HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION UPDATE JANUARY 18-25

Miriam, human rights defender, 1947-2012

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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 decided to look for charities with a perfect score in the rating of Charity Navigator. We came up with the Cambodian Children's Fund. Their mission statement: "Cambodian Children’s Fund transforms the country's most impoverished kids into tomorrow's leaders, by delivering education, family support and community development programs into the heart of Cambodia’s most impoverished communities." Read more on their Web site, linked above and donate. The idea that a single educated child can lift an entire family out of dire poverty and that a generation of educated children has the power to change a whole society works.

 

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 raise the issue of land theft and its deadly effect on uncontacted tribes.  Please open the links and post them wherever you can.

Without their ancestral land, the Guarani cannot survive.

© Survival

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 join the call to the UN to act to stop slavery in conflict regions.

GOOD NEWS 

CUBA Urgent Action Victory! Cuban Graffiti Artist Released 

Cuban graffiti artist Danilo Maldonado Machado (‘El Sexto’) was released over the weekend. Amnesty International had considered him a prisoner of conscience. Thanks to all who helped.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Urgent Action Update: Abortion Vote Pending After President's Veto 

In December 2016, the Dominican President rejected a regressive reform of the Criminal Code regarding abortion that had previously been adopted by the Senate. The President has returned the text to the Congress urging legislators to decriminalize abortion in the Dominican Republic. Please urge the Special Commission of the Senate to adopt without modification the President’s recommendations
 

TURKEY

Urgent Action: Imprisoned Woman In Urgent Need Of Surgery 

Sibel Çapraz is imprisoned and the authorities are denying her a vital and an urgent operation and adequate medical treatment. She was shot in November 2015 in Yüksekova, south-east Turkey, during clashes between security forces and the PKK. She was detained in March 2016 while in hospital. Please write immediately on her behalf.

YEMEN

Urgent Action: Two Baha’i Men Forcibly Disappeared

The fate and whereabouts of two members of Yemen’s Baha’i community remain unknown following their arrest on 11 January. They have been denied contact with their families and lawyer, and are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Please call on the Yemeni authorities to disclose their fate and whereabouts. 

BANGLADESH

At least 11 garment union leaders and activists have been detained in Bangladesh in an alarming step backwards for worker rights and democracy in the country. Please click and join the protest.