#womenslivesmatter

 Amnesty International Australia Facebook page
June 5, 2015

      "In Papua New Guinea, the current popular opinion is that women are inferior...Kepari Leniata, a 20-year-old mother of one was accused of sorcery, dragged from her home, tortured, stripped naked, doused in petrol and set alight ... Police tried to intervene but were stopped by crowds." Click here for entire article.
      This month we are talking about the struggle of women and girls. Share your own stories and thoughts using ‪#‎womenslivesmatter‬

AI Madison Weekly Update - June 5, 2015

Greetings Everyone!

     This week Amnesty International joined Everytown on June 2nd and wore orange to honor those affected by gun violence. This campaign raised awareness and mobilized people to make a commitment to end gun violence. Amnesty International has called attention to gun violence as a human rights issue and works to eradicate it. Read more about this important event in this article,"Why We’re #WearingOrange on June 2nd." Did you wear orange??? Mark your calendar for next year!

     Remember... we rely on you for our Urgent Actions, Online Petitions, News, Videos, and Calendar of Events. Send your suggestions to Azam at group139@aiusa.org.

    

     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

On a personal note, I would like to share these thoughts with each of you. They do not belong to any organized religion but are words of loving kindness from my heart that I share with you as part of my life journey. We may be miles away and have different life stories but our commitment to human rights binds us together.

May you be safe and protected.

May you be well in body, mind, and spirit.

May you be peaceful and at ease.

May you be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

May any suffering you experience be a

doorway to wisdom and compassion.

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

Please Note: We do not raise or advocate donations to any organizations stated in our postings. Our human rights posting actions, news, and videos are from Amnesty International and/or other human rights organizations. Some of these postings may not reflect the official position of Amnesty International.

One More Voice Against - VIDEO (2:46 min)

Published on Jun 1, 2012

"One More Voice" features narration by three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep and an anthem specially written for the video and Amnesty International's 50th anniversary by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer and composer Lorne Balfe.

The film captures individuals from all over the world -- from an activist in Egypt's Tahrir Square to student members of Amnesty International in Los Angeles -- asking viewers to add "one more voice" to the fight against torture, the death penalty, unjust imprisonment and violence against women -- Amnesty International's core issues. Among the activists shown in the video is the late Martina Correia, sister of Troy Davis, who was executed by the state of Georgia last year. Correia was a tireless advocate in her brother's case and against the death penalty.

Tell Coca-Cola to Do More to Fight World Cup Human Rights Abuses! - ONLINE PETITION

Submitted by one of our members

     Please consider signing this online petition on Care2.
"Coca-Cola, a major FIFA World Cup sponsor, has released a statement condemning human rights abuses in Qatar, but it isn't enough. Please sign the petition to ask Coca-Cola to provide funds for an independent investigation into Qatar's human rights abuses.
     Squalid living conditions have killed 1,200 workers since Qatar won its bid to host the World Cup in 2010, and some are predicting this number will climb to 4,000 by the time the games take place in 2022. Nepalese migrants there died at a rate of one every two days in 2014. And according to the Guardian, 964 workers from Nepal, India, and Bangladesh died while living and working in Qatar in 2012 and 2013.
     In addition, Qatar has barred Nepalese workers from returning home for the funerals of friends and family killed in the April 2015 earthquake that claimed the lives of more than 8,000 people."

Click here for more information and the ONLINE PETITION. 

• Statement from Coca Cola, May 20, 2015

Malaysia: Ensure the Safety of Refugees and Migrants - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International
     "Over 3,000 people have either landed in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia or returned to Myanmar and Bangladesh over the past three weeks. Approximately 2,500 migrants and refugees remain stranded at sea. Many of those on board the boats are Rohingya – a minority from Myanmar who have faced discrimination for decades.Following the announcement on 20 May 2015 that Malaysia and Indonesia would offer temporary shelter to up to 7,000 refugees and vulnerable migrants, and following the launch on 21 May of search and rescue operations by Malaysia, Indonesia started search and rescue operations on 23 May. Thailand has been carrying out sea patrols since 26 May, and equipped navy ships to provide humanitarian assistance to those found at sea. Thailand has repeatedly said that anyone arriving by boat would be prosecuted for illegal entry and on 29 May announced that if it is absolutely necessary for those found at sea to disembark in Thailand, they will be treated according to “humanitarian principles under Thai laws”.

Click here for more information and addresses.

Iran: We request the immediate and unconditional release of Jason Rezaian from Iranian custody. ONLINE PETITION

Supporters of Jason Rezaian and a free press: Change.org petition

     Jun 2, 2015 —Today, I had the opportunity to testify before the House Foreign Affairs Committee with the families of other Americans held in Iran. You can watch a video clip here:

We came together to share the stories of injustice with our elected officials and the American people. I commented during my testimony, “Jason is not yet free and our work is not yet done. But I am convinced that our efforts will soon lead to his release, as well as the release of other Americans who have been unjustly held.”

     Jason is scheduled to face another trial hearing in Iran early next week. We will keep you posted on the developments. My family cannot thank you enough for your continued support of Jason’s cause.

Ali

Click here for link to petition.

Nigeria: Shocking and horrifying: 8,000 dead while in Nigeria government custody - ONLINE PETITION and REPORT

Amnesty International USA
June 3, 2015

"Following interviews with more than 400 survivors, eyewitnesses and senior members of Nigeria security forces, Amnesty has documented a range of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nigerian military in the course of the armed conflict with Boko Haram."

Click here for more information and ONLINE PETITION 

•  Amnesty International Report

"Stars on their Shoulders. Blood on their Hands: War Crimes Committed by the Nigerian Military"

Click here for entire article.