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Amnesty News
Jabbar Savalan Released
Fantastic News! Jabbar Savalan the young activist from from Azerbaijan has been released and recieved a pardon for his detention. today. He is now at home with his family. This is fantastic news however, 16 prisoners of conscience remain in jail in Azerbaijan.
He originally was detainedby Azerbaijan authorities after he’d posted messages against the government rule in the country on Facebook he was charged with ‘drug offences’ and detained on 4 May 2011 for two and a half years in prison. Amnesty International considered Jabbar a prisoner of conscience and many activisits worldwide have been campaigning for his release. A call for his immediate release and the right of freedom of expression to be upheld in the country.
Initially on the 4th February 2011 Jabbar had posted calls for protests against the government. The next evening he was arrested on his way home from a meeting of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party.
Amnesty Write-a-thon
Tens of thousands of people around the world are participating in Amnesty’s annual Global Write-a-thon, joining together to write letters that can save lives.
Now’s the time to finally put pen to paper.
We’ve got all the tools you need to get started in our Resources section, ready for you to download. All the Case pages are ready with sample letters to help you craft your messages.
Don’t forget to shine a light, literally — download our powerful paper lanterns to help illuminate your letter-writing event.
And you can watch videos about all the cases at your event — check out our Write for Rights video playlist on YouTube.
Even if you’re writing as an individual, you won’t be alone. Join the conversation with your fellow writers — live! We’ve set up a live blog on our Write for Rights homepage. Send in comments and pictures with your writing experiences — and you can even upload video messages straight from your webcam!
It all starts tomorrow. Write letters to amplify the voices governments are attempting to silence. Write letters demanding freedom. Write letters of solidarity.
Above is the amazing Amnesty International “Ink” animation – which carries the important message of just how powerful a person’s signature can be!
ACTIVIST AND MOTHER ARRESTED
IRANIAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND MOTHER ARRESTED
Kouhyar Goudarzi, a member of the Committee for Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), was arrested on 31 July 2011 in Tehran, Iran, by plainclothes individuals believed to be from the Ministry of Intelligence. His mother, Parvin Mokhtareh, was arrested the next day. They are at risk of torture or other ill treatment.
Kouhyar Goudarzi was arrested at the home of a friend, together with the host and a friend. Neighbors reported seeing the three men taken away by plainclothes individuals believed to be from the Ministry of Intelligence. Since his arrest, members of Kouhyar Goudarzi’s family and his lawyer, Mina Jaffari, have inquired as to his whereabouts and have neither been given information on his whereabouts, nor confirmation of his arrest. Amnesty International fears he may be currently held in solitary confinement at Evin Prison in Tehran
Source : Amnesty USA
RBS Funding Cluster Bomb Manufacturing
In the last twelve months the Royal Bank of Scotland has invested $80million in companies that make cluster bombs.
Email the Chief Executive of RBS now
98% of all cluster bomb victims are civilians, and a third of those are children. Last year the UK joined over 100 countries in outlawing their use and manufacture. Yet more than a year on from the ban, the publically owned RBS continues to fund companies that manufacture these abhorrent weapons.
While RBS is not alone in this irresponsible investment, it is the worst offender. Help us end the suffering cluster bombs cause. For more information read the report on stopexplosiveinvestments.org.
Source: Amnesty International
Happy Birthday Amnesty International
May 28 is a day that changed the human rights movement forever. Fifty years ago one person – Peter Benenson – outraged by injustices he read about in the paper, asked others to unite with him in common action.
He knew we could use our activism to achieve extraordinary things. He created Amnesty International.
Change did not happen overnight.
It took many conversations, many letters. Friends spoke to family members, the message spread, and one by one we secured the release of tens of thousands of people. People imprisoned for their beliefs or their way of life.
As activists lobbied governments, and researchers interviewed survivors, we demanded accountability for previously untouchable leaders. One by one each person who took action changed laws and changed lives.
50 years on, our work is not done – but we are more determined than ever to protect human rights. 50 years has shown that one by one we can. We have.
So today, we thank you for your work to defend human rights. Will you celebrate our birthday today?
