Human Rights Action Update October 19-26

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".

    

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 

This week we ask you to donate in memory of our beloved friend Dr. Noa Noy to the Susan G.Konen Foundation to support their work against cancer.

Noa

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. 
We suggest you consider the issue of forced envelopment.

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.




We again ask you to help end the slavery in the cotton fields of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Good News! -  KENYA 

Wonderful news! On 17 October in Nairobi – the first ever child protection unit in Kenya was officially launched. Watch this news report and see why this is such important progress.

EGYPT  

More Action Needed! – 15-Year-Old Boy Tortured and Detained

The trial of 15-year-old Aser Mohamed has been adjourned to 16 November. He faces a string of charges, including belonging to the banned Muslim Brotherhood group and attacking a hotel, based on “confessions” that he says were obtained under torture after 34 days of enforced disappearance. If convicted he faces up to 15 years imprisonment.  Please call upon the Egyptian authorities to release Aser Mohamed immediately as his detention is unlawful;

HONDURAS 

Take Action! - Two Human Rights Defenders Murdered

On 18 October, José Ángel Flores and Silmer Dionisio George of the Unified Campesino Movement of the Aguán were murdered. Both human rights defenders were shot dead after attending a meeting with several campesino (peasant farmer) people in La Confianza settlement, Bajo Aguán region, north-eastern Honduras. Please act and call upon the authorities to take prompt, appropriate and effective measures to protect the lives and personal integrity of all the campesino human rights defenders.

COLOMBIA 

Take Action! Peace Community Under Threat By Paramilitaries

Over the last few months, there has been an increase in paramilitary activity in the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó in north-western Colombia. This has placed members of the community and other local inhabitants at serious risk. Please take action for the safety of the members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and other civilians living in the area

TURKEY 

Hundreds of journalists have been arrested, sacked and harassed following Turkey's attempted coup - set them free. Please click and act.

 

 

MYANMAR: 

Lift restrictions immediately on humanitarian aid

The Myanmar government must urgently lift restrictions that are preventing access to humanitarian aid in Rakhine and Kachin states, Amnesty International said today.

The intensification of the conflict in Kachin State, and the eruption of violence in northern Rakhine State, where a major security operation has led members of the Rohingya and Rakhine communities to flee their homes, has aggravated what was already a serious humanitarian situation in the country. Please open the site and register your protest. A tweet link is provided at the end of the post. You may also post on Facebook and with your email contacts.