Wednesday, January 25, 2017

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION UPDATE JANUARY 18-25

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

Disclaimer: Any ads or commercial material appearing with this blog have been placed there without permission of the owner of the blog. Please ignore them.

 

HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Erasmus (1466-1536)

Holbein-erasmus.jpg
Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to "The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam".
    

EMBASSY FINDER 

Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country. http://embassy.goabroad.com/ You can also find embassies at https://embassy-finder.com/

CHARITY CORNER 

This week we decided to look for charities with a perfect score in the rating of Charity Navigator. We came up with the Cambodian Children's Fund. Their mission statement: "Cambodian Children’s Fund transforms the country's most impoverished kids into tomorrow's leaders, by delivering education, family support and community development programs into the heart of Cambodia’s most impoverished communities." Read more on their Web site, linked above and donate. The idea that a single educated child can lift an entire family out of dire poverty and that a generation of educated children has the power to change a whole society works.
pyramidwebsize-1 

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Indigenous tribes do not simply die out. They are killed by the actions of so-called civilized nations. Survival International provides a long list of cases in which a letter from you can and will make a difference. Please open this link and write at least one letter. This link will be a permanent feature on our blog and we would be grateful if you gave it a bit of attention each week. We suggest going down the list in the order given. The letters are pre-written for you. All you need to do is send them. It would be nice also if a donation to Survival International could be forthcoming.
This week we raise the issue of land theft and its deadly effect on uncontacted tribes.  Please open the links and post them wherever you can.
Without their ancestral land, the Guarani cannot survive.
Without their ancestral land, the Guarani cannot survive.
© Survival

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY

We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers' supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
Look for these logos:

 













  Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places.






Protest in Brussels against attacks of Islamic State in Iraq © Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Please join the call to the UN to act to stop slavery in conflict regions.




GOOD NEWS 


CUBA Urgent Action Victory! Cuban Graffiti Artist Released 


Cuban graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado Machado (‘El Sexto’) was released over the weekend. Amnesty International had considered him a prisoner of conscience. Thanks to all who helped.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Urgent Action Update: Abortion Vote Pending After President's Veto 



In December 2016, the Dominican President rejected a regressive reform of the Criminal Code regarding abortion that had previously been adopted by the Senate. The President has returned the text to the Congress urging legislators to decriminalize abortion in the Dominican Republic. Please urge the Special Commission of the Senate to adopt without modification the President’s recommendations
 

TURKEY

Urgent Action: Imprisoned Woman In Urgent Need Of Surgery 


Sibel Çapraz is imprisoned and the authorities are denying her a vital and an urgent operation and adequate medical treatment. She was shot in November 2015 in Yüksekova, south-east Turkey, during clashes between security forces and the PKK. She was detained in March 2016 while in hospital. Please write immediately on her behalf.

YEMEN

Urgent Action: Two Baha’i Men Forcibly Disappeared

The fate and whereabouts of two members of Yemen’s Baha’i community remain unknown following their arrest on 11 January. They have been denied contact with their families and lawyer, and are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Please call on the Yemeni authorities to disclose their fate and whereabouts. 

BANGLADESH

At least 11 garment union leaders and activists have been detained in Bangladesh in an alarming step backwards for worker rights and democracy in the country. Please click and join the protest.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION UPDATE JANUARY 11-18

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

Disclaimer: Any ads or commercial material appearing with this blog have been placed there without permission of the owner of the blog. Please ignore them.

 

HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Erasmus (1466-1536)

Holbein-erasmus.jpg
Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to "The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam".
    

EMBASSY FINDER 

Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country. http://embassy.goabroad.com/ You can also find embassies at https://embassy-finder.com/

CHARITY CORNER 

We are starting the new year with a call to donate to the organizations that guide us in our charitable giving. We salute Charity Watch, Charity Navigator and Israel Gives for their help in avoiding pitfalls and bad sites. This week we ask you to support Israel Gives that oversees thousands of nonprofits in Israel.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Indigenous tribes do not simply die out. They are killed by the actions of so-called civilized nations. Survival International provides a long list of cases in which a letter from you can and will make a difference. Please open this link and write at least one letter. This link will be a permanent feature on our blog and we would be grateful if you gave it a bit of attention each week. We suggest going down the list in the order given. The letters are pre-written for you. All you need to do is send them. It would be nice also if a donation to Survival International could be forthcoming.
This week we raise the issue of land theft and its deadly effect on uncontacted tribes.  Please open the links and post them wherever you can.
Without their ancestral land, the Guarani cannot survive.
Without their ancestral land, the Guarani cannot survive.
© Survival

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY

We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers' supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
Look for these logos:

 













  Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places.






