http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/ Act now to protect human rights en Copyright 2007 Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:22:24 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 24 December 2007 URGENT ALERT: BAHRAIN - Government brutally cracks down on protestors 1. Summary 2. Action required 3. Sample letters 1. Summary Bahraini police, soldiers and special forces have been in violent confrontation with protestors and activists starting 17 December 2007. A protest marking the killing of a protestor ten years earlier, saw riot police fire tear gas on protestors. One protestor, Ali Jassem, aged 30, was killed. Initial reports suggested it was through the inhalation of excessive amounts of tear gas. Subsequent reports however claimed that witnesses saw Mr. Jassem being beaten by police. Protests at the killing of Mr. Jassem have seen further arrests, some under anti-terrorism laws, and others under the penal law. Latter arrests have been linked to an attack on a police car and the theft of some weapons. Human rights groups are protesting the arrests citing the deliberate targeting of activists, many of whom have been picked up in night time raids on their homes. At the time of writing this alert some 40 people have been arrested and detained in a few days. According to human rights activists in Bahrain, so far none of the detainees have had access to legal representation and many have suffered severe beatings at the hands of special forces. One activist prominent in movements of Social Justice, Mohammed Abdulla Yusuf Al-Singace (locally known as Abdali) who heads the Committee Against Inflation has been admitted to Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) Hospital due to deterioration of his health. Reports suggest he has been subjected to severe torture whilst being interrogated at the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB). Al-Singace is the brother of human rights activist Abduljalil Al-Singace, from the HAQ Movement. 2. Action required a) Write to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in your country, urging him/her to raise this issue with his/her Bahraini to ensure that these attacks on civil liberties are immediately halted. UK campaigners can write to: Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH b) Write to the Bahraini Ambassador in your country UK campaigners can write to: HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khalifa 30 Belgrave Square London, SW1X 8QB Fax: +44 020 7201 9183 Email: enquiries@bahrainembassy.co.uk c) Write to the Bahraini Minister of Interior. Rashid bin Abdallah bin Ahmad al-Khalifa Ministry of Interior P.O. Box 13 Manama, Bahrain Fax: (973) 2262169 3. Sample letters -------------------------------------------------------- Sample letters are given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is extremely important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sample letter to Minister for Foreign Affairs in your country (UK campaigners can use the address supplied) [Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Rt. Hon. David Miliband MP Foreign & Commonwealth Office King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH Dear Mr. Miliband, Re: Arrests and treatment of protestors in Bahrain I am deeply concerned at the current crackdown on protestors in Bahrain. In particular, I am alarmed at the arrest of so many people in such a short space of time. Despite government claims that these arrests relate to the theft of some weapons and the burning of a police car, it is notable that human rights and social justice activists like Mohamed Al-Singace have been included in the crackdown, which has involved beatings and the use of tear gas at demonstrations, as well as night time raids on homes of activists. There have also been torture-allegations made against special forces, police and soldiers in this matter. Further, it is also reported that detainees still have not had access to legal representation. I urge you to raise these issues with your Bahraini counterparts to ensure that these attacks on civil liberties are immediately halted and those detained for political reasons are released immediately. I look forward to your response on these matters. Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample letter to Bahraini Ambassador in your country (UK campaigners can use the address supplied) [Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] HE Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Khalifa 30 Belgrave Square London, SW1X 8QB Your Excellency, Re: Arrests and treatment of protestors and activists in Bahrain I am deeply concerned about reports of the arrest and ill treatment of protestors and activists in Bahrain. In particular I am alarmed at the arrest of so many people in such a short space of time. Despite government claims that these arrests relate to the theft of some weapons and the burning of a police car, it is notable that human rights and social justice activists like Mohamed Al-Singace have been included in the crackdown, which has involved beatings and the use of tear gas at demonstrations, as well as night time raids on homes of activists. I am further concerned that detainees have not had access to legal representation. There have also been torture-allegations made against special forces, police and soldiers in this matter. I urge you to immediately take action to release those detained. As Bahrain has committed itself in the last decade to better governance, these actions blacken Bahrain's reputation. I look forward to your response on these matters. Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sample letter to the Bahraini Minister of Interior Your Name] [Your Address] [Date] Rashid bin Abdallah bin Ahmad al-Khalifa Ministry of Interior P.O. Box 13 Manama, Bahrain Your Excellency, Re: Arrests and treatment of protestors and activists in Bahrain I am deeply concerned about reports of the arrest and ill treatment of protestors and activists in Bahrain. In particular I am alarmed at the arrest of so many people in such a short space of time. Despite government claims that these arrests relate to the theft of some weapons and the burning of a police car, it is notable that human rights and social justice activists like Mohamed Al-Singace have been included in the crackdown, which has involved beatings and the use of tear gas at demonstrations, as well as night time raids on homes of activists. I am further concerned that detainees have not had access to legal representation. There have also been torture-allegations made against special forces, police and soldiers in this matter. I urge you to immediately take action to release those detained. As Bahrain has committed itself in the last decade to better governance, these actions blacken Bahrain's reputation. I look forward to your response on these matters. Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Name] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 598 Wembley HA9 7XH United Kingdom Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222 Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183 Email: info@ihrc.org Web: www.ihrc.org http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/12/bahrain_government_brutally_cr.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/12/bahrain_government_brutally_cr.html Bahrain Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:22:24 +0000 http://www.fcnl.org/landing/clusterbombcall.htm ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/11/ban_the_use_and_export_of_us_c.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/11/ban_the_use_and_export_of_us_c.html Lebanon Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:41:00 +0000 http://www.worldcoalition.org/modules/news/article.php?storyid=10&sel_lang=english Thank you for your support Best regards The International Secretariat ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/world_day_against_the_death_pe.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/world_day_against_the_death_pe.html Death Penalty Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:36:32 +0000 The ACLU’s FISA Flood Campaign — a monumental outpouring of grassroots energy — is in full swing. Congress is feeling the pressure to remedy the August legislation that handed expansive and unnecessary new powers to the Administration. Two bills aimed at cleaning up the mess were introduced in the House yesterday, but only one, the FISA Modernization Bill, does the job. Tell your Representative to support the FISA Modernization Act instead of the RESTORE Act. Dear Friend, Thanks to the vocal outcry from activists like you, the ACLU’s FISA Flood campaign is getting through to Congress. But our work is not over. Congress must remedy the situation it created in August when it handed the Bush Administration vast new powers to invade our privacy with no meaningful oversight from the courts or Congress. When Congress failed freedom, it caused a massive outcry from freedom-loving people across the country. Tell your representative: Stand up for the Constitution, fix FISA. As the result of the outcry, two bills were introduced yesterday to fix the disastrous Protect America Act that was rushed through Congress in August, rubberstamping the administration's warrantless wiretapping program. Both were efforts to fix FISA, but we must make it clear that only the FISA Modernization Bill does the job. Tell your representative to support the FISA Modernization Bill instead of the RESTORE Act. The RESTORE Act caves in to Bush’s fear-mongering in a major way by allowing for program or basket “warrants,” which aren't really warrants at all. They're the modern-day equivalent of allowing government agents to sit in our living rooms, recording our personal conversations. Only they're more frightening, because the government now has the capacity to monitor us remotely and without our knowledge, and to save the information in a secret database forever. Please, call your representative now to stop basket warrants from being used against Americans. Tell him or her to support the FISA Modernization Bill of 2007 instead of the RESTORE Act. Here are some talking points for your call: 1. Please support the FISA Modernization Act of 2007 introduced by Representative Rush Holt, instead of the RESTORE Act. Only pass a FISA modernization bill that has individualized warrants. 2. Blanket or program “warrants” that allow the government to vacuum up the international telephone calls and emails of Americans aren’t really warrants at all, and they aren’t constitutional. 3. Americans are looking to Congress to stand up to the Bush Administration, not cave in to threats of being labeled soft on terrorism. It’s no surprise that the Bush Administration is again using the threat of terror to bully Congress into giving them more power than they need to keep us safe. To counter these misrepresentations, Congress needs to hear that America can be both safe and free by passing a FISA Modernization bill that protects our constitutional rights. Once you’ve called your representative, please tell us that you called and if possible, how your call went. This information is extremely helpful to our staff when they meet with Members of Congress, because they’re able to convey how many of their constituents care about fixing FISA. Please tell us if you called and how your call went. Thank you for taking action and being involved. Sincerely, Caroline Fredrickson, Director ACLU Washington Legislative Office P.S. We won’t let a single member of Congress off the hook when it comes to abandoning the Constitution. Our Don’t Wait for ’08 campaign needs your help as we approach our October 17 deadline. Please take a few minutes now to ask your member of Congress: Will you defend the Constitution? Then, watch for updates on which Members of Congress have made the Commitment to the Constitution and news of how you can help us target the ones who haven’t. © ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/us_fisa_votes_imminent_act_now.