| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 554.1 | YES ! | SSDEVO::ACKLEY | and the final word is 'oof!' | Wed Nov 04 1987 18:34 | 6 |
|
I am interested ! I didn't realize anyone could join
Amnesty International. What are the dues ? Where do you
write for information ?
alan.
|
| 554.2 | Demain | CLUE::PAINTER | Trying to reside in n+1 space | Wed Nov 04 1987 18:56 | 7 |
|
I'll bring in the information tomorrow and enter it in here.
They must have put me on their fundraising list due to either New
Age Journal or Mother Jones. (:^)
Cindy
|
| 554.3 | Information | SCOPE::PAINTER | Trying to reside in n+1 space | Thu Nov 05 1987 15:32 | 294 |
| AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Below is information from their recent fundraising mailing on or about
October 15th, 1987.
Membership form
---------------
Torture can be stopped! .... and I want to help Amnesty International carry
on its courageous efforts to bring worldwide pressure against offending
governments and end the barbaric practice of torture.
Suggested amounts are $15, $25, $50, $100, $500 and Other (with $25
suggested). This is a non-profit organization and Digital will match
contributions of $15.00 or more.
Please make your check payable to: Amnesty International USA
322 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10001.
A copy of the last financial report filed with the New York State
Department of State may be obtained by writing to: New York State
Department of State, Office Of Charities Registration, Albany, New York
12231, or to Amnesty International.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Caution - this is not easy reading.
Introductory Letter
-------------------
"We are God in Here..."
...That's what the guards taunted the prisoner with as they applied
electrical shocks to her body while she lay handcuffed to the springs of a
metal bed. Her cries were echoed by the screams of other victims and the
laughter of her torturers.
Dear Friend,
Though frightening and shocking to even comtemplate ...right now, today,
the horrors of torture and political detention are every day incidents
in fully one-third of the world's governments.
Torture is terrible and disgusting. It mocks the most sacred and most
universal human value - the sanctity of human life. It is physical and
mental degradation, assault, burning of flesh with cigarettes, electric
shock, living a year or more blindfolded in total darkness, being stretched
and broken on a rack, having the unspeakable become a living nightmare.
Believe me, I do not recount these facts to be morbid or to provide
excessive shock value.
We at Amnesty International have learned that the truth must be told so
that the world's peoples can respond with the moral outrage required to
stop the hideous crime against humanity that torture is.
My plea to you is that you join me and more than half a
million compassionate fellow human beings worldwide in
Amnesty International. I urge you to add your name to the
roster of members of the only organization of its kind in
history to have won the Nobel Prize for Peace.
It is the mission of Amnesty International to abolish torture. We work
impartially on behalf of victims of human rights violations. The great
majority of cases we undertake involve what we call "prisoners of
conscience" - men and women who are imprisoned anywhere for their beliefs,
color, sex, ethnic origin, language, or religion, provided they have
neither used or advocated violence.
We work to end their torture. We work to secure for them fair and prompt
trials. We work to prevent their execution. We work to secure their
freedom. And a critical tool in Amnesty's fight against torture is our
Urgent Action Network.
This extraordinary international Network is a highly organized system of
concerned people who agree to be on call to send immediate Urgent Action
letters on behalf of tortured prisoners of conscience.
When Amnesty receives reliable information about a detainee needing
immediate aid, we activate our Network at virtually a moment's notice. Our
researchers verify facts about the case. The facts are fed into our
massive telecommunications network. And volunteers respond with telegrams
and letters - all within a matter of hours.
About 50.000 people belong to the Urgent Action Network worldwide; 5,000 of
them are Americans. And our Network works. Our surveys show 40 to 45% of
prisoners are either released or treated better when the Network is
mobilized on their behalf.
I'm convinced our Network is so extraordinarily effective because it's
ordinary people, more than governments, who have the power to stop torture.
The thousands of responses that governments receive from caring people
around the world give notice to prison and government officials that their
actions have been exposed. Even the most tyrannical governments don't want
to appear repressive before their own citizens or before other countries.
Their bankers have to negotiate with representatives of other countries,
and their ships have to dock in foreign ports.
So our Urgent Action Network effectively strips away the masks of decency
through which governments rationalize their human rights violations,
forcing them to address questions arising from their abuses. Eventually,
governments must ask themselves, "Is this particular prisoner worth all
this negative publicity?" "Is keeping this individual in jail or torturing
this person worth all the trouble it's causing?" "Can we afford further
damage to our internal and international image?"
We at Amnesty International know governments ask these questions, because
they do in fact release prisoners of conscience whom we have adopted and
fought for and because former prisoners have contacted us to thank us...
A released prisoner from Malaysia wrote about the letters
he received while in prison: "It is hard to describe the
feelings in my heart ... these [letters] I regarded as
precious jewels."
A freed Paraguyan prisoner aided by Amnesty wrote: "On
Christmas Eve the door to my cell opened and the guard
tossed in a crumpled piece of paper. It said, "Take
heart. The world knows you're alive. We're with you."
That letter saved my life.
But our Urgent Action Network is only one part of our wide-ranging efforts
to abolish torture.
Amnesty International also brings pressure to bear against offending
governments through our consultative status with the United Nations and the
Council of Europe, and through cooperative relations with governmental
bodies in Africa and Latin America.
Within the United States, we are expanding our network of legal, medical,
and political experts. In fact, we already have 1500 lawyers from 25
states on our Legal Support Network and over 1200 health professionals who
participate in actions to release prisoners of conscience.
Also, in hearings before Congress and in private meetings with lawmakers,
Amnesty representatives urge U.S. officials to carefully consider human
rights data when making foreign policy. We even press our officials to pay
personal visits to prisoners of conscience.
On another front, Amnesty will be working more closely with target groups
- such as business, labor, politicians - meeting with them and sharing ways
they can work with us to help stop the torture of innocent people.
And over the coming months and years, we intend to intensify our pressure
upon governments to adopt specific measures for eliminating the practice of
torture.
We at Amnesty do not believe - as some do - that torture is a regrettable,
but incurable, disease. Slavery was once viewed in a similar light; is now
all but distinguished throughout the world. The same fate is possible for
torture.
Perhaps the words of one small child whom Amnesty helped speak most
eloquently for the worth of our work.
Alfonso Hernandez, a small El Salvadorian boy, was kept hidden indoors for
over two years by his grandparents to avoid death squads while his mother
was illegally imprisoned and tortured.
Little Alfonso is so happy to be free, he now says he "wants to kiss
everybody" he meets.
Your name has been suggested as one who might wish to support
Amnesty's vital efforts to free the "Alfonsos" - and prisoners
of conscience - around the world whose lives are living nightmares.
So I sincerely hope you'll take this opportunity to join
Amnesty International.
Torture can be stopped. Prisoners can be freed. Lives can be saved
through direct action by Amnesty International.
But...our life-saving work can only continue to function if caring,
unselfish people who abhor the practice of torture are willing to play just
a small - yet important - role in stopping it.
Our need for your support is so terribly urgent because, even as I write
this letter to you, someplace in the world - in Communist countries, in
Western societies, in the Third World - innocent victims of government
abuse are imprisoned, suffering unspeakable physical and mental agonies.
In Vietnam...a prominent poet, Hoang Cam, is in prison for attempting to
deliver a collection of unpublished poems to the United States. In Benin,
Boniface Koundou, an agronomy student has been detained without charge or
trial in the Cotonou Central Prison where extremely low hygienic standards
result in rapidly spreading disease. In Chile, Ricardo Weibel Navarrete,
abducted from his home in 1975, is among 650 Chileans who disappeared
between 1973 and 1977 and whose fate has never been clarified by Chilean
officials.
It is up to us - you and me - to free these prisoners of conscience and
thousands like them around the world.
And that's why I urge you to take a moment right now, while you have my
letter in front of you, to complete the enclosed membership form and return
it to me with your tax-deductible membership check for $15 - or more if you
can possibly manage.
As soon as I hear from you, I'll see that you begin receiving our
newspaper, Amnesty Action, which will keep you up-to-date on every facit of
Amnesty's work.
"The letters kept coming," "precious jewels," "the world knows you're
alive," "kiss everybody." These words echo the hope and love people in
need share with people who care.
We are these people, and they are us. So please, join Amnesty
International today. We need you. Mail your enclosed membership form
today. Thank you.
Sincerely yours,
John G. Healey, Executive Director
P.S. Once you join Amnesty you will play a direct, personal role in
freeing prisoners of conscience and stopping torture. And what
a warm feeling of satisfaction that will give you! Here's what
one prisoner told us after he was freed:
"When the first 200 letters [from Amnesty] came, the guard
gave me back my clothes. Then the next 200 letters came and
the prison director came to see me. The letters kept coming.
The President called the prison and told them to let me go."
=====================================================================
Additional sheet in the package:
"Enclosed is a personal story about torture. It is a story you may find
difficult to read. Yet it is only one of hundreds Amnesty International
receives each year.
Innocent men, women, and children are tortured routinely some place in the
world every day. But this barbarism can be stopped; it must be stopped!
Please help."
By Sema Ogur:
"I loosened the blindfolds and looked around. The scene was horrid."
Those are the words of Sema Ogur, a student when Turkish officials arrested
her and her husband at a friend's house three years ago.
After blindfolding the couple, authorities took them to the Security
Police's "Evaluation and Research Laboratories" in Ankara, Turkey's capital
city.
"They wanted us to reveal our address," Sema recalls vividly. "They said I
could save my husband if I gave them the address." Fearing that they would
endanger their friends, the couple refused to tell interrogators where they
lived."
As she began her first period of detention, which lasted 21 days, Sema saw
fellow inmates "piled up in the corridor, waiting their turn to be
tortured. Ten people were being led blindfolded and naked up and down the
corridor and were being beaten to force them to sing reactionary marches.
Others, who were incapable of standing, were tied to hot radiator pipes.
"An old man of about 50 had been stripped naked and was being made to hand
out bread rations. The same man was forced to watch while his children
were torture, and vice-versa."
During here 21 days of interrogation and torture Sema was hospitalized
twice. She asked doctors to record the torture marks on her body, but they
refused to do so. Officials then transferred her to a woman's prison,
where she remained for 25 days before being released. Six months later
authorities arrested her again, detaining and torturing her for another 26
days.
Sema's ordeal included being tied to ceiling pipes and left hanging in a
crucifixion position. "It was if my arms were coming off," she told a
representative of Amnesty International. "The pain became so bad that my
screams drowned [the torturer's] voices." Interrogators also beat the
soles of her feet and subjected her to electrical shock torture.
"Even when they stop torturing you physically, the screams of others began
to torment you psychologically. After a while, I was able to pick out
which torture was being applied from the screams."
One day she thought she heard the screams of her husband. Guards took her
to another cell, and when they removed her blindfold, she saw her husband
"lying naked beside a black tiled wall. His hands were tied behind his
back, and they were administering electricity to his genitals."
Sema's husband, convicted after a group trial of belonging to an
organization declared illegal by Turkey's military government, was recently
freed. He has joined Sema in England, where they are being aided by the
United Kingdom's Amnesty International medical group.
Despite repeated requests from Sema, Amnesty International and others,
Turkish authorities have not investigated her charges of ill treatment at
the hands of state security officials. AI's current information indicates
a continuation of systematic torture by the government of Turkey.
--------------------------------------------------------------
|
| 554.4 | On South Africa | SCOPE::PAINTER | Trying to reside in n+1 space | Thu Nov 05 1987 15:53 | 54 |
| There is a movie being released at the end of the month called
"Cry Freedom", based on the true story and friendship between
a 5th generation white South African journalist named Donald
Woods, and Steve Biko, a black 30 year old working for freedom
from the apartheid government. The movie is based on two books
by Woods entitled "Biko" and "Asking For Trouble".
Excerpted from "Biko", by Donald Woods:
"If I could speak to every person on this globe, I would speak of
my friend Steve Biko, who died naked on the floor of a prison cell
after suffering torture and torment at the hands of men who represent
an especially horrible form of evil - the evil of racism, which
inflicts hatred and rejection upon its victims for being born with
a dark skin. I would tell of how the society that bred such a system
then exonerated his killers, condoned the laughter with which their
superiors greeted the news of his death, and voted the man chiefly
responsible for it back into office with an increased majority.
For many of his fellow citizens, Steve Biko ended such deaths of
morale. He shattered many of the psychological bonds that used
to shackle young blacks in South Africa. In terms of the spiritual
self-esteem of young blacks in South Africa, particularly, he was
a breaker of chains.
Perhaps that, for more than any other, was the reason why the System
killed him. ...
