Human Rights Action Update October 12-19

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

HE WHO PERMITS OPPRESSION PERMITS CRIMES.-Erasmus (1466-1536)

Desiderius Erasmus in 1523 as depicted by Hans Holbein the Younger. The Greek and Latin words on the book translate to "The Herculean Labors of Erasmus of Rotterdam".

  We wish all our Jewish readers a happy Succot holiday. 
מועדים לשמחה לכולם 

EMBASSY FINDER 

Survival International provides a useful tool for locating the embassy of any country in your country. http://embassy.goabroad.com/ You can also find embassies at https://embassy-finder.com/

CHARITY CORNER 

Young lives that you can help save

This week we call your attention to the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) charity. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic worm that affects 200 million people worldwide. Of those people, 45 million are women who live with female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), a painful and life-threatening consequence of the parasitic infection. FGS causes genital bleeding, infertility, and increases the chance that a woman will contract a sexually transmitted disease infection.  (SCI)combines  world-class research, national government partnerships, and effective implementation to dispense cost-effective deworming treatments through local school programs. Parasitic infections have life-threatening effects--and can often be fatal in children under five years of age. SCI’s deworming pills cost an average of 73 cents per child treated, and work to prevent parasitic worm infections. The charity operates in 15 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, providing schoolchildren effective and sustainable access to treatments for schistosomiasis (water-born snails) and intestinal worms (hookworm, whipworm, and roundworm). SCI projects to deliver a total of 325 million treatments by 2019. It is recommended by Givewell. 

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. We send you to the campaign page and urge you to choose a cause to support.  View this video.

THE STRUGGLE AGAINST SLAVERY

We have added this section to the blog in order to join the struggle against slavery worldwide. This week we refer you to the the ILO’s Protocol on Forced Labor which is all about modern slavery. We call your attention to the anti slavery campaign. There you can sign up for action updates.The importance of checking your sellers' supply chains cannot be overemphasized.
Look for these logos:

 

 
Find a campaign to work for. Light must be made to shine in the darkest of places.




Please note the Urgent Action call concerning slavery in the construction of the World Cup facility in Qatar. Call on FIFA to keep its promises and to  play ball fairly.

ETHIOPIA

Call For Release Of Opposition Members At Risk Of Torture

Ethiopian security forces have arrested Aweke Tezera, Blen Mesfin, Eyasped Tesfaye, Abebe Akalu and Tena Yitayew for exercising their freedom of expression to criticise the government. This comes after a state of emergency was declared in Ethiopia following a week of protests in Oromia region. Please call for the release of these prisoners of conscience.

TAJIKISTAN

Help Lawyers Jailed On Politically Motivated Charges

Tajikistani lawyer Buzurgmekhr Yorov, and his co-defendant, lawyer Nuriddin Makhkamov, were sentenced on 6 October to 23 and 21 years in prison respectively. The charges against them are politically motivated and intended as a reprisal for representing members of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). Please express your concern about the political motivation of the charges and the fairness of the trial.

VIET NAM

Help Human Rights Blogger At Risk Of Torture

Human rights defender Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh, known as blogger Mẹ Nấm (Mother Mushroom) was arrested on 10 October and has been charged with “conducting propaganda” against the state under Article 88 of Viet Nam’s Penal Code. She is at risk of torture and ill-treatment. It is not known where she is currently detained. Please call  for the release of Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh immediately and unconditionally as she is a prisoner of conscience held solely for her peaceful activities defending and promoting human rights. Call on the authorities to immediately reveal her whereabouts.

SOUTH KOREA

Release jailed trade unionists, respect workers' rights

The assault on workers' rights in South Korea is intensifying, with more than 20 trade union leaders and members now imprisoned including 7 KCTU leaders and officials namely KCTU President Han Sang-gyun, KPTU vice president Cho, Sung-deok and KPCWU president Lee, Jong-hwa. President Park Guen-hye’s government has been throwing people into prison simply for standing up for workers’ rights. Please click, fill out the form and join the protest.

LIBERIA

Union rights now - reinstate fired union leaders.

In February 2014, twenty-two union leaders across the country were fired without any hearing by the Health Minister of Liberia following a nationwide strike against poor working conditions in the health sector. Twenty were later reinstated except for Joseph S. Tamba and George Poe Williams, respectively President and General Secretary of PSI affiliate NAHWAL (National Health Workers' Association of Liberia). Please open the page and click to join the protest.