tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-215425162024-03-19T14:09:02.880-04:00Get on the Bus for Human RightsGet on the Bus for Human Rights (GOTB) is an annual day of human rights education and activism organized by Amnesty International Group 133 of Somerville, MA and a dedicated team of volunteer community organizers. We are students and activists from all over the Northeast taking peaceful action in front of embassies, consulates and corporate headquarters in NYC in support of human rights. Join us on Friday, April 5, 2013 for our eighteenth annual Get on the Bus!GOTB Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166163937194078164noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-8482043587904817082015-03-14T19:25:00.002-04:002015-03-14T19:25:35.973-04:00Darfur Action, 2015<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Human Rights Watch reported to Radio Dabanga that 221 women and girls in Darfur were raped over a two-day period at the end of October last year. Sudanese armed forces entered the town, beat up and removed the men and proceeded to systematically enter homes to rape women. The government denied access for the United Nations/African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID, a.k.a. the African Union/United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur) to enter the town to investigate until about a week after the incident. Before UNAMID was allowed to enter the town, the government instructed civilians against reporting that anything had happened. Then the militia accompanied UNAMID during its investigation. Eyewitnesses were intimidated and afraid to speak up. This led to a report by UNAMID stating that no evidence of crime had been found.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Women from Tabit have to live with the shame of having been raped. Their men have been humiliated as the government is sending the message that they cannot protect their women. Women are in need of and do not have access to physical or psychological health services. They live in fear of having it happen again. They say being in Tabit is like living in “an open prison.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In November 2014, UNAMID was not allowed to make a proper investigation of the alleged rapes that took place in Tabit town. We ask that the Sudanese government allow UNAMID to return and be given unrestricted access to investigate the alleged assault of women in Tabit town at the end of October 2014. </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Human Rights Watch has released a report on the incident. It has been suggested that UNAMID open a base in Tabit. Although the Sudanese government denies that any rapes occurred, there have been numerous interviews by Human Rights Watch with Darfurians who were there when it happened.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">To see the report published by Human Rights Watch, go to: <span style="color: #0072c6;"><a href="https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/human-rights-investigations-sudan-army-ordered-mass-rape-darfur" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.dabangasudan.org/<wbr></wbr>en/all-news/article/human-<wbr></wbr>rights-investigations-sudan-<wbr></wbr>army-ordered-mass-rape-darfur</a></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">To read about the opening of a UNAMID base: <span style="color: #0072c6;"><a href="https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/unamid-urged-to-open-base-in-tabit-after-mass-rape" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">https://www.dabangasudan.org/<wbr></wbr>en/all-news/article/unamid-<wbr></wbr>urged-to-open-base-in-tabit-<wbr></wbr>after-mass-rape</a></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">By </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Bob Saulnier, Amnesty International Group 133</span></div>
Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-34456334911094086412014-05-09T09:11:00.002-04:002014-05-09T09:13:03.108-04:00Demanding justice in Sri LankaWhile hundreds rallied outside during our 2014 Get On The Bus action on Sri Lanka on April 11, four Amnesty International USA activists met at the Sri Lankan UN mission with Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Major General Shavendra Silva. We presented around 400 letters participants had signed demanding justice for the <b>“Trinco Five”: Ragihar Manoharan</b> and four other Tamil students who were gunned down by police in Trincomalee on January 2, 2006. (12 Special Task Force members were detained and later released without being charged.)<br />
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We demanded that the government: </div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>Conduct an effective, impartial investigation into the murders of Ragihar Manoharan and the “Trinco Five.” </li>
<li>Publish the 2006 Presidential Commission of Inquiry report without further delay. </li>
<li>Promptly transfer the case to a higher court. </li>
<li>Prosecute those who are responsible for the murders, and bring them to justice in a manner consistent with international human rights standards.</li>
</ol>
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The families of these students deserve no less than this.<br />
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We also expressed concern about the arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) of <b>Balendran Jeyakumari</b>, an advocate for families of people “disappeared” in the military conflict in Sri Lanka, and her 13-year-old daughter <b>Vibooshika</b>. We called for them to be released, or else to be charged with a recognizable offense under ordinary criminal law, and to receive due process and private attorney visits. Ambassador Silva agreed to follow up with us about these cases. We will not give up until justice has been served, for the “Trinco Five” and for all who have been arbitrarily detained in Sri Lanka under the PTA.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2W7J4suUmPK8Rbh11D48pXJEbXlwF9qe41UOlouZxaSnzRi3L-KVfbBcHa0bbap7ySLrEFeBEPvD26pmgN1ojvHpdGRChd0YlcYZFQow_H2aE9c2FNvXqgLOloKE5OhyITw/s1600/ai+sri+lanka.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje2W7J4suUmPK8Rbh11D48pXJEbXlwF9qe41UOlouZxaSnzRi3L-KVfbBcHa0bbap7ySLrEFeBEPvD26pmgN1ojvHpdGRChd0YlcYZFQow_H2aE9c2FNvXqgLOloKE5OhyITw/s1600/ai+sri+lanka.png" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Presenting letters to Sri Lankan Deputy UN Ambassador <br />
Photo by Steve Latimer, AI 9/280</td></tr>
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-18449565887680465802014-03-12T08:44:00.001-04:002014-03-12T08:44:36.331-04:00Update: Sri LankaThe 2013 Get On The Bus action on Sri Lanka focused on ending the use of arbitrary detention by the Sri Lankan government. From 1983 until 2009, Sri Lanka experienced a brutal civil war between government forces and the separatist group, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who were seeking an independent state for the country’s Tamil minority in the north and east of the island. The war ended with a government victory over the LTTE. During the conflict, the Sri Lankan government used the repressive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and other security legislation to detain without charge or trial thousands of suspected members or supporters of the LTTE. Many detainees were tortured in custody; some were killed or “disappeared.” These practices all violated international human rights law, which the Sri Lankan government has pledged to uphold.
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Even after the defeat of the LTTE, the Sri Lankan government has continued to use the same tactics against peaceful critics (including journalists) that had been in place during decades of war. The 2013 Get On The Bus action demanded that<br />
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<ol>
<li>the PTA be repealed and the system of administrative detention abolished, </li>
<li>all detainees be promptly released unless they are charged with recognizable crimes and given fair trials, and </li>
<li>the Sri Lankan government provide care and compensation to any detainees who were tortured and hold their torturers accountable.</li>
</ol>
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Since the 2013 Get On The Bus action, there has been little discernible progress on this issue. The Sri Lankan government has refused to repeal the PTA and has made several official statements about the need to remain vigilant against perceived terrorist threats. People in Sri Lanka are still being arbitrarily detained. Torture of detainees in custody is rampant, with more reports of detainees being killed in custody. The Amnesty International report released last year, <i><a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA37/003/2013/en" target="_blank">Sri Lanka’s Assault on Dissent</a></i>, documented how human rights defenders and others have been detained, harassed, threatened and even killed since the end of the war.<br />
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Amnesty International continues to campaign on this issue and to stand with all those whose human rights are being violated in Sri Lanka. We will not rest until justice is done.