Help to finish the work of Steve Biko. Help to smash the remaining
links of the chains he broke, and let the sound of this work echo
around the world so that chains may be broken wherever they hold
in bondage the bodies and minds of men (all)."
"After Steve Biko's death (in 1977) there had been a period of trauma
in the Security Police, and orders had obviously been issued to
handle political detainees less violently. But after a brief lull,
the sad list of deaths in detention began growing again....."
Between the years of 1963 and (March 26th) 1987, there have been
over 74 people who have died while in detention. The official cause
of Biko's death is listed as a hunger strike - but the evidence
is not there to back this up as written in the book. Other reasons
for other prisoners include epileptic seizures, falling down 7 flights
of stairs, jumping 5 stories and the most chilling - no details given
(which appears next to over 14 names).
Woods goes into great detail about his own torture experience while
being held in detention in the book - and also tells the story of
how his children were attacked by receiving t-shirts with chemicals
to cause severe pain for a long period of time. He and his family
eventually escaped from South Africa with their lives and the
clothes on their backs.
|
| 554.5 | A few comments | HPSCAD::DDOUCETTE | Common Sense Rules! | Mon Nov 09 1987 17:19 | 12 |
| Re: .4,
Wood also got out of South Africa with the "Biko" Manuscript
under his arm.
"Asking For Trouble" is Woods story about getting out of SA and
getting "Biko" published.
Peter Gabriel wrote a song called "Biko" which is also about
the same situation.
Dave
|
| 554.6 | Add'l comment | SCOPE::PAINTER | Trying to reside in n+1 space | Mon Nov 09 1987 18:17 | 2 |
|
Possession of 'Biko' in South Africa is a criminal offense.
|
| 554.7 | And on the human side... | CLUE::PAINTER | Wonders never cease. | Tue Sep 27 1988 15:22 | 14 |
|
Finally! Dave Stanley has incited me - good work, Dave!
I have the latest newspaper from Amnesty International and there
are 3 names of prisoners being held. My life is in chaos right
now so I don't have time to write the letters this week, however
if anyone is interested in receiving the information about the 3
prisoners...if only just to read it and see what it's all about,
contact me offline and put Amnesty Int'l in the title of your
message.
More later.
Cindy
|
| 554.8 | Amnesty Concert | ATSE::FLAHERTY | Imagine... | Fri Nov 04 1988 12:06 | 29 |
| I saw this in another notes files and although it is a little late
notice, I thought I'd cross-post it here in case anyone was interested.
Ro
================================================================================
Note 1970.0 NOV 5 AMNESTY CONCERT! No replies
HIGHFI::MOUSE 18 lines 4-NOV-1988 09:10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE:
Amnesty International Group #344 (Nashua branch) is having a
Human Right's Day Celebration Saturday November 5th, from
noon to 6PM. Music, comedy, food and information will be
available. Bands to play are: Sound Trax (instrumental rock),
After the Fact (rock and roll), Body Politics (original rock),
and Tattoo (folk rock). Comedians will be Jimmy Tingle (poli-
tical comedian - heard on 'bcn) and Randy Credico (political
impressionist). MDK (92FM) will be broadcasting live from the
site. T-shirts and pins will be on sale, all proceeds to
benefit Amnesty's work.
Come find out about Amnesty, and the Human Right's declaration,
enjoy the music and comedy! To be held at St. Stanilaus Hall
in Nashua, N.H. Take exit 6 off Route 3, follow signs for
Nashua airport (Pine Hill Road). Tickets $3.00 in advance,
$4.00 at the door - door prizes to be awarded as well.
|
| 554.9 | For our Scottish readers and frequent fliers | AYOU17::NAYLOR | Drive a Jaguar, fly a Cheetah | Mon Nov 07 1988 05:02 | 5 |
| Amnesty are having a "Moroccan Evening" at the Candletree Restaurant
in Prestwick on 10th December to celebrate (?) 40 years of the United
Nations.
Northwest operates daily flights out of Boston to Prestwick ......
|
| 554.10 | AI Freedom Writer Campaign | CGVAX2::PAINTER | One small step... | Thu Oct 12 1989 16:02 | 256 |
| September 1989
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), please
take a look at what is below.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
If you decide to participate, please send me your name offline directly
and let me know as I'll be keeping a count for tallying purposes only
(I promise not to publish names).
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is October 31st.
------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
Text of September Newsletter:
**************************************************************************
* *
* Freedom Writers Newsletter - September 1989 *
* *
* Amnesty International, USA *
* 322 Eighth Avenue *
* New York, NY 10001 *
* *
**************************************************************************
You Can Help!
The people described here need your help. Some may be prisoners of
conscience - men and women imprisoned solely for their beliefs or ethnic
origins who have not used or advocated violence. Others may have been
denied a fair and prompt trial. While others may have been tortured or
"disappeared," or may be facing execution.
All are of great concern to Amnesty International. Personal letters from
caring people can help bring about a prisoner's release, secure vital
information, launch an investigation, and even save a life. While each of
these cases receives ongoing attention by Amnesty International, your
letters at this time can make a tremendous difference in the fate of
these prisoners.
You may copy the sample letters inside on your own stationery or compose
your own letters, using the sample letters as guides. Courteous letters
have the greatest impact. After you've written the suggested letters,
please pass this bulletin on to a friend or colleague.
Please mail your letters within a month of receiving this bulletin.
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas).
You will be updated periodically on the status of the prisoners featured
here. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Amnesty International
and the Freedom Writers Network should write to the address below.
Amnesty International USA
322 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Amnesty International is an independent worldwide movement working
impartially for the release of all prisoners of conscience, fair and
prompt trials for political prisoners, and an end to torture and
executions. It is funded by donations from its members and supporters
throughout the world.
=========================================================================
In the September Issue:
1. CHINA - Xiao Bin
2. JORDAN - Salem al-Nahhas
3. PHILIPPINES - Benjamin Lazaro
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Prime Minister Li Peng
Guowuyuan
Beijingshi
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency,
I am most concerned about the imprisonment of Xiao Bin, a 49-year-old
worker from Dalian in northeast China. He was arrested on June 11, 1989,
after being shown on Chinese television speaking to an American ABC
television crew in Beijing earlier in June. He was subsequently
sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for "counter-revolutionary
incitement".
During the television interview, Xiao Bin had said that 20,000 people has
been killed in Beijing during the military intervention on June 4, 1989,
and that some had been crushed by tanks. Other witnesses have concurred
that the civilian death toll was in the thousands.
It is a basic human right that one be able to express non-violently what
one believes to be the truth. Xiao Bin has done no more than this. I
respectfully urge your government to release Xiao Bin immediately.
Most sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
The Royal Palace
Amman
The Hashemite Kingdom of JORDAN
Your Majesty,
I write to you concerning the detention without charge or trial of
Salem al-Nahhas, a well-known Jordanian writer of novels and short
stories.
He was detained during a wave of arrests following riots which broke out
on April 18, 1989. Most of these detained were released shortly
afterwards, but over 60 political prisoners are reported to remain in
detention. They are held in al-Swaqa Prison, except for a few detained
in the General Intelligence Department Headquarters in Amman.
Salem al-Nahhas was a leading figure in the establishment of the
Jordanian Writers' Association in 1974, and was its vice-president when
the government dissolved it in June 1987 under martial law provisions.
He worked for several years for Jordanian newspapers. He has previously
been imprisoned for protesting the closure of a newspaper.
I appeal to Your Majesty to release Salem al-Nahhas in recognition of the
fact that he has been imprisoned solely for exercising his human rights
in the non-violent expression of his political beliefs.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Ambassador Hussein A. Hammami
Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
3504 International Drive NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Brigadier General Galileo Kintanar
Head of the ISAFP
Camp General Aguinaldo
Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Dear General,
As a member of the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, I am greatly concerned at the "disappearance" of Benjamin
Lazaro, a freelance scriptwriter. He was detained in Manila on October
29, 1988, by armed men claiming to be military intelligence agents.
While military authorities have denied holding Lazaro, Amnesty
International believes that he was detained by government forces and that
the Philippine Government should be held accountable for his fate.
Benjamin Lazaro was seized by a group of heavily armed men upon leaving a
performance of "Base Militar", a play critical of the United States
military bases in the Philippines. The men said that they were members
of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(ISAFP). Benjamin Lazaro was taken away in a white Lancer vehicle with
plate number EAV-846. His wife later received a threatening note warning
her not to get involved in criticism of the United States.
As am American, I am horrified that someone could be "disappeared" for
merely attending a play critical of the United States. I implore you to
make public the whereabouts of Benjamin Lazaro and to order his immediate
release if he is not charged with a recognizable criminal offense. I
thank you sincerely for your assistance.
Yours truly,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Ambassador Emmanuel Pelaez
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
|
| 554.11 | Questions, answers, and regular newsletter text | CGVAX2::PAINTER | One small step... | Fri Nov 10 1989 22:43 | 84 |
|
Amnesty International - Freedom Writer Campaign
Questions and Answers
=====================
Q: Should I copy the letter in the bulletin or should I re-write it?
A: You may do either. Photocopied, typed or hand-written (if neat and
legible letters are all acceptable. You may also compose your own
letter using the information provided.
Q: To which of the two addresses provided do I send my letter?
A: Please send a letter to *both* addresses. The address at the top
is the official to who the letter is directed; the address below is
that of the country's embassy in the U.S. By sending a copy of your
letter to the embassy, you double its potential effectiveness.
Q: Should I put my return address on the letter? Will there be any
actions taken against me if I do this?
A: We encourage you to include your return address, but you do not have
to do so. Many Freedom Writers have received replies to their letters
to government officials. This would not have been possible without
a return address. It is unlikely that you will suffer any retaliation
as a result of yoru letters. If you do receive a reply to one of your
letters, please send a copy of it to: Amnesty International, Dept.
FWN, 322 Eighth Ave., NY, NY 10001.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Text of the October Newsletter:
**************************************************************************
* *
* Freedom Writers Newsletter - October 1989 *
* *
* Amnesty International, USA *
* 322 Eighth Avenue *
* New York, NY 10001 *
* *
**************************************************************************
You Can Help!
The people described here need your help. Some may be prisoners of
conscience - men and women imprisoned solely for their beliefs or ethnic
origins who have not used or advocated violence. Others may have been
denied a fair and prompt trial. While others may have been tortured or
"disappeared," or may be facing execution.
All are of great concern to Amnesty International. Personal letters from
caring people can help bring about a prisoner's release, secure vital
information, launch an investigation, and even save a life. While each of
these cases receives ongoing attention by Amnesty International, your
letters at this time can make a tremendous difference in the fate of
these prisoners.
You may copy the sample letters inside on your own stationery or compose
your own letters, using the sample letters as guides. Courteous letters
have the greatest impact. After you've written the suggested letters,
please pass this bulletin on to a friend or colleague.
Please mail your letters within a month of receiving this bulletin.
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas).
You will be updated periodically on the status of the prisoners featured
here. Anyone interested in becoming a member of Amnesty International
and the Freedom Writers Network should write to the address below.
Amnesty International USA
322 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
Amnesty International is an independent worldwide movement working
impartially for the release of all prisoners of conscience, fair and
prompt trials for political prisoners, and an end to torture and
executions. It is funded by donations from its members and supporters
throughout the world.
=========================================================================
|
| 554.12 | October 1989 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | One small step... | Fri Nov 10 1989 22:43 | 213 |
| October 1989
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the October letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
If you decide to participate, please send me your name offline directly
and let me know as I'll be keeping a count for tallying purposes only
(I will not publish your name.)
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is November 30th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the October Issue:
1. CHAD - Abderahmane and Dari Tchere
2. IRAQ - "Disappeared" Children
3. SRI LANKA - Kayathiri Vino Sangaralingam
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
S.E. Monsieur Hissein Habre
President de la Republique
La Presidence
N'Djamena
REPUBLIC OF CHAD
Your Excellency,
I write to you concerning two 13-year-old brothers who were arrested in
July 1987 along with some 180 other members of the Hadjerai ethnic group.
Since their arrest they have been held in secret detention in the
capital city of N'Djamena.
Abderahmane Tchere and Dari Tchere were arrested in Bitkine in
south-eastern Chad apparently because of their ethnic origin and because
of their family's connections wit a suspected government opponent. Many
members of the Hadjerai group have been regarded by authorities as
potential opponents of the government.
The independent human rights group Amnesty International has received
reports of torture and extrajudicial executions of suspected government
opponents at detention centers in N'Djamena. It fears that these two
boys may be tortured and that their lives may be in danger.
I respectfully urge you to establish publicly the whereabouts of
Abderahmane Tchere and Dari Tchere and ensure that they are in good
health and are being treated humanely. If they are not to be charged
with a recognizably criminal offense and brought to trial, then I ask
that they be promptly released. I am most grateful for your intervention
in this instance.
