Human Rights Action Update Dec. 24-31

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Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

We wish you all a Happy New Year and a better year for human rights in 2015.

EMBASSY FINDER Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country.


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.

This week we focus on  the Wichi people of Argentina and Bolivia. Please open the link, read about what is going on with these people and take a few steps on their behalf. The suggestion on the Web page is to write to your local Argentinean and Bolivian ambassador to urge the national government to pressure the Salta provincial authorities to fulfil their promises to the Wichí, and to ensure that Wichí land rights are recognised, in accordance with international law and both the national and provincial constitutions.

GOOD NEWS FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 

Abortion has been decriminalized in the Dominican Republic by an act of Congress promulgated by the President.  Thanks to all of you for taking action. While we will monitor the upcoming discussion regarding the legislation for the regulation of the exceptions to abortion, no more action is requested at the moment from the network.
Solidarity and congratulation messages can still be sent to Dominican women’s human rights groups’ network: Colectiva Mujer y Salud (ciudadaniaactivadelasmujeres@gmail.com)

ECUADOR  

A leader of the indigenous communities of Ecuador was assassinated on his way to the UN Climate Change Conference in the Peruvian capital, Lima, to present his concerns about the construction of the Mirador mining project in his community. His entire community now feels at risk and their fear is justified.  Please act to demand an investigation into the murder of  José Isidro Tendetza Antún and protection for his people.

PERU 

Labor union rights and leaders are under attack. Please join the protest.

Luis Isarra