Archive for April, 2009
Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update, April 29
Posted April 29th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 29th, 2009
ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. HOPE FOR HUMANITY
In this issue
1. Highlight – Mixed Messages from President Obama After 100 Days
2. Take Action – Ensure Justice for Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu!
3. Campaign Updates
– Global Day of Action for Troy Davis
– SVAW Mother’s Day Card Action
4. Opportunities
– Evaluate Core Action and Win Amnesty Merchandise!
– Film Available on Juan Melendez
– The Resolutions Review Committee Wants to Hear From You!
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
– End of 100 Days Action
– SFC Rally For Filep and Yusak
6. Volunteer Opportunities
– Student Area Coordinator
– Apply to be part of the Regional Planning Group
Letter of the day update – Yemen – ‘Aisha Ghalib executed
Posted April 24th, 2009 by April | Take Action
It is always difficult to post bad news, but often necessary in dealing with death penalty cases. Last weekend, I posted a summary and sample letter for the Urgent Action issued for ‘Aisha Ghalib. Sadly, I just learned moments ago that she was executed on April 19.
From Amnesty’s website:
‘Aisha Ghalib al-Hamzi was executed on 19 April 2009 for the murder of her husband; all seven of her children had refused to pardon her. In cases of Qisas (retribution in kind) the relatives of the victim have the power to seek execution, request compensation or grant a pardon freely.
No further action is requested from the Urgent Action network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, April 22
Posted April 22nd, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 22nd, 2009
In this issue Read more »
1. Highlight: Maryland Passes Freedom of Association and Assembly Legislation
2. Take Action: Take Action for Mother’s Day
3. Campaign Updates
– Death Penalty – Troy Davis
– Stop Violence Against Women
4. Opportunities
– The Resolutions Review Committee Wants to Hear From You!
– Attention Amnesty Student Groups, Please Re-register to Remain an Official Group for 2009-10
– Amnesty Activist publishes a book
– Join the Special Focus case Street Team!
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
5. National Events
– Special Focus Case Rally
– 100 Days Action
6. Volunteer Opportunities
– Student Area Coordinator
– Apply to be part of the Regional Planning Group
Letter of the day – Iran – Free Roxana Saberi
Posted April 21st, 2009 by April | Take Action
On April 18 in Tehran, Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was convicted of unspecified “espionage” and sentenced to eight years in prison after a brief closed-door trial. (See the Urgent Action file) A reporter for NPR, Roxana Saberi was previously accused of continuing to work as a reporter after her press credentials were revoked. Amnesty has been following her case ever since she was first detained on January 31.
Roxana is one of several individuals with dual citizenship whom authorities in Iran have accused of threatening national security, since the U.S. Congress approved $75 million in funding for “supporting democracy” in Iran.
Amnesty International calls for Roxana Saberi’s immediate release as she is considered a prisoner of conscience.
A sample letter is below. Please send appeals before June 1. Thank you.
UPDATE: For another perspective on this case, you can also check out the article from Human Rights Watch.
Letter of the day – Support clemency for Troy Davis
Posted April 20th, 2009 by April | Take Action
Today’s action is not a letter to print, but instead can either be sent online via Amnesty’s website or faxed. Please use the link below to ask the governor of Georgia, George Perdue, to commute the death sentence of Troy Davis.
Support clemency for Troy Davis
Last Thursday, the federal appeals court in Atlanta on Thursday rejected Troy’s request for a new trial (Amnesty’s response). He was given a 30-day stay of execution so that he can pursue an appeal before the Supreme Court.
Please act on Troy’s behalf today.
From AIUSA Website:
Troy Davis faces execution for the murder of Police Officer Mark MacPhail in Georgia, despite a strong claim of innocence. 7 out of 9 witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony, no murder weapon was found and no physical evidence links Davis to the crime. The Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles has voted to deny clemency, yet Governor Perdue can still exercise leadership to ensure that his death sentence is commuted. Please urge him to demonstrate respect for fairness and justice by supporting clemency for Troy Davis.