Most sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
H.E. Ambassador Mahamat Ali Adoum
Embassy of the Republic of Chad
2002 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Excellency President Saddam Hussain
Presidential Palace
Karadat Mariam
Baghdad
REPUBLIC OF IRAQ
Your Excellency,
I am greatly concerned at reports of a consistent pattern of abuses
against children and young people in your country. The independent human
rights organization Amnesty International has documented the arrests of
hundreds of Iraqi children by government forces and the subsequent
"disappearance" of these children.
Nizar Najm was an intermediate school student and Samir Najm was a
secondary school student when they were arrested in May 1981 in Basra.
Their whereabouts today are unknown. Shaikhomar Yassin Isma'il, one of
315 Kurdish children detained in August 1983, was eight years old when he
was arrested in Qoshtapa and subsequently "disappeared". 'Abd al-Rahman
Qasem Hatem was a 17-year-old student when he was arrested on February 2,
1982, at his home in Baghdad. His family was deported to Iran after
Iraqi officials declared them to be of Iranian descent. His fate and
current whereabouts are unknown.
I strongly urge you to investigate these cases and hundreds of others
like them. It is every government's responsibility to ensure the safety
of its citizens. Children, however, deserve and even higher level of
care. I appeal to you to stop the pattern of abuse that has prevailed
upon Iraq's children for so many years now.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
H.E. Ambassador Mohamad Sadeq El-Mashat
Embassy of the Republic of Iraq
1801 P Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President R. Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Your Excellency,
I write to you concerning the arrest and subsequent "disappearance" of
10-year-old Kayathiri Vino Sangaralingam from Nallur in Jaffna District.
She was arrested on November 12, 1987, with her mother and two sisters
by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), which apparently suspected the
women of being sympathetic to the aims of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam, and armed secessionist group.
IPKF authorities have repeatedly denied that Kayathiri Vino
Sangaralingam or her family are in their custody. However, a relative
of the family has said that she say Kayathiri, although she could not
speak with her, in detention at an IPKF camp on the day of her arrest.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International has
recorded over 800 cases of "disappearances" in Sri Lanka since 1983,
allegedly committed by both the Sri Lankan security forces and the IPKF.
All governments have the responsibility to protect their citizens. Yet,
appeals to the Sri Lankan and Indian authorities about this case have
brought no response. I urge the Sri Lankan government to investigate
thoroughly the "disappearance" of Kayathiri Vino Sangaralingam and her
family and to make public their whereabouts.
Respectfully yours,
<name>
copy to:
H.E. Ambassador Susantha de Alwis
Embassy of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
|
| 554.13 | December 1989 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | Pray for peace, people everywhere. | Wed Dec 13 1989 17:30 | 205 |
| December 1989
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the December letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
If you decide to participate, please send me your name offline directly
and let me know as I'll be keeping a count for tallying purposes only
(I will not publish your name.)
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is January 30th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the December Issue:
1. MALAWI - Dr. George Mtafu
2. MYANMAR (formerly "Burma") - Aung Din
3. SYRIA - Hakem Sultan al-Faiz
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Life-President Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda
Life-President of the Republic of Malawi
Office of the President and Cabinet
P. Bag 388
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI
Your Excellency,
I am greatly concerned about Dr. George Mtafu, Malawi's only
neurosurgeon, who has been detained without charge or trail at Blantrye
Central Prison since February 1989. He was reportedly detained after he
refused to apologize for challenging certain statements made by Your
Excellency in which you accused senior state employees from northern
Malawi of disloyalty to the rest of the country.
Since shortly after independence in 1964, the Malawi government has
criticized and sometimes discriminated against northern Malawians. Many
have been imprisoned without trial, held in poor conditions, and
tortured. Since 1988 many detainees from northern Malawi have died in
unacknowledged detention, reportedly from torture.
A man with Dr. Mtafu's skills is surely a valuable asset to Malawi, and
asset which is now sadly being wasted. I respectfully appeal to you, a
man of medicine yourself, to order the release of Dr. Mtafu, thereby
reversing an injustice and returning to the people of Malawi one of their
finest surgeons.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
H.E. Ambassador Robert Mbaya
Embassy of Malawi
2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Gen. Saw Maung
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
and of Foreign Affairs
Minister's Office
Yangon (Rangoon)
UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Your Excellency,
I am writing on behalf of Aung Din, a 26-year-old engineering student
who was arrested on April 24, 1989. He is the leader of the All-Burma
Federation of Student Unions, the country's best-known student group.
The international human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Aung Din was arrested, like many others, for his
participation in peaceful demonstrations in 1988 and 1989 that called for
an end to the one-party rule that has existed in Myanmar for 26 years.
The government imposed martial law late in 1988 and began to suppress the
opposition groups.
A few hours before his arrest, Aung Din said in an interview that he was
working peacefully for the democracy in Myanmar. He believes that
violent opposition would only lead to suffering and destruction. I urge
you to seek his immediate and unconditional release as he has been
imprisoned for the peaceful expression of his political beliefs.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
H.E. Ambassador U Myo Aung
Embassy of Myanmar
2300 S Street NW
Washington, DC 20008 USA
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
H.E. Muhammad Harba
Minister of Interior
Ministry of Interior
Merjeh Circle
Damascus, SYRIA
Your Excellency,
I write to you concerning Hakem Sultan al-Faiz, a 56-year-old Jordanian
national who has been in al-Mezze military prison in Damascus for 18
years. He was arrested in 1971 following the 1970 coup which brought
the present government to power. He is reportedly held for refusing to
cooperate with the current government, although he was arrested when
government forces abducted him from his home in Lebanon where he had
moved after the coup.
Neither he nor the 18 others detained with him have been charged or
tried. Some of them were allegedly tortured after their arrest, and all
are said to be in poor health due to inadequate medical facilities and
prolonged detention in harsh conditions. Hakem al-Faiz was critically
ill in 1983, but the prison did not supply any medicine.
Amnesty International, the worldwide human rights organization, has
repeatedly called on the government to release Hakem al-Faiz, but there
has been no response to these requests. I strongly encourage you to
honor these requests and seek his release.
Sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
Ms. Bushra Kanafani, Charge d'Affaires
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
|
| 554.14 | Letter correction | CGVAX2::PAINTER | Pray for peace, people everywhere. | Thu Dec 14 1989 11:05 | 5 |
|
Thanks to a fellow reader - there is a spelling error in .1. Search
for the word 'trail' and substitute with 'trial'.
Cindy
|
| 554.16 | AI Conference | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Mon Feb 12 1990 11:37 | 8 |
|
New conference announcement:
GAMBLN::AMNESTY
Hit KP7 to add this conference to your notebook. (;^)
Cindy
|
| 554.17 | January 1990 | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Tue Feb 13 1990 18:40 | 216 |
| January 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the January letters (sorry for the delay).
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
If you decide to participate, please send me your name offline directly
and let me know as I'll be keeping a count for tallying purposes only
(I will not publish your name.)
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is February 28th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the January 1990 Issue:
1. EL SALVADOR - Six Jesuit Priests and others
2. ISRAEL - Sha'wan Jabarin
3. PHILIPPINES - Leonardo Bellaza and Others
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
S.E. Alfredo Christiani Burkard
Presidente de la Republica
de El Salvador
Casa Presidencial
San Salvador, EL SALVADOR
Your Excellency,
I am deeply disturbed by the murders on November 16, 1989, of six
Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter. Several uniformed
men carrying automatic weapons reportedly entered Jesuits' residence
in San Salvador in the early morning, interrogated the men and then
brutally killed them. I understand that there is substantial evidence
that the murders were committed by members of the Salvadoran Army.
I realize that yours is a war-torn country, but surely this cannot
justify the murder of unarmed civilians by the Salvadoran security
forces. I am encouraged by your promise to investigate these
killings, but the record of promised investigations into previous
political killings is dismal and makes me very pessimistic. That is
why I am strongly urging you to make this extraordinary effort that
will be required to ensure that these killings are thoroughly
investigated and that those responsible are brought to justice.
Unless murderers are held accountable, I do not see how the killings
will end.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Miguel Angel Salaverria
Embassy of El Salvador
2308 California Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Yitzhak Rabin
Minister of Defense
Ministry of Defense
7 "A" Street - Hakirya
Tel Aviv 67659
ISRAEL
Your Excellency,
I am deeply concerned about the allegations that Sha'wan Rateb
'Abdullah Jabarin, and employee of the human rights organization
al-Haq, was tortured while in the custody of Israeli security forces
after being arrested at his home on October 10, 1989. He was first
taken to a police detention center in Hebron, being beaten en route as
well as after his arrival. Eyewitnesses claim that an army doctor
tried to intervene and examine Jabarin, but the beating continued even
during the examination. Jabarin was then taken to a hospital at the
doctor's recommendation.
He was later transferred to the Dhahariyah detention center. When
al-Haq investigated his detention, the Military Legal Advisor for the
West Bank confirmed that Jabarin had been beaten. Jabarin has been in
poor health since his release from administrative detention a year
ago. He has heart ailments for which he takes medication, and back
problems which require physiotherapy.
Amnesty International is concerned that Sha'wan Jabarin may be a
prisoner of conscience imprisoned for his human rights activities.
If this is the case, I strongly urge you to seek his immediate release.
I also ask that you see to it that he is not beaten or tortured
further and that he receive the necessary medical treatment for his
physical problems.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Moshe Arad
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Dr. NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Attorney Silvestre Bello III
Undersecretary of Justice
Department of Justice
Padre Faura
Manila, PHILIPPINES
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Leonardo Bellaza, one of 25 farmers from
Leyte who were arrested in November 1987 in Manila. These 25 farmers
and 125 others said that they and their families had fled to Manila from
Leyte fearing they would be killed by "vigilante" groups - civilian
paramilitary forces reportedly acting under military supervision.
While staying at a university in Manila, they publicized their accounts
of these abuses to government agencies, Congress, and the media. Soon
afterward, they were arrested and accused of rebellion and other acts of
violence in Leyte province and involvement in the Communist-led New
People's Army (NPA). This case has received widespread publicity and
several people associated with the farmers have faced threats or acts of
violence. As you know, one of their defense attorneys, Alfonso Surigao,
was killed in June 1988. A Philippines Constabulary Major has now been
charged with his murder.
Although trial proceedings concluded in February 1989, the court has
evidently not yet rendered a decision. The imprisoned farmers who have
now been in custody for more than two years, continue to deny the charges
against them, saying they were detained because they publicized abuses
by "vigilante" groups. The human rights organization Amnesty
International believes Leonardo Bellaza and his 24 co-defendents are
prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for their non-violent activities and
beliefs. While I do not wish to interfere in any way with the judicial
process, as a member of Amnesty International I urge their immediate and
unconditional release.
Sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Emmanuel Pelaez
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
|
| 554.18 | Special section from the January 1990 Newsletter | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Fri Mar 02 1990 20:13 | 117 |
|
FREEDOM WRITER - UPDATE
Additional page in the January 1990 Freedom Writer Campaign issue.
The three topics below are:
1. Prisoner Releases
2. What is Prisoner Casework?
3. Letter from Jack Healey
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Prisoner RELEASES!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Nezhati Ahmedov of Bulgaria (FW January 1989 bulletin)
o Otakar Veverla of Czechoslovakia (FW November 1989 bulletin)
o Agripino Quispe Hilario of Peru (FW August 1988 bulletin)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Prisoner Casework at AI
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prisoner casework is the area of Amnesty International's work with which
most people are familiar. It is the connection that links a prisoner
somewhere in the world with Amnesty members perhaps thousands of miles
distant. It was the early foundation of AI's work and continues to be
one of our most essential activities.
There are several facets to Amnesty USA's Casework program. There is the
long-term work done by AIUSA's community groups on behalf of an individual
prisoner whose case is assigned to a particular group. These groups of
AI members "adopt" the prisoner, working for his release or for
information on his case until the case is resolved. Community groups
often work with other AI networks to help accomplish the goals of their
case. For example, their efforts may be joined by Amnesty's network of
student groups or legal or health care professionals. In fact, many of
the cases featured in the Freedom Writers bulletins you receive each
month are assigned for long-term work to AIUSA community groups.
The Freedom Writer network itself is another key component of AIUSA's
Casework Program. Each month cases are selected to be featured in a
Freedom Writers bulletin and sample letters are written. Most of the
prisoners addressed in these bulletins are serving prison sentences of
one or more years. The cases featured are those most likely to benefit
from the pressure of a surge of appeals at that moment. The Freedom
Writers Network applies that pressure where it's needed and when it's
needed.
