Volume IX Number 10, October 2001
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Thursday,
October 25, 7:30 PM. Monthly Meeting Note New Location! 414 S. Holliston,
Caltech Y Lounge. Help us plan future actions on Afghanistan, Tibet, the
Campaign against Torture and abolition of the death penalty.
Tuesday,
November 13, 7:30 PM.
Letter-writing Meeting at the Athenaeum.
Corner of California & Hill in the basement recreation area. An informal meeting, a great place for
first-timers to ask questions!
Sunday, November
18, 7:30 PM. Rights
Readers Human Rights Book Discussion
Group Call for location info: 626-281-4039. This month
we discuss Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk by Palden
Gyatso.(see below).
Thursday,
November 15, Time TBA. First
Congregational Church, Corner of Los Robles and Walnut. Save the date for an
important event on Afghanistan!
In the wake of the September 11
attacks, Amnesty International has made it a priority to respond to the
crisis. Killing is the ultimate
human-rights violation, and it is essential to seek justice in the name of the
victims and to minimize the possibility of future attacks. This needs to be done with respect for
human rights standards, to avoid further compounding the tragedy (and
ultimately
decreasing everyone's security).
AI has been in contact with the
Bush administration and other governments to discuss a number of specific
concerns, including the protection of refugee rights, safeguarding civil
liberties, and the possible scapegoating of ethnic communities. Please contribute your voice to these
actions!
In a very timely development, we
are once again co-sponsoring a visit from RAWA, the Revolutionary Association
of the Women of Afghanistan (www.rawa.org), to discuss their
"revolutionary" work advancing women's rights, and human rights in
general, in Afghanistan and Afghan refugee camps. With the recent developments, RAWA has received a lot of
positive publicity for its extremely courageous and enlightened work, and we
are expecting them to have the opportunity to reach a large audience in their
talk (on Nov. 15; see the calendar for details). As with their very successful visit last year, this visit is
being organized by our good friend and collaborator Sonali Kolhatkar, who has
been working tirelessly on behalf of Afghani women for several years. Group member Lucas Kamp is again
coordinating our participation in the visit (thanks!).
We have decided to cancel our
participation in the Doo-Dah parade this year. The main issue was, naturally, the difficulty in devising a
suitably silly theme with a human-rights spin, which we felt would work in the
prevailing mood. Look forward to
the return of the Animals for the Ethical Treatment of People, next
year!
In general, we can expect there
be extra challenges in advancing a human-rights agenda in the present
atmosphere. However, in such
disorienting times the perspective of Amnesty International is even more
important, for providing a uniquely powerful and credible voice for human
rights in the world.
Cheers,
Larry Romans
818-354-5809
Group Coordinator ljr@ljr.net
Call for Location:
626-281-4039
Autobiography
of a Tibetan Monk By Palden
Gyatso If
you've ever wondered what it's like to walk in the shoes of a Tibetan monk,
you're in for a shocker. Palden Gyatso followed his heart into the
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monastery
at the age of 10 to study under his uncle, also a monk. By his mid-20s, when he should have
been preparing for a higher degree, he instead found himself behind the bars of
a Chinese communist prison. For the next 30 years, he would endure
interrogations, deprivation, starvation, beatings, and psychological torture.
When he was finally released in 1992, he fled the country, managing to smuggle
out not only the names of his fellow prisoners but Chinese instruments of
torture to show the world.
PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE
Ngawang Pekar, Tibetan
Monk
One thing at least has not
changed since September 11, and that is Group 22's commitment to work for
Ngawang Pekar, the prisoner of conscience that we have adopted. (He is a
Tibetan monk who has been imprisoned since his 1989 arrest for participating in
a peaceful demonstration in Lhasa.)
Congress is somewhat preoccupied
these days, and the Tibetan Policy Act of 2001, which was introduced last May,
still languishes in the House and Senate committees. The Bush administration is
seeking China's support for the anti-terrorism campaign, and consequently the
issue of human rights in Tibet may be de-emphasized.
Amnesty International issued an
October 11 press release (http://www.aiusa.org/news/2001/
china10112001.html) in response to a Chinese government statement
calling for international support in its crackdown on domestic
"terrorism", apparently aimed at Uighur Muslim groups. AI said,
"The Chinese authorities do not distinguish between 'terrorism' and
'separatism'... Separatism in fact covers a broad range of activities most of
which amount to no more that peaceful opposition or dissent." AI's press release concluded with
"concern that the [Chinese] statement may also lead to renewed government
action against suspected 'separatists' in Tibet."
