Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012
Our featured image above shows the commitment of our featured charity to the issue of access to clean water everywhere.
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 Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The stated mission is: “To advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.”
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 theft of their land. Raise your voice in protest.
Damiana Cavanha, leader of the Apy Ka’y community, has seen the deaths of three of her children and her husband. She is determinedly planning a reoccupation of their ancestral land where they are buried.
© Paul Patrick Borhaug/Survival
THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY
We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers’ supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
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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 stop forced labor of prisoners in the USA.
URGENT ACTION CASES
USA
Urgent Action: Execution Set For Crime Man Cannot Remember
Vernon Madison is scheduled to be executed in Alabama on 25 January. His lawyers maintain that he lacks a rational understanding of the reason for his execution as a result of severe strokes which have left him with dementia and unable to remember the crime.
INDIA
Urgent Action: Two Indigenous Activists Face Life Imprisonment
Adivasi activists Judhishtira Jena and Babula Samal have been arrested for their role in the resistance to forced acquisition of land for a steel plant. Both men also face numerous other cases, some of which are with regard to alleged actions ten years ago. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment.
UZBEKISTAN
Urgent Action Update: Independent Journalist Must Be Immediately Released
On 10 January, the family of Uzbekistani independent journalist Bobomurod Abdullayev, held since 27 September 2017 in an Uzbekistani National Security Service (SNB) detention center, was allowed to see him for the first time in three months. While the family saw no visible signs of torture, concerns for his well being remain. He has had no access to independent legal representation since December 2017.
IRAN
Esmail Abdi back in prison – free him now
Tehran teacher union leader Esmail Abdi was taken back to the Evin prison on Saturday 20 January. Esmail Abdi had been released on furlough on 9 January. A temporary reprieve from his six-year sentence started in 2016. Iranian authorities denied extending his furlough, despite his poor health resulting from harsh detention conditions. Please join the protest.
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