Take Action »
Fairness Matters for Troy Davis
Posted November 7th, 2007 by April | Take Action
A message from AIUSA
Because of you, Troy Davis is still alive today. Listen to Troy thank you personally.
Last July, despite strong evidence of his innocence, Troy Davis came within 24 hours of execution by the state of Georgia. Thanks to the 34,000 individuals who sent appeals, Troy was granted a 90-day stay.
The Georgia Supreme Court will decide if Troy gets a new trial and an opportunity to finally present evidence that has never been heard in court.
- There was no physical evidence against Troy Davis.
- The weapon used was never found.
- The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony.
- 7 of the 9 non-police witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony.
- Many of these witnesses have stated that they were pressured or coerced by the police. One of the witnesses who has not recanted is the principle alternative suspect.
- Nine individuals have signed affadavits implicating this suspect as the actual shooter.
- Troy Davis has never had a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him.
Troy’s life was temporarily spared, yet the possibility of his execution still remains if he is not granted a new hearing or trial. Please sign the petition today, and ask five of your friends to do the same.
Together, we’ll send a strong message to the Georgia authorities that when it comes to the death penalty, fairness matters.
Serious health concerns for Guantánamo detainee Abdul Hamid al-Ghizzawi
Posted November 7th, 2007 by April | Take Action
Both Amnesty International and members of the Chester County Religious Campaign Against Torture (CCRAT) are extremely concerned for the health and life of Abdul Hamid al-Ghizzawi.
From the Urgent Action report:
“After visiting Abdul Hamid al-Ghizzawi in May 2007, his lawyer described the condition of his health as ‘…alarming. His face was drawn and his skin looked both ashen and jaundiced. He had a difficult time focusing on anything…He was in constant visible pain…He was very weak and tired…[he] told me he could not walk more that a few feet before being overcome with fatigue.’ His lawyer most recently visited him in September 2007 and she has stated that he could barely walk and during the meeting was doubled over with pain. She has expressed fears for his life.”
Please write appeals for Abdul Hamid al-Ghizzawi using the Urgent Action report (PDF). Send appeals by December 5, 2007.
You can also find out more by visiting The Guantánamo Blog by H. Candace Gorman, who represents Mr. al-Ghizzawi and another detainee pro bono.
Two cases from Colombia combined into one letter
Posted November 7th, 2007 by April | Bethlehem, Take Action
Karen from the Bethlehem group writes:
“Amnesty sent two Urgent Action requests earlier this fall concerning death threats in Colombia, where it appears paramilitary groups are still terrorizing people and little or nothing is being done to stop this aggression or to find the violators. Another group which has found the situation to be almost lawless is Fellowship of Reconciliation, which has a formal report on this situation.
“To save you time, I have written letters combining the two cases below. The cutoff for the first case is Nov. 9 and the second case in November 16. … The postage is 90 cents to Colombia.”
Urgent Action Files:
Sample Letters:
Ask Senators to Support the Security Contractor Accountability Act
Posted November 7th, 2007 by April | Allentown, Take Action
At their last meeting, the Allentown Amnesty International group discussed AI actions to support the Security Contractor Accountability Act (S.2147). This important bill would demand accountability for U.S. government and military contractors such as Blackwater.
“In this environment, serious allegations of contractor involvement in human rights violations–including the torture at Abu Ghraib and hundreds of shootings, sometimes lethal, of Iraqi civilians–have emerged, yet Bush administration officials have made virtually no effort to hold contractors accountable or compensate victims.”
Dan from the Allentown group notes that the bill “has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, of which our own Sen. Specter is Ranking Minority Member.”
Find out more about Amnesty’s position on the Security Contractor Accountability Act (S.2147). Then, take action!
You can also read the bill at the THOMAS website (Library of Congress).
AIUSA is supported in the effort to get this bill passed by Working Assests. You can also send a message using their website.
Human Rights Violation in Congo
Posted October 30th, 2007 by April | Take Action
Coquette Nsinga, a student and supporter of the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo, the main opposition party of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was arrested along with her mother and two other women on one year ago today, October 30, 2006. She was held for several weeks with out charge or trial and didn’t receive any medical treatment following her torture and rape, which exposed her to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Coquette is in need of urgent medical care as she suffers from the physical and psychological effects of the physical and sexual attack.
What Can You Do?
Please write a polite letter to Mr. Georges Minsay Booka, the DRC Minster of Justice on behalf of Coquette Nsinga and her mother with a copy to the DRC Ambassador in Washington. Please stress the following points in your letters:
- Express concern over Coquette’s health following her ill-treatment and rape in detention.
- Ask for Coquette to be given immediate medical care.
- Request for an independent investigation into the rape allegations and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
- Emphasize that Coquette and her mother must not be tried before a military tribunal.
- Ask that Coquette and her mother must be charged with a recognizable offense without further undue delay and tried before an appropriate civilian court or be immediately freed.
Address Letters to:
Minister of Justice
Mr. Georges Minsay Booka
Ministre de la Justice et Garde des Sceaux
Ministere de la Justice
228 Avenue de Lemera
BP137
Kinshasa Gombe
Republique Democratique du Congo
Email: minsaybooka@yahoo.fr
Salutation: Dear Minister
Get more background information about this ongoing issue in Congo.
UPDATE: Karen from the Bethlehem group drafted this sample letter (Word format) which you can modify, print and mail. Postage is 90 cents to Congo, or 41 cents to the DRC Embassy (for the CC).