In honor of 50 years of hard work and meaningful change, wish Amnesty a happy birthday today on Facebook, Twitter, and to your friends and family at home.
Source : Amnesty USA
AMNESTY CALLS FOR BUSH TO BE PROSECUTED
The United States must prosecute former President George W. Bush for torture if his admission in a memoir that he authorised waterboarding holds true, rights group Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
In “Decision Points,” published this week, Bush defended his decision to authorise waterboarding, a form of simulated drowning condemned by some as torture.
Bush said the practice was limited to three detainees and led to intelligence breakthroughs that thwarted attacks and saved lives. He told NBC in an interview to publicise the book that his legal adviser had told him it did “not fall within the anti-torture act.”
Amnesty International’s Senior Director Claudio Cordone said in a statement: “Under international law, anyone involved in torture must be brought to justice, and that does not exclude former President George W. Bush.
“If his admission is substantiated, the U.S.A. has the obligation to prosecute him,” he said. “In the absence of a U.S. investigation, other states must step in and carry out such an investigation themselves.”
Source : Reuters -November 10th 2010
Stoning Suspension in Ashtiani Case Not Enough
Amnesty International welcomes an Iranianofficial’s statement that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani’s sentence of
stoning to death has been temporarily suspended but urged the
authorities to overturn the death sentence against her entirely.
deflect international criticism, as this temporary suspension by the
Head of the Judiciary could be lifted at any time, leaving Sakineh
Mohammadi Ashtiani at risk of execution, particularly if the current
judicial review of her case results in a confirmation of her sentence.
to ensure that her death sentence is overturned once and for all."
Mehmanparast, a Foreign Ministry spokesman, had said that Ashtiani’s
execution for adultery had been "stopped". He also reiterated that her
case was being reviewed, but said that "her sentencing for complicity in
murder is in process".
Source: Amnesty International website
J M Jarre Concert in Manchester
THAILAND’S EMERGENCY DECREE ATTACKS FREE SPEECH
The Thai government should remove restrictions on free speech contained in today’s emergency decree, Amnesty International said. Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International’s researcher on Thailand, said:
‘The government is ultimately responsible for the security of all Thai citizens, regardless of their political views. ‘But the government should not use this state of emergency to silence free speech or infringe on other human rights."
DEEPCUT FILM WINS EDINBURGH FILM AWARD
"Deep Cut”, the story of four young soldiers who died from gunshot wounds at Deepcut Barracks between 1995 and 2002, and of their parents’ campaign for an inquiry into the deaths, has won the 2008 Freedom of Expression Award at the Edinburgh Festival.
Article:
EX-LIB DEM LEADER SPEAKS OUT ON GUANTANAMO PRISON
‘It is now essential that we receive a timetable for Guantánamo’s closure’ – Ming Campbell
Sir Menzies Campbell has this evening spoken of the ‘essential’ need to close the notorious military prison at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba after meeting members of the US government in Washington today as part of an Amnesty International delegation to the US capital.
The comments came on the first day of his three-day trip to discuss ways of closing the prison and allow fair trials or safe releases for the roughly 270 Guantánamo detainees still held.
The former Liberal Democrat leader, who is Vice Chair of the All Party Group on Rendition as well as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has also been raising the issue of ‘extraordinary rendition’ flights and secret ‘war on terror’ detentions with the US government.
After meetings today with US government officials, Sir Menzies said:
‘Today I was told that the US government intends to close the camp ‘as soon as possible’, but this is not good enough.
‘We’ve heard these promises on numerous occasions from both Republican and Democrat leaders, yet we are now well into the seventh year of Guantánamo’s shameful existence.
‘The time for talking is over and the time for action is long overdue. It is now essential that we receive a timetable for Guantánamo’s closure.’
AMNESTY BEIJING CARTOON
APPEAL FOR SAUDI PROFESSOR
Amnesty International has launched an urgent appeal for a university professor in Saudi Arabia who has been sentenced to 150 lashes and eight months’ imprisonment for meeting a woman in a coffee shop.