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Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-72855617312056363562013-04-22T21:43:00.002-04:002013-04-22T21:43:33.547-04:00Hundreds Rally in New York for Human Rights in Sudan
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Hundreds of activists attended our GET ON
THE BUS rally for human rights in Sudan, outside the Sudanese Permanent Mission
to the United Nations on April 5<sup>th. </sup>Participants included Amnesty
members as well as members of Sudan human rights groups and of the Sudanese
community. We called on the government of Sudan to protect civilians and
internally displaced persons in the conflict areas of Darfur, Abyei, Blue Nile
and South Kordofan. We also collected more than 1,000 letters to President
Bashir, signed by Amnesty members and other human rights activists. Earlier in
the day, AIUSA Sudan country specialist Denise Bell spoke about human rights in
Sudan at our speakers panel at New York City’s Cooper Union. We’ll post photos
from the day’s events as soon as they’re available.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02SRzkJniPMA0XD7KqxmqO8gdUFp24fek02MaJIyCUg_dSodJ_q6PM75tdovvlYoVmanSe-Yj7mJGIBEn94uOXJQCYeiJiqvm6YOabRFyonLbIdXh39mETCrLgQvGLhl95qu0/s1600/GOTB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02SRzkJniPMA0XD7KqxmqO8gdUFp24fek02MaJIyCUg_dSodJ_q6PM75tdovvlYoVmanSe-Yj7mJGIBEn94uOXJQCYeiJiqvm6YOabRFyonLbIdXh39mETCrLgQvGLhl95qu0/s1600/GOTB.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; text-align: right;">Amnesty International USA Group 133 members at GET ON THE BUS</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; text-align: right;">Sudan vigil in Davis Square, Somerville, March 26, 2013</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-61827595558398692002013-04-03T16:20:00.001-04:002013-04-03T16:20:21.557-04:00Take Action: Darfur and all of Sudan<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<b>TAKE ACTION NOW for Human Rights in Darfur and All of Sudan!</b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
You can write a letter to President Bashir to demand that the human rights of civilians, internally displaced persons, women and other vulnerable populations, opposition members and all detained prisoners of conscience in Sudan are respected. Our <b>Sudan letter-writing action</b> and all GET ON THE BUS action letters can be found <a href="http://www.gotb.org/uploads/6/2/6/8/6268026/combined_letters_3-29.pdf">here</a>.<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's another way you can take action for human rights in Sudan:<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 10pt;"><b> </b></span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/07/opinion/darfur-10-years-on-begira" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Darfur10</b></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> is a new campaign by a coalition of activist groups, including Darfuri organizations, to call international attention once again to the crisis in Sudan. <b>O</b></span><b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">ne </span><a href="http://darfur10.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">petition</a></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> asks the African Union, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Security Council representatives to mark the tenth anniversary of the conflict in Darfur by directing resources to ending suffering in the conflict areas of Sudan; urgently responding to the humanitarian crisis there; protecting vulnerable populations; and ending impunity for human rights violators.</span></div>
</div>
Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-65902938154786791352013-04-01T22:55:00.001-04:002013-04-01T22:56:26.705-04:00April: Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been 10 years since the start of the Darfur crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><b style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Would you help me if…?”<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I were driven from my home in Boston by attacks from the government, would you help me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If the Air Force bombed my town of Woburn, would you help me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If my home were attacked and burned, would you help me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I had to live in a shelter, a refugee camp, and needed food, would you help me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If I had to live in caves, eating only grass, would you help me?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If my sister were assaulted trying to fetch firewood, would you help her?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">If my son were recruited to be a child soldier, would you help him?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Boston, I am safe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Boston, I have food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Boston, I have clean water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Boston, I have sanitation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">In Boston, I have a home</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Act now to help Sudan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Bob Saulnier<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—<br />because I was not a communist;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—<br />because I was not a socialist;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—<br />because I was not a trade unionist;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;" />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then they came for the Catholics, and I did not speak out –</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">because I was not Catholic;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—<br />because I was not a Jew;<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />Then they came for me—<br />and there was no one left to speak out for me.” </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /> - Martin Niemöller<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px;"></span>Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-81411545893522538742013-04-01T22:54:00.002-04:002013-04-01T22:55:37.527-04:00Sudan: Freedom for Political Prisoners?<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4;">On April 1st, President Omar al-Bashir announced an intention to free all political prisoners in Sudan. We welcome that announcement, and will be watching closely to see if Bashir follows his words with action. Specifically, we call on the Sudanese government to release all detained individuals who have not been charged with a recognizable criminal offense, and to end all ill-treatment and torture of detained individuals. We demand that the authorities end the harassment, threats and arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights activists, students and others who seek to exercise their right to freedom of expression.</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3639586085431058055" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; width: 578px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3639586085431058055" style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.4; width: 578px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">We are urgently awaiting the release of the prisoners of conscience detained in Sudan who are the focus of Amnesty International Urgent Actions (see links on the Sudan action page at </span><a href="http://www.gotb.org/actions-and-issues.html" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">http://www.gotb.org/actions-and-issues.html</a>)<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">, including: </span></div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3639586085431058055" style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica; width: 578px;">
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Six opposition members detained in January;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">32 Nuba women held in Al-Obeid prison;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Darfuri activist Bakri Moussa Mohammed, who is at risk of execution;</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">South Kordofan media spokesperson Omaia Abdel Latif Hassan; and</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Hatim Ali Mohammed (25), who was arrested for attending a rally and is at risk of torture.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">As we get ready to make our voices heard at Sudan's Permanent Mission to the UN on April 5th, we urge as many people as possible to tell the Sudanese authorities that these detained individuals must be freed.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #777777; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span></div>
Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-36395860854310580552013-03-27T23:32:00.000-04:002013-03-27T23:32:21.287-04:00Sudan Vigil<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">On Tuesday, March 26, 2013, the Refugee Action Team held a candlelight vigil in Davis Square, Somerville. This was a great way to prepare for our action on April 5. We raised awareness about Human Rights in Sudan, specifically the Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Nuba regions of Sudan. We invited people to our Get on the Bus event to rally for protection for civilians and displaced person in these regions, for the end of bombing of villages and for humanitarian aid to these people. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks to all who attended. We really made a difference!</span>Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-60053165410604834242013-03-20T15:41:00.001-04:002013-03-21T16:15:45.185-04:00Sudan: Human Rights Vigil and Videos<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">We kicked off our countdown to the Sudan action at <a href="http://www.gotb.org/">GET ON THE BUS</a> on April 5 with “<b>Al-Bashir
2013</b>:” a powerful film screening at Tufts University on February 23,
organized by Bob Saulnier and Christopher J. Ghanny. The videos included: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/movie/darfur-diaries-message-from-home?feature=mv_sr">Darfur Diaries</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkftN6bPqOU">Southern Kordofan: Unfinished Buisness</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">,</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQSj6eIW8IE" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Sudan's Forgotten War Zones</a> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKIUc6WOYSc" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Hidden Hunger</a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">. In addition our guest speaker Mohamed Khalifa, a Sudanese Arabic language instructor at the African Language Program at Harvard, provided a helpful overview. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Other relevant videos include: </span><br />
<i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">Across the
Frontlines</i><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Devil Came on Horseback</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">El-Fasher University (Darfur) professor of
medicine, trauma specialist and human rights advocate DR. MOHAMED AHMED EISA spoke
at AIUSA Group 133’s monthly meeting on March 12 about recent human rights
violations in Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Abyei. Dr. Ahmed, who was
named the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Human Rights Award winner in 2007, treated
torture survivors and documented the severity of violence and the prevalence of
human rights abuses in the region. He has offered training programs to IDP camp
staff on the documentation of violence and rape; he has frequently consulted to
NGOs and policy makers and has spoken about the rampant sexual violence in
Darfur and in the refugee camps in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Eastern
Chad. He teaches at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and is now the Sudan
Program Fellow at Physicians for Human Rights. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">We appreciate our guest speakers’ insight into the
situation in Sudan on this the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the commencement
of conflict in Darfur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">We also met
for a “taste bud solidarity” dinner in Cambridge on March 16. And we will hold
a <b>Sudan Human Rights Vigil</b> in Davis
Square at 6:00 pm on March 26.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;">Please take
action at <span style="color: blue;"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="background: white;">http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR54/005/2013/en</span></span></span>
to help <b>free the</b> <b>Al-Obeid 32</b>: 32 Nuba women detained by
the Sudanese government. Thank you; your letter can mean a lot to them.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-28777959158664537732013-02-26T16:03:00.001-05:002013-02-26T16:03:35.161-05:00Sudan: A Question of SurvivalI<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">n 2012, civilians in the Nuba Mountains of
South Kordofan, Sudan, were displaced after their villages were bombed by the
Sudanese military and burned by Janjaweed militia. Since the government cut off
all humanitarian assistance, they have been living in caves, and the Enough
Project (</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://enoughproject.org/reports/rapid-food-security-and-nutrition-assessment-south-kordofan">http://enoughproject.org/reports/rapid-food-security-and-nutrition-assessment-south-kordofan</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"> has documented
severe malnutrition and starvation among children. Read their plea for help
here: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://helpnuba.net/2012/11/08/an-urgent-plea-from-the-nuba-mountains/">http://helpnuba.net/2012/11/08/an-urgent-plea-from-the-nuba-mountains/</a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">. Meanwhile, the Sudanese military has
bombed villages and camps for the internally displaced in Darfur, according to
Amnesty’s 2012 report on Sudan (</span><a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/sudan/report-2012">http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/sudan/report-2012</a>),
and government forces and allied militia have engaged in sexual violence
against displaced women and girls.<span style="background: white;"> Protecting
civilians and internally displaced persons in Darfur and the south of Sudan
will be the focus of a Get On The Bus 2013 action. </span>(Find the
latest Urgent Actions, reports and updates on AI’s Sudan page: <a href="http://amnesty.org/en/region/sudan">http://amnesty.org/en/region/sudan</a>).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.nubareports.org/reports/hidden-hunger-life-caves-nuba-mountains">Short Video</a>: </span><i style="text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Hidden Hunger: Life in the Caves of the
Nuba Mountains</span></span></i><br />
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<!--EndFragment-->Caroline DeTorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01096928509367251787noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-65897273951307028852012-03-28T17:33:00.002-04:002012-03-28T17:33:21.532-04:00Freedom in Entangled WorldsOn Monday, I had the opportunity to meet <a href="http://ebenkirksey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Eben Kirksey</a>, a cultural anthropologist at the CUNY Graduate Center who studies the political dimensions of imagination as well as the interplay of natural and cultural history. Eben gave a lunchtime lecture at the Anthropology and Religion department at Tufts University, during which he spoke about his first book, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Entangled-Worlds-Architecture-ebook/dp/B007CGXV1U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1330287924&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Freedom in Entangled Worlds</a></i>, is about the indigenous political movement in West Papua.<br />
<br />
Eben happened to be in West Papua in 1998 during the initial independence demonstrations. On July 1, 1998, he was in Jayapura in West Papua when there was a small independence demonstration. Eben said he was speaking with a professor when the demonstration started and the police arrived shortly after. One demonstrator was shot and killed, and a school girl was shot and wounded.<br />
<br />
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<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201153845319760570742.0004bc53f4cc3546a3866&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=-5.047171,135.703125&spn=15.276127,18.676758&z=5&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">West Papua</a> in a larger map</small>
<br />
<br />
