Monday, December 12, 2016

Amnesty International URGENT ACTIONS Dec 9 to Dec 16, 2016

Click here for entire list of URGENT ACTION for the week of December 9 to December 16. (This post is updated daily.)  

Countries include: Iran, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, Israel/OPT, Myanmar, Bahrain, Yemen, South Sudan, and Nicaragua.

Note: Most Urgent Actions require a written letter. See our guidelines for writing letters. Countries are added to this list during the week. The link contains all Urgent Actions for the week.

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Friday, December 9, 2016

AI Madison Group #139 Weekly Update - December 9, 2016

 Greetings Everyone!   
     This week we will be celebrating Human Rights Day. For Amnesty International members December 10th is a special day. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights! Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.What can we do? At this time every year, Amnesty supporters write millions of letters on behalf of those whose basic human rights are under attack. Although The Write for Rights Campaign continues this long tradition of writing letters, today this effort also includes online petitions, emails, Facebook posts, tweets, cards, and photo actions. Amnesty says, "Write like someone's life depends on it." Help us make a real difference! Our Group #139 will mail your letters. Please send them to 350 South Hamilton Street, Unit 501, Madison, WI  53703 or send them electronically to Azamnrad@gmail.com. All of our Write for Rights cases can be found here.
   Also this week, we invite you to honor and remember victims of gun violence on Wednesday, December 14. #LightLA is part of the Newton Action Alliance and is sponsored by IHERC, an organization by one of our members, Farideh Kioumehr. Where ever you are in the world, light a candle on a window ledge, reflect, remember, and share with the world. Candle-lit photos can be emailed to IHERC at info@iherc.org until Dec 14 and this effort can be spread through social media using the hashtag #LightLA.
     We would like to welcome the following NEW MEMBERS who joined us in November 2016: Ali (Australia), Melody (WI), Zohreh (TX), Elika (CA), Erica (WI), Jennifer (WI), Rosanne (WI). Please do not hesitate to ask questions or contribute human rights petitions, news items, events, videos, or other actions. Just send them to Azam at
azamnrad@gmail.com     IMPORTANT: We are looking for some volunteers to expand our social media outreach. Help us from the comfort of your home and work with Azam and Debbie. If you are interested, please contact Azam at azamnrad@gmail.com
     My cold virus has moved on to infect some other unlucky soul and, in Madison, we are expecting even more snow. Well, it is December! Thank you to so many of you who have sent me emails of encouragement while I provide care for my mother and mother-in-law during this last part of their lives. There is no other place that I would rather be than by their sides.
     Peace to All,
     -Debbie, Weekly Update Editor
Click here for links to this week's Amnesty International and Human Rights Information and Actions.
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Thursday, December 8, 2016

Human Rights Day: Stand up for someone's rights today! - December 10, 2016

United Nations
     Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
     This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone's rights! Many of us are fearful about the way the world is heading. Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack.

Click here for more INFORMATION. 
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U.S.A.: Homeland Security Pick Must Commit to Human Rights - PRESS RELEASE

Amnesty International USA
December 7, 2016
       Responding to reports that President-elect Donald Trump intends to nominate Gen. John Kelly to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Margaret Huang, executive director for Amnesty International USA released the following statement:
     “We have serious concerns about the homeland security proposals President-elect Trump has made. The Secretary of Homeland Security is a critical position affecting millions of people’s human rights, including refugees and groups targeted by national security programs. Gen. Kelly must fully commit to respecting the human rights of all people.

Click here for ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE.
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Cameroon: Demand Cameroon’s president free my brother, prisoner of conscience Fomusoh Ivo Feh. - ONLINE PETITION

Amnesty International USA
     Fomusoh Ivo Feh was just about to start university when an SMS message changed everything. One day, he forwarded a sarcastic text to a friend. The message joked that even Boko Haram (an armed group), wouldn’t hire you unless you passed five high school subjects. That text got Ivo arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Demand that Cameroon drop all charges against Ivo and let him go.
 Click here for ONLINE PETITION.
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#Light L.A. (and Around the World): Remember and Honor Victims of Gun Violence December 14, 2016

IHERC
     Whereever you live in the world, please join us to remember ALL victims of gun violence and to commit to preventing future tragedies. Close to half a million lives have been lost to such tragic events since January 1st, 2000. This event is part of a national campaign launched by Newtown Action Alliance.

Actions
1. Place candles in your window ledge or near your window.
2. Bring communities together, in homes, schools, or places of worship and light candles together.
3. Look for gatherings in your area.
4. Email IHERC your candle-lit photos from now until December 14th and we will share them on your behalf. Email address: info@iherc.org
5. Spread the word using #LightLA

Click here for flyer. 

Our light in Madison, Wisconsin...
 
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Wednesday, December 7, 2016

GOOD NEWS Gambia: Fanta Jawara was released from bail - Dec 5, 2016

Submitted by one of our AI Madison Group #139 members, Marie Njai-Daniels.

"In the midst of jubilation I forgot to thank and share that Gambia was liberated from tyranny via election on Friday and that Fanta Jawara was released from bail yesterday!!!!  

Thanks again for all your help.  


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