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/us_fisa_votes_imminent_act_now.html USA Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:32:48 +0000 http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/links.html to find out about protests in your city or country or visit the face book Burma campaign page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6524045893 Please forward this mail to friends who may be willing to join the march. ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works globally to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free speech. ARTICLE 19 6-8 Amwell Street London EC1R 1UQ United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 7278 9292 - Fax: +44 20 7278 7660 - info@article19.org - www.article19.org ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/join_the_global_march_in_suppo.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/join_the_global_march_in_suppo.html Burma Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:03:45 +0000 ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME Update on Urgent Appeal 3 October 2007 [RE: UA-260-2007: BURMA: At least 65 persons reported arrested over protests against fuel prices; UP-114-2007: BURMA: Despite over 100 arrests, protests continue; still no action by UN; UP-119-2007: BURMA: Monks hold government officials as hostages; more protests and arrests around the country; UP-120-2007: BURMA: First report of death in fuel protests; courts closed; monks to refuse donations from officials; UP-124-2007: BURMA: Monks on the march, boycotting military regime across country; UP-126-2007: BURMA: Showdown ahead as protestors defy ban; UP-126-2007: BURMA: Riot police shoot, beat, gas protestors in Rangoon; rallies continue; UP-128-2007: BURMA: Protests continue despite heavy security; more people and monks taken away; townsfolk defend monasteries with slingshots] --------------------------------------------------------------------- UP-132-2007: BURMA: Three teenage sisters and a young mother of two have disappeared BURMA: Arbitrary and illegal arrest and detention; extrajudicial killing; forced disappearance; un-rule of law --------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL WEBPAGE BURMA: 2007 PROTESTS http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/burmaprotests/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends, Further to our previous recent updates on the situation in Burma, this is the first appeal by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) since last week on specific cases of disappearance in Rangoon: it includes details about the disappearance of a 30-year-old mother of two and three teenage sisters, as well as news on some other cases and incidents to which we are drawing your urgent attention. For all statements, press releases, updates and media, visit the Burma Protests 2007 webpage of the AHRC. DISAPPEARED PERSONS The AHRC has already observed that all persons who have been taken by security forces in Burma during recent days must be considered as forcibly disappeared until shown otherwise (AS-237-2007). However, whereas some persons have been removed from their houses and their families may know who took them and have some means to trace their whereabouts and whether or not they are still alive, in other cases people have simply disappeared without a trace. According to the Yoma 3 news service (Thailand), the following persons have not come home since September 27 and their circumstances are completely unknown. Ma Ke Naing Zaw, 30, married with two small children (aged 5 and 1 1/2), a resident of Pazundaung, was coming home from studying a hospitality course at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel when she disappeared. According to her relatives, her youngest child has not stopped crying since. The family has made inquiries at the township council office and local police station but has received no information. A witness has said that he saw her being taken into custody near the Sule Pagoda. Ma Po Po Pyi Sone (18) and her two sisters, Ma Thida Aung and Ma Moe Moe Swe, left Dawpone briefly on September 27 purportedly with the intention to buy textbooks when they disappeared somewhere in the vicinity of the Sule Pagoda. Po Po Pyi Sone had graduated from high school this year and had come back from marketing classes at the KMD private school when the sisters went out. The family has made inquiries at the ward and township council offices and also has made a report to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) but has learnt nothing. In another case documented by Yoma 3, Ashin Nanda Thiri, resident monk at Shwetheindhamatheingi Monastery in Thingangyun Township who had suffered a bullet wound to the leg has also disappeared. His family has heard but has not confirmed that he was cremated at the Rangoon Cemetery. Armed troops, police and government-organised thugs are continuing to enter and patrol monasteries at night and day. According to the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), at the Ngwekyaryan Monastery in South Okkalapa, which was raided and ransacked on September 26, a local youth fired a slingshot at riot police and Swan-arshin gang members entering the grounds on October 1. The gang and police tried to find him without success. Then a group of three riot police and three Swan-arshin broke into two nearby houses where three families reside and assaulted the occupants. When a regular police officer arrived he was ignored by the Swan-arshin, who continued to beat the