Human Rights Action Update August 21-27

Miriam, human rights defender.947-2012

Good news to start-  A death row inmate in China was acquitted and released after six years of appeals. It shows how important it is to abolish the death penalty worldwide.

MEXICO 
Three community activists in the central state of Mexico were threatened by members of Antorcha Campesina, a movement with close ties to the ruling political party. The three activists were publicly sharing information that was critical of the movement and the municipal government. Their safety remains at risk. Please call for their protection.

MOZAMBIQUE
The latest draft of the Mozambique Criminal Code was approved by the National Assembly (parliament) on 11 July. The Code is now with the President, who has to sign and promulgate it into law, however concerns still remain about certain provisions. Please call upon the government to improve the provisions protecting minors against sexual abuse.

POLAND
On 25 July 2014, the President of LOT Polish Airlines has dismissed the vice-president of the ITF and ETF affiliated cabin crew union ZZPP, Andrzej Jeżewski. 
 
This is blatant union busting by a government-owned corporation. Please protest--this is an easy click and send.

Human Rights Action update August 15-21

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

BRAZIL 
Our friend Tilly has called our attention to the plight of native tribes in Brazil. One tribe has been reduced to five members as a result of systematic genocide practiced against them by white settlers. Please send the prepared letter to the Minister of Justice.

AZERBAINJAN
Azerbaijani political activist Faraj Karimov and his brother Siraj Karimov have complained of torture in detention to make them “confess” to drug-related crimes.  Please act on their behalf.

CAMBODIA 
Five youth members and two officials from Cambodia’s main opposition party are facing arbitrary and politically motivated legal action over a protest which ended in violence on 15 July 2014. Please protest the use of the court system for political purposes.

Human Rights Action Update August 8-14

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

Good news to start--One of China's most prominent dissidents, Gao Zhisheng, has been released after three years in jail. His brother said he left the Xinjiang prison on Thursday morning and was now at his father-in-law's home in Urumqi. We have campaigned for him for a long time and welcome his release.

INDONESIA
On 8 August two Papuan students, including a child, were arbitrarily detained for their peaceful political activism in Indonesia’s West Papua province. They are believed to have been tortured or otherwise ill-treated by police. Please act on their behalf.

CHINA
Veteran activists Zhang Xiaoyu and Xu Youchen have been severely beaten by police in Henan Province, China , after they were detained on suspicion of killing a policeman . The authorities are denying them access to lawyers, and they are at grave risk of torture and other ill - treatment. Please act for them.

THAILAND 
A man associated with the “red-shirt” political movement in Thailand has been subjected to enforced disappearance and is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. While authorities have confirmed he is in military custody, his family and lawyers have not been able to contact him since he was arrested in July. Authorities have confirmed he is in military custody but have refused to provide any information about his whereabouts. Please call upon the Thai authorities to act responsibly.
SWAZILAND
The Prime Minister of Swaziland, Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, threatened that the trade union and human rights leaders who attend the African Summit in Washington, D.C. should be strangled upon their return. Please click and send your protest.

Human Rights Action Update August 1-7

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

MEXICO 
A group of relatives of the disappeared in Querétaro state, including Brenda Rangel Ortiz, have been intimidated for demanding a meeting with state authorities. The authorities are dragging their feet on the investigation of the disappearance of  Héctor Rangel Ortiz, who was forcibly disappeared in the state of Coahuila in November 2009, with the collusion of local police. Please act to support the relatives of the victims.
HAITI
Members of GADES, an organization of women human rights defenders in Haiti, have received threats following the recent sentencing of a police officer for the rape of an underage boy. The organization has been supporting the victim and his family throughout the legal process. The officer was given a ten year sentence and his lawyer threatened  the organization and its coordiantor stating that they would face repercussions if his client was sentenced. The police are not providing protection despite death threats. Please join the protest.

INDIA
Four men and two women are at risk of imminent execution in India after their mercy pleas were rejected by the President. They could be executed at any time. While their crimes are indeed heinous, there is no place in civilized society for the death penalty. Please call for commutation of their sentences to prison terms.

ISRAEL/PALESTINE 
Union busting is going on at the Zarfati garage in Mishor Adumim with the connivance of the police, using trumped up security charges against the chair of the workers' committee.
Please join the protest.