URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
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28 July 2010
UA 165/10 Forced eviction
EGYPT 1,500 families in the Al-Sahaby area
On 25 July, residents of Al-Sahaby area in central Aswan, Egypt, complained to the Governorate of Aswan about plans to demolish their homes. The 1,500 affected families have not been consulted about this decision by the authorities and the alternative housing available to them in insufficient for their needs and located far from schools and healthcare facilities.
On 27 June, the Governor of Aswan announced a "development" plan for Aswan, which designated Al-Sahaby as an "unsafe area made of makeshift buildings which threaten the residents" which is to be demolished. The Governor said that residents would be offered 320 alternative housing units - these are very small, one-bedroom flats located in Al-Sadaqa Al-Qadima, some 30km south of Aswan. It has poor access to health and education services and the residents whose homes are due to be demolished consider that the alternative housing available to them is both insufficient for their number and inadequate.
The Aswan Governorate failed to conduct any genuine consultations with the residents before announcing their demolition plans and, as yet, residents have received no written notice setting out the legal basis of the decision, so hampering their ability to challenge it before the courts. In the last week, the Vice-President of Aswan city visited the area and met groups of residents and informed them of the decision to “develop” the area and to evict them, but he did not disclose when the evictions are to commence and is reported to have told residents that the authorities will use force to bulldoze the area if the residents resist and that those who do resist could be imprisoned under administrative detention orders issued under the state of emergency law. The Governorate has already conducted a count of the families living in Al-Sahaby, a procedure which normally precedes eviction and relocation.
On 22 July, the residents, many of whom are state employees, formed a committee to negotiate with the authorities and defend the resident's rights. On 25 July, they met with the Secretary of the Governor of Aswan and communicated their opposition to the complete demolition of the area. They said that they would support alternative development plans, including for widening of roads. They also requested better compensation for any losses. The official confirmed that most of Al-Sahaby would be demolished but told them he would communicate their demands to the Governor of Aswan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights defines a forced eviction as “the permanent or temporary removal against their will of individuals, families and/or communities from the homes and/or land which they occupy, without the provision of and access to, appropriate forms of legal or other protection.” International human rights standards require that evictions may be carried out only as a last resort, once all other feasible alternatives have been explored and only after appropriate procedural and legal safeguards are in place. These include genuine consultation with the affected people, prior adequate and reasonable notice, adequate alternative housing and compensation for all losses, safeguards on how evictions are carried out, and access to legal remedies and procedures, including access to legal aid where necessary. No one should be rendered homeless or vulnerable to other human rights violations as a consequence of an eviction. Egypt is obliged under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to refrain from and prevent forced evictions.
Among the residents of Al-Sahaby area are employees working at the Aswan Dam as well as lawyers, teachers and university students. The area is in the center of Aswan. The residents are officially connected to the water and sewerage networks as well as to the electricity grid. The majority of buildings are made of bricks and concrete and the rest are made of makeshift materials. Al-Sahaby area is partly built with official building authorizations and has mixed forms of land tenure. It grew in an informal way by people ‘hand claiming’ the vacant land and building on it. Some residents claim to have ownership of the titles of the land, because before 1957, the Egyptian Civil Code allowed people who ‘hand claimed’ vacant land to gain its ownership after 15 years of occupation. Some claim they have legalized their ‘hand claim’ or are in the process of legalizing it by paying a set price for the land to the Aswan Governorate. It is unclear, however, if such legalizations prove full legal security of tenure and protection against eviction.
On 27 June 2010, the Governor of Aswan announced that the Prime Minister’s cabinet has allocated 30 million Egyptian pounds (about USD$ 5.26 million) to ‘develop Al-Sahaby informal settlement’ after the Informal Settlement Development Facility (ISDF) designated it as an “unsafe area” made of makeshift buildings which threatens the residents.. He also reportedly said that Al-Sahaby area is located next to Al-Tabiyah, a tourist area in central Aswan, and causes traffic jams. The area is to be repainted in a unified color to emphasize the touristic character of Aswan and its urban harmony. At different entry points into the area of Al-Sahaby, the Governorate hung maps of the ‘development’ plan. The maps suggest that Al-Sahaby area will be demolished. The empty land would then be mainly used to build new housing, services and roads, apparently by private sector investors. There is no information to indicate that the land will be used for a general public interest, in which case Egyptian law provides for a set of procedures in relation of dispossessing land, including criteria for designating projects as of ‘general interest’ and a process for compensation. The residents sent petitions to the Governor of Aswan, the President of Aswan City, the municipal council and the chief of the police with the help of the Hisham Mubarak Law Center in Aswan, a human rights organization providing legal aid. The petitions oppose the designation of Al-Sahaby area as an informal settlement made of makeshift buildings and stressed that most buildings are actually built with bricks and cement. The residents agree in principle to the demolition of buildings for the purpose of enlarging roads, and to beautify their buildings, and rebuilding makeshift buildings. They insist that residents do possess authorizations to build and have documentation proving their legal tenure of the land, either through ownership, or through legalizing their ‘hand claim’. The petitioners announced that they are ready to settle payments to complete the legalization process of remaining buildings, as per Prime Ministerial decrees.
The ISDF is a fund that coordinates government efforts to deal with informal settlements and develop plans to deal with them, with in priority to “unsafe areas”. It was established in October 2008 following the Al-Duwayqa rockslide in Cairo which killed at least 119 people. ISDF identified 404 “unsafe areas” in Egypt with an estimated 850,000 residents, including 10 “unsafe areas” in Aswan Governorate. Amnesty International fears that plans are being developed without genuine consultations with the residents or communities concerned in these “unsafe areas”, which can lead to forced evictions. According to the ISDF, plans for "unsafe areas" are developed only in consultation with the Governorates and its local municipal councils.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Governor of Aswan to suspend the eviction of the residents of Al-Sahaby area and ensure no eviction is carried out before all safeguards against forced eviction are in place, including official notice to the residents of the eviction order in writing;
- Calling on the authorities to carry out genuine consultations with the residents of Al-Sahaby area to explore all alternatives to eviction as well as development plans for the area;
- Provide information on which buildings endanger the lives in Al-Sahaby area.