Protest in Brussels against attacks of Islamic State in Iraq © Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Please join the call to the UN to act to stop slavery in conflict regions.

ANGOLA

Urgent Action Victory! Four Youth Activists Released On Bail

Four Angolan youth activists who are part of the Benguela Revolutionary Movement (Movimento Revolucionário de Benguela) are out on bail. The youth activists have not been charged.  Thanks to all who helped.

MYANMAR

Urgent Action: Kachin Pastors Missing After Assisting Journalists

Two ethnic Kachin pastors, who had been helping journalists report on military abuses in northern Shan State, have been missing since 24 December 2016. Last seen near a Myanmar Army post in Monekoe town, their fate and whereabouts remain unknown. Please call for action on their behalf.

CHINA

Urgent Action Update: Tibetan Education Advocate Indicted

Prisoner of conscience, Tashi Wangchuk, has now been indicted by the prosecutor after police had arrested him on suspicion of “inciting separatism” in March 2016. Please act for him.
  

Philippines: union leaders victimized after participating in IUF Global Housekeepers Campaign

 PeninsulaFrancisco












Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Human Rights Action Update January 4-11

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

Disclaimer: Any ads or commercial material appearing with this blog have been placed there without permission of the owner of the blog. Please ignore them.

 

HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Erasmus (1466-1536)

Holbein-erasmus.jpg
Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to "The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam".
    

EMBASSY FINDER 

Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country. http://embassy.goabroad.com/ You can also find embassies at https://embassy-finder.com/

CHARITY CORNER 

We are starting the new year with a call to donate to the organizations that guide us in our charitable giving. We salute Charity Watch, Charity Navigator and Israel Gives for their help in avoiding pitfalls and bad sites. This week we ask you to support Charity Navigator. The others will follow in turn during the next few weeks.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Indigenous tribes do not simply die out. They are killed by the actions of so-called civilized nations. Survival International provides a long list of cases in which a letter from you can and will make a difference. Please open this link and write at least one letter. This link will be a permanent feature on our blog and we would be grateful if you gave it a bit of attention each week. We suggest going down the list in the order given. The letters are pre-written for you. All you need to do is send them. It would be nice also if a donation to Survival International could be forthcoming.
This week we raise the issue of forced development and its deadly effect on uncontacted tribes.  Please open the links and post them wherever you can.

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY

We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers' supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
Look for these logos:

 













  Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places.






Protest in Brussels against attacks of Islamic State in Iraq © Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Please join the call to the UN to act to stop slavery in conflict regions.


GOOD NEWS 

BAHRAIN

Urgent Action Victory! 

Bahraini activist Dr Sa’eed Mothaher Habib al-Samahiji has been released after completing his one-year prison sentence. He was a prisoner of conscience.

CHINA  

Urgent Action Update: Lawyer Held Incommunicado At Risk Of Torture


Authorities confirm that Beijing human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong, last heard from on 21 November 2016, has been placed under “residential surveillance in a designated location” on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power”. His whereabouts remain unknown and, without access to a lawyer, is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. Please act on his behalf.









TURKEY: 

Urgent Action: LGBTI Activist Held In Pre-Trial Detention 


Fashion designer and LGBTI activist Barbaros Şansal is being held in pre-trial detention, accused of ‘inciting the public to hatred or hostility’ for a video message and tweet he shared on social media on New Year’s Eve. He was detained on the territory of northern Cyprus and extradited to Turkey the next day. He was assaulted on arrival in Istanbul on the airport apron. Please act for him.