house residents before taking them away to an unknown location. They were identified as: Household 1: Daw Myin Myin Khaing and her sons, Maung Lwin Ko Oo, 18, second-year student at the Government Technical College; and, Maung Aung Paing Oo, 14, South Okkalapa HS student. Household 2 (same premises): Daw Myint Myint Aye and her son, Maung Zaw Htet Kyaw, 15, South Okkalapa HS student. Household 3: U Tin San, 50, a sandal/shoemaker KILLED PERSON: NOT OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED One person killed who was not included in the official list of dead is Ko Htun Htun Lin, 32, a resident of Ward 7 in South Okkalapa. According to Yoma 3, residents saw police and troops beat Htun Htun Lin to death with truncheons outside the South Okkalapa Post Office on September 27. The AHRC earlier reported that eight corpses had been found on the road in the same area but that they had been removed from people's houses later by security forces (UP-128-2007). The body of Htun Htun Lin is believed to have been one of those. The AHRC is still attempting to obtain further details on these and other deaths. RELEASES & MORE CAPTURED There are constant reports both of more people being released and also captured. For instance, 70 persons were released from Hmawbi Police Battalion camp near Rangoon, including 20 women, on October 1. A released female detainee said there are still six women in custody there, one named as Ma War War Kyaw from Hinthada. In Thingangyun, Rangoon, after three carloads of detainees were brought to the township office on the morning of October 3, news spread that they some also would be released and a large crowd of relatives gathered outside. Meanwhile, in Yenanthar Ward of Bahan, Rangoon, on the night of October 2 soldiers reportedly rounded up three truckloads of youths accused of having thrown rocks at them during the protests. FURTHER COMMENTS These are a handful of the total number of killings and disappearances that are believed to have occurred during the last week. Reports of new incidents are also coming in daily. The AHRC will in the coming days attempt to document further details of as many specific cases as possible. Please also visit the news sites and other links on the AHRC Burma protests page (http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/burmaprotests/) for up-to-date accounts and discussion. SUGGESTED ACTION: Please refer back to our previous appeal for general actions that you can take concerning the situation in Burma. Bloggers may also be interested in this campaign: http://www2.free-burma.org/index.php Please send a letter to the concerned domestic and international agencies on the continued disappearances and killings following last week's protests in Burma. Please note that for the sake of this letter the country should be referred to by its official title of Myanmar rather than Burma, and Rangoon as Yangon. For the sample letter below we have concentrated on the cases of Ma Ke Naing Zaw and Ma Po Po Pyi Sone and her two sisters. To support this appeal, please click here: Sample letter: Dear ___________, MYANMAR: Three sisters and a mother of two disappeared in Yangon on September 27 I share in the international outrage over the killings, abductions and disappearances of members of the Buddhist clergy and ordinary civilians in Myanmar during the last week, and call upon the national authorities to reveal the whereabouts of detained people; guarantee their safety, and treat them in accordance with the domestic law. I am especially concerned about reports that three daughters of one family and the mother of two small children disappeared while travelling in Yangon on September 27 and despite attempts by their families to get information about what happened to them, nothing is so far known. The details of those cases are as follows: 1. Ma Ke Naing Zaw, 30, National ID No. 12/PaZaTa(Naing)001843, married with two small children (aged 5 and 1 1/2), residing in Bochote Road, Pazundaung Township, Yangon, was coming home from a hospitality course at the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel when she disappeared. A witness saw her being taken into custody near the Sule Pagoda. Her family has made inquiries at the Pazundaung Township Peace and Development Council office and Pazundaung Township Police Station but has received no information. 2. Ma Po Po Pyi Sone (18) and her two sisters, Ma Thida Aung and Ma Moe Moe Swe (parents U Myint Win Maung and Daw Aye Aye Maw), left Batheinmye Ward, Dawpone Township, Yangon to buy textbooks when they disappeared somewhere in the vicinity of the Sule Pagoda. The family has made inquiries at the Batheinmye Ward Peace and Development Council office and Dawpone Township Peace and Development Council Office and has also reportedly made a complaint to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) but has again learnt nothing. These are just two among the many incidents of which I have heard at this time. I am very concerned not only because the whereabouts of these persons are unknown but also because they may be vulnerable to torture and cruel or inhuman treatment, including sexual abuse. Others cases of which I have learnt include the apparent disappearance of a monk from the Shwetheindhamatheingi Monastery in Thingangyun Township, Yangon, named Ashin Nanda Thiri, who had suffered a bullet wound to the leg. His family has heard but has not confirmed that his body was already cremated. Recently, six persons were also reportedly taken from houses adjacent to the Ngwekyaryan Monastery in South Okkalapa Township, Yangon, on October 1 after a local youth fired a slingshot at riot police and government-organised gang members (Swan-arshin). The six have been identified as Daw Myin Myin Khaing and her sons, Maung Lwin Ko Oo, 18, second-year student at the Government Technical College; and, Maung Aung