please use the target list as MoCs have voted to lift the embargo in 2015.

Suggested Script: "Hi, I am [Your Name] from [State]. I am calling because I would like Rep. X to co-sponsor The Freedom of Travel to Cuba Bill. [H.R.664]. If the bipartisan bill passes, any U.S. citizen will be able to travel to Cuba. That means more people to people interaction and more scrutiny for the Cuban government.  Please contact Jay Fields, from Rep. Mark Sanford's office to cosponsor the bill or more information."

If you are asked questions on the human rights situation you are not comfortable answering, please refer them to me. Or, let me know and I will contact the Staff. It is up to you whether to identify yourself as an Amnesty member. 

ISSUE BRIEF link. 

Background: Regardless of increasingly open diplomatic relations with the international community, Cuban citizens continue to experience severe restrictions on their rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly, and movement. Thousands of cases of harassment of government critics, including journalists and human rights activists, and arbitrary arrests and detentions were reported last year. In November 2015 alone, there were over 1,400 politically motivated detentions in Cuba, the highest number in years. If the U.S. embargo on Cuba, and its negative impact on the economic and social rights of Cubans is lifted, it will mean Cuban authorities can no longer use the crippling sanctions as an excuse for failing to uphold Cuba’s human rights obligations under international law. In Service,

Marselha Gonçalves Margerin

Advocacy Director for the Americas

Amnesty Interntional USA

T:  202 675-876 

E:  Marselha@aiusa.org

Amnesty International URGENT ACTIONS - March 18 to March 25, 2016

Click here for entire list of URGENT ACTION for the week of March 18 to March 25. (This post is updated daily.)  

Countries include: China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Ukraine, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Greece, Bangladesh, Chad, India, Iran, and United Arab Emirates.

 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.