you're invited to the big easy!

it's right around the corner so mark your calendars!...join human rights activists and organizers from April 9 - 11th in new orleans for this annual gathering of human rights supporters, experts and activists from across the globe...

this year's all rights for all people conference is going to be big!

amazing speakers - including gloria steinem, bernice johnson reagon, and alice walker...powerful panels - discussing poverty, maternal mortality, criminal justice reform, and so many new strategies for mobilizing the human rights movement on both local and national levels...rich experiences - connect with other human rights activists making significant contributions in their communities...

come, learn, network and experience grassroots activism at its very best!

» register for the 2010 all rights for all people conference
» learn more about our all rights for all people conference
» see the conference agenda

peace out <3

guantanamo - new zip code, no human rights...

yo yo yo yo peeps...

there are troubling rumors flying around washington that president obama is on the verge of cutting a political deal with enator lindsey graham (r-sc)...the president is actually considering rolling back attorney general eric holder's decision to prosecute terror suspects using fair trials in u.s. federal court...

the result would mean that while the guantanamo prison facility would finally be closed, detainees would continue to be held indefinitely without charge and denied fair trials, but just in a new location on u.s. soil...

Call Senator Graham's office – tell him why you oppose military courts and indefinite detention
Call the White House and urge Obama to support fair trials for Guantanamo detainees
Send an email to urge your member of Congress to stand up for fair trials

peace out <3

roxana saberi freed...

amnesty international reports that american-iranian journalist roxana waberi was freed from prison in iran...

roxana had been given an eight-year prison sentence on trumped up charges of “espionage” following a brief closed door trial in tehran last month...aqmnesty international had issued an urgent action calling for her release...over 26,000 messages were sent by amnesty activists to the iranian government demanding her release...

thanks to all who took action...while roxana may be free, there are still countless other prisoners of conscience languishing in prison cells around the world...please take a moment to take action on their behalf so they can join roxana in freedom...

peace out <3

women in united states dying to give birth...

amnesty international released a startling new report that details the horrific tragedy behind maternal death rates among american women...the awful truth behind the shocking numbers is that at least half of these deaths could have been prevented...

women in the united states are more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than in 40 other countries...more than half of these deaths occur within 42 days of giving the birth because of issues like accessibility, affordability and lack of oversight in maternal health matters...the story only gets worse when you look at the rates of pregnancy-related deaths among minority women...african-american women are nearly four times more likely to die of pregnancy-related complications than white women...

but in a country that spends far more on health care than any other country in the world, we should be able to guarantee every woman's right to a safe childbirth...

urge the department of health and human services (hhs) to improve timely access to quality maternal care
read more about their report: deadly delivery
volunteer to meet with senators and representatives in your local district to inform them about this tragedy

peace out < 3

help protect civilians in the drc...

the situation in the democratic republic of congo (sic) remains on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe...the priority at the moment is reinforcing the capacity of the u.n.'s peacekeeping force, monuc to protect civilians and to ensure people have access to humanitarian assistance...

the following days are crucial as the u.n. security council is expected to vote on boosting the peacekeepers any day...your help is urgently needed to keep on calling on the u.s. government to support the troop increase...

it's high time for regional leaders and the u.n. security council to step up its efforts: at least 250,000 civilians, most of them women and children, were displaced by the recent fighting...these people are in a desperate situation, without sufficient food, water, medical supplies or shelter, and cannot wait any longer...

urge the u.s. government to strengthen u.n. peacekeepers
drc: demonstrate leadership to address crisis immediately
blog post:"drc: protect civilians now!"

peace out <3

neither violence against women nor poverty are inevitable...

below irene khan, amnesty international writes about the links between violence against women and poverty to mark the international day for the elimination of

violence against women...

as women around the world come together to celebrate the start of the 16 days of activism against gender violence, violence against women remains endemic in many forms, in all societies...

just last month, aisha ibrahim duhulow was stoned to death by a group of 50 men in somalia...the thirteen year-old was accused of adultery, though according to her father she was raped and had tried to report it...none of those accused of her rape nor murder have been arrested...