APPEALS TO:
Governor of Aswan
General Staff Mostafa Al-Sayed
Abtal Al-Tarir street
Aswan,
EGYPT
Fax: 011 20972313333
Email: master@aswan.gov.eg OR masteraswan@hotmail.com
Salutation: Dear Governor of Aswan
Informal Settlement Development Facility Executive Director
Ali El-Faramawy
3 El-Mokhayam El-Dayem street
Nasr city, Cairo,
EGYPT
Fax: 011 20222634000
Salutation: Dear Dr. Ali El-Farawamy
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Sameh Shoukry
Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
3521 International Ct NW
Washington DC 20008-2023
Phone: 202 895 5400
Fax: 202 244 4319 OR 202 244 5131
Email: embassy@egyptembassy.net
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 8 September 2010.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Urgent Action 7-28-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
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For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
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Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have
received the original UA when issued on October 30, 2009. Thanks!
27 July 2010
Further information on UA 290/09 (30 October 2009) – Fear of torture/ incommunicado
CHINA Hairat Niyaz (m)
Hairat Niyaz, a journalist from China's ethnic Uighur community, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on 23 July 2010. He continues to be held incommunicado and has been denied access to legal counsel of his choice.
On 15 July 2010 the authorities informed Hairat Niyaz’s wife, Risalet, that she could hire a lawyer to represent him. Risalet and Ilham Tohti, editor of the website Uighurbiz (also known as Uighur Online), which Hairat Niyaz also administrated, were planning to hire a lawyer to represent Hairat Niyaz; however, they were then told that he already had a lawyer, unknown to them, representing him.
Hairat Niyaz was tried, convicted and sentenced on 23 July 2010 by a court in Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Risalet was able to attend the trial. The prosecutors relied on essays he had written prior to the July 2009 protest in the XUAR and interviews he gave to Hong Kong media after the violence as evidence. During the trial, Hairat Niyaz reportedly insisted that he had broken no laws and was only carrying out his duty as a citizen and journalist. It remains unclear whether Hairat Niyaz will appeal.
Hairat Niyaz was last known to be held in Tianshan detention center in Urumqi, although his current whereabouts are unconfirmed.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Hairat Niyaz is a well-known journalist within China's Uighur community. He graduated from Beijing National University in 1982, has since worked for several publications and deliberately uses the Chinese language to report on the culture and situation of Uighurs in the XUAR to better reach Chinese-speaking domestic and overseas audiences. He has been a senior journalist with the Xinjiang Economic Daily, Chief Editorial Director of Xinjiang Legal Daily, and Deputy Director of the legal magazine Fazhi Zongheng. His interview on the 5 July 2009 unrest in Urumqi is available online at http://www.yzzk.com/cfm/Content_Archive.cfm?Channel=ag&Path=2311577102/30ag3a.cfm
On 5 July 2009 hundreds of Chinese of Uighur ethnicity gathered to demonstrate at the People’s Square in Urumqi. The demonstrators were protesting the authorities’ perceived inaction following the death of at least two Uighur workers after a factory brawl in Shaoguan, in China’s southern province of Guangdong, on 26 June that year. The demonstration, announced on Uighur websites several days beforehand, including Salkin, Diyarim and Uyghur Biz, was scheduled to begin at 5 pm. In addition to websites, information about the demonstration was circulated on QQ, an instant messaging service in China, and via SMS.
During that afternoon, the protesters swelled to thousands of people. Violent rioting erupted later in the evening, particularly in the southern parts of the city, in what appears to have been largely Uighur attacks against Chinese of Han ancestry. In subsequent days, Han Chinese also carried out retaliatory attacks on Uighurs. According to official figures, 197 people died in the course of the violence on 5 July, the vast majority of them (156) Han Chinese, 10 Uighurs, and 11 people of the Hui minority. Unofficial sources, and in particular Uighur groups, claim many more Uighurs were killed on 5 July and in the following days.
According to official figures, at least 198 people have been sentenced in connection with the unrest, following trials fall short of international fair trial standards. At least nine people have been executed and at least 26 more sentenced to death, including death sentences with a two-year reprieve.
Shortcomings in the legal proceedings include restrictions on the defendants’ ability to freely choose their legal representation coupled with officially sanctioned, possibly politically pressured and biased legal aid, allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in detention leading to coerced “confessions”, and corruption and political interference in courts.
The Chinese authorities cut internet access in the XUAR during the night of 5-6 July 2009. According to Li Zhi, the then Chinese Communist Party secretary in Urumqi, this was “to quench the riot quickly and prevent violence from spreading to other places”. SMS and international telephone services were also cut. The services have been gradually restored, with email facilities partially restored in February 2010 and internet access “fully” restored on 14 May 2010. However, internet access in the XUAR, like elsewhere in China, is still far from free since the government censors the internet, blocks certain sites and monitors individuals’ activities online.
In April, Gulmira Imin (f), a regular contributor to the website Salkin, was sentenced to life imprisonment for “splittism, leaking state secrets and organizing an illegal demonstration”. Dilixiati Paerhati, the editor of Diyarim, has not been seen since August 2009 when he was taken away from his home by unidentified men. Ilham Tohti was also detained for about two weeks in July 2009. In April, he was prevented by the authorities from travelling to Turkey to attend an academic conference.
On 27 September 2009 the XUAR Regional People's Congress Standing Committee issued new regulations that explicitly forbade the use of the internet to "endanger state security" or "instigate ethnic separatism".
China’s Criminal Law already includes provisions on “endangering state security”, which include “subversion of state power”, “splittism” and “leaking state secrets”. Over recent years the authorities have increasingly used these vaguely-worded provisions to silence and imprison peaceful activists and to curtail freedom of expression.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the authorities to release Hairat Niyaz immediately and unconditionally;
- Calling on them to guarantee that Hairat Niyaz will not be tortured or otherwise ill-treated;
- Calling on them to ensure that he is given immediate access to legal counsel of his choice, his family and any medical attention he may require.
