
Miriam, Human Rights Defender, 1947-2012
Our featured image above shows a montage of human rights defenders. Women human rights defenders are women who raise their voices, risking their own safety to continue to protect and preserve human rights for all.
HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536)

Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to “The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam”.
CHARITY CORNER
This week we turn our attention to the Global Fund for Women. The mission statement:
“The Global Fund for Women is a global champion for the human rights of women and girls. We use our powerful networks to find, fund, and amplify the courageous work of women who are building social movements and challenging the status quo. We are committed to getting money and attention where it will make the biggest difference in the fight for gender equality. Since 1987, Global Fund for Women has invested in nearly 5,000 grassroots organizations in 175 countries, helping to win rights for millions of women and girls.”
This charity is highly rated by Charity Navigator.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
Indigenous tribes do not simply die out. They are killed by the actions of so-called civilized nations. Survival International provides a long list of cases in which a letter from you can and will make a difference. Please open this link and write at least one letter. This link will be a permanent feature on our blog and we would be grateful if you gave it a bit of attention each week. We suggest going down the list in the order given. The letters are pre-written for you. All you need to do is send them. It would be nice also if a donation to Survival International could be forthcoming. They are the best conservationists--help that fact go viral.
A major calamity for indigenous people is land theft. Help oppose it by calling out the responsible governments.
THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY
We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers’ supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
![]() |
You can download this book |
Look for these logos:


Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places. We invite you to join Freedom United and lend your voice to the call to free girls and women from trafficking.
GOOD NEWS
Iranian education union leader Esmail Abdi released on furlough

Esmail Abdi
Education International has been notified that Tehran teacher union leader Esmail Abdi was released on furlough from Evin prison on 9 January, a temporary reprieve from his six-year sentence. Eric Lee has been pushing this case for a long time and has called for help from all of us. We shall continue to watch Esmail’s status.
URGENT ACTION CASES
KENYA
Urgent Action: Indigenous Community Forcibly Evicted
Kenyan authorities are forcibly evicting the Sengwer Indigenous community from their ancestral home, the Embobut forest. The evictions have been carried out by the authorities in violation of the Constitution, a High Court injunction and international human rights law, through a conservation project funded by the European Union.
ECUADOR
Urgent Action: Attack Against Indigenous Defender
Patricia Gualinga, Indigenous human rights defender, reported that on 5 January an unknown man attacked her home in Puyo, Pastaza province, throwing stones at the windows while yelling death threats against her.
MYANMAR
Urgent Action: Two Journalists Face Up to 14 Years in Prison

There were emotional scenes outside the Yangon courthouse
Two Reuters journalists have been formally charged with offenses under the Official Secrets Act in Myanmar. Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were arrested on 12 December after meeting police. Both men must be immediately and unconditionally released and the charges against them dropped.
FIJI
Hundreds march in support of Nadi airport workers
Workers at Fiji’s international airport have been locked out since before Christmas because they dared to challenge management. Labourstart calls for continued support-please join the protest.

People march in Nadi in support of ATS workers who claim they were locked out Photo: FTUC