Saudi Arabia: Mikhlif bin Daham al-Shammari - URGENT ACTION

 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER SENTENCED AGAIN 

Outspoken human rights defender Mikhlif al-Shammari has been sentenced to two years in prison and 200 lashes in the second case brought against him in two years. Earlier this year, an appeal court upheld a five-year prison sentence against him in the other case. If imprisoned, Amnesty International will consider him a prisoner of conscience.

Click here for complete information and addresses.

Good News! - Yemen: Political Activists Released Without Charge

Good News! - Yemen: Political Activists Released Without Charge 
      Southern Yemeni political activists Anwar Ismail and Khaled al-Junaidi have been released without charge. After being arrested and subjected to enforced disappearance by security forces in August, they were held incommunicado and reportedly tortured and otherwise ill-treated.


Click here for FULL message from Amnesty International.  

Iran: Ghoncheh Ghavami - NEW ONLINE PETITION by AI-USA

Click here for a  “new" on-line Petition for Ghavami by AI-USA. 

25-year-old Iranian-British national, Ghoncheh Ghavami, was arrested on June 30 for peacefully protesting against Iran’s ban on women being present in sport stadiums. She is a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for the peaceful expression of her beliefs. Ghoncheh is a prisoner of conscience and needs your help. Send a message to Iranian leaders now. Read More

Daily Urgent Actions for Nov 14, 17, 18, 19, 2014

Click here for the complete list of Daily Urgent Actions. 

Countries for this week's Urgent Actions include: Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Sudan, Cambodia, Honduras, Bangladesh, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Honduras, USA, Dominican Republic, and Uzbekistan. 

Note: Most Urgent Actions require a written letter. See our guidelines for writing letters. 

Darby Tillis, freed from Illinois' death row in 1987, dies at 71 - November 13, 2014

" Madison Amnesty International local group 139 brought Darby to speak at anti death penalty events in Madison during the time the group worked heavily on this issue of abolition (between 2000 - 2007). Since his exoneration Darby worked endlessly against the death penalty. It is with sadness that I report Darby passed away Sunday 9 Nov 2014 at the age of 71. We who knew him are grateful he was exonerated and we got a chance to know him. I still have a book of poem he wrote that he gave to me." - Angie Hougas, AI Madison Group #139 member

Link to Chicago Tribune article. 

Songs for Social Justice Playlist - Amnesty International Australia

From AI Australia Facebook post 11/14/2014

"We have the playlist for you -- as chosen by our Facebook community> http://spr.ly/6184sONw
Turn it up!"

 Click.  Listen.  Enjoy!

AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update 11/14/2014

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Greetings Everyone!

     Our leaves are pretty much gone for the season and snow has been falling most of the day. Imagine a cup of hot chocolate and  pen (or computer) in hand. It's the perfect time to write some letters or send online petitions on behalf of the many political prisoners who are wondering if anyone knows that they exist... if anyone cares. They are not forgotten and we will write for them. Please take time to watch this year's Write for Rights video and join us as we write together.

     We also just received an urgent request from Angie Hougas to write on behalf of Scott Panetti whose execution is scheduled for December 3rd. Please click here for more information, sample letters, and a mail-in petition.

-Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

Click here for entire Weekly Update.