The next day, Eben was on the ferry to Biak, where Filep Karma was arranging for the raising of the Morning Star Flag. This was the first time the Morning Star Flag had been raised in 30 years, Filep himself wasn't even sure what the flag looked like, and he had to find someone who could make one. During the peaceful ceremony, Filep urged supporters to arm themselves only with prayer and hymns, and declared:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We the people of West Papua pledge to struggle to uphold the ideal of the independence of West Papua.<br />We the people of West Papua declare that the Republic of Indonesia cannot interfere in the affairs of West Papua.<br />We the people of West Papua ask that our security be guaranteed by the United Nations and by no one else.</blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UyCa-Y2NhqjaCOEdgnSSfaDbfSKKq55L2FF33I7R8a7sG2tM_3u3w64M007nUHNO5henAkh8akNjhD1SB0-AaaGOPOE6QHZVsS2vvaRTDy4V3QOWRw7c_VhOYwcq4aIhc-NxyA/s1600/Book-Cover-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UyCa-Y2NhqjaCOEdgnSSfaDbfSKKq55L2FF33I7R8a7sG2tM_3u3w64M007nUHNO5henAkh8akNjhD1SB0-AaaGOPOE6QHZVsS2vvaRTDy4V3QOWRw7c_VhOYwcq4aIhc-NxyA/s1600/Book-Cover-smaller.jpg" /></a>Within the next few days, Indonesian authorities cracked down brutally. As Filep gathered his followers using hymns, Indonesian authorities formed a <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">U</span> around the gathering and began shooting. Filep himself was shot twice, and about 29 others were shot and killed. Filep Karma was eventually arrested and jailed for 10 months.<br />
<br />
In 2004, Filep arranged another flag raising on the anniversary of Papuan independence from the Netherlands. Again, Indonesian forces are alleged to have used violence against the Papuan demonstrators. Filep was arrested and charged with treason for this peaceful demonstration and is still serving a 15-year prison term.<br />
<br />
Eben had some fascinating insights from his time in West Papua, and I'm very much looking forward to reading his book.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com1Tufts University, 28 Capen St, Medford, MA 02155, USA42.4067221 -71.119599542.3949976 -71.1393405 42.4184466 -71.099858500000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-38510056304533269592012-01-17T12:25:00.000-05:002012-01-17T12:25:07.910-05:00Inés and ValentiaThe case of Inés and Valentina were featured in December's Global Write-a-thon and was slated to be a Get On The Bus 2012 action.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/multimedia/ines-valentina-mexico-write-for-rights-2011">Amnesty International</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Indigenous women Inés Fernández Ortega and Valentina Rosendo Cantú were raped by Mexican soldiers in 2002. Although they were brave enough to report the attacks to the authorities and to follow up their cases, no substantive investigation has taken place and no-one has been brought to justice. The stories of Inés Fernández and Valentina Rosendo represent the stories of several other Indigenous women who have suffered sexual violence at the hands of members of the Mexican military and whose cases remain in impunity. In August 2010 the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered the Mexican state to investigate the human rights violations against Inés Fernández and Valentina Rosendo, bring those responsible to account, provide adequate reparation and take steps to ensure that these violations will not be repeated in the future. The Court also ordered Mexico to end the application of military jurisdiction in cases of human rights violations committed by members of the military.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Inés Fernández, Valentina Rosendo and their families have suffered acts of intimidation in an apparent attempt to stop the two women from publicising their case and demanding justice. In the most recent incident, on 28 August 2010, a daughter of Inés Fernández was accosted by two men in the nearby town of Ayutla de Los Libres. The two men threatened the Fernández family with death if they remained in Ayutla. The Inter-American Court had ordered the Mexican government to guarantee the safety of Inés Fernández and her family on 7 April 2009 but the protection measures have not been fully implemented.</span></blockquote>
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<br />
On December 15 of last year, the Mexican government made a public acknowledgement of responsibility, a big step in the right direction. Stay tuned for updates on how this will affect the GOTB action.<br />
<br />
Full story <a href="http://www.proceso.com.mx/?p=293006">here</a> (Spanish).Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-82049616238809474332012-01-14T19:36:00.000-05:002012-01-14T19:40:10.552-05:00More good news from Burma<div class="tr_bq">
According to Irrawaddy.com, as many as 200 prisoners were released Friday in Burma under a new presidential pardon. Among the prisoners released was would-be Get On The Bus 2012 priority action <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khun_Htun_Oo">U Khun Htun Oo</a>, whose case was adopted by Group 133 last year.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/articlefiles/22828-300670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www.irrawaddy.org/articlefiles/22828-300670.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro-democracy activist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Htay_Kywe">Htay Kywe</a> was among those released from prison yesterday in Burma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
From Irrawaddy.com (full story <a href="http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22828">here</a>):<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Min_Ko_Naing">Min Ko Naing</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kokogyi?sk=info">Ko Ko Gyi</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Htay_Kywe">Htay Kywe</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mya_Aye">Mya Aye</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nilarthein?sk=info">Nilar Thein</a> are among 650 prisoners released on Friday under a new presidential pardon. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Family members of political prisoners told <em>The Irrawaddy</em> on Friday that they were informed by the authorities that their relatives are on the list of freed prisoners. It was also reported that former Burma spy chief Khin Nyunt and intelligent official ex-Col San Pwint have also been released, as were ethnic political prisoners including Hkun Htun Oo and prominent Buddhist monk U Gambira, who was an organizer of the 2007 'Saffron Revolution.” Journalists including Zaw Thet Htwe were also freed. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Speaking with <em>The Irrawaddy</em> on Friday from outside Thayawady prison, Nilar Thein, said, “I’m happy, and I will be very happy to see my family. We will get involved in democratic reform with Auntie [Aung San Suu Kyi].” </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">“The reforms introduced by President Thein Sein and Auntie Suu are what we have so long been waiting for. But we have to work harder for the remaining colleagues who are still in prison. If all of them are released, that will be a beautiful image for all of us,” she said. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[...] </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Amnesties under the new government that freed more than 27,000 convicts since last May were disappointing as they included only 200 or so political detainees. The current estimate of political prisoners ranges from about 600 to 1,500, though the government insists no one falls into the category because they are simply criminal convicts. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The government TV announcement read on Thursday: “For the sake of state peace and stability, national consolidation and to enable everyone to participate in political process and on humanitarian grounds, the government will grant amnesty to 651 prisoners so that they can take part in nation building.” </span></blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 17px;">
More coverage on <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/myanmar-s-political-prisoner-release-a-major-step-but-gates-must-open-even-wider-says-amnesty-intern">Amnesty International USA</a>:</div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">But as more than a thousand political prisoners may remain behind bars, many of whom are prisoners of conscience, the amnesty must continue until all are freed according to Amnesty International. </span></blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"This release of political prisoners is a major step forward, but more must be released," said T. Kumar, Amnesty International USA's director of international advocacy. There were high expectations that all political prisoners would be released following Secretary Hillary Clinton's landmark visit to Myanmar in December 2011. Yet, more than a month has passed, and there may be more than one thousand political prisoners still in custody. Secretary Clinton should insist that all prisoners of conscience be released immediately and urge the Burmese authorities to lift any conditions attached to the released prisoners."