violence against women and girls is a priority concern for amnesty international and in 2004 a global campaign to stop iolence against women was launched...so far the campaign has contributed to successes that have brought a number of legislative and policy changes at national levels, as well as supported efforts in the international arena for the adoption of resolutions 1325 and 1820 by the united nations security council...

these resolutions on women peace and security aim to ensure women's equal participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict peacebuilding and to increase the human rights protection of women and girls in conflict situations...

despite these advances, violence against women and girls remains widespread across the globe...recent research in afghanistan, armenia, anada, cote d'ivoire, democratic republic of the congo, jamaica, haiti, liberia, mexico, nigeria, peru, sierra leone, south africa, venezuela, and the usa has shown that this violence is not only a human rights violation but also a key factor in obstructing the realization of women's and girls' rights to security, adequate housing, health, food, education and participation...millions of women find themselves locked in cycles of poverty and violence, cycles which fuel and perpetuate one another...

poverty is characterised by the daily experience of human rights abuses that lead people into deprivation, insecurity, exclusion and voicelessness...poverty is an affront to human dignity and the worst human rights crisis in the world...it exists in all countries and affects women disproportionately – 70% of the world’s poor are women...

neither violence against women nor poverty are inevitable, though they combine to restrict women’s choices and put women at risk from violence...while all girls have the right to education, which is vital in allowing them to choose their futures, this right is often curtailed by violence and poverty...in countries such as haiti, girls may have little choice but to grant sexual favours in order that they can pay their school fees...

others who go in search of a public place with lighting by which to do their homework because their home has no electricity, are attacked by groups of men...as a result of the abuse, it is likely that girls' education will be disrupted or discontinued...

violence against women is a human rights abuse for which states are responsible...amnesty international will continue to demand accountability from both national and international actors for these violations...it will continue to call upon states and the international community to ensure equal access to rights and services for women and girls...

this includes systemically incorporating the analysis of the impact on the enjoyment of women and girls' human rights into all strategies, programs and reporting related to poverty reduction and achievement of the millennium development goals...

this must also include progress made in the elimination of gender-based violence...human rights violations cannot be stopped, poverty ended, nor development achieved without the active participation of the people affected by these abuses, in particular women and girls...

peace out <3

obama's 100 day challenge...

talk of change is good...sunday a week ago, president-elect obama stated in an interview on cbs that he will follow through with his commitment to close Guantanamo... in the hope of turning words into actions, amnesty international is calling on president-elect barack obama to take concrete steps in his first 100 days in office...this means: announce a plan and date to close guantánamo issue an executive order to ban torture ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the u.s. government in its "war on terror" is set up

taking these steps would send a clear message to the rest of the world that, once again, the u.s. will be a leader for human rights...

call on obama to demonstrate a commitment to human rights in his first 100 days
visit this blog to read zeke johnson's "3 steps for president obama

peace out <3

ensure that suspected war criminals in darfur are investigated by the international criminal court...

the crisis in darfur...you remember darfur, don't you?

well, sending mixed messages can only make things worse for the people of darfur...yet the u.s. government, my government led by the bush administration, has chosen to play with fire...sudanese president omar al-bashir may never have to answer for his alleged crimes if the investigation against him is suspended...but you can ensure justice for the people of darfur...

one week the u.s. government is telling us that they would never condone delaying the international criminal court’s (icc) investigations in darfur...another week, secretary of state condoleezza rice is reported to be supplying sudanese officials with a list of conditions that sudan would need to meet in order to discuss delaying the icc’s investigation of cashir...justice cannot be bargained away – help ensure the icc investigation of bashir...

even entertaining the idea of supporting the deferral of the icc's investigation sends the wrong signal to the people of darfur...so join me in urging u.s. officials to continue being strong advocates for justice in darfur - in both words and actions...

yes, the conflict in darfur is complex, to say the least...but we must never lose sight of the underlying issues - human rights, freedom and justice...

small steps you can take to support justice in darfur:

• check out the darfur now action guide
• order your copy of the movie, darfur now: an inspiring journey following six passionate individuals working to bring about an end to the conflict in darfur
• stand up for darfur by organizing a screening of darfur now in your home, classroom, or a local venue such as a library or community center

five long years have passed in darfur without a break in the violence...we cannot undo these senseless acts, but we demand that justice be served in the end...