Many of you may also be members of AI's Urgent Action Network. This
network deals only with those cases that require the swiftest of
responses. Its members send telegrams and letters concerning urgent
situations, such as the fear that a newly detained might be tortured or
extrajudicially executed. Amnesty also has a variety of action-oriented
newsletters that regularly highlight appeal cases and encourage their
readers to get involved in casework. These newsletters include "Amnesty
Action", the newsletter for general members; "Student Action", the
monthly newsletter for student groups; and "Interact", a quarterly
newsletter on women and human rights.
Any time a letter is written on behalf of someone unjustly imprisoned,
that is casework. Any time a member of Congress is enlisted to appeal
for a prisoner's release, or for inquiry into allegations of torture,
that is casework. Any time a prisoner's name is raised in the media or
another public form, that is casework.
The following quote from a former prisoner of conscience in the Dominican
Republic continues to be a testimony to the effectiveness of and the
necessity for Amnesty's casework:
"When the first two hundred letters came, the guards gave me
back my clothes. Then the next two hundred letters came, and
the prison director came to see me. When the next pile of
letters arrived, the director got in touch with his superior.
The letters kept coming and coming: three thousand of them.
The President was informed. The letters still kept arriving,
and the President called the prison and told them to let me go.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Letter from Jack Healey
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Freedom Writer,
When I look back on the accomplishments of Amnesty International USA
during the past decade, I count the creation of the Freedom Writers
Network as a major advance in our ability to fight human rights abuses
around the world. Founded in 1986, the Freedom Writers Network now has
more than 55,000 members who battle injustice through their letters each
month. Your support and good work has provided us with a powerful means
of commanding the attention of government leaders.
We are all heartened by the reforms sweeping many Eastern European
nations, resulting in amnesties for political prisoners and other signs
of greater respect by the governments there for human rights. Other
countries, however, have not gone that route. At least 1,000 unarmed
demonstrators calling for democratic reforms were killed by Chinese
troops in Beijing last June; thousands more have been imprisoned. In
Guatemala, "disappearance" and death still threaten anyone perceived to
be an opponent of the government. So while we are justified in
celebrating the changes in Czechoslovakia and East Germany, we must keep
in mind that the list of countries that violate human rights of their
citizens is still far, far longer than the list of those that do not.
Let our resolution for the new year and the new decade be to work even
harder to preserve human rights everywhere, in both the countries that
make the headlines and in those that rarely do. Pressuring governments
to stop human rights abuses is our raison d'etre. Let's do it better in
the 1990's.
With best wishes,
John G. Healey
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA
322 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
USA
|
| 554.19 | February 1990 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Fri Mar 02 1990 20:53 | 207 |
| February 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the February letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is March 31st.
----------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the January 1990 Issue:
1. CUBA - Elizardo Sanchez and 2 others
2. GREECE - Angelos Voyiannis
3. INDONESIA - A.Warouw and M.Effendi
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Su Excelencia Comandante en Jefe
Dr. Fidel Castro
Presidente de la Republica
Ciudad de Habana
CUBA
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Elizardo Sanchez Santa Cruz, the
45-year-old president of the Cuban Commission of Human Rights and
National Reconciliation. He was arrested at his home on August 6,
1989, by state security agents and charged with "spreading false news
with the aim of endangering the prestige or standing of the Cuban
state." The charges were apparently the result of interviews he and
two other human rights activists gave to foreign journalists
regarding the trial and execution of several former army officers in
July 1989. The others, Hiram Abi Cobas Nunez and Hubert Jerez Marino,
were also arrested.
Following his trial on November 17, Sanchez was sentenced to two
years' imprisonment. He is held at Combinado del Este prison in
Havana. The others were sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment each.
As a member of Amnesty International, I believe these men are
prisoners of conscience imprisoned for their non-violent work to
promote human rights. Human rights transcend political and national
boundaries, and abuses of these rights cannot be tolerated under any
political system. I urge you to take this opportunity to promote and
respect human rights by immediately and unconditionally releasing
Elizardo Sanchez, Hiram Abi Cobas Nunez and Hubert Jerez Marino.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Mr. Jose Antonio Arbesu Fraga
Cuban Interests Section
2630 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Christos Sartzetakis
Office of the President
17 Stisichorou Street
Athens, GREECE
Dear President Sartzetakis,
I wish to bring to your attention the plight of Angelos Voyiannis, a
follower of the Jehovah's Witness faith, who is imprisoned for
refusing to perform military service.
Angelos Voyiannis's religion prohibits him from serving in the armed
forces. As you know, the unarmed service offered to conscientious
objectors in Greece is double the length of armed service and is
within the military structure. The extended length of the unarmed
service seems punitive in nature and, therefore, is not an acceptable
alternative.
United Nations Resolution 1989/59, Council of Europe Recommendation
No. R (87) 8, and European Parliament Resolution of 13 October 1989
all recommend that member states amend their national laws to provide
for alternative civilian service of non-punitive length for
conscientious objectors. I urge you to follow these recommendations
by releasing Angelos Voyiannis and others imprisoned for their
conscientious objection to military service, and by introducing an
alternative service that is completely separate from the military
system and not of a punitive length.
Sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
Ambassador Christos Zacharakis
Embassy of Greece
2221 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Let. Ismail Saleh S.H.
Menteri Kehakiman
Jalan Hayam Wuruk 7
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Dear Minister,
I appeal to you on behalf of Alexander Warouw, age 72, and Manan
Effendi, age 69, who were arrested in October 1965, a few weeks after
an attempted coup and the murder of six army generals which the
government blamed on the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI).
Effendi and Warouw were linked to the PKI in Kalimantan, but there
were no acts of violence in that area at the time and there is no
evidence that either man had prior knowledge of the coup. They were
brought to trial in May 1967 on charges of subversion. Manan Effendi
was sentenced to death; Alexander Warouw was sentenced to life
imprisonment. Warouw's appeals were rejected, but Effendi's death
sentence was commuted to life imprisonment.
Both men would have been released in August 1988, were it not for a
presidential decree in March 1987 which ruled out remission for any
prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment or anyone whose death sentence
was commuted. Both of these men are considered by the human rights
organization Amnesty International to be prisoners of conscience,
imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of association. I
respectfully appeal to you to grant the immediate and unconditional
release of Alexander Warouw and Manan Effendi.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Ambassador Abdul Rachman Ramly
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 554.20 | April 1990 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Sun Apr 22 1990 20:59 | 212 |
| April 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the April letters. I apologize for not having time to enter
the March letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is May 15th.
---------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the April 1990 Issue:
1. SUDAN - Al-Tijani al-Taieb
2. SYRIA - Muhammad Nabil Salem
3. VIET NAM - Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly
(there is a space between VIET and NAM on the newsletter)
(there is also no 'copy to:' address with this letter)
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Excellency
Lieutenant-General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
Head of State
People's Palace
P.O. Box 281
Khartoum, SUDAN
Your Excellency,
I wish to draw your attention to a case of wrongful imprisonment.
Al-Tijani al-Taieb, a newspaper editor and leading member of the Sudan
Communist party, had been detained at Kober prison in Khartoum without
charge or trail since June 30, 1989, when your government was
installed following a military coup.
Al-Tijani al-Taieb, age 65, was active in the anti-colonial movement
from the late 1940s onward. During the 1950s, he was a journalist and
a trade unionist, and in 1954 helped found the newspaper "al-Maidan".
He has exposed human rights abuses under successive Sudanese
governments and has been previously imprisoned as a result. The human
rights organization Amnesty International declared him to be a
prisoner of conscience during his 1980-85 imprisonment under the
Nimeiri Government, and Amnesty International considers his current
detention by your government to be a violation of international human
rights standards. It again considers Al-Tijani al-Taieb to be a
prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his non-violent political
views.
I urge your government to grant his immediate and unconditional
release. I thank you for your assistance.
Respectfully and sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Hassan Elamin el-Bashir
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Excellency Khaled al-Ansari
Minister of Justice
Nasr Street
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
I write to you to express my great concern that Muhammad Nabil Salem,
a member of the Syrian Engineers' Association, remains detained
without charge or trial since his arrest in Aleppo in March 31, 1980.
He was among a group of engineers arrested in the wake of a one-day
national strike organized on March 31 by the Damascus Bar Association,
which was supported by other professional associations throughout
Syria. The strike called for political reforms, including an end to
the state of emergency in force since 1963, and to violations of human
rights committed under emergency legislation. In April 1980 the
government ordered the dissolution of the councils of the Bar, medical
and engineers' associations, and hundreds of their members were
arrested. Many have remained in untried detention since that time.
Muhammad Nabil Salem, age 50, was a professor of soil mechanics and
head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Aleppo University at
the time of his arrest. He is held in 'Adra Civil Prison in Damascus.
The detention of Muhammad Nabil Salem is a clear violation of the
United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which guarantees
the right to express non-violently one's political views. I urge your
government to honor Syria's commitment to this declaration by granting
Muhammad Nabil Salem's immediate and unconditional release.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Ms. Bushra Kanafani
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Vo Chi Cong
Chairman of the Council of State
The Council of State
35 Ngo Quyen Street
Ha Noi
SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Your Excellency,
As a member of the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, I have received reports concerning a man imprisoned in
your country. Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly is a Roman Catholic parish
priest who was arrested in May 1983 after trying to organize an
unauthorized religious pilgrimage and was sentenced to 10 years'
imprisonment for "opposing the revolution".
In August 1982 Father Thadeus was arrested when police prevented him
and two others from embarking upon a pilgrimage to a shrine in the La
Vang Valley, near Quang Tri. In November 1982 he was ordered by a
court to return to his native village and cease practicing as a
priest. Father Thadeus protested the authority of the government
officials to prevent him from being a priest and refused to abandon
his parish at Doc So unless so ordered by church officials. Father
Thadeus reportedly barricaded himself into the presbytery of his
church and appealed for freedom of religion. In May 1983
approximately 200 police officers are reported to have broken into the
presbytery and seized Father Thadeus. He is believed to be imprisoned
in Binh Tri Thien province.
Freedom of religion is a basic human right. I respectfully urge your
government to show its respect for this and all human rights by
granting the immediate and unconditional release of Father Thadeus
Nguyen Van Ly.
Most sincerely,
<name>
|
| 554.21 | June 1990 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Wed Jun 13 1990 18:48 | 209 |
| June 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the June letters. For some reason, I never received a bulletin
containing the May letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is July 15th.
---------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed in header and at end of letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the June 1990 Issue:
1. MALAWI - Thoza Khonje
2. MYANMAR - U Aung Lwin
3. SOUTH KOREA - Paik Ok-kwan
========================================================================
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Life-President Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda
Office of the President and Cabinet
Private Bag 388
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI
Your Excellency,
I am greatly concerned about Thoza Khonje, a 42-year-old area manager
for the Sugar Company of Malawi, who has been detained without charge
or trial at Mikuyu Prison since February 28, 1989. He was reportedly
detained after being overheard making a statement which was allegedly
critical of government policy.
Thoza Khonje is from northern Malawi, and his arrest coincides with a
series of campaigns in which northern Malawians have been accused of
planning to secede from Malawi and trying to develop the northern
economy to the detriment of the rest of the country. The independent
human rights organization Amnesty International has documented the
arrest of at least 13 other northern Malawians arrested in early 1989
under similar circumstances and considered to be prisoners of
conscience. It believes that Thoza Khonje is being held solely for
expressing his beliefs.
I respectfully appeal to you to order the release of Thoza Khonje.
Very sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Robert Mbaya
Malawi Embassy
2408 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
General Saw Maung
Prime Minister and Minister of Defense
and of Foreign Affairs
Ministers' Office
Yangon (Rangoon)
UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Dear General,
I write to you on behalf of U Aung Lwin, a well-known actor and
founding member of the National League for Democracy Central Executive
committee, who was arrested on June 28, 1989, "as a preventative
measure," according to a government spokesman. Considering the
National League of Democracy's stature as a prominent opposition party
in Myanmar, the arrest of U Aung Lwin appears to be an attempt to
silence peaceful political dissent.
U Aung Lwin was reportedly surrounded on a Yangon street on June 28 by
15 to 20 plainclothes security officials who beat him, put a bag over
his head, and made him lie handcuffed face down in a truck.
He is believed to be detained in Insein Prison in Yangon. Amnesty
International, the independent human rights organization, has no
information as to whether he has regular access to his lawyer and
family. Amnesty International believes he has been detained for
peacefully exercising his rights to freedom of expression and
assembly. I, therefore, respectfully ask for the immediate and
unconditional release of U Aung Lwin.