APPEALS TO:
Director General, XUAR Department of Justice
USOUR Abuliz Tingzhang,
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Sifating,
27 Renminlu, Urumqi 830002, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu,
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA,
Fax: 011 86 991 2311590
Salutation: Dear Director General
Chief Procurator, XUAR People's Procuratorate,
YUSUFU Maimaiti Jianchazhang,
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Jianchayuan,
63 Jianguolu, Tianshanqu, Urumqi, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Salutation: Dear Chief Procurator
Chairman of the XUAR People's Government
Nur BEKRI Zhuxi
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu Bangongting
2 Zhongshanlu
Urumqi 830041
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Fax: 011 86 991 2817567 OR 011 86 991 2803621
Email: master@xinjiang.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Chairman
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Yesui Zhang
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
3505 International Place NW
Washington DC 20522
Phone: 202 495 2000
Fax: 1 202 465-2138
Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 7 September 2010.
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Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Urgent Action 7-21-10 #2
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
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http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
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21 July 2010
UA 164/10 Medical concern/Torture
MOROCCO
Abdalla Balla (m)
Bouali M’naouar (m)
Hicham el-Hawari (m)
Izaddine Sleimani (m)
Hicham Sabbah (m)
Tarek Mahla (m)
Seven men arrested on 28 June in the Moroccan city of Fes are in urgent need of medical treatment. All seven are reported to have been tortured, and at least five of them are alleged to have been raped. They have received no treatment for their injuries. Two of them have chronic health problems for which they need medication and treatment, but this too has been denied them. All seven may face charges on the basis of statements they say they were forced to sign under torture.
Mohamed Sleimani, Abdalla Balla, Bouali M’naouar, Hicham el-Hawari, Izaddine Sleimani, Hicham Sabbah and Tarek Mahla, are currently detained in Ain el-Qadous Prison in Fes. All members of Al-Adl wal-Ihsan, a legally authorized Islamist group, they are alleged to have abducted and tortured a former member of the group and were referred to an investigative judge on 1 July on charges of “belonging to an unauthorized association”, “forming a criminal gang”, “abduction and detention of an individual” and “torture”.
The seven were arrested on 28 June in Fes by the National Brigade of Judicial Police (Brigade Nationale de la Police Judiciare, BNPJ). They were taken to the BNPJ's detention center in Casablanca and held in separate cells for 72 hours during which they say they were kept naked, handcuffed and blindfolded, denied food and given very little water. All seven allege that they were tortured including, in at least five cases, by rape with pens and other objects being forced into their anuses. They allege that they were forced to sign statements which they were not allowed to read, under threat that they would be thrown from a window if they refused to do so. The detainees were seen by their families for the first time after their arrest on 5 July, when their relatives noted that they showed signs of torture and other ill-treatment. According to their relatives, the detainees were experiencing difficulties with their sight and hearing and had bruises and other visible marks apparently caused by torture. Those who are alleged to have been raped were bleeding as a result. The detainees were examined by a doctor for the first time only on 12 July; and were apparently not provided with treatment for their injuries. This medical examination, the results of which have yet to be disclosed by the Moroccan authorities, had been ordered by the judge investigating their case after they complained that they had been tortured when they appeared before him on 1 July. In addition, Mohamed Sleimani has a serious heart condition, and Abdalla Balla has diabetes. Both men need daily medication and access to regular medical check-ups. They have not received either of these in detention.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The seven men were arrested after the General Crown Prosecutor of the Fes appeal court ordered the BNPJ to investigate allegations made against them. However, the BNPJ officers who arrested them did not produce warrants for their arrest, as required under Moroccan law, and searched their homes of the men at around 5am in breach of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which states that such searches should be conducted during the daytime. The detainees and their families allege that BNPJ officers assaulted and insulted them during the house searches and at the time of arrest.
The seven say that they were detained incommunicado and without access to lawyers or their families from the time of their arrest on 28 June until 1 July and that they were tortured by BNPJ officers in this period using the chiffon method (in which the victim is forced to swallow dirty water, chemicals or urine through a dirty cloth placed over the mouth, causing a drowning sensation); the tayara method (in which the victim is tied by their hands and legs to a metal stick and then hung upside down); by being subjected to falaqa , (beating with sticks on the soles of the feet); the application of electric shocks to the genitals and other sensitive parts of the body; and in at least five cases by being raped by having pens or other objects forced into their anus. Those administering the torture are said to have taken what steps they could, using clothing and cream, to minimize the signs of injury on the detainees’ bodies.
The seven men’s families and lawyers were not informed of their whereabouts during the days that they were held at the BNPJ detention center in Casablanca.
Amnesty International has urged the Moroccan authorities to establish a prompt, independent investigation into the all allegations of torture or other ill-treatment in this case, and to ensure that no statements extracted under torture or duress from the seven are used as evidence against them in future legal proceedings.
The Moroccan authorities have an obligation to ensure that detainees are treated in accordance with international law and standards, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), treaties to which Morocco is a state party, as well as the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment. In particular, detainees should be granted adequate access to medical care and have the right to seek a medical examination by a doctor of their choice.
Morocco’s Minister of Communications was recently reported by Al-Qods Press Agency to have referred to Al-Adl wal-Ihsan as “a committee that does not have any legal status” whereas, in practice, the group obtained legal registration following a decision by the Court of Appeal in 1990. The action taken against the seven may reflect growing government intolerance of the group whose spokesperson, Nadia Yassine, has been awaiting trial since 2005 on charges of defaming the monarchy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Calling on the Director of Prison Administration and Rehabilitation to ensure that the seven detainees have access to all necessary medication and regular medical check-ups;
- Urging the Minister of Justice to ensure that a full, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations of torture is conducted and that any officials responsible for abuse are brought to justice;
- Urging the Minister of Justice to ensure that no statements extracted under torture or duress are used as evidence in legal proceedings against the seven men, and to guarantee them a fair trial.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Justice
Mohamed Naciri
Place Mamounia
Rabat
MOROCCO
Fax: 011 212 537 734 725 OR 011 212 537 730 772
Salutation: Your Excellency
Director of Prison Administration and Rehabilitation
Angle Avenue Ibn Sinaa et Rue Oued ElMakhazine
Immeubles nos 1 et 2, Agdal
BP 123 Rabat
MOROCCO
Fax: 011 212 537 674 785
Salutation: Dear Sir
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Aziz Mekouar
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
1601 21st St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Phone: 202 462 7979 OR 202 457 0012
Fax: 1 202 265 0161 OR 202 462 7643
Email: mmouline@moroccous.com (Mouna Mouline, Human Rights, Social and Humanitarian Affairs)
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 1 September 2010.