Article:
Lebanon: Leaders must prevent human rights abuses
Posted: 12 May 2008
All political leaders in Lebanon must clearly instruct their supporters to refrain from recklessly carrying out attacks in heavily-populated areas that endanger civilians uninvolved in the clashes, Amnesty International said today.
The organisation also implored leaders to ensure that any person within their custody is treated humanely and is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment.
Amnesty International called on the Lebanese authorities to ensure proper investigations into the killing and any other abuses of those not involved in the armed clashes that broke out last week between members of pro- and anti-government armed groups.
Amnesty International said:
"Political leaders must ensure that anyone within their ranks suspected of having committed human rights abuses is handed over to proper judicial authorities to be investigated and brought to justice in full compliance with international human rights standards.’
British People want UK Government to agree to cluster bomb ban
Posted: 15 May 2008
Nearly eight out of ten people (79%) in Great Britain think the government should support a worldwide ban on cluster bombs according to a new YouGov poll released today.
Findings from the poll commissioned by Amnesty International, Landmine Action and Oxfam also indicate that more than six out of ten people (62%) believe that the UK Government cannot claim to act as a force for good in the world if it fails to adopt the treaty.
These findings come days before a major conference in Dublin where world leaders will finalise the text of an international treaty to ban the use and stockpiling of cluster munitions.
Landmine Action’s Director, Simon Conway said:
‘The polling is clear; people recognise that if Britain is to be a force for good in the world, the government should totally ban these weapons – no exemptions, no loopholes.’
RED TAPE IS COSTING LIVES
Following the impact of Cyclone Nargis on Burma, which killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around a million more, Amnesty International is calling urgently on the government to open its borders to relief workers and ensure aid is provided on the basis of need without discrimination.
Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International’s Burma researcher, said: ‘red tape in providing visas is costing lives, while some donors are delaying aid in the fear that it will be siphoned off to the arm, the government should now provide access and assurances to international relief workers.’
PAKISTAN’S NEW PARLIAMENT MUST IMPROVE HUMAN RIGHTS
As Pakistan prepares to swear-in a new parliament, Amnesty International today called on the country’s new leaders to repair the fallout from the state of emergency imposed in November 2007.
In its latest document, Pakistan: Repairing the damage: ensuring robust human rights safeguards, Amnesty International examines the damage done to constitutional safeguards and the key role played by an independent judiciary in the protection of human rights.
UN HIGH COMMISSIONER ON HUMAN RIGHTS RESIGNS
Louise Arbour has resigned her position as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. reacting to the news Amnesty International paid tribute to her work and asked the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that her successor should also demonstrate a proven track-record as a strong and independent advocate for human rights.
Louise Arbour, in her time as High Commissioner of Human Rights for the United Nations has been described as a forceful advocate of Human Rights, who stressed the legal obligation of countries to uphold human rights.
AI NEWS: AMNESTY OPPOSES UKSF GAGGING ORDER
Following the injunction granted on 28 February 2008 by the High Court of England and Wales to prevent Ben Griffin, a former member of the UK Special Forces (UKSF) Special Air Services (SAS), from making any further disclosures relating to the work of the SAS, Amnesty International’s Senior Adviser, Anne FitzGerald, said:
‘Rather than seeking to silence people who might have credible evidence of alleged human rights violations, which may include war crimes, the UK authorities should be seeking to investigate those allegations.’
ISRAEL/OCCUPIED PALASTINIAN TERRITORIES CIVILIAN KILLING MUST STOP
Israeli military air strikes and artillery attacks on the Gaza Strip are being carried out with reckless disregard for civilian life, Amnesty International said today.
‘Israeli military attacks over the past few days have killed more than 75 Palestinians in Gaza, including at least 10 children, and other unarmed civilian bystanders not involved in the confrontations’ said Malcolm Smart, director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme. ‘Israel has a legal obligation to protect the civilian population of Gaza. Such attacks are disproportionate and go beyond lawful measures which Israeli forces may take in response to rocket attacks by Palestinian armed groups."
Amnesty International called again on Palestinian armed groups to immediately cease firing rockets at towns and villages in southern Israel.
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