Iran: Mass-execution of alleged drug traffickers in Iran

from Iran Human Rights (IHR)
May 26, 2015

"Iran Human Rights, May 26, 2015: Reports by several independent sources indicate that all of the 22 prisoners in Ghezelhesar prison who were transferred to solitary confinement on Saturday and Sunday, have been hanged. The executions reportedly took place on Monday morning May 25. IHR cannot rule out that some of the prisoners might have been executed the day before, on Sunday May 24.

Some of the 22 prisoners executed are identified as: Abbas Heydari, Abbas Ameri, karimbakhsh Bameri, Haj Ahmad Ebrahimi, Asghar Kooshki, Ahmad Rabiei, Ahmad Rabdoost and Seyed Mohamad Mirhosseini. IHR is investigating identities of the remaining prisoners. In addition, the following names were published by the "Human Rights Activists News Agency" (HRANA):Nader Hajizadeh, Jahangir Shahozahi, Mehran Baluchzahi, Mehrshad Soleimani, Reza Daeizadeh and Ehsan Saghafi.

     Since the beginning of 2015, at least 400 prisoners have been executed in Iran.

Click here for entire article.

AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - May 22, 2015

 ​Greetings Everyone!
     I encourage you to watch an inspiring video that was sent by one of our members. This 2:43 min video was produced by seventh graders (about age 12 to 13) and focuses on the power of "one word." Wonderful to see young people wanting to make a change in our world.
     Our website: You can now access "Amnesty International List of Daily Urgent Actions," "Weekly Online Petitions," and the "AI Madison Group #139 Member Weekly List of Petitions, Links, and News" on our sidebar. Look under Take Action Now!
     I added a video link to Open Forum (our blog) from the PBS interview showing Brandi Grayson's reactions to the Ozanne decision. Check out Madison, WI: Community, D.A. Charges, Police Techniques, Racial Disparity and Tony Robinson, May 13, 2015 . Remember, if you wish to read or comment on this blog, you must contact ai139blog@gmail.com for access because it is for AI Madison Group #139 members only.

     Have a wonderful week!

-Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

NOTE: We just received a Field Update from Amnesty International USA Managing Director of Membership, Jiva Manske. Click here for report. 

Click here for entire Weekly Update.

Amnesty International USA: Field Update from Jiva Mankse

May 20, 2015

Dear Amnesty Activitists: 

•  720 new student groups at the end of their organizing year. (14% increase from 2014)
•  The Annual General Meeting (AGM) brought together 1,200 activists.
• Efforts toward #FREERAIF and historic Chicago police torture reparations ordinance passed
• Addition of new field staff
• Ongoing initiatives include: observers sent to Baltimore, observers sent to Madison, Pride month, and Global Day of Action

In Solidarity, 

Jiva Manske

Managing Director, Activism

Membership Mobilization Department

Click here for entire update.

Ukraine: 'Ongoing' war crimes by both sides in eastern Ukraine conflict, says Amnesty - REPORT RELEASED

May 22, 2015
 Deutsche Welle


Amnesty International has released a report detailing war crimes perpetrated by pro-Kyiv and pro-Russia forces. The report details summary killings, mock executions and torture on both sides of the conflict in Ukraine. The human rights watchdog interviewed more than 30 former prisoners of war, including 16 held by pro-Kyiv forces and 17 by separatists, and corroborated the testimonies with additional information. The conflict has left more than 6,000 dead and nearly 2 million displaced after it kicked off in the first half of 2014.

"Prisoners on both sides have been beaten and subjected to mock executions. We have also documented summary killings of those held by separatist groups. It is a war crime to torture or deliberately kill captives taken during conflict," John Dalhuisen, Amnesty's program director for Europe and Central Asia programs, said in a statement.

"Former prisoners described being beaten until their bones broke, tortured with electric shocks, kicked, stabbed, hung from the ceiling, deprived of sleep for days, threatened with death, denied urgent medical care and subjected to mock executions," Amnesty International said in the report.

Click here for complete article.  

Updated Report:

• Amnesty International, "Ukraine: Overwhelming new evidence of prisoners being tortured and killed amid conflict," May 22, 2015
• Report from Amnesty International: "Ukraine: Breaking Bodies: Torture and Summary Killings in Eastern Ukraine," May 22, 2015

BBC Radio Interview: "I can't stop until my husband is released" #FreeRaif - 3 Minute

May 21, 2015
BBC

"Ensaf Haidar, wife of imprisoned Saudi Arabian blogger Raif Badawi, talks of her determination to fight for her husband's release. She hasn't seen him since he was sentenced to a decade in prison and 1 000 lashes for his writings. She has been speaking to Nkem Ifejika."

Click here to listen to interview.

Rochester, MN: The One Word Campaign - VIDEO (2:43 min)

 May 18, 2015
Congratulations to the seventh graders at St. Francis School for producing this inspiring "One Word" video. Words are powerful and can change the world. Watch and feel the difference!

Note: AI Madison Group #139 does not endorse or promote any particular religious group. Please note that St. Francis is only mentioned in the credits.

Growing Support Against the Death Penalty in Nebraska

from CNN

"The Nebraska legislature has passed a bill to repeal the state's death penalty and replace it with life without parole. The measure, which passed Wednesday on a 32-15 vote, faces a promised veto from Gov. Pete Ricketts." However... "State Sen. Ernie Chambers, the bill's sponsor and a member of the New Alliance Party, said he's confident supporters can muster the 30 votes necessary to override a veto." (The bill had passed by 32 votes.) Nebraska is one of 32 states that impose the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, although executions have been rare. If the Nebraska legislature over rides the governor's veto, it will make Nebraska the 19^th state to repeal the death penalty, the 7^th since 2007.

Sources:

• "Nebraska lawmakers vote to repeal death penalty, veto expected," CNN May 21, 2015

• "We can live without the Death Penalty," Amnesty International blog, May 20, 2015

• "Amnesty International USA Responds to Passage of Nebraska Death Penalty Repeal Bill," Amnesty International USA, May 20, 2015