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Urgent Action 7-21-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa14810.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have
received the original UA when issued on July 1, 2010. Thanks!
21 July 2010
Further Information on UA 148/10 (1 July 2010) – Fear for safety/Forced eviction
ISRAEL/OPT 21 Palestinian families
The Israeli authorities destroyed 74 structures, of which 26 were family homes, in the al-Farisiya area of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank on 19 July. The structures belonged to 21 Palestinian families and housed 107 people, including 52 children. Agricultural buildings supporting the villagers’ livelihood were also demolished.
During the morning of 19 July, Israeli military officials arrived in the villages of Hmayyir and ‘Ein Ghazal, in the area of al-Farisiya, to carry out the destruction of the inhabitants’ homes and livelihood.
The destruction in Hmayyir follows the issuing by the military authorities of 11 eviction orders in the village on 27 June. By contrast, structures belonging to two households in ‘Ein Ghazal, also in the area of al-Farisiya, were demolished although they had not been served with eviction orders prior to the destruction.
Many of the families, who have lived in the area since the 1970s, have also lost many of their personal belongings and agricultural equipment since the majority of the villagers were not present at the time and those who were there were not given time to remove everything before the properties were demolished. Most of the residents of al-Farisiya were temporarily away from the area when the demolitions took place as part of their usual seasonal migration in the summer months but were planning to return to their homes in September.
Among the property destroyed was a store for agricultural equipment for which no eviction order had been served; 26 residential tents; 10 separate washrooms; 22 animal barracks; seven ovens; and eight kitchens including kitchen utensils. In addition at least four water tanks were damaged as were some two tons of fodder and 0.6 tons of wheat (for human consumption). Four trees were also uprooted including a fig tree.
In June, eviction notices were also served on two families consisting of 10 adults and five children in ‘Ein al-Hilwe in the northern Jordan Valley and on a structure being constructed to house livestock, in the nearby village of ‘Ein al-Beida. Although not yet destroyed, they could be at any time.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Unlike many other areas of the Jordan Valley, the communities of Hmayyir and Ein Ghazal had not experienced demolitions in the past. A visit to them in April by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found that there were 16 households consisting of 85 people living there. Since that time five new households have moved into the area. These demolitions intensify concerns that this is part of an Israeli government strategy to remove the Palestinian population from the area of the West Bank known as “Area C”, over which Israel has complete control in terms of planning and construction. The estimated 150,000 Palestinians living there lack representation at all levels of the Israeli military planning system. Not only are there no Palestinian representatives in the planning institutions, but even the ability of Palestinian residents to submit objections to eviction and demolition is very limited. Palestinians, especially Palestinian villagers in the Jordan Valley, have suffered particular pressure. Most of the Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank has been declared a “closed military zone” by the Israeli army or has been taken over by some 36 Israeli settlements. In a “closed military zone” there is effectively no possibility for Palestinian construction and development. The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported on 19 July that the Israeli military authorities in the West Bank are acting on government orders to intensify its enforcement against what they deem to be “illegal” building in Area C.
Meanwhile, media reports state that on 18 July 10 demolition orders were issued by the Israeli military authorities against Palestinian farmers in the Bardala area also in the Jordan Valley. Bardala lies in a part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank designated as “Area B” in which the Palestinian Authority is meant to have jurisdiction over planning and construction. On 15 July, two buildings near Hebron in the West Bank were destroyed. On July 13, six homes were demolished in East Jerusalem including in Jabal al-Mukabbir, affecting two families consisting of 21 people. According to UN OCHA, at least 198 Palestinian structures have been demolished since the beginning of 2010, resulting in the forced displacement of almost 300 Palestinians, half of them children, while 600 others have been otherwise affected.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Condemning the demolition of the homes and agricultural buildings in the al-Farisiya area;
- Urging that all pending demolition and eviction orders against Palestinians in the Jordan Valley be immediately rescinded;
- Calling on the authorities to place a moratorium on house demolitions and forced evictions in the West Bank until the law is amended to bring it into line with international standards;
- Calling for responsibility for planning and building regulations in the Jordan Valley to be placed solely with the local Palestinian communities.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Defense
Ehud Barak
37 Kaplan Street,
Hakirya, Tel Aviv 61909,
ISRAEL
Fax: 011 972 3 691 6940 OR 011 972 3 696 2757
Email: minister@mod.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Minister
Military Judge Advocate General
Brigadier General Avihai Mandelblit
6 David Elazar Street
Hakirya, Tel Aviv,
ISRAEL
Fax: 011 972 3 569 4526 OR 011 972 3 608 0366
Email: avimn@idf.gov.il
Salutation: Judge Advocate General
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Michael Oren
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Dr. NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202 364 5500
Fax: 1 202 364 5607
Email: info@washington.mfa.gov.il
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 1 September 2010.
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
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Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have
received the original UA when issued on July 1, 2010. Thanks!
21 July 2010
Further Information on UA 148/10 (1 July 2010) – Fear for safety/Forced eviction
ISRAEL/OPT 21 Palestinian families
The Israeli authorities destroyed 74 structures, of which 26 were family homes, in the al-Farisiya area of the Jordan Valley in the West Bank on 19 July. The structures belonged to 21 Palestinian families and housed 107 people, including 52 children. Agricultural buildings supporting the villagers’ livelihood were also demolished.
During the morning of 19 July, Israeli military officials arrived in the villages of Hmayyir and ‘Ein Ghazal, in the area of al-Farisiya, to carry out the destruction of the inhabitants’ homes and livelihood.
The destruction in Hmayyir follows the issuing by the military authorities of 11 eviction orders in the village on 27 June. By contrast, structures belonging to two households in ‘Ein Ghazal, also in the area of al-Farisiya, were demolished although they had not been served with eviction orders prior to the destruction.