peace out <3

help free a prisoner of conscience...register today for the global write-a-thon...

why do we do what we do???

consider...

a mother in the congo fights against a military responsible for assaulting her children...

a priest in eritrea is humiliated - stripped of his role in the church by a government violating basic laws and principles...

a teacher in myanmar is serving life in prison simply for criticizing the authorities...

so what can you do???

well, stories like these deserve happy endings.you can help write those endings by joining the global Write-a-thon...

these cases and others will be the focus of amnesty international's upcoming global write-a-thon on december 5 - 14, 2008...in the days surrounding international human rights day on december 10, tens of thousands of caring people around the world will take part in the world's largest letter writing event...please join this worldwide effort...be a part of the global write-a-thon...

during last year's global write-a-thon, people in more than 30 countries sent over 150,000 letters, postcards and emails on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and others at risk...at least three of the prisoners were freed because of your support...

you might remember that this time last year, student leader zmitser dashkevich was in prison in belarus for his peaceful political activities...just weeks after his case was included as a global write-a-thon action, authorities released zmitser...

that's the power of this event...help make this year's global write-a-thon even stronger!

last year, your letters made a difference...now others need your help...register today for amnesty international's global write-a-thon and make a real difference in someone's life...

peace out <3

president-elect obama: 100 days to demonstrate commitment to human rights...

the election of barack obama to the u.s. presidency opens new opportunities for an end to the seven-year assault on human rights by the u.s. administration...

amnesty international urged u.s. president-elect obama to make human rights central to his new administration on wednesday...the organization is calling for certain concrete steps in his first 100 days in office that would demonstrate a genuine commitment to bringing the usa into line with its international obligations...

the new president will have the authority to rectify some of the unlawful policies and practices adopted during his predecessor’s term in office in the name of counter-terrorism and national security...

counter terror with justice: a human rights challenge

in the first 100 days, the peeps over at amnesty international is calling on the new administration to:

• announce a plan and date to close guantánamo
• issue an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment, as defined under international law
• ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the u.s. government in its “war on terror” is set up

these demands are part of a “checklist” of actions amnesty international is asking the new u.s. president to take during the first 100 days in office...

promoting human rights at home and abroad

amnesty international has numerous human rights concerns in relation to the usa...the organization is seeking a meeting with president-elect obama to discuss how the usa will take forward policies that will advance internationally recognized human rights both at home and abroad...

call on president-elect barack obama to demonstrate a commitment to human rights in his first 100 days in office

counter terror with justice: a human rights challenge for the next u.s. president

peace out <3

a new era for human rights in the united states...

over the weekend in memphis i had a few opportunities to chat with amnesty international usa's executive director larry cox...the great thing about larry is that amnesty is an action, activist organization and he gets it...he understands what we need to do in order to grow a broad-based, vibrant and vital grassroots human rights movement in the united states...amnesty is a non-partisan organization and does not support political candidates but political positions that align themselves with human rights laws, standards and norms...in that vein here's a letter i received from larry the morning after barack obama became this nation's president-elect...

peace out <3

Dear Randy,

Waking up this morning was like waking up to a new era. That’s because many of us remember a time when activities were segregated by race, whether going to the movies or riding a bus.

And then yesterday, the biggest racial barrier in American politics was annihilated. By record margins, America elected Barack Obama the first African-American president of the United States.

Hope overcame fear. Ordinary citizens mobilized to change the future. This is the heart of Amnesty International. Since 1961, we’ve held out hope for those enduring injustice, when all hope was lost. And through the power of your collective actions, hundreds of thousands now enjoy greater freedom and a safer, more just world.

A record 131 million people cast their vote and exercised one of the most fundamental of human rights. But as Barack Obama said last night,

"This victory alone is not the change we seek--it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you."

We have a great opportunity. The world faces overwhelming human rights crises. But with your help, we can turn this country’s policies on human rights back in the direction of alleviating, and not contributing, to these crises.

President-elect Obama has promised to restore the rule of law, to repair America’s damaged perception in the world, to close Guantánamo, and to renounce torture. These promises bring hope.