So let's make sure that the
Chinese authorities know that we have not forgotten about Ngawang Pekar, that
we'll keep writing letters, whatever happens, as long as it takes. Palden Gyatso, former
prisoner of conscience,
said, "After 33 years of imprisonment, I would not have been released, if
not for a letter writing campaign. Make your voice heard... You can make a
change." (Note: the Rights Readers November book selection is Gyatso's
Autobiography of a Tibetan Monk.)
This month we suggest writing to
the Director of the Bureau of Justice of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Here is a
letter you can copy or use as a guide.
Dear
Director,
I am writing to you about a
prisoner being held in Tibet Autonomous Region Prison No. 1. The prisoner's
name is NGAWANG PEKAR.
Ngawang Pekar, a Tibetan monk,
was arrested in 1989 for participating in a peaceful demonstration in the city
of Lasashi and sentenced to 8 years in prison. Later his sentence was increased
by an additional 6 years. Amnesty
International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, and I am concerned
that he has been imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of his universally
recognized right to freedom of expression. I am further deeply concerned about
reports that he has been beaten and denied access to medical
care.
I respectfully request that you
do everything possible to see that Ngawang Pekar's case is reviewed with
consideration of the international laws to which China is signatory. I also ask
that you make information about Pekar's current status available to an
independent organization such as Amnesty International.
Thank you very much for taking
the time to consider this important matter.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME AND
ADDRESS)
Please send
to
Director of the Xizang Autonomous
Regional Bureau of Justice
ZHAXI Dunzhu
Juzhang
Sifaju
Duodilu, Lhasa
850000
Xizang
Zizhiqu
People's Republic of
China
Postage is 80 cents for a letter, 70 cents for an
aerogram. As always, if by any
chance you should receive a reply, please notify Group
22.
LETTER
COUNT
Prisoner of
Conscience (Ngawang Pekar):
2
Death Penalty:
2
Campaign Against
Torture
5
Government Action
Network
8
Child Soldier
Protocol
25
Urgent
Actions:
36
Total:
78
Want to add your letters to the
total? Get in touch with lucas.kamp@jpl.nasa.gov
REGIONAL CONFERENCE
Bringing the Message Home:
Legislative Action is Human Rights Activism
The Western Regional Conference
of Amnesty International USA is a unique opportunity for activists, scholars,
communities, and students to come together to learn about, discuss, and act
upon some of the most important human rights issues facing our world community
today.
This year's conference will have
a special focus on legislative action and the death penalty, as well as our
ongoing Campaign Against Torture.
Join us as we celebrate the 40th
anniversary of Amnesty International, reflecting upon on our struggles and
successes over the past four decades and preparing for the challenges of the
future.
In the wake of last week events
and in anticipation of future developments that may threaten the respect of
universally-recognized human rights, the Western Region of AIUSA will dedicate
portions of its regional conference to the discussion of the reaction and most
appropriate contribution of the organization. AI has already expressed its
deepest solidarity with the victims of the attacks on New York and Washington;
in this spirit and context we will present and discuss some of our current
objectives:
·
How
to press the international community to collaborate in bringing the
perpetrators to justice in conformity with respect for human rights
standards.
·
How
to prevent identity-based human rights violations in the context of a backlash
against members of "suspected" ethnic groups or religious
communities.
·
How
to monitor, report, and condemn related incidents and trends, including the
introduction or enactment of legislation potentially leading to human rights
violations.
During such moments of extreme
crisis it is also our responsibility to make sure that all other severe human
rights situations remain in the limelight and continue to be addressed by our
worldwide membership. Therefore we implore you to join us and participate on
November 3rd and 4th. Please help us put the word out!
PROGRAM
HIGHLIGHTS
Ken Wiwa: Nigerian writer,
journalist, and activist, and author of the new book "In the Shadow of a
Saint" will be the conference keynote speaker.
WORKSHOPS
Raise the Roof!: Legislative
Action for Human Rights
The World Conference Against
Racism
Organizing Around Women's Human
Rights Issues
The Death Penalty
Children's Human Rights
Working with the News
Media
Building Coalitions in Your
Community
Current Refugee
Legislation
Human Rights Education
Torture in South Asia
Human Rights in Guatemala and
Colombia
Centers for Survivors
of Torture
Introduction to Amnesty
International
and more!!!