Many of the families, who have lived in the area since the 1970s, have also lost many of their personal belongings and agricultural equipment since the majority of the villagers were not present at the time and those who were there were not given time to remove everything before the properties were demolished. Most of the residents of al-Farisiya were temporarily away from the area when the demolitions took place as part of their usual seasonal migration in the summer months but were planning to return to their homes in September.
Among the property destroyed was a store for agricultural equipment for which no eviction order had been served; 26 residential tents; 10 separate washrooms; 22 animal barracks; seven ovens; and eight kitchens including kitchen utensils. In addition at least four water tanks were damaged as were some two tons of fodder and 0.6 tons of wheat (for human consumption). Four trees were also uprooted including a fig tree.
In June, eviction notices were also served on two families consisting of 10 adults and five children in ‘Ein al-Hilwe in the northern Jordan Valley and on a structure being constructed to house livestock, in the nearby village of ‘Ein al-Beida. Although not yet destroyed, they could be at any time.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Unlike many other areas of the Jordan Valley, the communities of Hmayyir and Ein Ghazal had not experienced demolitions in the past. A visit to them in April by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found that there were 16 households consisting of 85 people living there. Since that time five new households have moved into the area. These demolitions intensify concerns that this is part of an Israeli government strategy to remove the Palestinian population from the area of the West Bank known as “Area C”, over which Israel has complete control in terms of planning and construction. The estimated 150,000 Palestinians living there lack representation at all levels of the Israeli military planning system. Not only are there no Palestinian representatives in the planning institutions, but even the ability of Palestinian residents to submit objections to eviction and demolition is very limited. Palestinians, especially Palestinian villagers in the Jordan Valley, have suffered particular pressure. Most of the Jordan Valley area of the occupied West Bank has been declared a “closed military zone” by the Israeli army or has been taken over by some 36 Israeli settlements. In a “closed military zone” there is effectively no possibility for Palestinian construction and development. The Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz reported on 19 July that the Israeli military authorities in the West Bank are acting on government orders to intensify its enforcement against what they deem to be “illegal” building in Area C.
Meanwhile, media reports state that on 18 July 10 demolition orders were issued by the Israeli military authorities against Palestinian farmers in the Bardala area also in the Jordan Valley. Bardala lies in a part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank designated as “Area B” in which the Palestinian Authority is meant to have jurisdiction over planning and construction. On 15 July, two buildings near Hebron in the West Bank were destroyed. On July 13, six homes were demolished in East Jerusalem including in Jabal al-Mukabbir, affecting two families consisting of 21 people. According to UN OCHA, at least 198 Palestinian structures have been demolished since the beginning of 2010, resulting in the forced displacement of almost 300 Palestinians, half of them children, while 600 others have been otherwise affected.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Condemning the demolition of the homes and agricultural buildings in the al-Farisiya area;
- Urging that all pending demolition and eviction orders against Palestinians in the Jordan Valley be immediately rescinded;
- Calling on the authorities to place a moratorium on house demolitions and forced evictions in the West Bank until the law is amended to bring it into line with international standards;
- Calling for responsibility for planning and building regulations in the Jordan Valley to be placed solely with the local Palestinian communities.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Defense
Ehud Barak
37 Kaplan Street,
Hakirya, Tel Aviv 61909,
ISRAEL
Fax: 011 972 3 691 6940 OR 011 972 3 696 2757
Email: minister@mod.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Minister
Military Judge Advocate General
Brigadier General Avihai Mandelblit
6 David Elazar Street
Hakirya, Tel Aviv,
ISRAEL
Fax: 011 972 3 569 4526 OR 011 972 3 608 0366
Email: avimn@idf.gov.il
Salutation: Judge Advocate General
COPIES TO:
Ambassador Michael Oren
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Dr. NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202 364 5500
Fax: 1 202 364 5607
Email: info@washington.mfa.gov.il
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 1 September 2010.
----------------------------------
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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
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Thank you for your help with this appeal.
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----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Urgent Action 7-20-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa16210.pdf
19 July 2010
UA 162/10 - Fear for safety
RUSSIAN FEDERATION `Magomed Hanmagomedov (m)
The safety of Magomed Hanmagomedov, an investigative journalist working for an independent newspaper in Dagestan, Russian Federation, may be at risk after he reported on the extrajudicial execution of four suspected armed fighters.
Magomed Hanmagomedov is a journalist working for the independent weekly newspaper Chernovik in Dagestan, a republic of the Russian Federation. On 9 July 2010, he published an article about an operation by Dagestani law enforcement officials which took place in the town of Derbent on 16 June 2010, in which four suspected armed fighters were killed. In his article, Magomed Hanmagomedov noted that two of the names of those killed were initially reported wrongly by the police. He questioned the official version of the event: that four men in a car refused to stop and opened fire at the police. He suggested instead that the driver and his three passengers may have been led into an ambush and gunned down. He also suggested that people other than the suspected fighters may have been present in the car.
Magomed Hanmagomedov has posted a video clip, apparently taken by one of the policemen who participated in this operation, on the newspaper's website alongside his article. The clip features the dead body of a young man lying on the ground and covered in blood, and two other bodies inside a car. A voice apparently pleading not to shoot can be heard at the beginning of the video clip followed by a number of shots fired, and the voice of a man condemning the "borodachi" ("bearded men" – a reference to Islamic groups, although none of the three corpses appear to have a beard).
Following the publication of his article, Magomed Hanmagomedov received phone calls from law enforcement officials expressing indignation at his article, and a number of mobile phone text messages from unknown numbers alleging that he was paid from abroad and working for militants. Magomed Hanmagomedov has been informed by a confidential source that the local prosecutor's office might be preparing a criminal case against him. The Russian human rights group Memorial has expressed concern about the safety of Magomed Hanmagomedov.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The security situation in Dagestan has deteriorated significantly over recent years. Amidst a high level of violence and lawlessness, human rights defenders and journalists have been threatened or killed, and disappearances and torture continue to be reported. Amnesty International has also received reports of police brutality. In a letter to the Prosecutor General of Russia on 25 June 2010, the organization expressed concern about severe beating of a young female lawyer by police at the police station in Khasavyurt on 17 June 2010, where she had come to see her detained client.