Pennsylvania Legislative Action Opportunity: Monday, November 5
Posted October 30th, 2007 by April | Take Action
On November 5, 2007, thousands of individuals from more than 20 countries will be participating in the Global Day of Action on Cluster Bombs. Activists in Pennsylvania can play a critical role in the Global Day of Action. Amnesty International USA is asking activists from Pennsylvania to call Senator Specter to urge him to co-sponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S.594). This legislation seeks to prevent any U.S. funds from being spent to use or export cluster munitions unless the sub-munitions have a 1 percent or lower dud rate and will not be used in civilian-populated areas.
As a strong supporter of U.S. action to ban landmines and senior member of the U.S. Senate, Senator Specter’s co-sponsorship of S.594 would greatly help its chance of passing.
To participate in the Global Day of Action or for more information about the call-in day, please visit the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Find out Amnesty’s concerns regarding the use and export of cluster munitions.
Urgent Action files for October 23, 2007
Posted October 24th, 2007 by April | Take Action
AIUSA issued 5 Urgent Action files yesterday, on behalf of people in Brazil, Iran, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Tunisia. Current postage rates for a letter: within USA $.41, to Canada and Mexico $.69, all other countries $.90
Express Concern for Fear of Imminent Execution in Iran (UA 271/07) – Soghra Najafpour is currently believed to be in hiding. If she is taken into custody, she could face imminent execution for a murder committed when she may have been only 13 years old. Please send appeals by December 4.
Halt Fear for Safety for Indigenous Families in Brazil (UA 270/07) – Around 50 Guajajara families, in the remote Arraiboia reservation in the central west of Maranhao state, are at risk of attack from local gunmen allegedly contracted by illegal loggers. Please send appeals by December 4.
Protect 3 Unnamed Men from Torture in Saudi Arabia (UA 273/07) – AI has received reports that 2 men have been sentenced by a court in al-Baha in Saudi Arabia to 7,000 lashes each for sexual intercourse. A third man was said to have been sentenced to 450 lashes for drug related offenses by the same court. Please send appeals by December 5.
Stop Fear of Torture for 5 Men in Tunisia (UA 15/07) – Ousama Abbadi, Mohammed Amine Jaziri, Ramzi el Aifi, Oualid Layouni, & Mahdi Ben Elhaj Ali were allegedly tortured by the prison guards in Mornaguia Prison around 16 October. Some of them need urgent medical treatment. AI fears that may be subjected to further torture/other ill-treatment. Please send appeals by December 4.
Defend Journalists from Death Threats in Mexico (UA 260/07) – Journalists for El Imparcial del Istmo, a regional newspaper based in Oaxaca, have been receiving death threats, apparently as a result of the newspaper’s coverage of a drug-trafficking gang’s activities in the state. 3 of their colleagues were shot dead earlier this week. Please send appeals by November 22.
Ask Senator Specter to help pass the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act
Posted October 23rd, 2007 by April | Take Action
On November 5, 2007, thousands of individuals from more than 20 countries will be participating in the Global Day of Action on Cluster Bombs. Amnesty International USA is asking activists from Pennsylvania to call Senator Specter to urge him to co-sponsor the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act (S.594). This legislation seeks to prevent any U.S. funds from being spent to use or export cluster munitions unless the sub-munitions have a 1 percent or lower dud rate and will not be used in civilian-populated areas.
As a strong supporter of U.S. action to ban landmines and senior member of the U.S. Senate, Senator Specter’s co-sponsorship of S.594 would greatly help its chance of passing.
To participate in the Global Day of Action or for more information about the call-in day, please visit the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Phone Numbers
- You can reach the Capitol Switchboard by calling FCNL’s special toll-free number: (800) 352-1897 You must then ask for Senator Specter by name.
- Or, call one of Senator Specter’s local offices:
- Philadelphia: (215) 597-7200
- Allentown: (610) 434-1444
- Other office locations
Find out Amnesty’s concerns regarding the use and export of cluster munitions.
UPDATE: If you’d like to send a letter as well, the Bethlehem group has drafted this sample letter: Specter Letter – Cluster Munitions (Word format)
Action files for October 22, 2007
Posted October 23rd, 2007 by April | Take Action
AIUSA issued 2 new actions yesterday:
Save Kurdish Family in Turkey from Forcible Return to Iraq (UA 269/07) – The Turkish Authorities are preparing to forcibly return an Iranian-Kurdish family, who are recognized refugees, to Iraq, where their lives would be in danger. Please send appeals by December 3, 2007.
Stop Employment Discrimination – Call your Representative today to support a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), H.R. 2015–a federal bill that would make it illegal to fire, refuse to hire or promote someone simply on the basis of the person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The vote is today – call now!
Urgent Action files for October 19, 2007
Posted October 22nd, 2007 by April | Take Action
AIUSA issued 4 new Urgent Actions on Friday, on behalf of persons in Mexico, Turkey, Colombia and Yemen. For all of the cases below, please send appeals by November 30, 2007.
Aid Prisoner of Conscience Magdalena Durán in Mexico (UA 268/07) – Mazahua Indigenous activist Durán has won a third federal injunction against her detention, but authorities may continue to avoid releasing her.
Halt Incommunicado Detention of Tekes in Turkey (UA 265/07) – Ihsan Tekes, an alleged member of the armed separatist group, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), was reportedly detained by the Turkish Army on September 19. He may be at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Condemn Death Threats of Journalist in Colombia (UA 267/07) – Journalist Hollman Morris, director & presenter of the investigative television program CONTRAVIA, has received email death threats; AI fears that his life could be in danger.
Protect Mohammed from Fear of Torture in Yemen (UA 266/07) – Former Guantánamo detainee Mohammed Ali Nasser Mohammed was handed over by the US to the Yemeni authorities on October 1. He hasn’t been allowed to see his lawyers and is in grave danger of torture. It is not clear why he is being detained.