The main conference program will
begin at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 3rd, and will end at 3:30 PM on Sunday,
November 4th. Participants who can arrive earlier are encouraged to participate
in the special program below.
Friday, November
2nd:
Taking Action for a California
Moratorium on Executions
On Friday, November 2nd, prior to
the Western Regional Conference, Amnesty International, in conjunction with
Death Penalty Focus and Californians for a Moratorium on Executions, will host
an all-day event at the Radisson Hotel Sacramento to educate and mobilize
California activists in support of a statewide moratorium on executions. A
morning campaign planning session will be held by Californians for a Moratorium
on Executions. Afternoon workshops will include information about working with
city councils, the California media, and communities of faith, as well as a
general informational session about the history of the death penalty in
California.
To participate in this day of
action, or for more information, please contact Michele Williams, Deputy
Regional Director, at (310) 815-0450, ext. 233, or
mwilliams@aiusa.org.
CONFERENCE SITE &
ACCOMMODATIONS
Radisson Hotel
Sacramento
500 Leisure
Lane
Sacramento, CA
95815
916-922-2020 or
800-333-3333
www.radisson.com/sacramentoca
Conference attendees must make
their own reservations directly with the hotel at the phone numbers listed
above.
QUESTIONS?
For more information, please call
the Regional Office at (310) 815-0450 or email aiusala@aiusa.org.
AFGHANISTAN
Write to Rumsfeld concerning the plight of refugees
Here is a sample letter you can use to write to the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld about the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons in Afghanistan. There is also a sample letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell available at the Amnesty website: http://www.amnesty-usa.org/usacrisis. We encourage you to visit the site and take in all the crisis related news and actions.
The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:
I appreciate that this is a very difficult and challenging time.
As a member of Amnesty International, I write to support U.S. efforts to date both to recognize and to alleviate the suffering of the people of Afghanistan. I also write to ask your help to ensure that innocent Afghanis are not victimized yet again.
I urge you to take immediate steps to ensure that the United States and its allies implement the following measures to help the people of Afghanistan:
Ensure that governments of nations bordering Afghanistan -- particularly those in the U.S.-led coalition -- keep their borders open to Afghan refugees and uphold their responsibilities under international law not to turn back or forcibly return refugees to Afghanistan, where they would be at risk of serious human rights abuses.
Ensure that protection of Afghan refugees is effective and durable, and that there are measures in place to prevent violations of human rights from taking place in the refugee camps.
Implement measures, to the extent possible, to ensure respect for the rights of the displaced population in Afghanistan, particularly in areas controlled by the U.S.-allied Northern Alliance.
Make every effort to provide necessary assistance, including food and medicine, in an appropriate manner. Many relief agencies have expressed concern that air drops are not only insufficient but also needlessly endanger civilians by luring people off of main roads and into areas which may be mined.
Observe the highest standards of international human rights and humanitarian law.
Facilitate the ability of Afghans who so desire to apply for asylum in the United States and elsewhere.
Thank you for your attention to my concerns for the well-being of the Afghan people. I look forward to learning of your efforts.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS
CAMPAIGN AGAINST
TORTURE
Speak out for Egyptian Human
Rights Advocate!
Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim has raised
a strong voice for democracy, intellectual freedom, and peace in the Middle
East for over three decades. A professor at American University in Cairo, he is
also founder and director of an Egyptian organization promoting democracy. In
summer 2000, Egyptian security officers raided the home of this widely
respected scholar and arrested him. They also arrested other members of his
organization, Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies.
Authorities charged Dr. Ibrahim
with offenses largely related to a documentary film he was making about
Egyptian election irregularities. A grant from the European Union helped to
fund the film. Charges against him included receiving funding without
authorization, dissemination of false information abroad, and appropriating
money by fraudulent means. Amnesty International considers these charges to be
politically motivated, constituting efforts to provide legal cover for the
government's increasing attempts to muzzle civil society.
The Ibn Khaldun Center, which
focuses on democracy and human rights, documents discrimination and threats
against minority groups, including Egypt's Coptic Christian communities, and
speaks out against both anti-democratic actions by some Islamic groups and
government crackdowns on non-violent Islamic activists. It also monitors and
criticizes irregularities in Egyptian elections.