There are regular reports of ambushes by militants against police and other officials, as well as of operations against alleged militants by members of law enforcement agencies, sometimes in violation of human rights safeguards. Questions have been raised repeatedly about the credibility of official reports, particularly those resulting in killings of suspected militants.
In 2008, a criminal case was opened against Magomed Hanmagomedov, alleging that his publication had expressed extremist views and incited inter-ethnic hatred. Although the investigation failed to prove this allegation and the case was dropped, Magomed Hanmagomedov’s newspaper was forced to close. The newspaper Chernovik he currently works for has also been subjected to pressure and similar allegations have been made by the authorities against several members of its staff.
The report Legal remedies for human rights violations in the North Caucasus Region, prepared by Dick Marty, Special Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) on the human rights situation in the North Caucasus and published in May 2010, notes that Dagestan has undergone "a fresh outbreak of terrorist acts which have unfortunately prompted responses of the security forces which are not always lawful and productive." The report specifically mentioned the town of Derbent as an example of "admirable age-old tradition of peaceable cohabitation of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities based on mutual tolerance" which, however, "is likely to be imperiled by the rise of extremism and the inappropriate official reactions."
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Russian authorities to ensure Magomed Hanmagomedov's safety;
- Calling on them to ensure that journalists are able to do their work, including journalist inquiries and publication of their findings, without intimidation, hindrance, harassment and interference;
- Urging them to conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the alleged extrajudicial execution in Derbent on 16 June 2010.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Internal Affairs of Dagestan
Ali A. Magomedov
Prospekt R. Gamzatova, 7
367000 Makhachkala
Republic of Dagestan
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 8722 994439
Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
Rashid Gumarovich Nurgaliev
Ministry of Internal Affairs
ul. Zhitnaia, 16
119049 Moscow
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 495 237 49 25
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
Ombudsman of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Petrovich Lukin
ul. Miasnitskaia, 47
107084, Moscow
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 495 607 74-70;
011 7 495 607 39 77
Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak
Embassy of the Russian Federation
2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 298 5700
Fax: 1 202 298 5735
Email: russianembassy@mindspring.com
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 30 August 2010.
----------------------------------
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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
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Thank you for your help with this appeal.
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Amnesty International USA
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Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa16210.pdf
19 July 2010
UA 162/10 - Fear for safety
RUSSIAN FEDERATION `Magomed Hanmagomedov (m)
The safety of Magomed Hanmagomedov, an investigative journalist working for an independent newspaper in Dagestan, Russian Federation, may be at risk after he reported on the extrajudicial execution of four suspected armed fighters.
Magomed Hanmagomedov is a journalist working for the independent weekly newspaper Chernovik in Dagestan, a republic of the Russian Federation. On 9 July 2010, he published an article about an operation by Dagestani law enforcement officials which took place in the town of Derbent on 16 June 2010, in which four suspected armed fighters were killed. In his article, Magomed Hanmagomedov noted that two of the names of those killed were initially reported wrongly by the police. He questioned the official version of the event: that four men in a car refused to stop and opened fire at the police. He suggested instead that the driver and his three passengers may have been led into an ambush and gunned down. He also suggested that people other than the suspected fighters may have been present in the car.
Magomed Hanmagomedov has posted a video clip, apparently taken by one of the policemen who participated in this operation, on the newspaper's website alongside his article. The clip features the dead body of a young man lying on the ground and covered in blood, and two other bodies inside a car. A voice apparently pleading not to shoot can be heard at the beginning of the video clip followed by a number of shots fired, and the voice of a man condemning the "borodachi" ("bearded men" – a reference to Islamic groups, although none of the three corpses appear to have a beard).
Following the publication of his article, Magomed Hanmagomedov received phone calls from law enforcement officials expressing indignation at his article, and a number of mobile phone text messages from unknown numbers alleging that he was paid from abroad and working for militants. Magomed Hanmagomedov has been informed by a confidential source that the local prosecutor's office might be preparing a criminal case against him. The Russian human rights group Memorial has expressed concern about the safety of Magomed Hanmagomedov.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The security situation in Dagestan has deteriorated significantly over recent years. Amidst a high level of violence and lawlessness, human rights defenders and journalists have been threatened or killed, and disappearances and torture continue to be reported. Amnesty International has also received reports of police brutality. In a letter to the Prosecutor General of Russia on 25 June 2010, the organization expressed concern about severe beating of a young female lawyer by police at the police station in Khasavyurt on 17 June 2010, where she had come to see her detained client.
There are regular reports of ambushes by militants against police and other officials, as well as of operations against alleged militants by members of law enforcement agencies, sometimes in violation of human rights safeguards. Questions have been raised repeatedly about the credibility of official reports, particularly those resulting in killings of suspected militants.
In 2008, a criminal case was opened against Magomed Hanmagomedov, alleging that his publication had expressed extremist views and incited inter-ethnic hatred. Although the investigation failed to prove this allegation and the case was dropped, Magomed Hanmagomedov’s newspaper was forced to close. The newspaper Chernovik he currently works for has also been subjected to pressure and similar allegations have been made by the authorities against several members of its staff.
The report Legal remedies for human rights violations in the North Caucasus Region, prepared by Dick Marty, Special Rapporteur of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) on the human rights situation in the North Caucasus and published in May 2010, notes that Dagestan has undergone "a fresh outbreak of terrorist acts which have unfortunately prompted responses of the security forces which are not always lawful and productive." The report specifically mentioned the town of Derbent as an example of "admirable age-old tradition of peaceable cohabitation of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities based on mutual tolerance" which, however, "is likely to be imperiled by the rise of extremism and the inappropriate official reactions."
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Russian authorities to ensure Magomed Hanmagomedov's safety;
- Calling on them to ensure that journalists are able to do their work, including journalist inquiries and publication of their findings, without intimidation, hindrance, harassment and interference;
- Urging them to conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the alleged extrajudicial execution in Derbent on 16 June 2010.