BRAZIL: 

Urgent Action


In the first week of January, over 90 men were killed (shot dead, beheaded or quartered) in prisons in Amazonas and Roraima states in northern Brazil, as a result of riots and conflicts between criminal gangs. Authorities must promptly investigate the killings and adopt measures within the prison system to prevent similar incidents. Please call for investigations and steps to prevent such catastrophes.

YEMEN: 

DNO must pay its workers

The Norwegian based oil company DNO has not paid its 175 workers in Yemen for 18 months
Please call for DNO to meet its obligations to its exploited workers.


Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Human Rights Action Update December 28-January 4

Miriam, Human Rights Defender, 1947-2012

Disclaimer: Any ads or commercial material appearing with this blog have been placed there without permission of the owner of the blog. Please ignore them.

 

HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Erasmus (1466-1536)

Holbein-erasmus.jpg
Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to "The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam".
    

EMBASSY FINDER 

Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country. http://embassy.goabroad.com/ You can also find embassies at https://embassy-finder.com/

CHARITY CORNER 

We are starting the new year with a call to donate to the organizations that guide us in our charitable giving. We salute Charity Watch, Charity Navigator and Israel Gives for their help in avoiding pitfalls and bad sites. This week we ask you to support Charity Watch.  
The others will follow in turn during the next few weeks.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

Indigenous tribes do not simply die out. They are killed by the actions of so-called civilized nations. Survival International provides a long list of cases in which a letter from you can and will make a difference. Please open this link and write at least one letter. This link will be a permanent feature on our blog and we would be grateful if you gave it a bit of attention each week. We suggest going down the list in the order given. The letters are pre-written for you. All you need to do is send them. It would be nice also if a donation to Survival International could be forthcoming.
This week we raise the issue of forced development and its deadly effect on uncontacted tribes.  Please open the links and post them wherever you can.

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY

We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers' supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
Look for these logos:

 













  Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places.
 
 Note the magnitude of the slavery issue in products around the world. Raise your voice and post this poster on all your social media sites.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE

33 reasons to be positive about 2016 

Amnesty International posts some good news about human rights achievements during 2016. It was a bad year, but not as bad as we thought.

GOOD NEWS 

PAKISTAN 

Urgent Action Victory! Human Rights Defender Reunited With Family


Human rights defender Wahid Baloch has been released more than four months after suspected enforced disappearance by state security forces in Karachi. No information about his situation or whereabouts had been available to his family.
 

AUSTRALIA

Australian unions beat back union-busting at AB InBev's Carlton United Breweries

Six tough months on the picket line, with strong national and international support, have defeated brutal union-busting by management of Australian brewer Carlton United Breweries, now owned by brewery giant AB InBev. In July, union maintenance workers at the company's Melbourne brewery were told their jobs would be outsourced to a new contractor but they could return to work as employees of the subcontractor - with a 65% pay cut! Unions and management have now concluded an agreement providing for: all workers who wish to return to work to do on their original union pay and conditions; any new contractor must meet the existing conditions; and no involuntary redundancies.










The AMWU describes the settlement as an 'enormous win' which defeated the company's attempt to use contractors to slash union-negotiated pay and conditions, and has warmly thanked all who supported the workers by sending messages to the company.


DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 

Urgent Action: Two LUCHA Youth Activists Missing 


Youth activists Gloria Senga and Musasa Tshibanda went missing on the evening of 16 December after they met with another youth activist in Kinshasa. Gloria Senga and Musasa Tshibanda are members of the youth movement Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA). Please act for them.

INDONESIA 

Urgent Action: Two Political Activists Charged With Rebellion 

Two Papuan political activists have been detained as a result of their peaceful political activities and charged with “rebellion” under the Indonesian Criminal Code. They are prisoners of conscience and could face up to life imprisonment. Please call for their release.

THAILAND 

Urgent Action: Activist's Bail Revoked For Commenting On Facebook 


Activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa may face up to 15 years’ imprisonment for posting a news article online. On 22 December authorities revoked his bail – allegedly for making joking comments on social media – and detained him in Khon Kaen Central Prison in north-eastern Thailand. Please call for his release and the protection of free speech in Thailand.