Human Rights Action update August 22-29

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

We wish all our Jewish readers a Shana Tova, a happy new year. May 5773 be a year of peace and of protection and realization of human rights.



PENDING EXECUTION OF INSANE MAN
The State of Florida is about to execute Marshall Gore whose degree of sanity and rationality may well make his execution unconstitutional. The execution of a prisoner who lacks a rational understanding of the reason for and reality of their punishment violates the US Constitution. The date of execution is set for 1 October. Please call on Governor Scott to commute the death sentence because of doubts of Gore's competence to be executed.

UZBEKISTAN: RISK OF TORTURE 
Abdumavlon Abdurakhmonov a Tajikistani national, has been detained in Uzbekistan without access to his family since April. His family fear that he is at risk of being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.   Pleases join the call to the government to disclose his whereabouts and allow access of family and lawyer and to ensure that he is not tortured.


 MY BODY, MY RIGHTS
Countless young people around the world are being denied the basic right of control over their own bodies and their reproductive and  sexual functions. Please support the campaign to liberate these young people, especially young women and girls who are subject to abuse every day.

Human Rights Action Update August 16-22

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

ACTION ON  SYRIA
We are now told of a massacre by gas in Syria. Women are being used there, first as human shields and then

as rape victims. Join the call from AVAAZ to the leaders of the US and Russia to stop the stalling and to pressure the sides to negotiate and stop the senseless slaughter.



MEXICO
People are "disappearing" at the hands of various forces, including the military. Please call upon the President to put a stop to this nefarious practice. Here is a template letter. Feel free to edit and personalize it.

RUSSIA
 A human rights lawyer is being harassed and threatened with loss of his license. This is a trick to deprive victims of abuse of legal help.  Please protest this action. Again I offer a template letter.

Human Rights Action update August 9-15

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

RACISM IN ISRAEL
We start with a call to end racism.  The Mayor of Nazareth Illit is running for reelection on a racist anti-Arab platform and is blocking the opening of an Arabic language school in his town, which has a 20% Arab component in its population.
1,900 children in Nazareth Illit cannot study in their native language without being bussed out of town. The civic activism of city residents has already brought the issue to the attention of the Knesset Education Committee. Your letter to Education Minister Shai Piron is the next step. Amplify the voices of these Israeli civic activists. Send it now to support democracy and equality within Israel.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN DANGER
We move on to Latin America. Paramilitary groups in Colombia are threatening to kill human right defenders. A human rights defender in Venezuela is in danger from the indicted killer of his son who have been either released on bail or have escaped from prison. I have provided template latters for both Colombia and Venezuela.  Permission is granted to edit the letters as you wish.
Contact information for the relevant embassies:

Venezuelan Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel Rehov, Shenkar 4, Beit Grap, 3rd. floor Herzliya Pituach 46120 Israel
Telephone	(+972) (9) 957-3363 / 3282 (+972) (9) 957-3286
Telefax	(+972) (9) 958-0292
E-mail	emven@netvision.net.il
Website	www.embvenezuelaisrael.com
Office Hours	09.00-15.00
Head of Mission	Mr Freddy Ivan Morillo, Charg� d'Affaires a.i.

Colombian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel Shekel Building, 8th floor 111 Arlozovov Street Entrance from Tashah Street Tel Aviv 62068 Israel
Telephone	(+972) 3 695 3416 / 3754 (+972) 3 695 3419
Telefax	(+972) 3 695 7847
E-mail	etelaviv@minrelext.gov.co
Website
Office Hours
Head of Mission	Mr Hector Fabio Velasco Chavez, Ambassador

Human Rights Action Update August 2-8

First to all our Muslim friends and readers:

May we have peace before the next Eid el Fitr

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

We start with some good news. For the first time a mining firm has been fined for ruining a site that is holy to aboriginal people in Australia.

The site, known as 'Two Women Sitting Down', has been desecrated by a mining firm

© Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority

PERSONAL APPEAL FROM BREWERY WORKER

A large brewery firm in an attempt to obtain concessions from its organized workers worldwide has targeted a small local union in St. John's  Canada. These 45 workers are standing up for thousands. Please read the message and send your protest to the company.

TRADE UNION RIGHTS IN PERU 

The Peruvian government is about to enact draconian laws to deny trade union rights to public sector workers. Please read the appeal and send your message-it just takes a click and a few key strokes.

MORE KILLING OF TRADE UNION LEADERS IN THE PHILIPPINES

The second murder within a month of a  trade union leader in the Philippines has taken place.  Kagi Allmudin P. Lucman was shot in broad daylight by a gunman.  He was the president of at transport workers union. Please share this on your social networks.

was the president of the Notre Dame Village Operators and Drivers Association (NDVODA), which was organized in 2009 and affiliated to the NCTU-APL in 2010. He also represented NCTU-Cotabato during the NCTU National Conference in Cavite last year. - See more at: http://www.apl.org.ph/?p=1656#sthash.6gDwbQRQ.dpuf

Kagi Alimudin P. Lucman, 47, was killed by a lone gunman last July 18 while driving his multicab passenger jeepney along Sinsuat Ave. after taking his three young children to school. - See more at: http://www.apl.org.ph/?p=1656#sthash.RzV371xz.dpuf

Kagi Alimudin P. Lucman, 47, was killed by a lone gunman last July 18 while driving his multicab passenger jeepney along Sinsuat Ave. after taking his three young children to school. - See more at: http://www.apl.org.ph/?p=1656#sthash.RzV371xz.dpuf

.

Kagi Alimudin P. Lucman, 47, was killed by a lone gunman last July 18 while driving his multicab passenger jeepney along Sinsuat Ave. after taking his three young children to school. - See more at: http://www.apl.org.ph/?p=1656#sthash.RzV371xz.dpuf

Human Rights Action update July27-August 1

Miriam, Human Rights Defender, 1947-2012

A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ETHIOPIAN WOMEN

In Ethiopia a young women has the choice between marriage before the age of 16 or face intense manual labor and sexual slavery if they leave home. To help these young women, the Bright Future program is providing educational opportunities and help in entering society including reproductive guidance. Please sign a letter to the SG of the UN asking for support for this organization.

 BRING SHAKER HOME
Shaker Aamer is 44 years old. He has been held at Guantánamo Bay without charge or trial for over 11 years. He has not seen his wife or children during this time and claims to have been tortured.  He is a British subject and PM Cameron has asked for his release. Please sign the petition to ask Mr. Cameron to intensify his efforts on Shaker's behalf.













GREEK CRUELTY TO REFUGEES
Refugees from war-torn regions are being turned back and abused at the border between Greece and Turkey. The right of an asylum seeker to have an individual hearing is being grossly violated. Please sign the petition from Amnesty UK calling on the Greek government to protect the lives of emigrants.

Emigrants arrested at the border photo Giogius Mutafis