APPEALS TO:
Minister of Internal Affairs of Dagestan
Ali A. Magomedov
Prospekt R. Gamzatova, 7
367000 Makhachkala
Republic of Dagestan
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 8722 994439
Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation
Rashid Gumarovich Nurgaliev
Ministry of Internal Affairs
ul. Zhitnaia, 16
119049 Moscow
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 495 237 49 25
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
Ombudsman of the Russian Federation
Vladimir Petrovich Lukin
ul. Miasnitskaia, 47
107084, Moscow
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Fax: 011 7 495 607 74-70;
011 7 495 607 39 77
Ambassador Sergey I. Kislyak
Embassy of the Russian Federation
2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 1 202 298 5700
Fax: 1 202 298 5735
Email: russianembassy@mindspring.com
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 30 August 2010.
----------------------------------
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$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
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This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
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Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Urgent Action 7-17-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa16110.pdf
16 July 2010
UA 161/10 Medical concern
INDONESIA Johan Teterissa (m)
Indonesian prisoner of conscience Johan Teterissa is in urgent need of medical care. He has been seriously ill for the last two weeks, apparently as a result of a deterioration in his health after he was tortured and otherwise ill-treated when he was arrested in June 2007. He has been denied access to the treatment he needs by prison authorities.
Johan Teterissa, a 48-year-old teacher who is held in Lowokwaru prison in the province of East Java, has been in prison since June 2007. He is serving a 15-year sentence for leading a peaceful protest. During his arrest and the first few weeks of his detention, he was tortured and otherwise ill-treated, including by being beaten and kicked by police officers. Johan Teterissa has not received adequate medical treatment for his injuries, and is now in constant pain. He reports that he can no longer see properly, and cannot sleep as a result of the pain he suffers.
According to sources close to the prison where he is held, Johan Teterissa's condition has deteriorated in the last two weeks, and he now has a high fever. He has not received adequate medical treatment from the prison doctors and the prison authorities have denied him access to external medical treatment. On 15 July, an independent doctor visited the prison to try to see Johan Teterissa. He was turned away by the prison authorities.
Johan Teterissa has been held at Lowokwaru prison since March 2009. The prison is thousands of kilometres from his family, who have been unable to visit him. There are also concerns that he is being denied access to sufficient food and clean drinking water in prison. Amnesty International has previously reported that Indonesian prisons are often overcrowded, with poor sanitation and a lack of food. Prison conditions fall short of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 32/1999, on Terms and Procedures on the Implementation of Prisoners’ Rights in Prisons. Amnesty International believes the denial of medical care to Johan Teterissa may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Johan Teterissa and 21 other political activists were arrested on 29 June 2007 in Maluku province for unfurling the 'Benang Raja flag', a symbol of the South Maluku independence, while performing a traditional ‘Cakalele’ dance in front of Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
After their performance, the police, particularly the anti-terrorist unit Detachment-88, detained all 22 of the dancers. They were beaten, forced to crawl on their stomachs over hot asphalt, whipped with an electric cable and had billiard balls forced into their mouths. The police also beat them on the side of the head with rifle butts until their ears bled and fired shots close to their ears. The police threatened them continually with further torture, sometimes at gunpoint, in an attempt to force them to confess.
On 4 April 2008, a court sentenced Johan Teterissa to life imprisonment for leading the peaceful flag raising event. Three months later his sentence was reduced to 15 years. The rest of the political activists are serving sentences of between seven and 20 years' imprisonment for ‘rebellion’ under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesia Criminal Code. Amnesty International is concerned that the courts sentenced them to long terms of imprisonment after unfair trials and after being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment during arrest and detention. A twenty-third dancer was arrested in June 2008 and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in March 2009.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the authorities to ensure that Johan Teterissa receives full and immediate access to proper medical care;
- Urging the authorities to ensure Johan Teterissa immediately receives adequate food and clean drinking water in line with international human rights standards and Indonesian regulations;
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Johan Teterissa as he is imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his views;
- Calling on them to ensure that prison conditions meet international standards, comply with Indonesian regulations and do not amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
APPEALS TO:
Director General of Prisons
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Drs. Untung Sugiyono
Jl. Veteran No. 11
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Fax: 011 62 21 384 1711
Salutation: Dear Director General
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Mr. Patrialis Akbar
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan 12950
INDONESIA
Fax: 011 62 21 525 3095
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
T.H. Salman Al Farisi, Minister
Charge d'Addaires ad interim
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202 775 5200
Fax: 1 202 775 5365
Email: http://www.embassyofindonesia.org/contactform/contact-form.php
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 27 August 2010.
----------------------------------
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$0.28 - Postcards
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To Canada:
$0.75 - Postcards
$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Mexico:
$0.79 - Postcards
$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To all other destination countries:
$0.98 - Postcards
$0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa16110.pdf
16 July 2010
UA 161/10 Medical concern
INDONESIA Johan Teterissa (m)
Indonesian prisoner of conscience Johan Teterissa is in urgent need of medical care. He has been seriously ill for the last two weeks, apparently as a result of a deterioration in his health after he was tortured and otherwise ill-treated when he was arrested in June 2007. He has been denied access to the treatment he needs by prison authorities.
Johan Teterissa, a 48-year-old teacher who is held in Lowokwaru prison in the province of East Java, has been in prison since June 2007. He is serving a 15-year sentence for leading a peaceful protest. During his arrest and the first few weeks of his detention, he was tortured and otherwise ill-treated, including by being beaten and kicked by police officers. Johan Teterissa has not received adequate medical treatment for his injuries, and is now in constant pain. He reports that he can no longer see properly, and cannot sleep as a result of the pain he suffers.
According to sources close to the prison where he is held, Johan Teterissa's condition has deteriorated in the last two weeks, and he now has a high fever. He has not received adequate medical treatment from the prison doctors and the prison authorities have denied him access to external medical treatment. On 15 July, an independent doctor visited the prison to try to see Johan Teterissa. He was turned away by the prison authorities.