Yours sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency U Myo Aung
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 "S" Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Excellency Mr. Lee Jong-nam
Minister of Justice
1 Chungang-dong
Kwachon-myon
Shihung-gun
Kyonggi Province
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Your Excellency,
Please accept my congratulations on your recent appointment as
Minister of Justice. I wish to bring to your attention a great
injustice which has concerned the international community for many
years now. I speak of the arrest of Paik Ok-kwan on October 8,
1975, in Seoul. He is one of several hundred Korean residents of
Japan who were arrested while studying at Korean universities.
Charged with espionage on behalf of the Democratic People's Republic
of Korea, he was sentenced to death in 1976. His sentence was later
commuted to life in prison under a presidential amnesty.
I am alarmed at reports that Paik Ok-kwan was tortured by security
officials into making a confession which was later used in his
conviction. The independent human rights organization Amnesty
International believes that Paik Ok-kwan was imprisoned for the
non-violent exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and
association because he openly discussed political matters with fellow
students in Korea and Japan.
I respectfully urge you to truly let justice reign during your tenure
and free Paik Ok-kwan immediately and unconditionally.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Tong-Jin Park
Embassy of Korea
2370 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 554.22 | July 1990 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Fri Jul 13 1990 16:56 | 226 |
| July 1990 Issue - GOOD NEWS!!!!!!
Freedom Writer Prisoners Released Issue Featured In
--------------------------------- -----------------
Adem Demaci of Yugoslavia December 1987
Vehbi Beqiri of Yugoslavia May 1989
Suzanne Lacaille of Cameroon March 1990
Tsai Yu-chuan of Taiwan March 1990
Paik Ok-kwan of South Korea June 1990
===========================================================================
July 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the July letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is August 15th.
-----------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the July 1990 Issue:
1. PERU - Guadalupe Ccallocunto Olano - "disappearance"
2. SRI LANKA - Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu - death threats
3. USSR - Pavel Solovyov - prisoner of conscience
========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Alberto Fujimori
President of the Republic
Palacio de Gobierno
Plaza de Armas
Lima 1, PERU
Dear President Fujimori,
I wish to extend my congratulations on your presidential victory. As
a concerned observer of global human rights, I sincerely hope that
your administration will address the rising tide of human rights
violations in your country.
I am particularly grieved by the "disappearance" of Guadalupe
Ccallocunto Olano of Ayacucho, a 40-year-old human rights leader and
mother of four. Guadalupe Ccallocunto became active in the protection
of human rights after her own husband, health worker Eladio Quispe
Mendoza, was "disappeared" after detention by members of the Peruvian
Army in November 1983.
Guadalupe Ccallocunto Olano was detained in Ayacucho on June 10,
1990. Authorities have refused to acknowledge her detention, but
human rights organizations believe that she was detained by members of
the army since she had been repeatedly harassed by them over the past
months. The independent human rights organization Amnesty
International is particularly concerned with Ms. Ccallocunto's case as
there has been no news of her whereabouts since her detention.
As president, you now have the opportunity to reverse the
deteriorating human rights situation in Peru; I ask that you start
with Guadalupe Ccallocunto Olano. I urge you to ensure that her
whereabouts are made public and that she have access to lawyers and
relatives. I further urge that, if detained, she be released
immediately unless she is charged with a recognizably criminal
offense. I thank you in advance for your assistance.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Cesar G. Atala
Embassy of Peru
1700 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Ranasignhe Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Your Excellency,
I am deeply disturbed to hear of the threats being leveled against Dr.,
Manorani Saravanamuttu and her lawyer Batty Weerakoon. Dr. Manorani
Saravanamuttu's son, Richard de Zoysa, was taken from his home by six
armed men on February 18, 1990, and was found on the beach the next
morning dead from gunshot wounds. While Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu
has been positively identified one of her son's abductors as a Senior
Superintendent of Police, the Ministry of Defense denied involvement
of the security forces and said that the murder was being investigated
by the Crime Detection Bureau of the police.
Simply for pursuing a fair investigation into the murder of her son,
Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu has become the target of harassment and
death threats urging her to drop the case. One intimidating letter
received by Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu warns, "Only silence will
protect you."
I commend your government for providing police protection to Batty
Weerakoon, but still fear for the safety of Dr. Manorani
Saravanamuttu. I urge you to ensure that steps are taken to halt the
threats against Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu and Batty Weerakoon. I
further urge you to identify those responsible for issuing the death
threats, as well as those responsible for the murder of Richard de
Zoysa, and bring them to justice.
Respectfully yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency W. Susanta De Alwis
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Yu. Reshetov
Head of Human Rights Section
USSR Ministry of International Affairs
pr. Kalinina 9
Moscow
USSR
Dear Mr. Reshetov,
I write to you on behalf of Pavel Solovyov, a Pentecostalist from
the Ukrainian city of Slavyansk who is serving a three-year prison
term for holding an open-air religious meeting. He was arrested in
February 1989 after leading a youth group singing hymns in a part,
and charged with "malicious hooliganism" under Article 206 of the
Ukrainian Criminal Code. It is not known where he is serving his
sentence.
The right to practice religion in public or in private, singly or in
groups, is guaranteed by Article 18 of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights. The independent human rights organization
Amnesty International believes that Pavel Solovyov's imprisonment
violates his right to freedom of religion and regards him as a
prisoner of conscience.
I respectfully appeal to you for the immediate and unconditional
release of Pavel Solovyov.
Yours sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Yuriy V. Dubinin
Embassy of the USSR
1125 - 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 554.23 | August 1990 letters | SCARGO::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Tue Aug 14 1990 18:53 | 219 |
|
August 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the August letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is September 15th.
--------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the August 1990 Issue:
1. CUBA - Hiram Abi Cobas & 2 others - prisoner of conscience
2. MOROCCO - Abdallah Oufkir and family - prisoner of conscience
3. TURKEY - Ilker Demir - prisoner of conscience
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Su Excelencia Comandante en Jefe
Dr. Fidel Castro
Presidente de la Republica
Ciudad de La Habana
CUBA
Your Excellency,
I am greatly concerned about the arrest of Hiram Abi Cobas Nunez,
acting Secretary General of the Party for Human Rights in Cuba
and a former philosophy professor. He was arrested on August 6,
1989, along with two others on charges of "spreading false news
with the aim of endangering the prestige or standing of the Cuban
state."
The charges apparently resulted from statements made by Hiram Abi
Cobas Nunez and the others during interviews with foreign press
correspondents concerning the trial and execution of several
former army officers in July 1989. You may recall that I wrote
to you in February of this year concerning his case and those of
the two other human rights activists arrested with him, Elizardo
Sanchez Santa Cruz and Hubert Jerez Marino.
It is the belief of the independent human rights organization
Amnesty International that these men were not endangering the
state, but working for the protection of human rights in Cuba.
Hiram Abi Cobas Nunez is currently serving an 18-month sentence
in Combinado del Este Prison merely for exercising his right to
freedom of speech.
My interest in these men is not generated by any political
differences that might exist between the governments of Cuba and
the United States. Rather, it is based in a genuine concern for
the human rights of all the world's citizens, and it is in that
light that I implore you to order the immediate and unconditional
release of Hiram Abi Cobas Nunez and his associates.
Respectfully and sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Mr. Jose Antonio Arbesu Fraga
Cuban Interests Section
2630 - 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Sa Majeste le Roi Hassan II
Palais Royal
Rabat
MOROCCO
Your Majesty,
I wish to direct your attention to the tragic case of Abdallah
Oufkir who was a three-year-old child when he was first detained
by Moroccan security agents. He has been held for the past 18
years without charge or trial, together with four sisters, one
brother, his mother and an aunt, apparently because of his family
links with General Mohamed Oufkir. General Oufkir, Abdallah
Oufkir's father, died in unknown circumstances the day after a
failed coup attempt in 1972.
Following the mourning period, during which they were under house
arrest, Abdallah Oufkir and his family were taken to various
places of detention, and from 1974 to 1977 were imprisoned in a
house in Tazenakht. In 1977, they were moved to a farm near
Casablanca where each member of the family was held in
incommunicado detention and kept in separate, windowless cells.
During this time, the family received no medical attention, not
even Abdallah's sister Myriam who suffers from epilepsy.
Since 1987, the family has been held at a farm in Targa and their
living conditions have reportedly improved. However, Abdallah
Oufkir and his family remain isolated from the world purely as a
consequence of their relation to General Oufkir. Their detention
is a gross violation of their right to freedom of association as
guaranteed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. I respectfully urge you to grant Abdallah Oufkir and his
family their long-deserved freedom.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Ali Bengelloun
Embassy of Morocco
1601 - 21st Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Yildirim Akbulut
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik
06573 Ankara
TURKEY
Your Excellency,
I am writing on behalf of Ilker Demir, a 37-year-old journalist
who was imprisoned in April 1984 on charges of making communist
propaganda and insulting the Turkish authorities. He is
reported to be in poor health owing to torture he suffered during
several weeks in incommunicado detention following his arrest.
Ilker Demir's arrest is the result of articles published in the
late 1970's in the Turkish Socialist Workers' Party magazines,
'Ilke' and 'Kitle', of which Demir was then editor. After the
military coup in September 1980, the party and its magazines were
banned, as were most other political organizations and
publications.
The Turkish Socialist Workers' Party has never advocated in
violent activities and there is no indication that Ilker Demir
has done so, according to the independent human rights
organization Amnesty International. It considers the imprisonment
of Ilker Demir to be a violation of his right to freedom of
expression as set out in Article 10 of the European Convention on
Human Rights to which Turkey is a State Party.
I respectfully appeal to you for the immediate and unconditional
release of Ilker Demir from Nazilli E Type Prison.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Nuzhet Kandemir
Embassy of the Republic of Turkey
1714 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 554.24 | Sorry, cannot believe every letter I read | EMASS1::ISLER | | Thu Sep 27 1990 11:58 | 15 |
| It really saddens me to see these letters. I would not be able judge
each one of them separately. But, do you know how much publicity
Amnesty International gets and collects money thanks to these letters
and other posters and brochures; which "Are not necessarily doing justice
to some of the countries?"
I have seen a few other letters for cases in Turkey, and could not
believe how unrealistic they were. My friends have seen the posters in
the subways of London of children being totured in Turkey. What a
bologni!! Children are not tortured in Turkey, but some posters hanging
on a subway really succeeds in creating hatred against Turkey, and that
is really the goal at times.
I just cannot believe some of these letters, thinking by whom and how
they were written and the real motive behind them is.
|
| 554.25 | Yes? | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Tue Oct 02 1990 00:01 | 10 |
|
Re.24 (Isler)
Please elaborate - I am a truthseeker above all else. If there are
false claims in these letters, I would like to know about them.
Please also consider posting in the AI conference as well. I don't
have the location handy at the moment - contact me offline for that.
Cindy
|
| 554.26 | September 1990 letters | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Tue Oct 02 1990 18:10 | 222 |
|
September 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the August letters.
I've endeavored to make this as simple as possible. Instructions for
ease of use are included.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is October 15th.
------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the September 1990 Issue:
1. BULGARIA - Ibrayim Aliev Mehmedov
2. COLUMBIA - Alirio de Jesus Pedraza Becerra
3. KENYA - K. Matiba, C. Rubia, R. Odinga
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Zhelyu Zhelev
Office of the President
Blvd. Dondukov 2
Sofia, BULGARIA
Your Excellency,
Ibrayim Aliev Mehmedov, a 69-year-old retired photographer from
the town of Targovishte, is one of many ethnic Turks who remain
imprisoned in connection with Bulgaria's former assimilation
campaign.
The forcible assimilation of the ethnic Turkish minority in
Bulgaria began in December 1984 with a state policy of forcing
ethnic Turks to sign "voluntary declarations" renouncing their
Islamic names in favor of Bulgarian ones. Other measures taken
included a ban on speaking Turkish and on the practice of many
Islamic customs. Hundreds who opposed the assimilation campaign
were jailed. The "Bulgarian" name given to Ibrayim Aliev
Mehmedov was Ivo Iliev Iliev.
Following the change in leadership in Bulgaria in November 1989,
the name-changing campaign was declared "illegal" and many ethnic
Turks were freed from prison in amnesties. However, up to 100
people remain imprisoned, most serving sentences in excess of 10
years in connection with opposing the assimilation campaign,
according to the human rights organization Amnesty International.
Ibrayim Aliev Mehmedov was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment
under Article 104 of the criminal code for espionage, reportedly
in connection with photographs he had taken of ruined mosques.
He is detained in Varna prison.
Little is known concerning the precise changes against Ibrayim
Aliev Mehmedov or the evidence with which he was convicted. I
urge your new administration to make public any evidence which
would indicate that he is being held for reasons other than his
peaceful opposition to the assimilation campaign.