Paing Oo, 14, South Okkalapa HS student; and Daw Myint Myint Aye and her son, Maung Zaw Htet Kyaw, 15, South Okkalapa HS student, all residing at No. 792, 20th Street, Ward 9, South Okkalapa. The sixth person was U Tin San, 50, a sandal/shoemaker, from the house next door (No. 793). I also take this opportunity to express my concern that the numbers of dead are likely to be far below the nine officially acknowledged. I have been informed that at least eight corpses were found on the road between the Punnami and Post Office intersections in South Okkalapa Township on the evening of September 27. Among them was Ko Htun Htun Lin, 32, a resident of 13th Street, Ward 7 in the township, who witnesses allege was beaten to death by police and troops with truncheons outside the South Okkalapa Post Office. The corpses were taken back to houses in the neighbourhood, but after a short time, security forces allegedly entered the area, searched and located the bodies and took them away. I call for the prompt locating and securing of the physical integrity of all persons who have been taken into custody, and the granting of immediate access to all detainees by the ICRC, concerned United Nations agencies, lawyers and family members. I demand that they be treated in accordance with domestic law and be brought before courts within 24 hours or released. And I call for judicial inquests into the deaths of all persons fired upon or assaulted by security forces, followed by appropriate legal action where government officials are found to have acted with unnecessary force. Yours sincerely --------------------------------------------- PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: 1. Lt-Gen. Thein Sein Acting Prime Minister c/o Ministry of Defence Naypyitaw MYANMAR Tel: + 95 1 372 681 Fax: + 95 1 652 624 2. Maj-Gen. Maung Oo Minister for Home Affairs Ministry of Home Affairs Office No. 10 Naypyitaw MYANMAR Tel: +95 67 412 040/ 069/ 072 Fax: +95 67 412 016/ 439 E-mail: ddg.gad@gad.gov.mm 3. U Aye Maung Attorney General Office of the Attorney General Office No. 25 Naypyitaw MYANMAR Tel: +95 67 404 088/ 090/ 092/ 094/ 097 Fax: +95 67 404 146/ 106 4. Brig-Gen. Khin Yi Director General Myanmar Police Force Naypyitaw MYANMAR Tel: + 95 1 549 196/ 228/ 209 5. U Aung Bwa Director-General, ASEAN-Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pyinmana MYANMAR Tel: +951 229 214; 221 191 Fax: +951 222 950; 221 719 E-mail: dgaseanmofa@myanmar.com.mm 6. Mr. Patrick Vial Head of Delegation ICRC No. 2 (C) - 5 Dr. Ba Han Lane Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, 8th Mile Mayangone Township Yangon MYANMAR Tel.: +951 662 613 / 664 524 Fax: +951 650 117 E-mail: yangon.yan@icrc.org 7. Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro Special Rapporteur on Myanmar Attn: Mr. Laurent Meillan c/o OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 SWITZERLAND Tel: + 41 22 9179 281 Fax: + 41 22 9179 018 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR MYANMAR) E-mail: lmeillan@ohchr.org 8. Mr. Diego Garcia-Sayan Chairperson UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances C/o OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 SWITZERLAND Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: WORKING GROUP DISAPPEARANCES) 9. Prof. Manfred Nowak Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture C/o OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 SWITZERLAND Tel: +41 22 917 9230 Fax: +41 22 917 9016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TORTURE) 10. Mr. Philip Alston Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions Room 3-016 OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 SWITZERLAND Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS) 11. Ms. Yakin Erturk Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Room 3-042 OHCHR-UNOG 1211 Geneva 10 SWITZERLAND Tel: +41 22 917 9615 Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN) 12. Mr. Ong Keng Yong Secretary General ASEAN Secretariat 70A, Jalan Sisingamangaraja Jakarta 12110 INDONESIA Tel: +62 21 7262991/ 7243372 Fax: +62 21 7398234/ 7243504 Email: public@aseansec.org; termsak@aseansec.org; amelia.b@aseansec.org Thank you. Urgent Appeals Programme Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) (ua@ahrchk.org) http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/burma_three_teenage_sisters_an.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/burma_three_teenage_sisters_an.html Burma Wed, 03 Oct 2007 23:22:34 +0000 http://www.petitiononline.com/pdpinfo/petition.html. Members of the TMG are: Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRInfo): www.hrinfo.net ARTICLE 19: www.article19.org Canadian Journalists for Free Expression: www.cjfe.org Cartoonists Rights Network International: www.cartoonistrights.com Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights: www.eohr.org Index on Censorship: www.indexonline.org International Federation of Journalists: www.ifj.org International Federation of Library Association and Institutions: www.ifla.org/faife International PEN - Writers in Prison Committee: www.internationalpen.org.uk International Press Institute: www.freemedia.at International Publishers' Association: www.ipa-uie.org Journaliste en Danger: www.jed-afrique.org Media Institute of Southern Africa: www.misa.org Norwegian PEN: www.norskpen.no World Association of Newspapers: www.wan-press.org World Press Freedom Committee: www.wpfc.org World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters: www.amarc.org ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/tunisia_attempts_by_authoritie.