AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - March 18, 2016

Spring Greetings Everyone!

     This week we have so many opportunities to create some change in the world. If you have a little time, check out our ONLINE PETITIONS (7). They only take a few minutes and some just require a click or two. Our URGENT ACTIONS generally require a letter. We have provided deadlines and addresses. OTHER actions include lobbying, volunteering, and greeting cards. Our MEMBER "OTHER" LINKS & PETITIONS include online petitions and news items. If you would like a quick HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS update, we have 9 stories submitted by our members. VIDEOS and UPCOMING EVENTS round out this week's Weekly Update. Thank you to our members for submitting these items and keeping us all up-to-date.

     There is still time to send greeting cards to our Nowruz cases. This year our cases include: (1) Seven Leaders of Iran’s Baha’i Community, (2) Atena Farghadani, (3) Omid Kokabee, (4) Narges Mohammadi, (5) Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, (6) Abdolfattah Soltani, and (7) Behareh Hedayat. Here is the link to this year's Nowruz Actions (case information and addresses). You can say “thinking of you at Nowruz time” or “hoping you are well.” You may send a greeting in either English or Farsi (Persian) but please do not mention Amnesty International or specifics of the recipient’s case. Please also refrain from mentioning the political situation, human rights or U.S.-Iran relations. We suggest sending cards with pictures of landscapes, spring flowers or the like, in keeping with the spirit of the holiday and the message of hope and renewal. Please do not choose cards that have pictures of people or use cards that depict bottles of wine or other alcoholic beverages. Also, please read our important article about Nowruz written by our Group Leader, Azam. Some Nowruz Celebration images that could be used for YOUR card can be found here.

     Have a wonderful week!

    

     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor

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

Urge Georgia Governor Deal to Veto Anti-LGBT “Religious Refusal” Bill - ONLINE PETITION

Human Rights Watch
     With just days remaining in the Georgia legislative session, the legislature has hastily amended and passed an Indiana-style “religious refusal” bill (H.B. 757), which could lead to widespread discrimination against LGBT Georgians.
     As it stands, this legislation could allow a business owner or employee to refuse service to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people. It could also undermine local non-discrimination ordinances that protect LGBT people, permit hospitals to refuse to provide medically necessary care, and allow a taxpayer-funded service provider to discriminate by denying a job because of the applicant's religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Click here for more information and ONLINE PETITION. 

Human Rights Watch: Week in Rights - March 17, 2016

Human Rights Watch

•  Say No To A Bad Deal With Turkey
• UN Human Rights Council: General Debate under Item 4
•  Dispatches: Afghanistan Torture Video Highlights Impunity
•  Egypt Should Reverse Blasphemy Sentences Against Christian Children

United Nations: Sabah is determined to rebuild her home - VIDEO (3 min) and NEWS

United Nations

When you look into the faded eyes of Sabah, you see pure resilience. 

Sabah fled her home in Baba Amr in Homs, Syria after intense fighting blasted the neighborhood beyond recognition. Now she has returned. Sabah is determined to rebuild her home and bring life back to the community she holds dear to her heart. 

“We have to be brave. We cannot be weak, so that we can rebuild our homes [and] make them better than how they were before.”

Watch 3 minute video...

Sabah isn't the only one. Watch this video to hear more about Sabah and the brave families who return with one thing in mind: to rebuild their homes and lives in war-torn Baba Amr. 

When I read stories like these, I’m reminded of how critical it is to stand alongside refugees escaping war and persecution. They’re brave – even when all odds are against them – and we can enable them to carry on with hope and dignity.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your interest in refugees’ lives. 

With my best wishes,

Anne-Marie Grey
Executive Director and CEO
USA for UNHCR

Click here for ENTIRE email.

Afghan Supreme Court Confirms Sentences In Woman's Mob Killing - NEWS

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty
March 17, 2016

     Afghanistan's Supreme Court has confirmed a 20-year prison sentence against a man who falsely accused a woman of burning the Koran, which provoked an angry mob to beat the woman to death near a Muslim shrine in Kabul.
     The court also confirmed prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years against 12 others involved in the brutal mob killing of Farkhunda Malikzada, a 27-year-old student of Islamic law, in March 2015.
The Supreme Court rulings -- the final stage of the appeals process in the Afghan courts -- were confirmed on March 7 by Basir Azizi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's attorney general.

Click here for ENTIRE article. 

Annual General Meeting video invite - VIDEO (1:01 min)

Amnesty International USA

See you in Miami on April 1 to April 3!

Georgia: Stop Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International

     The Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgi Kvirikashvili, announced on 7 March that the ruling coalition “Georgian Dream” had agreed to go ahead with their plans to amend the Constitution and define marriage as explicitly a union between a man and a woman. The Prime Minister explained this change to be in “the defence of such an important value as marriage”. Eighty out of 150 Members of Parliament signed the amendment proposal which was submitted to the Bureau of the Parliament on 10 March and registered on 14 March.

Click here for complete URGENT ACTION.