Respectfully yours,
<name>
copy to:
Embassy of Bulgaria
1621 - 22nd Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Presidente Cesar Gaviria Trujillo
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio de Narino
Bogota, COLUMBIA
Dear President Gaviria,
Please accept my congratulations on your recent inauguration as
president of Columbia. I wish to direct your attention to a
serious matter concerning the safety of Alirio de Jesus Pedraza
Becerra, a 40-year-old lawyer and human rights worker, who was
last seen on the night of July 4, 1990, leaving a bakery in
Bogota's Suba district. Various eyewitnesses reportedly say that
about eight heavily armed men identified themselves to two police
agents who stood by during the abduction.
Amnesty International believes that Alirio Pedraza's "disappearance"
is a result of his membership in the Political Prisoners solidarity
Committee (CSPP), a human rights organization, and his legal work
on behalf of the trade unionists. He was abducted shortly after
attending a meeting of the CCSP. Despite efforts to locate
Pedraza, the armed forces and police authorities continue to deny
his detention, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Other human
rights workers in the past months have also been subject to
detention, mistreatment and death threats.
I appeal to you to ensure that the investigation into the abduction
of Alirio de Jesus Pedraza Becerra is conducted swiftly and
thoroughly. If Alirio Pedraza is in detention, I ask that he be
immediately released on the grounds that he is a prisoner of
conscience detained solely for his lawful activities in defense of
human rights. I further implore your new administration to create
a safe environment in Columbia for all human rights workers to
conduct their activities.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Victor Mosquera
Embassy of Colombia
2118 Leroy Place N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Daniel arap Moi
President of the Republic of Kenya
Office of the President
PO Box 30510
Nairobi, KENYA
Your Excellency,
I am very alarmed at the continued detention without charge or
trial of Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila Odinga since
their arrest in early July 1990. The men are being held under
Public Security Regulations which provide for indefinite
administrative detention without charge or trial of anyone said
to be endangering the security of the state.
Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, both former government
ministers, has led calls in recent months for amendments to the
Kenyan Constitution which would allow for the existence of
political parties other than the ruling Kenya African National
Union. Raila Odinga, former deputy director of the Kenya Bureau
of Standards, is the son of former Vice-President and government
critic Oginga Odinga.
Despite claims by a Kenyan official that Kenneth Matiba and
Charles Rubia were "plotting to overthrow the government,
assassinate ministers and incite workers to strike," the human
rights organization Amnesty International believes that all
three men were in fact imprisoned for the nonviolent expression
of their political opinions and their advocacy of a multi-party
system in Kenya.
I respectfully request that you act to correct this injustice,
and order the immediate and unconditional release of Kenneth
Matiba, Charles Rubia and Raila Odinga.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Denis D. Afande
Embassy of Kenya
2249 R Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 554.27 | FYI - additional | MEMV01::PAINTER | | Tue Oct 16 1990 15:52 | 36 |
|
<<< GAMBLN::SYS$SYSDEVICE:[NOTES$LIBRARY]AMNESTY.NOTE;2 >>>
-< Amnesty International Letter Campaign Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 44.0 Convention Against Torture--Act Today, Please! No replies
SANDS::DUNNE 28 lines 16-OCT-1990 10:57
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People at this moment are trying to get The Convention Against Torture on
the Senate floor for a vote. It is being blocked by Senator Helms only.
Please write your senator now. This is a U.N. Convention, and if it
is ratified worldwide, it will establish an international ban on the
use of torture. Pressure can then be brought on governments that use
torture.
<FROM_ADDRESS>
<DATE>
<TO_ADDRESS>(Senator\531 Senate Hart Office
Building\Washington D.C. 20501-2901\)
<SALUTATION>(Dear Senator :)
<p>
The practice of torture is a worldwide epidemic. We must do all we can
to help the victims of torture and rid the world of this practice.
<p>
The Convention Against Torture is an important tool to prevent torture.
The United States should ratify this convention as soon as possible.
<p>
Please request [for Republican senators, Senator Dole; for Democrats,
Senator George Mitchell] to schedule a senate floor vote on the
convention before the end of this Congress, and please vote for
ratification. I cannot overestimate the importance of your action on
this matter.
<CLOSING>(Sincerely,\)
|
| 554.28 | Offer | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Tue Oct 23 1990 17:57 | 12 |
|
I've received a mailing from Amnesty asking for referrals - people
interested in receiving information and an invitation to become a new
member. The initial information is free and without obligation.
Membership is $25.00 per year, non-profit, tax-deductible, and
matched by Digital.
If anyone is interested in having their name added to the list, send
your mail address to me offline and I'll send it in to them.
Cindy
|
| 554.29 | Newsletter additional text - fyi | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Wed Nov 14 1990 13:47 | 160 |
|
Freedom Writer Newsletter - October 1990
Case Updates
------------
'Abd al-'Aziz' Abbas al-Shatti of Kuwait:
(Featured in Nov. 1988 FW bulletin): Escaped from prison
during the early days of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.
Audilia Quijada of the United States:
(Featured in May 1990 FW bulletin); Despite testifying for
over seven hours about her arrest and torture in Honduras,
Audilia Quijada was denied political asylum by an immigration
judge. Ms. Quijada plans to appeal to the Board of Immigration
Appeals, and Amnesty International continues to support her
claim.
Dr. Manorani Saravanamuttu of Sri Lanka:
(Featured in July 1990 FW bulletin); The magisterial inquiry
into the death of Dr. Saravanamuttu's son, Richard de Zoysa,
was halted August 30, 1990. Claiming lack of evidence, the
Attorney General decided to take no action against the
senior police officer named by Dr. Saravanamuttu as having
been among those who abducted her son in February 1990. No
one has yet been held responsible for the death threats
received by Dr. Saravanamuttu.
========================================================================
From: Freedom Writer Newsletter - October 1990
Questions and Answers
---------------------
Q: Should I send copies of my letters to my Members of Congress?
A: Please do. Decisions made by the U.S. Congress can sometimes have
a tremendous impact on other countries. For this reason, embassy
staff in Washington try to feed key Members of Congress with favorable
information on their countries. It is important that Members of
Congress be made aware of human rights violations wherever they occur.
A letter, cable or telephone call from a Member of Congress can be
highly influential in obtaining vital information or winning the
release of a prisoner of conscience.
Q: Why does AI so often use "Your Excellency" as a salutation, even
when addressing state presidents?
A: While it is most appropriate to address the president of the United
States as "Dear Mr. President" or "Dear President Bush," other state
presidents much prefer to be addressed as "Your Excellency." Amnesty
has found through experience that courteous letters are usually more
effective than uncourteous ones. Therefore, we strive to be
respectful when addressing any government official so that our
concerns are taken seriously and perhaps acted upon.
========================================================================
Update letter from Jack Healey, Executive Director of Amnesty Int'l:
Dear Freedom Writer,
...I will be leaving shortly for Chile to participate in an exciting
event there. On October 12 and 13 international performing artists
from around the world will come together in two benefit concerts for
Amnesty International. What makes these concerts very special is
their location - Santiago's National Stadium, which 17 years ago was
the scene of hundreds of cases of torture and extrajudicial execution
following a military coup in 1973. The performers scheduled to appear
include New Kids on the Block, Sting, Sinead O'Connor, Wynton
Marsalis, Ruben Blades, Jackson Browne, and the Chilean groups
Congreso and Inti Illimani. The concerts are expected to draw record
numbers carrying the human rights message to a Chilean audience that
spent a decade and a half in cultural isolation under the government
of General Augusto Pinochet.
The idea for the Chile concerts emerged from the tremendous impact of
the "Human Rights Now!" tour organized by Amnesty International in
1988. At the same time, it was not possible to hold a concert in
Chile due to the presence of the military regime, although more than
15,000 Chileans crossed the border to attend the concert in Mendoza,
Argentina. Today, the Chilean section of Amnesty International ranks
as perhaps the most consolidated in the developing world and certainly
the largest with 2,000 members. It functioned for more than a decade
under Pinochet's military government, and, with the financial help the
concerts will provide, will continue to carry the flag of human rights
in Chile for years to come.
Just as the international movement seeks to diversify the worldwide
membership of Amnesty International by placing special emphasis on
expansion within the developing or "Third World" countries, Amnesty
USA has set upon a program to increase the ethnic and cultural
diversity of AI members here in the United States. Our Cultural
Diversification program will have a strong impact upon our development
through the 1990s, and I encourage you to see the enclosed Program
Focus for more details on this important work.
With best wishes,
John G. Healey
Executive Director
Attachment:
=======================================================================
PROGRAM FOCUS: Cultural Diversification
In 1986, Amnesty International USA took a significant step toward the
realization of the AI motto "one movement, one message, many voices" by
launching its Cultural Diversification program, which is intended to
ensure that the U.S. section of Amnesty International more accurately
represents the workforce and population of the United States. The
Cultural Diversification (CD) program permeates every aspect of
Amnesty ranging from its staff to its volunteers by trying to
cultivate both participation and leadership among ethnic and racial
minorities, women and foreign nationals. In this manner, Amnesty USA
strives to achieve and maintain a cultural, ethnic and religious
pluralism within the movement.
Cultural Diversification incorporates existing outreach programs and
brings new initiatives to the U.S. section of Amnesty. One noteworthy
facet of the CD program is the Ralph J. Bunche Human Rights Fellowship
for traditionally recognized "minority" groups. The ten-month program
is intended to provide students of ethnically diverse backgrounds with
the opportunity to participate in day-to-day human rights work
undertaken at AIUSA's offices around the U.S. The objective of the
fellowship is to develop leaders in the field of human rights advocacy
in diverse cultural communities.
Although the CD program naturally encourages the enhancement of AIUSA
membership, it is not limited solely to expanding the makeup of the
organization's membership. A further goal of the program is to
strengthen the ties between Amnesty and other organizations and
leadership representative of different cultural ethnic, women's and
religious groups. Many of these organizations have historically been
involved in aspects of the human rights struggle, and Amnesty
International has learned much about techniques and strategy from
them.
Human rights violations occur every day to people with vastly
different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In order to most
effectively combat these violations, the U.S. section of Amnesty
International must take full advantage of the unique multi-ethnic
character of our country. Through its CD program, AIUSA has taken a
major step forward toward harnessing the concerns for human rights
shared by all residents of the United States.
Those of you interested in receiving more information on Amnesty
International USA's Cultural Diversification program may write to:
Cultural Diversification Program
Amnesty International USA
740 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
|
| 554.30 | Letters for Oct. and Nov. 1990 | CGVAX2::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Wed Nov 14 1990 13:50 | 367 |
|
November 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the October and November letters, for a total of 6 letters.
--------------------
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is December 15th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the October 1990 Issue:
1. EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema
2. SYRIA - Wahid Khadhur
3. TIBET (People's Rep. of China) - Ngawang Buchung
In the November 1990 Issue:
1. GUATEMALA - Luis Miguel Sol�s Pajarito
2. IRAN - Ali Ardalan
3. MAURITANIA - Ladji Traor�
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Su Excelencia Coronel Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Presidente de la Republica
Gabinete del Presidente de la Republica
Malabo
REPUBLIC OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema, a
soldier who is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted
of attempting to overthrow the government of Equatorial Guinea.
He was arrested in August 1988 with about 40 others after the
leader of the Partido del Progreso opposition party visited the
country to request that the government allow the party to operate
in Equatorial Guinea, which is officially a one-party state.
Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema and the others were apparently
arrested on the belief that they were supporters of this party.
The confession with which the military court convicted him was
reportedly extracted under torture. Further evidence against
Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema was later proven in court to be
false. In addition, the rights of the defendants were restricted
by the summary procedures used by the court.
Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema is believed to be detained at Bata
prison in the province of Rio Muni. Amnesty International, the
independent human rights organization, considers him to be a
prisoner of conscience, detained solely for exercising his right
to freedom of association and expression. I respectfully appeal
to you to grant the immediate and unconditional release of
Francisco Bonifacio Mba Nguema.
Sincerely,
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Vice President 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam
Office of the President
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
I am deeply concerned about Wahid Khadhur, a prisoner of
conscience being held in the Military Interrogation Center in
Damascus. He was arrested on July 17, 1984, for his membership
in the political party Hizb al-'Amal al-Shuyu'i. He has been
held without charge or trial since that day.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
is working for the immediate and unconditional release of Wahid
Khadhur because he is being detained for the non-violent exercise
of his right to freedom of expression. His detention violates
Article 38 of the Syrian Constitution as well as the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Syria
has ratified.
