Iran: Free Ghoncheh Ghavami Deadline: ASAP - Online Petition

Iran: Free Ghoncheh Ghavami Deadline: ASAP-Online Petition

Goncheh Gavami, a 25 year old British Iranian woman is rotting away in solitary confinement in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran since June 2014 because she went along with some other women activists to a gender segregated stadium to see a volley ball game between Iran and Italy. Gavami was in Tehran campaigning for women’s rights after being convinced that Rouhani’s presidency signaled change. The irony? The stadium is called “Azadi” which means “freedom” in Persian. Click here to read more. Click here to sign the petition.

Philippines: Stop Torture and Save Alfreda Disbarro from More Torture Deadline: ASAP - Online Petition

Philippines: Stop Torture and Save Alfreda Disbarro from More Torture Deadline: ASAP-Online Petition

On October 3, 2013, Alfredo Disbarro, the 32 year old mother was arrested at gunpoint by police in an internet cafe near her home in Manila, Philippines. She faced hours of physical and emotional torture, including a mock execution. When she refused to confess that she insists were invented, she was kicked, beaten with a metal bar, and had a dirty mop forced into her mouth. In desperation, she hid under a table, screaming and begging for her torturers to stop. Amnesty supporters helped Alfreda get an investigation. Now we need to ensure her torturers don’t walk away free. Alfreda is still locked up today, after being forced to sign a blank piece of paper that may have been used against her. Alfreda’s story isn’t unique, it is repeating itself right now, day after day, throughout the Philippines. Click here to call on the Philippines National Police to ensure that the current investigation into the allegations of torture and other ill-treatment suffered by Alfreda Disbarro while in custody at the Police Headquarters, is prompt, impartial, effective and efficient.

Six youths go on trial in Iran for posting YouTube video where they danced to Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' song - September 11, 2014

Six youths go on trial in Iran for posting YouTube video where they danced to Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' song, September 11, 2014

"The trial of six young Iranians accused of 'hurting public chastity' after they danced around to Pharrell Williams' hit song Happy for a YouTube video has started in Tehran. Amnesty International UK's Head of Campaigns, Champa Patel, condemned the trial and told MailOnline: 'Arresting people for dancing in a video tribute to a song called Happy is taking things to a new level of dark irony even for the authoritarian Iranian authorities."

Click here for entire article. Posted by Amnesty International USA on Facebook. 

 

Urgent Actions for August 28-29, Sept 1-4; Sept 5, 9, 10

Urgent Actions from Amnesty International for AUGUST 28-29, SEPT1-4; SEPT 5, 9, 10: Countries include:Myanmar, Bahrain, Indonesia, Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories, Saudi Arabia, Honduras, China, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Tajikistan, USA, Ukraine, Yemen, Kuwait,  Iran, Egypt. Most Urgent Actions require a written letter. We have guidelines for writing letters on our website.

• August 28-29; September 1 to 4: Click here for entire list of actions.
• Sept 5, 9, 10: Click here for entire list of actions.

Remembering 911 from Amnesty International

"Today we remember those who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the USA, the families who are still coming to terms with the irreparable loss of their loved ones, and the first responders and survivors who are still struggling with the debilitating after-effects of the attack.

The deliberate targeting of civilians for attack can never be justified and is always an abuse of human rights. As well as causing terrible suffering to the victims and their families, such attacks create a climate of fear in which entire communities live in terror."

Click here for entire message from Amnesty International.

AI Madison Group #139 Online Petition to Sudan Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dousa - Deadline As Soon As Possible!

Sudan: Online Petition to Minister of Justice Mohamed Bushara Dousa - Deadline ASAP!

End arbitrary detentions and other forms of harassment against political opposition members peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.For more information, click here.

(Thank you, Wayne, for creating and sending this petition.)

Why Congress Passed the Violence Against Women Act - News Flash

Article is taken from U.S. News and World Report, Sept 9, 2014

Ray Rice Is a Reminder Why Congress Passed the Violence Against Women Act

 "Twenty years after Congress passed the monumental Violence Against Women Act legislation, empowering advocates for abused women, the nation once again found itself with a painful reminder of the problem Congress tried to address. Monday, White House press secretary Josh Earnest told the press, "Hitting a woman is not something a real man does" in response to a high-profile case of domestic violence involving NFL player Ray Rice. The next morning, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation celebrating the passage of VAWA, and the strides the country has made in combating domestic violence since." Click here for entire article.