</span></blockquote>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-88272963213735728302012-01-14T11:56:00.000-05:002012-01-14T11:56:34.220-05:00Progress in BurmaYesterday, from NPR:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The United States announced Friday that it will exchange ambassadors with Myanmar, also known as Burma, partly in response to the release of hundreds of political prisoners there. This is the latest development in what appears to be a dramatic turnaround for the repressive government in that Southeast Asian nation. President Obama calls the prisoner release "a substantial step forward for democratic reform." Currently, the U.S. Embassy is headed by a charge d'affaires rather than an ambassador.</blockquote>
The rest of the story <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/01/13/145186446/u-s-to-exchange-ambassadors-with-myanmar">here</a>.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-87766972400037951462011-11-19T19:13:00.001-05:002011-11-19T19:14:31.379-05:00NYT coverage of BurmaSee the New York Times front page article <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/19/world/asia/clinton-to-visit-myanmar-next-month-as-aung-san-suu-kyi-rejoins-politics.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="373" id="nyt_video_player" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/bcvideo/1.0/iframe/embed.html?videoId=100000001179693&playerType=embed" title="New York Times Video - Embed Player" width="480"></iframe>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-1930510282111433322011-04-21T08:22:00.001-04:002011-04-21T18:36:24.245-04:00Case Update: Sri LankaFrom the Christian Science Monitor:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">UN report faults Sri Lanka, Tamil Tigers over war conduct</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">A UN panel has found 'credible allegations' of war crimes committed by both sides as the long-running civil war drew to a close in May 2009.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">April 19, 2011</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Bangkok, Thailand</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sri Lanka’s civil war, which ended nearly two years ago with the battlefield defeat of the Tamil Tigers.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> The panel’s findings contradict many of Sri Lanka’s assertions about the conduct of its troops, who are accused of deliberately shelling civilians caught in the war zone. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whose leadership was wiped out at the end of the war in May 2009, is also cited for violations such as child recruitment and using civilians as human shields. Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians trapped behind enemy lines may have died during the fighting.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sri Lanka’s government, which refused to cooperate with the panel, has already criticized its findings as “fundamentally flawed” and based on unverified claims. An executive summary of the report was leaked last week to a Sri Lankan newspaper after the UN sent a copy to the government.The panel’s findings contradict many of Sri Lanka’s assertions about the conduct of its troops, who are accused of deliberately shelling civilians caught in the war zone. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whose leadership was wiped out at the end of the war in May 2009, is also cited for violations such as child recruitment and using civilians as human shields. Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians trapped behind enemy lines may have died during the fighting.</span></blockquote><br />
Read the rest of the story <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-Pacific/2011/0419/UN-report-faults-Sri-Lanka-Tamil-Tigers-over-war-conduct">here</a>.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-68926214640990067392011-04-14T18:43:00.000-04:002011-04-14T18:43:51.465-04:00GOTB Celebrates Sweet 16! Part 2After the morning speaker's panel, we broke for lunch and then reconvened outside of the Chad Mission to the United Nations to call on the Chadian government to protect Darfur refugees and IDPs living within their borders. The energy that students brought to the demonstrations was striking.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scottlangleyphoto.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/gotb2011-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://scottlangleyphoto.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/gotb2011-01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Scott Langley Photography.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>From there, we moved to the Sri Lankan Mission to the UN to call for independent investigation of war crimes committed by both sides during the Sri Lankan Civil War. A number of passers-by seemed intrigued by the goings-on, and our student activists handed out flyers and information.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaiAD5NvLFwCJ96dDcs21xxed0IYuEBhYS8A2LHmSKh7kbK3ytF7atoNZYqX9lZg8jnExDQVdFpc9DvNd-giQNr8iUJpviOSvxKczkHhIpZOntGKv3dn-VjYMvXFMrqPoBRE/s1600/IMG_6390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaiAD5NvLFwCJ96dDcs21xxed0IYuEBhYS8A2LHmSKh7kbK3ytF7atoNZYqX9lZg8jnExDQVdFpc9DvNd-giQNr8iUJpviOSvxKczkHhIpZOntGKv3dn-VjYMvXFMrqPoBRE/s400/IMG_6390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Kelly Turley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our Filep Karma action was an interesting one, as Dag Hammarskjold Plaza is apparently a popular demonstration spot on a Friday afternoon.<br />
<br />
From <a href="http://www.demotix.com/news/653246/triple-rallies-un-new-york">Demotix.com</a>:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; word-spacing: 0.125em;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">New York -- three separate rallies, for three separate causes, came together at Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza on Friday afternoon.</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dozens of supporters showed up at 3pm for the Yemen/Libya rally, to show solidarity with the uprisings in those countries. An hour later, more than a hundred high school and college students marched in, part of Amnesty International's "Get on the Bus For Human Rights" program, supporting Filep Karma, a prisoner of conscience in Indonesia. These younger protesters had been bussed in from New England.</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mixed in with the crowd, were 4 protesters who comprised a 'flash mob', rallying in support of the Goldstone Report, against Shimon Peres appearance at the UN.</span> </blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All three causes stood side by side, shared the space and the microphone and the media attention. There must be something in the air this spring.</span></blockquote></div>The day concluded at the Chinese Mission to the UN, and through the rain, our demonstrators kept up their tireless energy, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen.<br />
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This was my first Get On The Bus, I've been looking forward to the event since November when I started working with Group 133. And although I woke up terribly sick on Saturday morning, I can say now (after a few days of antibiotics), that the experience was well worth all the work and even the maladies. The coordination team is an amazing group of people, taking time out of busy personal lives to pull this event together. The students and participants are equally inspiring with their creativity and energy during the event. And of course, the expert speakers and the success stories make the event well worth all the work.<br />
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Thanks to everyone who worked and participated to make Get On The Bus's Sweet Sixteen a smashing success!Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-40017763044514307082011-04-14T13:07:00.001-04:002011-04-14T13:08:11.009-04:00GOTB Celebrates Sweet 16! Part 1Last Friday, April 8 students and activists from throughout the Northeast region collected in New York City for Get On The Bus for Human Rights' Sweet 16th. Although the weather was soupy and unpleasant, the energy the activists brought to the day's demonstrations was inspiring.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scottlangleyphoto.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/gotb2011-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://scottlangleyphoto.com/photoblog/uploaded_images/gotb2011-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Scott Langley Photography.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We began at the Great Hall at the Cooper Union with our speaker's panel. We were delighted to have Josh Rubinstein, director of the AI-USA Northeast Office, discuss recent uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East. We also welcomed Sarah Milburn, AI-USA Chad country specialist, Jim McDonald, Sri Lanka country specialist, Tenzin Dolkar of <a href="http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/">Students for a Free Tibet</a>, and John M. Miller of the <a href="http://etan.org/">East Timor and Indonesia Action Network</a> (ETAN) to speak on the issues of the day. We also watched a brief video message from Lhamo Tso, wife of imprisoned Tibetan filmmaker, Dhondup Wangchen. (You can watch the full interview, conducted by Group 133 members and interns Lisa and Megan, on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/06259311">here</a>.