Wahid Khadhur, age 34, had worked for the electricity board at
Misyat prior to his arrest, and has a wife and child. I
respectfully appeal to you for the immediate and unconditional
release of Wahid Khadhur.
Respectfully and sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Walid al-Moualem
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Li Peng Zongli
Guowuyuan
Beijingshi
Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency,
I appeal to you on behalf of Ngawang Buchung, a Tibetan Buddhist
monk who is serving 19 years' imprisonment on charges of
organizing a "counter-revolutionary clique," spreading "counter-
revolutionary propaganda," and "engaging in espionage." He was
arrested on January 15, 1989, and given one of the longest
sentences handed down to pro-independence demonstrators. The
sentencing came shortly after the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize was
awarded to the Dalai Lama, the traditional leader of the Tibetan
people, who currently resides in exile in India.
Ngawang Buchung was one of 10 monks from the Drepung monastery
who were sentenced for their activities in support of Tibetan
independence. He was officially described as the leader of a
"reactionary organization" which had printed and distributed
leaflets to further the goal of Tibetan independence. Among the
leaflets distributed was the United Nations Declaration of Human
Rights.
He had previously led a peaceful demonstration for the
independence of Tibet, and had been arrested and detained without
charge for four months following that demonstration. Ngawang
Buchung is considered to be a prisoner of conscience by the
independent human rights organization Amnesty International. I
appeal to you to grant the immediate and unconditional release of
Ngawang Buchung.
Most respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Zhu Qizhen
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Brig. Gral. Juan Leonel Bola�os
Minister of Defense
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Se�or Ministro,
I wish to bring to your attention the case of Luis Miguel Sol�s
Pajarito, age 25, who "disappeared" on May 3, 1990. He was a
leader of the 'Consuelo Nacional de Desplazados de Guatemala'
(CONDEG), the Guatemala National Council for the Displaced. He
was a representative of CONDEG at the National Dialogue, a series
of talks between the government and various sectors of the
population set up under the terms of the Central American Peace
Agreement.
Luis Miguel Sol�s Pajarito has not been seen since he left
CONDEG's office in the capital on the evening of may 3. Writs of
habeas corpus have been filed on his behalf, but his whereabouts
remains unknown. four other members of Sol�s Pajarito's family
had been "disappeared" in the early 1980s, and there has been a
previous attempt to abduct him in late April of this year.
I appeal to you to investigate the "disappearance" of Luis Miguel
Sol�s Pajarito and to work for his immediate release.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency John Schwank
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
His Excellency Hojatolesalm Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention the case of Ali Ardalan, a
73-year-old retired civil servant who was arrested in June 1990
with 20 other signatories of an open letter which called upon
your government to uphold rights and freedoms guaranteed by the
constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Ali Ardalan is a
former minister in the government of Mehdi Bazargan, and is head
of the Executive committee of the Association for the Defense of
the Freedom and Sovereignty of the Iranian Nation (ADFSIN).
I am particularly alarmed at reports that he has been beaten and
ill-treated and that he is said to be in poor health. He is
being held with other signatories in Tehran's Evin Prison.
The nonpartisan human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that all those detained in connection with the open
letter are prisoners of conscience held for their non-violent
political activity. I respectfully request that you free Ali
Ardalan and his co-signatories immediately and unconditionally.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 2007
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Son Excellence
M. le Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid' Ahmed Taya
Pr�sident du Comit� militaire de salut national
La Pr�sidence
B.P. 184
Nouakchott
Islamic Republic of MAURITANIA
Your Excellency,
I appeal to you on behalf of Ladji Traor�, age 53, who was
arrested in October 1989 and remains held without charge or
trial. He is a leading trade unionist within the Union of
Mauritanian Workers, and is a prominent member of the National
Democratic Movement. No official reasons have been given for his
arrest.
I am concerned that Ladji Traor�, director of a pharmaceutical
company, has been arrested for his membership in the National
Democratic Movement and for his criticism of the government's
forcible expulsion of black Mauritanians from Mauritania to
neighboring Senegal. The independent human rights organization
Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of
conscience, detained for the non-violent expression of his
beliefs.
I respectfully appeal to you for the immediate and unconditional
release of Ladji Traor�.
Sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Abdellah Ould Daddah
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
2129 Leroy Place N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 554.31 | Letters for December 1990 | MEMCL1::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Fri Jan 04 1991 15:23 | 198 |
|
December 1990
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the December letters.
--------
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is January 15th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.45 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.25).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the December 1990 Issue:
1. ALBANIA - Ramiz Kaca
2. ETHIOPIA - Ishetu Latu
3. SOUTH KOREA - Pang Yang-kyun
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Ramiz Alia
President of the Presidium of People's Assembly
Tirana
The People's Socialist Republic of
ALBANIA
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Ramiz Kaca, age 78 who is imprisoned
for writing letters to the Albanian government officials
denouncing the arrest and ill-treatment of peaceful demonstrators
in January 1990.
The demonstrators had conducted a silent vigil in Skanderbeg
Square to display their support for democratic reform in Albania.
Hundreds were arrested, but most were soon released. Kaca wrote
to government officials protesting police violence against the
demonstrators, and was summoned to the Ministry of the Interior
in March, where he was interrogated. Ramiz Kaca was tried
without defense counsel and is now serving a three-year sentence
in Tirana Prison. He is reported to be in poor health following
a hernia operation this summer.
Amnesty International, the independent human rights organization,
considers Ramiz Kaca to be a prisoner of conscience, detained
solely for the peaceful expression of his political beliefs. I
respectfully urge you to ensure that Ramiz Kaca receives
appropriate medical treatment, and I request that he be
immediately and unconditionally released.
Most sincerely,
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Mengistu Haile-Mariam
President of the People's
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Office of the President
Addis Ababa
ETHIOPIA
Your Excellency,
I am deeply concerned about Ishetu Latu, a former student at the
National University of Addis Ababa, who was arrested in February
1980 along with hundreds of other members of the Oromo ethnic
group suspected of having links with the armed opposition group,
the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
Latu is still being held in Addis Ababa after many of those
initially detained were released in September 1989 on the 15th
anniversary of Ethiopia's revolution. He has been held for over
10 years without a trial or explanation of his arrest. given
that fact, one can only assume that he has been detained because
of his ethnic origin rather than for any actual evidence of OLF
involvement.
Amnesty International, an independent human rights organization,
considers Ishetu Latu to be a prisoner of conscience. I
respectfully appeal to you to grant his immediate release.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
Mr. Girma Amare
Embassy of Ethiopia
2134 Kalorama Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Roh Tae-woo
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no
Chongno-gu
Seoul
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Pang Yang-kyun, who was arrested on
July 2, 1989, and sentenced on December 20, 1989, in Seoul
District Court to seven years' imprisonment. Pang Yang-kyun is a
principal aide to Suh Kyung-won, a member of the National
Assembly. The two men were detained as a result of visits they
made to Europe in 1988 and a visit by Suh Kyung-won to North
Korea in August 1988.
The international human rights organization Amnesty International
considers that travelling to North Korea without evidence either
of espionage activities or of the use of advocacy of violence
can not justify imprisonment. It believes that Pang Yang-kyun
has been detained for his peaceful political activities and his
views on the reunification of North and South Korea. The
organization is also concerned about Mr. Pang's claims that he
was ill-treated during interrogation by authorities.
My concern for Pang Yang-kyun is based on a sincere request for
the human rights of all people. It is in this spirit that I
urge you to release Pang Yang-kyun.
Yours respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Tong-Jin Park
Embassy of Korea
4801 Glenbrook Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
|
| 554.32 | January and February 1991 - sorry I'm a bit behind | MEMCL1::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Thu Mar 07 1991 13:29 | 410 |
|
January 1991 Issue - GOOD NEWS!
Freedom Writer Prisoners Released Issue Featured In
--------------------------------- -----------------
o Ibrahima Sarr and Amadour Moctar Sow January 1989
of Mauritania
o Bohdan Klymchak of the USSR March 1989
o Sha'wan Jabarin of the Israeli January 1990
Occupied Territories
o Al-Tijani Al-Taieb of Sudan April 1990
o Ibrayim Aliev Mehmedov of Bulgaria September 1990
===========================================================================
February 1991
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the January and February 1991 letters.
Instructions for ease of use are included below. NOTE NEW POSTAGE
RATE FOR OVERSEAS LETTERS.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is February 28th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is [I believe - can someone confirm?] $.49 for a
one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent to US embassies can be mailed
domestically ($.29).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the January Issue:
1. RWANDA - Innocent Ndayambaje
2. SAUDI ARABIA - Salih al-'Azzaz
3. TUNISIA - Moncef Ben Salem
In the February Issue:
4. BURKINA FASO - Seni Konanda, Sie Souleymane Coulibaly
5. EL SALVADOR - Sara Cristina Chan Chan Medina
6. MYANMAR (BURMA) - U Ba Thaw
========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Son Excellence Monsieur le G�n�ral-Major Habyarimana Juv�nal
Pr�sident de la R�publique
Pr�sidence de la R�publique
BP 15
Kigali
RWANDA (R�publique Rwandaise)
Your Excellency,
I am writing to you on behalf of Innocent Ndayambaje, who was a
student of economics at the Butare campus of the National
University of Rwanda when he was arrested in October 1986.
Officials claimed that Ndayambaje had attempted to spread his
political ideas by distributing tracts in the town of Butare. He
was charged with contravening Rwanda's one-party constitution,
and was denied access to legal counsel during his March 1990
trial before the State Security Court. During the trial,
Innocent Ndayambaje admitted to being the sole member of a party
called the National Resistance Front, but pleaded not guilty to
the charges against him. He was sentenced to five years'
imprisonment and is believed to be held at the Kigali central
prison.
A trial during which a defendant is denied access to legal
representation falls far short of international standards for
fair trials. Beyond that, it would seem that Innocent Ndayambaje
should not have been tried at all, having been arrested simply
for exercising his rights to freedom of expression and
association. I respectfully urge that he be released immediately
and unconditionally.
Sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Aloys Uwimana
Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda
1714 New Hampshire Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines
King Fahd bin 'Abd al-'Aziz
Office of His Majesty the King
Riyadh
Kingdom of SAUDI ARABIA
Your Majesty,
I wish to bring to your attention an alarming occurrence. On
November 6, 1990, Salih al-'Azzaz, a prominent writer and
journalist, was arrested on King 'Abdul-'Aziz Avenue in Riyadh
reportedly while taking photographs of a women's demonstration.
The demonstration involved tens of Saudi women driving cars in a
convoy along King 'Abdul-'Aziz Avenue to protest the country's
traditional prohibition on women driving.
Salih al-'Azzaz was reportedly arrested on suspicion of being one
of the organizers of the demonstration. Forty-nine women were
also detained for some hours, but were released that day.
Salih al-'Azzaz is believed to be held in the Mabahith al-'Amma
Headquarters in the 'Ulaisha district of Riyadh. He is
reportedly held incommunicado and I fear for his safety.
Salih al-'Azzaz appears to have been detained solely for his
alleged role in organizing a peaceful demonstration. The human
rights organization Amnesty International considers him to be a
prisoner of conscience. I implore your government to release
Salih al-'Azzaz immediately.
With sincere respect,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Bandar Bin Sultan
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Son Excellence Pr�sident Zine EL Abidine Ben Ali
Pr�sident de la R�publique
Palais Pr�sidentiel
Tunis/Carthage
TUNISIA
Your Excellency,
I wish to express to you my concern at learning that Professor
Moncef Ben Salem, former head of the Mathematics Department at
the University of Sfax, was sentenced to three years'
imprisonment in May 1990 for alleged defamation of public order
and dissemination of false information with the aim of disturbing
public security. The charges stem from an interview Professor
Ben Salem had given to an Algerian Islamic newspaper which
criticized the Tunisian Government.
Moncef Ben Salem was arrested on April 22, 1990, reportedly
without an arrest warrant. He was taken to the Ministry of the
Interior in Tunis where he is said to have been held
incommunicado in police custody for 12 days, during which time he
was interrogated by the police. Professor Ben Salem alleges that
during this period he was kept for more than 36 hours without
food and was prevented from sleeping. His family was not
informed of the reasons for his arrest nor the place of his
detention. He is now imprisoned at the 9 Avril Civil Prison in
Tunis.
The human rights organization Amnesty International believes that
Moncef Ben Salem is imprisoned for nothing more than the
expression of his non-violent political beliefs. It considers
him to be a prisoner of conscience. I urge your government to
grant his immediate and unconditional release.
Respectfully yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Dr. Abdelaziz Hamzaoui
Embassy of Tunisia
1515 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Pr�sident Blaise Compaor�
Pr�sidence du Faso
Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO
Your Excellency,
I write to you on behalf of Seni Konanda and Si� Souleymane
Coulibaly, members of the National Association of Burkinabe
Students (ANEB), who have been detained in police custody since
May 1990.