In the coming days, we will need you to help make those promises a reality.

Sincerely,


Larry Cox
AIUSA Executive Director

civil and human rights: keeping the dream alive II...

on monday i shared with you the memphis aerial photography event that was the culmination of this year's amnesty international southern regional conference...well here's the photo and go check out videos from the event here...

peace out <3

isolated and abused: women migrant domestic workers in jordan...

tens of thousands of women migrant domestic workers in jordan face isolation, exploitation and abuse, with little or no protection from the state...migrant domestic workers are crucial to the economy in jordan, contributing to the well-being of the households where they work and providing vital incomes for their own families and communities...many face exploitation and abuse:

• many work 16 to 19 hours daily, with no day off
• physical, psychological and sexual abuse is common
• many are effectively held captive in their employers’ home
• many women are not paid some or all of their meagre wages, sometimes for years

until this summer, the labour law in jordan excluded domestic workers from the protection offered to other workers, such as minimum wage provisions, sick leave, or days off...amendments were endorsed by the jordanian parliament to state that a separate regulation will be issued to define the terms of their working conditions...although this is a step forward, more needs to be done to ensure that the rights of women migrant domestic workers are protected in line with international human rights standards...

call on the government of jordan to ensure new measures effectively protect the rights of women migrant domestic workers...

peace out <3

keeping the dream alive in memphis, tn...

despite all setbacks challenging our basic freedoms and fundamental rights, somehow we continue to keep the dream alive...

on sunday, yesterday, nov. 2, i was part of an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 people who came together in tom lee memorial park on the banks of the mighty mississippi river in memphis, tn to create an aerial image of dr. martin luther king jr...,the event was a celebration of the anniversary of dr. king’s “I have a dream” speech that launched the civil rights movement...

the keep the dream alive event represented communities coming together to honor heroes and carry their human rights work forward with 6 organizations or schools including the naacp, and afscme joining amnesty international...

it was a privilege, a privilege i'm not ashamed of, to be there to make history...

peace out <3

Weary refugees are trying to reach home

in the Democratic Republic of Congo amid a fragile cease-fire. They have been caught between the government and Laurent Nkunda's rebel movement.

The conflict is fueled by left-over tensions from Rwandan genocide. Nkunda claims that the government has not done enough to protect Tutsis from the Hutu militia that fled to the Congo at the end of the war. It's believed that all sides are funded by the vast mineral riches found in the Congo, leaving them no incentive to stop.

According to the United Nations, more than a millions people have been displaced, 220,000 since August. While the UN convoy is currently the largest in the world, it has requested backup to contain the violence. The EU has refused to send soldiers, hoping instead to end the fighting by diplomatic means.

In the meantime, people have lost their homes, belongings, family, and basic human rights such as healthcare and food. Please urge your representatives and leaders to remember the fighting in the DRC and not to allow it to reach the proportions that it did in Rwanda. We cannot keep making the same mistakes.

Read the full story here.

u.n. discusses crucial step on economic, social and cultural rights...

the u.n. general assembly will this month discuss taking a crucial step to secure access to justice for everyone whose economic, social and cultural rights are violated and who is denied a remedy at the national level...

in the coming weeks, u.n. member states convening in new york at the general assembly session will consider the adoption of an international instrument – the optional protocol to the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (optional protocol)...once in force, this instrument will provide access to justice for victims of violations of economic, social and cultural rights who cannot get a remedy at the national level...

the peeps over at amnesty international has said that, sixty years after the adoption of the universal declaration of human rights (udhr), in which the international community recognized that everyone, everywhere has civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, this step is long-overdue...said duncan wilson, amnesty international’s senior policy expert on economic, social and cultural rights:

"This is clear and concrete action to implement the declaration made fifteen years ago at the Vienna World Conference that 'all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated. The international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis. Amnesty International emphasizes the importance of using this historic moment to rectify the imbalance between civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, which has particularly denied marginalized groups and those living in poverty the ability to demand an effective remedy when their rights are violated. Many of those who have suffered violations of their rights, including rights to adequate housing, food, water and sanitation, health, education and decent work, are denied the ability and power to hold those responsible to account."