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/tunisia_attempts_by_authoritie.html Tunisia Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:10:41 +0000 PHL 004 / 1007 / OBS 120 October 2, 2007 The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the Philippines. Description of the situation: The Observatory has been informed by the Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights (KARAPATAN) of threats and acts of harassment against Mr. Roman Polintan, Chairperson of BAYAN in Central Luzon and regional coordinator of Bayan Muna[1]; Mr. Joseph Canlas, chairperson of the Peasant Alliance in Central Luzon (Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson –AMGL), a regional chapter of the Philippines Peasants’ Movement (Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas - KMP) and regional coordinator of ANAKPAWIS[2]; Ms. Angelina Ladera, chairperson of WAR3[3] and Jovelyn Suson, a staff member of BAYAN. According to the information received, on September 20, 2007, Messrs. Roman Polintan, Joseph Canlas, Ms. Angelina Ladera and Ms. Suson, noticed two men, who hurriedly passed by them, as they were leaving Armando's Pizza in Angeles City, where they had held a press conference on the protest rally to be held the following day in commemoration of the declaration of the Martial Law. As they were about to board their vehicle, they noticed the two men ride a blue motorcycle, with plate number OH5948. As they were driving in the direction of San Fernando, Pampanga, they noticed the blue motorcycle following them; it overtook them and then ran alongside their vehicle. The two men even tried to have a look inside the van by staying close to it. The men continued to tail the group until they reached Plaza Miranda in Brgy. San Nicolas, Angeles City, where the four human rights defenders took refuge at Police Station I to report the incident. When the men who were following them saw that they had entered a police station, they went back to a one-way street. However, as the group left the police station they were followed by two other men driving another motorcycle. The day before the incident, Mr. Polintan had talked at Infomax 8, a radio station, about the Martial Law. He had shared some analysis made by Bayan and invited the listeners of the program to join the mobilisation on September 21, 2007, in commemoration of the 35th year of martial law. Mr. Polintan, Mr. Canlas and Ms. Ladera have also denounced the activities of then Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. during his stint as Commanding General of the 7th Infantry Battalion based in Nueva Ecija as well as the continuing human rights violations against their colleagues and members by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In a context of extreme violence, which includes extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances of human rights defenders involved in the defense of peasants’ rights in Central Luzon, the Observatory expresses its concern with such intimidation acts and recalls the obligation of the Philippines State to protect human rights defenders, according to article 12.2 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, which states that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”. Action requested: Please write to the Philippine authorities asking them to: i. guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Roman Polintan, Joseph Canlas, Angelina Ladera, and Jovelyn Suson; ii. conduct a fait and independent investigation into those acts of harassment in order to identify those responsible, take them to trial and g them before a competent and impartial tribunal and apply to them the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by the law; iii. End all forms of harassment and ill-treatment of human rights defenders in the Philippines, and guarantee in all circumstances that they be able to carry out their work without any hindrance; iv. Conform with all the provisions of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, especially its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels” and above-mentioned Article 12.2; v. More generally, ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by the Philippines. Addresses: · H.E. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic, New Executive Building, Malacanang Palace, JP Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila 1005, Philippines. Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / + 63 2 564 1451 to 80; Fax: +63 2 736 1010 / 742-1641 / 929-3968; Cell#: (+ 63) 919 898 4622 / (+63) 917 839 8462; E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph / kgma@yahoogroups.com; · Mr. José de Venecia Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rm. MB-2, House of Representatives, Constitution Hills, Quezon City, Philippines; Tel: +632.9315001; · Hon. Purificacion Valera Quisumbing, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights, SAAC Building, Commonwealth Avenue, U.P. Complex, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; Tel: + 632 928 5655 / 926 6188; Fax: 632 929 01 02; drpvq@yahoo.com · Mr. Raul Gonzales, Minister of Justice, Department of Justice, Building Padre Faura, 1004 Manila, Philippines; Tel: +63 (2) 523-8481; Fax: +63 (2) 521-1614; Email: sechbp@info.com.ph · Director General Oscar Calderon, Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Camp General Rafael Crame, Quezon City, Philippines; Tel: +632 726-4361/4366/8763; Fax: +632 724-8763; Email: bluetree73@gmail.com · Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations in Geneva, 47 Avenue Blanc, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 716 19 32, Email: mission.philippines@ties.itu.int · Embassy of the Philippines in Brussels, 297 Avenue Moliere, 1050 Brussels, Belgium, Tel: +32 2 340 33 77 / 2 340 33 78, Fax: +32 2 345 64 25. Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of the Philippines in your respective country. *** Geneva - Paris, October 2, 2007 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply. The Observatory, a FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need. The Observatory was the winner of the 1998 Human Rights Prize of the French Republic. To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: E-mail: Appeals@fidh-omct.org Tel and fax FIDH + 33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / +33 1 43 55 18 80 Tel and fax OMCT + 41 (0) 22 809 49 39 / + 41 22 809 49 29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] BAYAN is an alliance composed of organisations of peasants and workers, and Bayan Muna is a political party that promotes the rights and welfare of the marginalized sectors of the country. [2] ANAKPAWIS is a national political party that promotes, advocates, and advances the patriotic and democratic aspirations of marginalized sectors of workers. [3] WRA3 is a trade union alliance promoting and defending the rights and welfare of workers and union members in Central Luzon region. http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/philippines_threats_and_acts_o.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/10/philippines_threats_and_acts_o.html Philippines Tue, 02 Oct 2007 17:27:05 +0000 Case LBN 270907 Arbitrary arrest and detention/ Incommunicado detention/ Fear for safety/ Fear of torture and ill-treatment The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Lebanon. Brief description of the situation The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and by Antenna International, member of the SOS-Torture network, about the incommunicado detention of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh since May 2007 in the Ministry of Defense Detention Center. According to the information received, Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh, 60 years old, was arrested on 7 June 2006 by the Intelligence Services of the Lebanese Army allegedly accused of being a member of a network operating in Lebanon on behalf of the Israeli Intelligence Services. He was reportedly arrested by men in plainclothes who hit his car at around 5:00 am before taking him away leaving his car with the motor running on the crash site. He was then detained at the Ministry of Defense Detention Center but his whereabouts had remained allegedly secret for several days. According to the same information, his family was granted a visit permit from July 2006 to May 2007 but under strict surveillance. However, since May 2007, his family was refused any visits. The military intelligence reportedly told them that the security situation prevailing in the country was making any visit to detainees in that detention center impossible. It has also to be reported that Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh’s lawyer was never allowed to meet with him. Moreover, he was heard several times by the military judge without assistance from his lawyer. The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh being particular at risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Ministry of Defense Detention Center is reportedly famous for detainees being subjected to torture and ill-treatment as well as to solitary confinement. OMCT recalls that Lebanon is a State party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Actions Requested Please write to the authorities in Lebanon urging them to: i. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh; ii. Guarantee immediate and unconditional access to his lawyer, family and any medical treatment he may require; iii. Order his immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges, or, if such charges exist, bring him before an impartial, independent, competent and fair tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all times; iv. Order a thorough and impartial investigation into these events in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law; v. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards. Addresses President Emile Jamil Lahoud, Baabda, The Presidential Palace, Ba’abda, Beirut, E-mail open@presidency.gov.lb, Fax : +961 1/ 425 393 Mr. Fuad Siniora, Prime, Governmental Palace, Beirut, Lebanon, Fax : + 961 1 869 630, / + 961 1 746 085 Mr. Elias Michel Murr, Ministry of National Defence, Beirut, Lebanon, Fax: +96 1 457 92 Mr. Charles Rizk, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, Sami Sohl Street, Beyrouth, Lebanon, Fax: +961 1 427 975 Ambassador, Ms. Najla Riachi Assaker, Permanent Mission of Lebanon, rue de Moillebeau 58, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, e-mail: mission.lebanon@ties.itu.int, Fax : +41 22 791 85 80 Embassy of Lebanon, rue G. Stocq, 2 1050 Brussels, Belgium, E-mail: ambassade.liban@brutele.be, Fax: +32 2.645.77.69 Please also write to the embassies of Lebanon in your respective country. *** Geneva, 27 September 2007 http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/09/lebanon_incommunicado_detentio.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/09/lebanon_incommunicado_detentio.html Lebanon Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:29:58 +0000 info@righttoenter.ps Campaign for the Right of Entry/Re-Entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt), A Grassroots Campaign for the Protection of Foreign Passport Holders Residing in and/or Visiting the oPt. In a continuing demonstration of Israel's arbitrary denial of entry policy and disregard for the Palestinian population's right to practice their religion and worship freely, Father Faris Khaleifat, priest of Ramallah's Greek Catholic Melkite Church, was barred entry to the West Bank on Friday, September 14, 2007. Father Faris, a holder of both Vatican and Jordanian passports, commented: "For the past six years, I have been traveling regularly between the West Bank and Jordan on church affairs without any problems whatsoever." Just one week ago, Father Faris traveled to Amman for several days and returned without incident. However, on Friday, his multiple entry visa as a clergyman serving in the oPt, valid until February 2008, was canceled