Letter of the day – Cambodia – forced resettlement of families with AIDS
Posted April 17th, 2009 by April | Take Action
This Urgent Action is regarding 32 families in central Phnom Penh, Cambodia, who are being forced to resettle in May because they are living with HIV and AIDS. Not only is it disturbing that these families are being forced to move, but also the conditions in the proposed resettlement site are abhorrent. The site is on top of a landfill, the houses are too small for an average family, and the site has no clean water, sanitation or electricity. Not only that, but the housing is made of green metal sheets so it looks different from all the nearby housing. Locals are already calling it “Aids Village.”
There has been a steady rise in reports of forced evictions and land-grabs in Cambodia. In 2008, AI received reports of 27 forced evictions, affecting about 23,000 people.
A sample letter is attached. Please send appeals promptly, and contact the Urgent Action office (uan@aiusa.org) if sending a letter after May 21.
Protect families with AIDS from forced eviction
Letter of the day – woman sentenced to death in Yemen
Posted April 16th, 2009 by April | Take Action
Today I read the Urgent Action concerning the case of ‘Aisha Ghalib. She is awaiting execution in Yemen for the murder of her husband. Amnesty does not have much information about her trial, but AI is concerned about the fairness of trials in Yemen. ‘Aisha Ghalib could be executed as soon as April 19 so please send appeals immediately.
While it is often wrenching to defend someone convicted of murder, Amnesty International opposes the use of the death penalty in all cases, as a violation of human rights. A prisoner who is exonerated can later be freed, but there is no way to right the execution of someone who is later found innocent.
UPDATE: Here is a sample letter for this case.
Aisha Ghalib letter
UPDATE 2: Sadly, ‘Aisha Ghalib was executed on April 19. No further action is requested. Thanks to those who sent appeals.
AIUSA Weekly Update for Pennsylvania, April 15
Posted April 15th, 2009 by Jen | Mid-Atlantic Region
AIUSA Mid-Atlantic Weekly Update
April 15th, 2009
In this issue
1. Highlight: Building Support for Accountability
2. Take Action: Don’t Let Fathi el-Jahmi Die in Detention
3. Campaign Updates: Legislation to End the Jurisdictional Maze that Allows Rape of Native Women to Go Unpunished
4. Opportunities
– Attention Amnesty Student Groups, Please Re-register to Remain an Official Group for 2009-10
– Reminder: Annual Group Assessment Fee
– Amnesty Activist publishes a book
– Join the Special Focus case Street Team!
– Seeking Candidates for AIUSA Board of Directors
– Make a Flag – Show Support for our Regional Special Focus Case
– Tabling Opportunity in Baltimore
5. National Events
– SFC Rally
– Get on the Bus
– End of the first 100 days
6. Local/Regional Events
– Abolishing the Death Penalty Symposium-PA Only
7. Volunteer Opportunities
– SAC
– Apply to be part of the RPG
Bethlehem Amnesty fundraiser a success – thanks!
Posted April 15th, 2009 by April | Bethlehem
Many thanks to all who were able to support Bethlehem Amnesty group 347 at Friendly’s Restaurant Family Night last night. The group earned $121 from dinners and take-outs and $28 in donations. Many group members came out, as well as friends and former members.
Members of the Bethlehem group will also be visiting the offices of Senator Specter and talking to his district assistant, Justin Porembo, in Allentown on April 22. They have a 10 am appointment and will meet beforehand to prepare. Please contact Karen if you are interested in going along.
Minutes from Villanova Amnesty meeting April 14
Posted April 15th, 2009 by April | Amnesty News, Student Groups, Villanova University
Thanks to Gabe for this recap of the Villanova University Amnesty International meeting last night.
- Urgent action appeals were handed out and letters written concerning the case of three prisoners of conscience imprisoned in Zimbabwe despite their poor health.
- Several members of Amnesty received responses to the letters we sent to Senator Casey regarding the International Violence Against Women Act. Sen. Casey informed us that although he supports the legislation his hands are tied because the legislation expired on the expiration of the last Congress and the legislation has not been reintroduced. VUAI is looking into getting an appointment with Senator Casey to lobby him in person.
- VUAI is co-sponsoring the showing tomorrow night of The Rescue of Joseph Kony’s Child Soldiers. It is produced by the same people who produced Invisible Children, which highlighted the kidnapping of children by the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group in Northern Uganda responsible for years of strife and misery. The showing will be from 6:00-7:00 PM in Bartley 1010, and admission is free. We hope to see you all there!