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72X2DvsOpoP7n5oRAWrnSgBnY1R-jJFPYCXMLyDC-1x46a2KmvgoufnyUXzrqdTxWiZb6Jyv51ihui9n1s86gY9HSIuFho2o2Apwtdh3qFI4EGZmFuSOWBEy11v5l-slYtU/s1600/IMG_6329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_72X2DvsOpoP7n5oRAWrnSgBnY1R-jJFPYCXMLyDC-1x46a2KmvgoufnyUXzrqdTxWiZb6Jyv51ihui9n1s86gY9HSIuFho2o2Apwtdh3qFI4EGZmFuSOWBEy11v5l-slYtU/s400/IMG_6329.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenzin Dolkar speaking in front of Lhamo Tso's image at Get On The Bus 2011. Photo: Kelly Turley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-33772093696812573392011-04-07T04:59:00.006-04:002011-04-07T06:45:30.369-04:00Shine a light, Save a life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxFT_uK3viKyHRiWeBDwsLQscRGPJ3wZzsGgUG3zv6aFulLAI3rMKiJ3UUnpjtuSooAYDk8M_NR9NtJc2Cfjl4JlON_pCGf5CSjJ7xwd50Xz5eF961xJMo0evYG4NsDTuCRUn5Q/s1600/coffee.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxFT_uK3viKyHRiWeBDwsLQscRGPJ3wZzsGgUG3zv6aFulLAI3rMKiJ3UUnpjtuSooAYDk8M_NR9NtJc2Cfjl4JlON_pCGf5CSjJ7xwd50Xz5eF961xJMo0evYG4NsDTuCRUn5Q/s200/coffee.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592786163097315362" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Less than 24 hours until </span></span><a href="http://www.gotb.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Get on the Bus</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> hits the streets of NYC. We're burning the midnight oil here in Somerville, MA. Tuesday night, 15 volunteers sorted and collated print materials. Danielle and Helen stayed until 10pm! Val worked overtime finalizing the bus passenger lists Wednesday. Patrick will be packing up the car with posters, event programs, and merch. I wonder if they're main lining caffine, like me?</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It takes a huge effort of time and energy by a small group of volunteers to pull off an event of this size year after year. Did you know we plan for GOTB six months in advance, including selecting which cases to profile? This year, event planning was underway well before the wave of peaceful protests in North Africa and the Middle East and the subsequent news of </span></span><a href="http://http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.6699949/k.5A27/Free_Majid_Tavakkoli/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">repression of students in Iran</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and the </span></span><a href="http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.6652939/k.BB19/Investigate_torture_and_forced_virginity_testing_on_Egyptian/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?ICID=E1103O03"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">torture of women in Egypt</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, among other human rights abuses reported. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">In recent weeks, we also learned that </span></span><a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/individuals-at-risk/priority-cases/zimbabwe-women-of-zimbabwe-arise/page.do?id=1361020"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA)</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> leaders </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Jenni Williams</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Magodonga Mahlangu</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> are currently being hunted by police. Both have been arbitrarily arrested on numerous occasions in the past following peaceful protests and have been detained for periods of up to 37 days. Let's be blunt -- </span></span><a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/individuals-at-risk/priority-cases/zimbabwe-women-of-zimbabwe-arise/page.do?id=1361020"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">they're being harrassed and intimidated by police</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Knowing the that the threat of arrest is always real and immediate, Jenni lives out of a suitcase and in safe houses, ready to move a moment's notice (starting at the 1:40 minute mark).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><embed src="http://player.theplatform.com/ps/player/pds/LY5D57YOC1&pid=_okNn1Dhg_olicNuhBJLOKmO2iLg1T8y" width="512" height="288" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#ffffff"></embed></span></span></center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Video by [</span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/video/underground-zimbabwe-demonstrating-under-dictatorship/4194/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">wide angle</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">] via Amnesty International: </span></span><a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/individuals-at-risk/woza-demonstrating-under-dictatorship/page.do?id=1051288"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Demonstrating Under Dictatorship</span></span></a></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I was deeply moved by </span></span><a href="http://blog.amnestyusa.org/us/joan-baez-steve-earle-chad-stoke-saul-hernandez-kick-off-agm/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Jenni's speech</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> at Amnesty International's Annual General Meeting in March. She's the type of leader who </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">incites hope</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. It's </span></span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/03/amnesty-political-prisoners?INTCMP=SRCH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">individual stories of hope</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> -- the human face of determination and survival -- that resonate most strongly with me. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Tom Stoppard -- who's probably my favorite playwrite of all time -- </span></span><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/04/belarus-free-theatre-protest-feature?INTCMP=SRCH"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">describes the work of Amnesty International in the UK Guardian</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">:</span></span></div><div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What it does, he says, "is connect awareness to protest globally… And, of course, the very phrase 'a prisoner of conscience' is a very potent idea. Someone who's been locked up because of his conscience."</span></span></blockquote></div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On this Friday and </span></span><a href="http://www.gotbdc.org"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">next</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, GOTB will embody the connection between awareness and protest. We'll draw attention to some of </span></span><a href="http://www.gotb.org/actions-and-issues.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">our human rights concerns</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, including prisoners of conscience like </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Dhondup Wangchen</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, filmmaker of the documentary </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Leaving Fear Behind</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Filep Karma</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, a West Papuan activist. And we've tested the batteries to make sure we'll have working megaphones to amplify our voices so that diplomats and international leaders will know we are on their doorstep.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">We need you to join us -- in person and virtually -- to make the greatest impact! Jam the fax lines. Flood inboxes with messages of hope. Pre-formatted letters are available for download on the </span></span><a href="http://www.gotb.org"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">GOTB</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> website. Or just take a moment of action: </span></span><a href="http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/c.jhKPIXPCIoE/b.6698309/k.94B5/Stop_Stalking_Women_of_Zimbabwe_Arise/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">shine a little bit of love and light</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> on </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Jenni Williams</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> and </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Magodonga Mahlangu</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> by signing a letter online. </span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div></div>GOTB Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12166163937194078164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-82792993982659975792011-03-16T19:31:00.000-04:002011-03-16T19:31:06.067-04:00Revised Chad "asks"The revised list of "asks" for the Get On The Bus 2011 Chad action as recommended by Amnesty International Chad country specialist Sarah Milburn:<br />