by Israeli authorities at the Al Sheikh Hussein Bridge without explanation, and he was forced to return to Jordan. His de facto deportation has left the Ramallah parish without its sole clergyman. Father Faris is one of thousands of foreign passport holders who have been denied entry by the Israeli authorities over the past several years. The priest's case is just one of numerous incidents of entry denial documented by the Campaign in recent months, demonstrating that Israel's regulation of entry into the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) by foreign nationals remains arbitrary, abusive and internationally unlawful. Even clergymen are not immune. Israel continues to abuse its control over entry, presence and residency in the oPt in a manner damaging family life, businesses and the religious and social institutions serving the occupied population. The Campaign calls on third states, religious leaders and congregations worldwide to protest Israel's actions harming the Greek Catholic Church and to demand a clear, transparent and lawful policy for all foreign nationals wishing to enter the oPt. Call the Israeli Embassy (202) 364-5542; and the White House (202) 456-1111; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (202) 647-6575 today. Website: www.RightToEnter.ps Email: info@righttoenter.ps FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Rasha Mukbil, Coordinator, Media Committee (c) +970-(0)59-817-3953 (email) info@righttoenter.ps]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/09/israeli_authorities_deny_entry.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/09/israeli_authorities_deny_entry.html Israel/Occupied Territories Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:28:05 +0000 http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ncadp/content.jsp?content_KEY=2776 2) Copy and paste the letter into a Word document• Print it out on your personal/school/company letterhead if possible. 3) Sign at the bottom of the page, and print your name and mailing address under the signature to give your letter more weight. 4) Send your letter to: Amnesty International 730 Peachtree St. Suite 1060 Atlanta, GA 30308 Attn: L. Moye Or, fax it to 404-876-2276 Amnesty International will be collecting all the letters and delivering them to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. So that’s all you need to do! If you have time, feel free to handwrite the letter or to write one in your own words. And the most critical thing to increase the impact: tell your network about this campaign, and ask them to write too! In addition, two social network websites have been created at Facebook and My Space in support of Troy. Please join these networks so you can stay informed about Troy’s case. In addition, there are new blog posts about Troy’s case which you may link from your website. Thank you for all you do, Gregory Gregory A. Joseph State Policy Director National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty 202-331-4090 - office 202-331-4099 - fax 646-346-4289 - mobile www.ncadp.org gjoseph@ncadp.org ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/us_innocent_man_about_to_be_ex.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/us_innocent_man_about_to_be_ex.html USA Fri, 29 Jun 2007 19:46:36 +0000 appeals@list.omct.org ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/drc_arbitrary_detention_incomu.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/drc_arbitrary_detention_incomu.html DR Congo Wed, 27 Jun 2007 18:01:08 +0000 http://www.internationalpen.org.uk ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/court_of_appeal_upholds_sixyea.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/court_of_appeal_upholds_sixyea.html China Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:39:32 +0000 SOA Watch has received confirmation that THIS WEEK Congress will vote on an amendment to close the School of the Americas/ WHINSEC. Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts will introduce an amendment to the Foreign Operations appropriations bill to cut funding for the school! SEND AN EMAIL AND FAX TO YOUR REPRESENTATIVE -http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/soaw/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=11949 (Be sure to click the "Send a Fax" box to have the fax sent). ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/close_the_school_of_the_americ.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/close_the_school_of_the_americ.html USA Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:51:22 +0000 http://arabist.net/arabawy/2007/06/11/state-security-raids-bloggers-house/ ---- # President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, His Excellency Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, Abedine Palace, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: webmaster@presidency.gov.eg, Fax: +202 390 1998 # Prime Minister Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Mohamed Nazif, Magles El Shaab Street, Kasr El Aini Street, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: + 202 735 6449 / 7958016. Email: primemin@idsc.gov.eg # Minister of Justice, Mr. Mamdoh Mohie E-din Marie, Ministry of Justice, Magles El Saeb Street, Wezaret Al Adl, Cairo, Egypt, E-mail: mojeb@idsc.gov.eg, Fax: +202 795 8103 # Public Prosecutor, Counsellor Maher ’Abd al-Wahid, Dar al-Qadha al-’Ali, Ramses Street, Cairo, Egypt, Fax: +202 577 4716 # National Council For Human Rights, Fax: + 202 5747497 / 5747670 # Ambassadeur Sameh Shoukry, 49 avenue Blanc, 1202 Genève, Switzerland, Email: mission.egypt@ties.itu.int, Fax: +41 22 738 44 15 ]]> http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/egypt_state_security_raids_blo.html http://www.humanrightsblog.org/ua/2007/06/egypt_state_security_raids_blo.html Egypt Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:48:47 +0000