Human Rights Action Update Nov. 20-26

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

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 various tribes of Brazil. You can learn much about these tribes at this link and find a letter to the President of Brazil here.

Uncontacted Indians in Brazil appear defensive from the air. This photo was taken in 2008.
© G. Miranda/FUNAI/Survival

AFGHANISTAN 

This is not an action call, but an information update. Thanks to all who wrote on behalf of Brishna, the ten year old rape victim. Following the conviction of Brishna’s rapist on 25 October, the Afghan authorities have now committed to ensuring her protection. The 10-year-old girl from Kunduz province is receiving medical and psychological attention. Read more.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 

Ugandan political activist Sam Mugumya is detained incommunicado by the army in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Ugandan government have accused him of planning a rebellion against them. He is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Please act for him.

CAMBODIA 

The Venerable Loun Sovath, a Cambodian Buddhist monk and human rights defender known as the “multimedia monk” faces trial on baseless charges of incitement. If convicted he could be sentenced to up to two years’ imprisonment and a heavy fine. If imprisoned, he would be considered a prisoner of conscience. Please act to protect him.

ISRAEL/OCCUPIED TERRITORIES 

The Israeli government has ordered the demolition of the family homes of at least seven Palestinians who carried out attacks which killed Israelis. Israel claim they have to do this to deter future attacks. This punishment of innocent people is illegal and immoral. Please act.

SOUTH KOREA 

A union activist has been fired by McDonald's for speaking out about workplace issues such as unsafe workplace practices. Please join the worldwide campaign to get her back her job.

Gahyun Lee

Human Rights Action Update November 12-19

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 Ayoreo-Totobiegosode tribe in Paraguay. A prepared letter is available.

Ayoreo-Totobiegosode woman
© Luke Holland/Survival

FRANCE 

We return to the issue of the Roma families who were evicted from their informal settlement  near Bobigny, on the outskirts of Paris. The action left about 180 people homeless. Sixty are temporarily living in two social care centres in Paris after having slept several days in a gymnasium. The others were not given any temporary shelter. This is unconscionable, especially in an EU country such as France. Please join the appeal and protest.

ECUADOR 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights defender Ms Diane Marie Rodríguez Zambrano is currently in hiding in a safe-house as a result of recent death threats against her. Diane Marie Rodríguez Zambrano is the founder and president of the Asociación Silueta X, a grassroots organisation working for the rights of LGBTI people in Ecuador, in particular young transgender and intersex persons, as well as HIV AIDS prevention. Please join  the call for her.

Photo Wikimiedia

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BELARUS

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that death row prisoner Eduard Lykau is at imminent risk of execution in Belarus.  Please join the appeal for commutation of the death sentence.

Human Rights Action Update Nov. 6-12

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

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.

UZBEKISTAN 

After being abducted in Russia and forcibly returned to Uzbekistan, refugee Mirsobir Khamidkariev faces 15 years in prison on extremism charges. There are credible allegations that he was tortured in detention in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and concerns in relation to the fairness of his trial. He is at risk of being subjected to further torture and other ill-treatment. Please act on his behalf.

UKRAINE 

According to an anonymous source newspaper editor Sergei Dolgov, who has been missing since his abduction by armed men in June, in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, is held in a military base and suffering from serious health issues. His wife fears for his life. Please call for his release.

UNITED STATES 

Leon Taylor, a 56-year-old African-American man, is scheduled to be executed in Missouri on 19 November. He was convicted in 1995 of a murder committed in 1994. There are serious questions about the role of race in his case. Please call for commutation of the death sentence since it appears to have racist overtones.

TURKEY 

The struggle for union representation at Deva Holdings, the large pharmaceutical company continues.  The Turkish Labor Ministry ordered Deva Holdings to recognize the union and start collective bargaining.  Despite the order,  Deva ignored the government and instead sacked even more workers who were union activists. Please click to join the protest.

Human Rights Action Update Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

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.

CHINA 

Chinese women’s rights activist Su Changlan has not been heard from since she was taken away by police on 27 October. There are concerns that her detention might be as a result of comments she made online in support of protests in Hong Kong. The authorities have refused to reveal her whereabouts to her husband or lawyer, and she is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. Please act on her behalf.

EGYPT 

Five Palestinian refugees from Syria, with a 14-year-old child among them, and five Syrian refugees, are at risk of being forcibly returned to Syria. Egyptian national security ordered that the group be deported after they were arrested following an attempt to leave Egypt by boat. They are held in Anfoushy refugee detention centre in Alexandria and are at imminent risk of deportation. Please protest.

SERBIA TWENTY FOUR ROMA FAMILIES AT RISK OF  FORCED EVICTION 

Twenty four Roma households at the Belvil settlement in Belgrade are due for resettlement at the end of November. If human rights requirements, including genuine consultation and providing full information are not followed, their removal for resettlement could result in a forced eviction. Please act on their behalf.