The trial of Dr. Ibrahim and 27
others failed to meet international standards for fairness. Despite their
earlier release on bail, defendants were held during court sessions in an iron
cage within the courtroom. The trial lasted for seven months, but the verdict
came less than two hours after the trial's conclusion in May 2001. All 28
defendants were convicted. Dr. Ibrahim, who is 61 years old, received a
sentence of seven years' imprisonment.
To many in Egypt, the
imprisonment of Dr. Ibrahim is an assault on a distinguished intellectual and
political legacy. Upon his arrest last summer, according to a New York Times
article published on June 17, 2001, Dr. Ibrahim was handed over to a police
corporal. The officer, who had studied with Dr. Ibrahim 20 years earlier, asked
as he led Dr. Ibrahim to prison, "What has happened to the
world?"
Amnesty International considers
Dr. Saad Eddin Ibrahim to be a prisoner of conscience and has appealed for his
immediate and unconditional release.
Background. The Egyptian government began using its
increasingly successful attacks on armed Islamic groups in the late 1990s as
cover for harassment of non-violent groups. Individuals who publicly criticize
government policies in Egypt today risk detention. Human rights defenders,
journalists, political activists, and activists in nongovernmental
organizations remain at risk for "offenses" that are merely peaceful
attempts to exercise the rights of free expression and free
association.
Charges similar to those against
Dr. Ibrahim were brought against the general secretary of the Egyptian
Organization for Human Rights in December 1998. The charges against Hafez Abu
Sa'ad were connected to a report on human rights violations in a predominantly
Coptic Christian village. Hafez Abu Sa'ad was released on bail following
widespread protests by human rights organizations in Egypt and
abroad.
Please send letters
urging that Saad
Eddin Ibrahim be freed immediately and unconditionally. Write
to:
His Excellency Muhammad
Hosni
Mubarak
President of the Arab
Republic of
Egypt
'Abedine
Palace
Cairo
EGYPT
Please visit www.amnestyusa.org to learn more about the
use of torture in Egypt and take action on additional
cases.
BANGLADESH
Protection of Religious Minorities
and Women!
Since the Bangladesh Nationalist
Party (BNP) won a large majority in the general election on 1 October, its
supporters have allegedly been attacking Hindus and other religious minorities
because of their perceived support for the rival Awami League party. Police
have apparently taken no action.
Groups closely linked to the BNP
have reportedly driven hundreds of people off their land, and burned their
houses. The victims allegedly include women who have been gang-raped. The
police have apparently done nothing to stop the attacks or protect
the victims.
According to Bangladeshi news
reports, the guard of a Hindu temple at Deobhogh has been kidnapped by armed
men, who fired shots as they left. Several Hindu doctors from Dhaka Medical
College Hospital and Mitford Hospital were also attacked.
Background. The BNP, formerly
Bangladesh's main opposition party, formed an alliance with three other parties
and won more than two thirds of the seats in the 1 October election. BNP leader
Begum Khaleda Zia was sworn in as Prime Minister on 10 October. In the run-up
to the elections there were violent clashes between supporters of Khaleda Zia
and her main rival, Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina. About 150 people were
killed and thousands were injured.
The population of Bangladesh is
approximately 87 percent Muslim. The rest are predominantly
Hindu.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Please send appeals to arrive as
quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia
Office of the Prime
Minister
Gona Bhaban
Sher-e Bangla
Nagar
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Salutation: Dear Prime
Minister
Mr. Nurul
Huda
Inspector-General of
Police
Police
Headquarter
Fulbaria
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Salutation: Dear Sir
Editor's Last
Word:
Read us on line:
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~aigp22
Martha Ter Maat, 626-281-4039 /
mtermaat@hsc.usc.edu
Monthly
Meetings, 4th
Thursday of Month, 7:30 PM, Caltech Y Lounge, 414 S.
Holliston.
Check “Up-coming Events” for
details. Meeting dates may
vary due to holidays!
From the 210 exit on Lake Avenue, head south, turn left
on Del Mar
From the 110 continue on Arroyo Parkway north, turn
right on California
Street parking is generally
available.
Amnesty International
Group 22 P.O.
Box 50193 Pasadena, CA 91115-0193 Amnesty
International |