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<ul><li>to provide greater protection to women and girls in refugee camps in eastern Chad, including refugees from Darfur and internally displaced persons from Chad, now that they have lost the protection that MINURCAT provided;</li>
<li>to make every effort to prevent the recruiting of underage combatants in the refugee camps and other insecure areas of eastern Chad, either by the Chadian security services or by armed opposition forces, and to better facilitate the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers;</li>
<li>to ensure that Chadian soldiers and security personnel cease all violations of the human rights of refugees and other displaced persons in the camps; and</li>
<li>to ensure that all who have committed such violations are brought to justice, whether they are in Chadian government forces or those of the opposition.</li>
</ul>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-27226485568509406732011-03-12T17:15:00.000-05:002011-03-12T17:15:37.868-05:00Prometheus Project: Amnesty International and the A.R.T.The American Repertory Theater has partnered with Amnesty International to highlight <a href="http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/amnesty">eight Amnesty Actions</a> calling to free prisoners of conscience and fight against human rights abuses all over the world.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/files/shows/images/PB_700x220_rotat2.jpg?1298415261" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/files/shows/images/PB_700x220_rotat2.jpg?1298415261" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The rock musical <a href="http://www.americanrepertorytheater.org/events/show/prometheus-bound">Prometheus Bound</a> is playing at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T) through April 2. Members of Group 133 will be highlighting the case of Tibetan filmmaker and prisoner of conscience Dhondup Wangchen from March 10 - March 16.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-85747588218528474862011-03-12T16:39:00.001-05:002011-03-12T16:40:29.925-05:00March Group 133 Meeting and International Women's DayOn Tuesday, Group 133 had a very eventful March meeting. The evening began with a vigil and petition-signing outside the Davis Square T stop, in honor of <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/">International Women's Day</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_KOOerc2BIy8/TXg9VYwLtSI/AAAAAAAAB9U/G00T-_wpYqs/s640/IMG_6096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_KOOerc2BIy8/TXg9VYwLtSI/AAAAAAAAB9U/G00T-_wpYqs/s400/IMG_6096.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Gualitiero, for organizing the vigil!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also enjoyed a delicious home-cooked Sri Lankan meal, in "taste-bud solidarity"for our Get On The Bus 2011 Sri Lanka action. The meal was a wonderful (and vegan-friendly) treat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_KOOerc2BIy8/TXg9ejJvb5I/AAAAAAAAB9c/PL3FuTkxytg/s640/IMG_6098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_KOOerc2BIy8/TXg9ejJvb5I/AAAAAAAAB9c/PL3FuTkxytg/s320/IMG_6098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b><u>Focus on: Tibet</u></b><br />
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We also discussed the case of Dhondup Wangchen, who will be the focus of a GOTB 2011 action. Dhondup Wangchen is a Tibetan filmmaker who was detained on March 26, 2008, shortly after completing his documentary <i>Leaving Fear Behind</i>. Police held him at Gongshan Hotel, an unofficial place of detention or "black jail," for part of his detention period. Police tied him to a chair, beat and punched him in the head and frequently deprived him of food and sleep during interrogations. Dhondup Wangchen suffers from Hepatitis B, for which he has not received any medical treatment.<br />
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The documentary features ordinary Tibetans talking about the Beijing Olympics, the current situation in Tibet and the Dalai Lama. Wangchen was formally arrested in July 2008 under suspicion of "inciting separatism and stealing, secretly gathering, purchasing, and illegally providing intelligence for an organisation, institution, or personnel outside the country."<br />
<br />
After a secret trial, he was sentenced on December 28, 2009 to six years at Xichuan Labor Camp in Qinghai Province. Amnesty International considers Dhondup Wangchen a prisoner of conscience.<br />
<br />
For Get On The Bus 2011, Danielle and Megan - local high school students who have become actively involved in the GOTB action team - will be interviewing Lhamo Tso, Dhondup Wangchen's wife who lives in exile in India, via Skype. This interview will be shown during the speaker's panel portion of Get On The Bus 2011 in April.<br />
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<b><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8048230761996582635#">Leaving Fear Behind</a></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Google Video (Filming for Tibet)</span><br />
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<center><embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=8048230761996582635&hl=en&fs=true" style="height: 326px; width: 400px;" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></center><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.freetibet.org/campaigns/behind-sea">Lhamo Tso: Behind the Sea</a></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Vimeo (FreeTibet.org uploaded by Jon Lister)</span><br />
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<center><iframe frameborder="0" height="220" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/6579635" width="400"></iframe></center><center><a href="http://vimeo.com/6579635">Lhamo Tso: Behind the Sea</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2257622">Jon Lister</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</center><br />
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<b>More information:</b><br />
<ul><li><a href="http://www.leavingfearbehind.com/node/17">Filming for Tibet</a></li>
<li>Amnesty International: <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/china-must-release-tibetan-filmmaker-20100107">China must release Tibetan filmmaker</a></li>
<li>Human Rights Watch: <a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/08/03/china-ensure-fair-trial-tibetan-filmmaker">China: Ensure fair trial for Tibetan filmmaker</a></li>
<li>Reporters without Borders: <a href="http://en.rsf.org/china-free-dhondup-wangchen-17-06-2009,33443">Dhondup Wangchen</a></li>
<li>International Campaign for Tibet: <a href="http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-news-reports/dhondup-wangchen-faces-trial-new-information-charges">Dhondup Wangchen faces trial</a></li>
<li>FreeTibet.org: <a href="http://www.freetibet.org/campaigns/free-dhondup-wangchen">Free Dhondup Wangchen</a></li>
<li>Students for a Free Tibet: <a href="http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/article.php?id=1674">Spotlight Film: Leaving Fear Behind</a></li>
</ul>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-34670434533994929692011-03-03T13:23:00.000-05:002011-03-03T13:23:11.724-05:00GOTB 2011 registration is open!<a href="http://www.gotb.org/register-online.html">Registration</a> is now open on the revamped Get On The Bus website, <a href="http://www.gotb.org/">www.gotb.org</a>! Val, a longtime supporter of GOTB recently redesigned and relaunched the GOTB website. The new site looks great, and we owe Val a great deal of thanks for her hard work.<br />
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If you're planning on attending GOTB and traveling with us, registration is now open (for individuals and groups). You can find the registration page at: <a href="http://www.gotb.org/register-online.html">http://www.gotb.org/register-online.html</a>.<br />
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Meanwhile, the March GOTB planning meeting was this Tuesday, and with Get On The Bus for Human Rights just about a month away, the rest of the GOTB action committee has had their hands full with finalizing plans and logistics for the event. I've been inspired by all the time and effort all the GOTB coordinators have put into planning this event -- from the Action Coordinators, our bus coordinator, high school student coordinators, coordinators working on the route and permits, and everyone else -- the effort has been outstanding!<br />
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At next week's general <a href="http://www.amnesty133.org/">Group 133</a> meeting, we'll be learning more about the case of Tibetan filmmaker and prisoner-of-conscience Dhondup Wangchen. The March Group 133 meeting will be on Tuesday, March 8 at 7p.m. at the Amnesty International Northeast Regional Office at 58 Day Street, Suite 409 in Davis Square, Somerville.Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-21453073372067266602011-02-12T19:03:00.000-05:002011-02-12T19:03:52.176-05:00Focus on Refugees and IDPs living in Eastern ChadAt the February Group 133 meeting, the Group 133 Refugee Action Team and Larry Rich of the <a href="http://www.savedarfurma.org/">Massachusetts Coalition to Save Darfur</a> presented information about the GOTB 2011 Action calling for the protection of Darfuri refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in eastern Chad.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Darfur-Sudan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/Darfur-Sudan.png" width="254" /></a></div><strong>Some History:</strong><br />
