Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012
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 international operations of Direct Relief. Its mission:
It is highly rated by Charity Navigator and worthy of your support.
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 racism. Help stamp it out.
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 raise your voice to call for the freedom of the activist Gaspar Matalaev who is in prison in Turkmenistan.
URGENT ACTION CASES
SUDAN
Urgent Action Victory! — Opposition Member Released From Sudan Prison
Radwan Daoud, a dual national of the US and Sudan, was released without charge from Kober Prison on 18 January. He was arrested on 6 December 2017 and first detained at the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) detention centre.
Radwan Daoud resides in Oregon State. His arrest is believed to be in connection with videos he shared publicly on his Facebook account to bring attention to the police’s use of excessive force against protestors in the eastern district of Al-Greif. There has been tension between police and residents of the district protesting against the sale of public land to private investors.
He was first detained at the NISS detention centre in Al-Greif before being moved to Kober Prison. During his detention, the NISS interrogated Radwan twice about his visit to Al-Greif and about being a member of the Sudanese Congress Party. Radwan Daoud alleged being beaten, kicked and whipped with electric cables during his first two days in detention at the NISS offices.
He was denied access to a lawyer and medical attention during his 44 days in detention.
Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.
USA
Urgent Action Victory! – Supreme Court Blocks Execution in Alabama
The US Supreme Court granted a stay of execution in the case of Vernon Madison who was scheduled to be executed in Alabama on the evening of 25 January. The stay is to allow the Court time to decide whether to review the claim that Vernon Madison is not “competent” for execution due to his mental disability.
EGYPT
Urgent Action Victory! Peaceful Protesters And Activists Released
Human rights activist and former Prisoner of Conscience Mahienour el-Masry and labor activist Moatasem Medhat were acquitted of all charges by Montazah Misdemeanour Court of Appeals in Alexandria. They were respectively released on 16 January and 18 January.
Mahienour el-Masry
On 13 January, human rights defender and former Prisoner of Conscience Mahienour el-Masry as well as labour activist Moatasem Medhat were acquitted of all charges by the Montazah Misdemeanour Court of Appeals in Alexandria. Egyptian authorities released Mahienour on 16 January and Moatasem on 18 January.
Moatasem Medhat
Egyptian authorities originally detained Mahienour el-Masry and Moatasem Medhat on 18 November 2017 and they were sentenced on 30 December to two years in prison for their peaceful participation in a protest on charges of “participating in an unauthorized protest” and “show of forces”. The case dates back to 14 June 2017, where Mahineour and Moatasem participated in a protest in Alexandria against the ratification of an agreement by which Egypt ceded sovereignty over two islands in the red sea, Tiran and Sanafir, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Security forces held Mahienour el-Masry originally in El-Qanater prison in greater Cairo, and later moved her to Damanhour women’s prison, 70 km east southeast of Alexandria. Security forces detained Moatasem Medhat in Borg el-Arab prison, near the city of Alexandria. The defendants’ lawyer filed an appeal and the Montazah Misdemeanour Court of Appeals scheduled a hearing on 13 January, where the court acquitted both of them.
Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network.
NORWAY
Urgent Action: Student at Risk of Deportation to Afghanistan
18-year old student Taibeh Abbasi is at imminent risk of being deported to Afghanistan, a country she has never been to. Despite the rise in the number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Norway has declared Kabul safe for returns. Should Taibeh Abbasi be deported to war-torn Afghanistan, she would be at serious risk of human rights violations.
TURKEY
Urgent Action: Turkish Medical Association Facing Threats
The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and its prominent members have been subjected to threats of violence, following a statement they issued on 24 January, calling for an end to the ongoing military operation by the Turkish armed forces in Afrin, northern Syria. The TTB lodged a request with the Ankara Governorship to provide protection for its offices and members, but they have received no response.
USA
Urgent Action: Ohio Prepares for Its First Execution of 2018
Raymond Tibbetts, aged 60, is due to be executed in Ohio on 13 February. His lawyers are urging the Governor to take account of mitigating evidence they say the clemency board failed to give proper weight to, and about which the jury was not fully informed.
MEXICO
Urgent Action: Two Young Men Remain Disappeared
Between 27 December and 3 January, at least seven young men disappeared in Chilpancingo, the capital of Guerrero state. Most cases point to the involvement of local police. Three of the disappeared men were found alive with signs of torture; two others were found dead. The whereabouts of two still remain unknown.
Coca-Cola is a major sponsor of this year’s Winter Olympics, a huge opportunity for the world’s largest beverage company to promote its brands, its images and its sales. Since March 2015 Coke’s exclusive bottler for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, Coca-Cola Amatil (“The power behind our region’s favorite brands”), has been busy bashing rights. There should be no place for Zero Rights at the Olympic Games. Please click and join the protest.