Over 40 students were arrested following demonstrations demanding
negotiations regarding ANEB's use of university facilities and
the earlier expulsion of ANEB members from the university.
Although many of the students were subsequently released, four
are still held in incommunicado detention in Ouagadougou. Eight
others were forcibly conscripted into the army.
I am alarmed at reports of students being tortured while in
custody. One student, Boukary Dabo, died in detention, probably
as a result of torture or ill-treatment. None of the students
have been officially charged with any offense.
I urge you to reveal the location of all detained students. I
also appeal to you to order the immediate release of Seni Konanda
and Si� Souleymane Coulibaly.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Paul-D�sir� Kabore
Embassy of Burkina Faso
2340 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Cnel. Ren� Emilio Ponce
Ministro de Defensa y de Seguridad Publica
Km. 5 Carretera a Santa Tecla
San Salvador, EL SALVADOR
Your Excellency,
I am greatly concerned about the fate of Sara Cristina Chan Chan
Medina, a 20-year-old woman who is said by eyewitnesses to have
been detained on August 19, 1989, by members of the Air Force.
Sara Cristina was a photographer for the trade union federation
FENASTRAS at the time of her abduction. Many trade unionists and
their supporters in El Salvador have been extrajudicially
executed or "disappeared" following abduction by the security
forces.
Sara Cristina's mother, Maria Juana Medina, has searched
tirelessly for her daughter. Initially, Air Force officials
claimed that Sara Cristina had been transferred to the Treasury
Police; the Treasury Police denied this. The Air Force
subsequently denied having ever detained Sara Cristina.
Maria Juana Medina has since been subjected to detention and
torture as a result of her investigation of her daughter's
whereabouts. On October 31, 1989, Maria Juana and her younger
daughter were injured in a bomb attack on the FENASTRAS offices
which killed 10 people.
I urge your government to carry out an immediate, thorough and
impartial investigation into the fate of Sara Cristina Chan Chan
Medina and to bring to justice those responsible for her
abduction. I also ask that you ensure the safety of Sara
Cristina's family and of relatives of other trade unionists who
have suffered human rights violations.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Miguel Angel Salaverria
Embassy of El Salvador
2308 California Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
General Saw Maung
Chairman
State Law and Order Restoration Council
Yangon (Rangoon)
Union of Myanmar
(BURMA)
Dear General,
I am writing to you on behalf of U Ba Thaw, a well-known novelist
and president of the nation's Writers' Union, who was found
guilty before a military tribunal of inciting the armed forces to
join the democracy movement and sentenced to 20 years'
imprisonment and hard labor. U Ba Thaw is reportedly in solitary
confinement in Insein Prison, and is said to suffer from chronic
spondilitis, which causes pain and stiffness in the spine.
Reports from Myanmar indicate that many pro-democracy activists
have been systematically interned by military tribunals. In
contravention of international standards for a fair trial,
military tribunals may refuse to call "unnecessary" witnesses and
do not have to produce prosecution witnesses. The decision of
the tribunal is final, and no appeal against the sentence is
allowed.
Amnesty International, the independent human rights organization,
believes U Ba Thaw is a prisoner of conscience detained for his
ties with the National League for Democracy and for exercising
his right to freedom of expression. I respectfully appeal to you
to release U Ba Thaw immediately and unconditionally.
Sincerely and respectfully,
<name>
copy to:
Counselor U Hla Myint Oo
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 "S" Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 554.33 | March 1991 letters | MEMCL1::PAINTER | And on Earth, peace... | Mon Mar 18 1991 16:38 | 214 |
|
March 1991
Hi everybody,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the March letters.
-----
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is April 15th.
----------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.50 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.29).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the March 1991 Issue:
1. MEXICO - Jos� Ram�n Garc�a
2. SUDAN - Ahmed Osman Siraj
3. SYRIA - Naser Al-'Ali
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Lic. Carlos Salinas de Gortari
Presidente de la Rep�blica
Palacio National
06067 M�xico DF
MEXICO
Dear President Salinas,
I am writing to express my concern regarding the "disappearance" of
Jos� Ram�n Garc�a, a leading member of the Worker's Revolutionary
Party in Mexico, who vanished on his way to a political meeting on
December 16, 1988.
At the time of his "disappearance," Jos� Ram�n Garc�a was active in
a campaign publicizing claims of electoral fraud in the July 1988
Mexican presidential elections. He is said to have been under
investigation by state government authorities for these political
activities. A vehicle, believed to belong to security forces, was
seen by witnesses outside his home shortly before his
"disappearance".
According to the human rights organization Amnesty International,
at least 500 "disappearances" were reported in Mexico during the
1970s and 1980s. Successive governments have failed to account for
the fate of the victims or bring those responsible to justice.
Jos� Ram�n Garc�a's "disappearance" was the first to occur under
your administration, President Salinas, and I applaud your setting
up a commission of inquiry and appointing a special prosecutor to
investigate the case. However, Jos� Ram�n Garc�a's family has
complained that the local police have been reluctant to carry out a
proper inquiry. The special prosecutor himself was reported to
have focused his investigations on the theory that Jos� Ram�n Garc�a
staged his own abduction.
I urge you to ensure that a full and impartial investigation is
carried out to clarify the fate of Jos� Ram�n Garc�a. I further
implore you to take steps to ensure that the practice of
"disappearing" people in Mexico is eliminated.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Gustavo Petricioli
Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Lieutenant-General Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir
People's Palace
P.O. Box 281
Khartoum
SUDAN
Your Excellency,
I am writing on behalf of Ahmed Osman Siraj, a medical doctor and
lecturer who has been held without charge since his arrest in
September 1990 in Khartoum.
At the time of his arrest, Ahmed Osman Siraj was the head of the
University of Khartoum's Psychology Department and also cultural
secretary of the Sudan Medical Association. He is being held at
the Sudan Security Headquarters in Khartoum.
Since the military government took power on June 30, 1989, several
hundred people from a variety of professions have been arrested.
Some were released uncharged while others are still detained
without charge or trial. Despite government assurances that the
cases of all detainees are under investigation, most have not even
been questioned.
Amnesty International believes that Ahmed Osman Siraj is a
prisoner of conscience who has been detained solely for his real or
suspected opposition to the military government. He has not used
or advocated violence.
I urge you to grant Ahmed Osman Siraj and immediate and
unconditional release. I further implore you to ensure that all
detainees are given access to relatives, medical care and legal
counsel.
Sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Hafez al-Assad
Office of the President
Presidential Palace
Abu Rummaneh
Al-Rashid Street
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
I am writing on behalf of Naser Al-'Ali, who was arrested in July
1983 while a student of mechanical and electrical engineering at
Damascus University. He was arrested for his membership in the
Party for Communist Action (PCA), which is prohibited in Syria.
Members of the PCA, also called the Hizb al-'Amal al Shuyu'i, have
been arrested at different times since the beginning of 1980 and
detained without charge or trial, sometimes incommunicado. Some
have been tortured and others deprived of essential medical
treatment. Two PCA members died in custody in late 1987 and early
1988 as a result of such treatment.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers Naser Al-'Ali's detention without trial to be a
punishment for the non-violent exercise of his right to freedom of
expression and for this PCA membership.
I respectfully appeal to you to grant the immediate and
unconditional release of Naser Al-'Ali.
Most sincerely,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Walid al-Moualem
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 554.34 | Letters for January 1992 | TNPUBS::PAINTER | let there be music | Mon Feb 03 1992 18:12 | 233 |
|
Letters follow, however here is an update of released prisoners:
From the January 1992 issue:
Freedom Writer Prisoners Released Issue Featured In
--------------------------------- -----------------
o Fadhel Hassan Fateel of Bahrain November 1989
o Salman Atiya Salman of Bahrain November 1989
o Hassan Ali Hussein of Bahrain November 1989
o Andres Solares of Cuba March 1987
o Orlando Azcue Rodriguez of Cuba July 1991
===========================================================================
January 1992
Hi everyone,
For those of you who are interested in participating in the Amnesty
International Freedom writers campaign (3 letters per month), here
are the January 1992 letters.
Instructions for ease of use are included below.
Deadline for posting letters from this newsletter is February 15th.
-------------
Cindy
===========================================================================
Hints for editing and printing:
Do a global search and replace on these tags:
<name> - your name - will be changed at the end of the letter
<addr> - street, apt., etc.
<csz> - city, state, zip
<date> - today's date
USA - is included and assumed - if not the USA then substitute for
your country
Airmail Postage is $.50 for a one-page letter (overseas). Copies sent
to US embassies can be mailed domestically ($.29).
NOTE - check the text of each letter as some assume that you are an
*American* citizen, and also assume that you are a supporter/
member of Amnesty International.
===========================================================================
In the January Issue:
1. CUBA - Mar�a Elena Cruz Varela
2. EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Joaqu�n Elema Boringue
3. INDONESIA - Bonar Tigor Naipospos
===========================================================================
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz
Presidente de los Consejos
de Estados y de Ministros
Ciudad de La Habana
CUBA
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring a serious matter to your attention. Mar�a Elena
Cruz Varela, president of the unofficial opposition group
'Criterio Alternativo' ("Alternative View"), was subjected to an
'acto de repudio' ("act of repudiation by the masses") which took
place on November 19, 1991. During the incident against Ms. Cruz
Varela, some of the crowd are reported to have been armed and
carrying walkie-talkies. Soon after, she was detained at a local
police station where she was held for several hours before being
released.
I understand that during 'actos de repudia', human rights
activists and political dissidents are subjected to physical and
verbal abuse by groups of people chanting pro-government slogans.
These acts are believed to be orchestrated by Cuba's security
services to intimidate any opposition.
The 'acto de repudio' continued outside the home of Mar�a Elena
Cruz Varela, and on November 21, 1991, she was again detained,
along with three other activists, and reportedly taken to the
headquarters of the State Security police. She was brought to
trial on November 28, 1991, at the People's Municipal Court of
East Havana and sentenced to two years' imprisonment on charges
of illegal association and defamation.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Mar�a Elena Cruz Varela is a prisoner of conscience
detained for the non-violent expression of her political beliefs.
I join Amnesty International in urging you to grant her
immediate and unconditional release.
Sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
Mr. Jose Antonio Arbesu Fraga
Cuban Interests Section
2630 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
Coronel Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Presidente de la Rep�blica
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Gabinete del Presidente de la Rep�blica
Malabo
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Your Excellency,
There is a significant human rights concern which I would like to
address. Joaqu�n Elema Boringue, a former army sergeant, was
sentenced to death in September 1988 for allegedly attempting to
assassinate you. This sentence was later commuted to 20 years'
imprisonment.
The only evidence used to convict Joaqu�n Elema Boringue was his
"confession," which was extracted under torture, and a plan of
the Presidential Palace which he had drawn two years earlier on
orders of a senior officer. He was arrested along with many
other alleged supporters of a political opposition party based
outside the country.
According to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, Joaqu�n Elema Boringue was denied access to a
lawyer until a few hours before his trial. At that time, he
retracted his confession and described the torture he had endured
until he had signed a piece of paper without reading it.
Further, it appears that the drawing of the Presidential Palace
merely had been taken from military files and produced in court,
rather than having been found in his possession when he was
arrested.
Amnesty International believes that Joaqu�n Elema Boringue has
been imprisoned for his non-violent political activities and that
the charges of attempted assassination were never substantiated.
I join Amnesty International in urging that he be immediately and
unconditionally released. Thank you for your attention to this
matter.
Most sincerely,
<name>
<addr>
<csz>
USA
<date>
President Suharto
Presiden RI
Istana Negara
Jalan Veteran
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Your Excellency,
I would like to take this opportunity to express my concern about
Bonar Tigor Naipospos, a 29-year-old who was arrested in June
1989 in Jakarta. I understand that he was a post-graduate
student of political science at Gajah Mada University in
Yogyakarta at the time of his arrest.
Bonar Tigor Naipospos was accused of spreading Marxist ideas and
attempting to undermine the Indonesian state ideology,
'Pancasila', through participation in a study club. However, one
of the defense witnesses at his trial states that such groups
were not only common at the university, but were encouraged by
professors. Additionally, he was accused of giving banned books
to another student, a charge which the other student denied in
court.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that the imprisonment of Bonar Tigor Naipospos is a
denial of the right to freedom of expression and opinion and of
the right to impart information to others. I respectfully
implore you to looking into this matter and see that Bonar Tigor
Naipospos is freed. Thank you for attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
<name>
copy to:
His Excellency Abdul Rachman Ramly
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|