The Republic of Sudan is a large country in northeastern Africa. The people of Sudan have a long history reaching back into antiquity, which is intertwined with the history of its neighbor, Egypt. The Darfur region of eastern Sudan existed as an independent sultanate for several hundred years, and was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The modern country of Suden achieved independence from Egypt and the U.K. in 1956, and was overtaken with decades of civil war. The First Sudanese Civil War (1955-1972) followed ethnic, religious and economic lines between Northern Sudan and Southern Sudan. The war was reignited in 1983, leading to the Second Sudanese Civil War. The Colonel Omar al-Bashir gained control of the country in 1989 in a bloodless cout d'etat and named himself President of Sudan.<br />
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<b>Conflict in Darfur:</b><br />
The Darfur Conflict is an ongoing guerilla war which began in 2003, when the militant groups in Darfur took up arms, accusing the Sudanese government of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese. On the other side of the conflict are the official Sudanese military and police and the Janjaweed, a Sudanese militia group, recruited mostly from Arab tribes from northern regions of Sudan.<br />
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The ongoing conflict has led to some of the worst human rights abuses imaginable. The United States Congress declared the conflict in Darfur a genocide in June 2004, and President George W. Bush did the same in September of the same year. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have died as a result of both deliberate and indiscriminate attacks, and more than 2 million civilians have been forced to flee from their homes. The situation on the ground has been plagued with renewed violence, Janjawid attacks, and aerial bombing by the Government of Sudan's military. Currently, the Government of Sudan is resisting the UN Security Council-mandated peacekeeping operation that is desperately needed.<br />
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Amnesty representatives have met with UN, U.S. and European officials to call for their vigorous action and have pressed the governments of Chad and Sudan directly. Amnesty's global membership has also organized letter-writing campaigns and demonstrations to draw attention to the crisis.<br />
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<b>Get On The Bus 2011 Action:</b><br />
With the withdrawal of <a href="http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minurcat/">MICURCAT</a> peacekeepers at the end of last year, Amnesty International has expressed serious concern for the safety of refugees and IDPs in camps near Chad's border with Darfur. According to AI USA's Chad country specialist, Chad military personnel have already been implicated in a growing number of sexual assaults against women and girls in the camps, and have failed to protect them from the outside attacks. The threat to refugees and IDPs is expected to increase in 2011.<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The 2011 Darfur/Chad GOTB action will call on the government of Chad to protect refugees from Darfur and IDPs in camps in eastern Chad, and in particular to ensure the safety of women and girls in the camps. Specifically, we will ask the government of Chad -</div><ul><li>to permit MINURCAT peacekeepers to return to eastern Chad,</li>
<li>to provide greater protection to women and girls in refugee camps in eastern Chad, including refugees from Darfur and IDPs from Chad,</li>
<li>to ensure that Chadian soldiers and security personnel cease all violations of the human rights of refugees and other displaces persons in the camps, and</li>
<li>to ensure that all who have committed such violations are brought to justice.</li>
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The Conflict in Darfur has been a long and complex war, so the information I've provided here is certainly not exhaustive. I encourage readers to follow the links below to gain a wider perspective. The multimedia resources - photo galleries, documentaries and video footage, and satellite imagery - are much more powerful than any numbers I can write here.<br />
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<b>Further Information:</b><br />
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<ul><li>Amnesty International USA - <a href="http://www.eyesondarfur.org/">Eyes On Darfur</a></li>
<li>Amnesty International USA - <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/chad/page.do?id=1011132">Country Concerns: Chad</a></li>
<li>Amnesty International USA - <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/darfur/darfur-facts/testimony-darfuri-refugees-in-chad/page.do?id=1101970">Testimony: Darfuri Refugees in Chad</a></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.thedevilcameonhorseback.com/"><i>The Devil Came on Horseback</i></a> (film)</div></li>
<li><a href="http://darfurdiaries.org/"><i>Darfur Diaries</i></a> (film)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.savedarfur.org/">Save Darfur</a></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darfur/?utm_campaign=viewpage&utm_medium=grid&utm_source=grid">On Our Watch</a></i>: PBS Frontline Documentary</li>
<li><a href="http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e45c226">UNHCR - Chad</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.refugeesinternational.org/where-we-work/africa/chad">Refugees International - Chad</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hrw.org/africa/chad">Human Rights Watch - Chad</a></li>
<li>Human Rights Watch - <a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2009/06/19/risk-return-0">Report: The Risk of Return</a></li>
</ul>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21542516.post-76257752039846820072011-02-01T15:57:00.000-05:002011-02-01T15:57:23.556-05:00Papua DigestOur friends across the pond at Amnesty International UK have launched "<b><a href="http://www.amnesty.org.uk/uploads/documents/doc_21212.pdf">Papua Digest</a></b>," as part of their comprehensive <a href="http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11991">Papua campaign</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://barenakedislam.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/west_papua_map1.jpg?w=286&h=180" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://barenakedislam.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/west_papua_map1.jpg?w=286&h=180" /></a></div><br />
At this year's Get On The Bus event in New York City - in solidarity with our friends in the Washington, D.C. area and Mid-Atlantic region - we will be calling for the immediate release of <a href="http://www.amnestyusa.org/individuals-at-risk/priority-cases/indonesia-filep-karma/page.do?id=1101238">Filep Karma</a>. A former civil servant, Filep Karma was arrested in December 2004 for taking part in a peaceful flag-raising ceremony in Apepura, Papua Province in Indonesia. Karma and other activists were raising the "Morning Star" flag, a symbol of Papuan independence. Indonesian law forbids the display of regional logos or flags which are symbols of separatist movements. He was convicted of treason in May 2005 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.*<br />
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<i>Amnesty International takes no position whatsoever on the political status of any province of Indonesia, including calls for independence. However the organisation believes that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully advocate referendums, independence or other political solutions. Amnesty International therefore considers Filep Karma to be a prisoner of conscience and is calling for him to be released immediately and unconditionally.</i><br />
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There is a lot of information about the history and human rights situation in the West Papua region. Including a report called, <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA21/008/2009/en/83bb8344-a4d3-425d-95d2-d36eb886e307/asa210082009en.pdf"><i>Indonesia: Jailed for Waving a Flag - Prisoners of Conscience in Maluku</i></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(PDF)</span>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Compared to the eight- to tenth-month sentences that were given to Indonesian soldiers who tortured and abused Papuan villagers. Read the Amnesty International reaction <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/indonesian-soldiers%E2%80%99-sentence-papua-abuse-video-too-light-2011-01-24">here</a>. </span>Lizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02830458830743735396noreply@blogger.com0