amnesty international has called on all members of the u.n. to celebrate 60th anniversary of the udhr with the adoption of the optional protocol, in its current form, by the general assembly on the 10th of december 2008...

the elaboration and adoption of the optional protocol is the culmination of five years of negations by an intergovernmental working group...the final agreed text is a compromise and has the support of an overwhelming number of u.n. member states...

amnesty international is a member of the international ngo (non-governmental organization) coalition for an optional protocol to the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights...

peace out <3

take action: demand proper protection of womens’ rights in sonora state, mexico...

one in four women in mexico has suffered physical, and sometimes sexual, violence at the hands of their partner...thousands are put at risk of repeated abuse because weak or ineffective protection measures fail to ensure their safety...

domestic violence can have physical, psychological, and emotional effects, as well as serious economic and social consequences on women and their families...many face a range of obstacles when trying to report cases, such as the refusal of officials to accept complaints, inadequate investigations, and poor enforcement of protective measures...

a number of factors also deter women from filing complaints, such as fear of reprisals, and entrenched social attitudes which excuse violence against women, and undermine women’s role in the family and society...official restraining orders are rarely issued and in many cases, there are no dedicated police resources to enforce them if they are issued...

following her divorce in 1993, marcela blumenkron made numerous emergency calls to the police to report threats and harassment from her former husband...time and again, she was advised by prosecutors to resolve the issue directly with her former husband...

on one occasion, marcela was told, “if you come back with a bruise, we’ll do something”...in 2005, marcela’s former husband broke into her home and stabbed her, leaving her paralyzed for four months, with long-term nerve damage and limited mobility...

although mexico recently passed a law to counter violence against women, and many states have followed suit, more still needs to be done or these changes will make little difference to women at risk...

take action to demand that womens’ rights in Mexico are properly protected!

peace out <3

in final days before troy davis execution date, concerned public worldwide demands action ...

as the scheduled execution date for troy anthony davis fast approaches, national and international support for davis is on the rise, with the public demonstrating its outrage over the refusal to hear evidence in davis’ favor...

amnesty international has mobilized its worldwide membership during its “global days of action for troy davis” from now through oct. 27...to date, rallies are scheduled to be held in 15 cities across the united states, including atlanta; tempe, az; palm springs, ca; colorado springs, co as well as in canada, france, the united kingdom, belgium, finland and italy (for the complete list, please visit www.amnestyusa.org/troy)...said larry cox, executive director of aiusa, as he prepared to address hundreds at a rally in atlanta thursday evening...

“This upsurge of support is proof-positive that conscientious citizens will not back down in the face of adversity when a gross injustice is about to be committed. They can see through the detractors who are attempting to muddy the waters in Davis’ final days, and refuse to accept the notion that, in the United States of America, evidence indicating a man’s innocence does not matter.”

the rallies, which have been planned throughout the week, come as the troy davis legal team has requested to file a second habeas petition in the 11th circuit, and clergy from georgia and beyond are signing an appeal to georgia governor sonny perdue, urging him to exert his influence with the georgia board of pardons and paroles and ask them to grant clemency in this case...

troy davis is scheduled to be executed on monday, oct. 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. davis was convicted in 1991 of killing savannah police officer mark allen macphail...authorities failed to produce a murder weapon or any physical evidence tying davis to the crime...in addition, seven of the nine original state witnesses have since recanted or changed their initial testimonies in sworn affidavits..in march 2008, the georgia supreme court decided against a new evidentiary hearing for davis in a narrow 4-3 ruling, and earlier this month, the u.s. supreme court denied his petition for a writ of certiorari...added jared feuer, southern regional director of aiusa at the rally:

“There are obvious questions of potential innocence that demand attention. The state of Georgia must understand the seriousness of this case and prevent the execution of Mr. Davis if it is to preserve the public’s faith in our justice system.”

since the launch of its february 2007 report, where is the justice for me? the case of troy davis, facing execution in georgia, amnesty international has campaigned intensively for clemency for davis, collecting well over 300,000 petition signatures and letters from across the united states and around the world...to date, internationally known figures such as the pope, archbishop desmond tutu and jimmy carter have all joined the call for clemency, as well as lawmakers from within and outside of georgia...

help prevent the execution of a juvenile in saudi arabia
thank new jersey leaders for supporting abolition
urge clemency for troy davis

peace out <3

victory: contested land in brazil handed to state...

a long standing land dispute in brazil between landless workers movements and a swiss multinational, which led to the deaths of two men, has been brought to a conclusion...

agrochemical business syngenta has handed over its experimental farm in paraná state to the state government, marking an end to violent conflict over the site...

syngenta gave the land to the paraná state government on 14 october 2008...the government has promised to use the land for the production of native seeds for distribution to small holder farmers and impoverished countries who have suffered devastation from hurricanes...

the 127-hectare farm in santa tereza do oeste was used by syngenta to field test its genetically modified (gm) crops...this was contested because it potentially contravened an environmental zoning law and because it was identified as a possible site for the settlement of landless agricultural workers...

two men were killed after the landless workers movements mst and via campesina occupied the farm in protest on 21 october 2007...an illegal and violent eviction by 40 armed employees of nf segurança, the private security company hired by syngenta to protect the farm, led to the deaths of mst leader valmir motta de oliveira (known as keno) and security guard fabio ferreira...

human rights groups and land activists in the state of paraná have previously suffered threats and intimidation from a number of groups formed by landowners...in a public hearing on 18 october 2007, local rights groups presented a dossier of evidence to the state human rights commission that highlighted the activities of armed men hired by landowners and agricultural companies...according to the report, they act with no legal controls, often using violent and illegal methods to forcibly evict, threaten and attack land activists...

several investigations into irregular and illicit behaviour by nf segurança, including the investigation into keno’s murder, have led to its licence being revoked...the company continues to operate pending its appeal...

amnesty international has said it is vital that steps are taken by federal and state authorities across brazil to control the flood of irregular and/or illicit security companies, many of whom are effectively acting as illegal militias in the service of landowners or agro-industry...said susan lee, amnesty international’s america’s director:

"It is essential that the state and federal authorities investigate individuals, organizations or companies which use security companies that commit human rights violations or criminal acts. Those found to have failed in their duty to adequately vet or oversee their security company must be held to account.”

with the trial of the suspects of the killings of keno and fabio ferreira about to begin in november amnesty international calls on the authorities to ensure that it meets international standards for fair trials...continued lee:

“It is vital that those individuals truly responsible for these deaths are brought to justice, ending the long history of impunity for rural killings and the protection of vested economic and political interests.”

peace out <3

zimbabwe activists beaten, arrested and detained...

the leaders of one of zimbabwe's main activist movements have been remanded in custody by the courts in bulawayo since friday...jenni williams and magodonga mahlangu, leaders of women of zimbabwe arise (woza), were arrested on thursday in bulawayo after leading a peaceful protest of about 200 activists demanding immediate access to food aid in zimbabwe...

police used excessive force to break up the protest. magodonga mahlangu was beaten by police during her arrest and is reported to be in pain...

nine activists were initially arrested, including jenni williams and magodonga mahlangu; seven activists were released on the same day...

jenni williams and magodonga mahlangu were held at bulawayo central police station over night and taken to court on friday morning...they were denied bail...they will be held in remand prison until tuesday, when they are set to come to court again...

they have been charged under section 37 1(a) of the criminal law (codification and reform) act for "disturbing the peace, security or order of the public"...

amnesty international has urged the zimbabwean authorities to release jenni williams and magodonga mahlangu, immediately and unconditionally, as they have been detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of association and assembly...the organisation also expressed fears about the women’s safety while in remand prison, considering the long history of ill-treatment of human rights defenders while in custody in zimbabwe...said erwin van der borght, director of the africa programme:

"Amnesty International considers Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu to be prisoners of conscience. Their arrest is part of the government of Zimbabwe’s clampdown on human rights defenders who are campaigning to highlight the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe."

jenni williams and magadonga mahlangu were last arrested in may 2008, and spent 37 days in remand prison...

demand an end to impunity for soldiers who rape and proper care for rape-survivors in the drc
defend freedom of expression in china and urge shi tao's release
free school teacher ma khin khin leh

peace out <3