Johan Teterissa has been held at Lowokwaru prison since March 2009. The prison is thousands of kilometres from his family, who have been unable to visit him. There are also concerns that he is being denied access to sufficient food and clean drinking water in prison. Amnesty International has previously reported that Indonesian prisons are often overcrowded, with poor sanitation and a lack of food. Prison conditions fall short of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the Indonesian Government Regulation No. 32/1999, on Terms and Procedures on the Implementation of Prisoners’ Rights in Prisons. Amnesty International believes the denial of medical care to Johan Teterissa may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Johan Teterissa and 21 other political activists were arrested on 29 June 2007 in Maluku province for unfurling the 'Benang Raja flag', a symbol of the South Maluku independence, while performing a traditional ‘Cakalele’ dance in front of Indonesia’s President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
After their performance, the police, particularly the anti-terrorist unit Detachment-88, detained all 22 of the dancers. They were beaten, forced to crawl on their stomachs over hot asphalt, whipped with an electric cable and had billiard balls forced into their mouths. The police also beat them on the side of the head with rifle butts until their ears bled and fired shots close to their ears. The police threatened them continually with further torture, sometimes at gunpoint, in an attempt to force them to confess.
On 4 April 2008, a court sentenced Johan Teterissa to life imprisonment for leading the peaceful flag raising event. Three months later his sentence was reduced to 15 years. The rest of the political activists are serving sentences of between seven and 20 years' imprisonment for ‘rebellion’ under Articles 106 and 110 of the Indonesia Criminal Code. Amnesty International is concerned that the courts sentenced them to long terms of imprisonment after unfair trials and after being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment during arrest and detention. A twenty-third dancer was arrested in June 2008 and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment in March 2009.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the authorities to ensure that Johan Teterissa receives full and immediate access to proper medical care;
- Urging the authorities to ensure Johan Teterissa immediately receives adequate food and clean drinking water in line with international human rights standards and Indonesian regulations;
- Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Johan Teterissa as he is imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his views;
- Calling on them to ensure that prison conditions meet international standards, comply with Indonesian regulations and do not amount to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
APPEALS TO:
Director General of Prisons
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Drs. Untung Sugiyono
Jl. Veteran No. 11
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Fax: 011 62 21 384 1711
Salutation: Dear Director General
Ministry of Justice and Human Rights
Mr. Patrialis Akbar
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan 12950
INDONESIA
Fax: 011 62 21 525 3095
Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO:
T.H. Salman Al Farisi, Minister
Charge d'Addaires ad interim
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202 775 5200
Fax: 1 202 775 5365
Email: http://www.embassyofindonesia.org/contactform/contact-form.php
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 27 August 2010.
----------------------------------
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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
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Thank you for your help with this appeal.
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600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
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Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Urgent Action 7-10-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa21109.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of this person even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on August 7, 2009. Thanks!
8 July 2010
Further information on UA 211/09 (7 August 2009) – Fear of execution
IRAN Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani (f)
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, is held on death row in Tabriz Prison, north-west Iran. On 8 July 2010, the Iranian Embassy in London announced that she would not be stoned to death, but she still could be executed, by stoning or other means.
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted in May 2006 of having an "illicit relationship" with two men and received 99 lashes as her sentence. Despite this, she was then also convicted of "adultery while being married", which she has denied, and sentenced to death by stoning.
Following an international outcry in recent weeks against her possible execution, the Iranian Embassy in London issued a statement on 8 July 2010 which said that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would not be executed by stoning. However, her precise legal status is unclear as her lawyer has not received any official communication regarding commutation of her death sentence.
During her trial, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani retracted a "confession" that she had made during her pre-trial interrogation, alleging that she had been forced to make it under duress, and denied the charge of adultery. Two of the five judges found her not guilty, noting that she had already been flogged and adding that they did not find the necessary proof of adultery in the case against her. However, the three other judges, including the presiding judge, found her guilty on the basis of "the knowledge of the judge", a provision in Iranian law that allows judges to make their own subjective and possibly arbitrary determination whether an accused person is guilty even in the absence of clear or conclusive evidence. Having been convicted by a majority of the five judges, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In Iran, stoning to death is prescribed as the mode of execution for those convicted of committing the offense of "adultery while being married". In 2002, the Head of the Judiciary instructed judges to impose a moratorium on stonings. Despite this, at least five men and one woman have been stoned to death since 2002. In January 2009, the Spokesperson for the Judiciary, Ali Reza Jamshidi, confirmed that two executions by stoning had been carried out in December 2008 and said that the directive on the moratorium had no legal weight and that judges could therefore ignore it.
At least seven other women and three men are currently believed to be at risk of stoning to death in Iran. Buali Janfashani and Sarimeh Sajjadi were also reported to have had their sentences of stoning upheld on appeal in January 2010.
In June 2009, the Legal and Judicial affairs committee of Iran's parliament (Majles) recommended the removal of a clause permitting stoning from a new version of the Penal Code currently under discussion in the parliament. It appears that the draft currently being considered for approval by the Council of Guardians, which checks legislation for conformity to the Constitution and to Islamic Law, may not include the penalty of stoning. However, the Council of Guardians could reinstate the clause on stoning.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Iranian authorities not to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani by stoning or any other means;
- Calling on them to clarify her current legal status to her and her lawyer;
- Stating that Amnesty International opposes the criminalization of consensual sexual relations, and urging the authorities to speedily enact legislation that unequivocally bans stoning as a legal punishment and does not permit the use of other forms of the death penalty or flogging or imprisonment against those convicted of "adultery".
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email: info_leader@leader.ir;
via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English);
OR http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St.
Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/81/Default.aspx
(1st starred box: your given name; 2nd starred box: your family name; 3rd: your email address)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Fax: 011 98 21 3390 4986
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
COPIES TO:
Iran does not presently have an embassy in the United States. Instead, please send copies to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202 965 4990
Fax: 1 202 965 1073
Email: requests@daftar.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 20 August 2010.
----------------------------------
Tip of the Month:
Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible to the date a case is issued.
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Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa21109.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of this person even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on August 7, 2009. Thanks!
8 July 2010
Further information on UA 211/09 (7 August 2009) – Fear of execution
IRAN Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani (f)
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old mother of two, is held on death row in Tabriz Prison, north-west Iran. On 8 July 2010, the Iranian Embassy in London announced that she would not be stoned to death, but she still could be executed, by stoning or other means.
Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted in May 2006 of having an "illicit relationship" with two men and received 99 lashes as her sentence. Despite this, she was then also convicted of "adultery while being married", which she has denied, and sentenced to death by stoning.
Following an international outcry in recent weeks against her possible execution, the Iranian Embassy in London issued a statement on 8 July 2010 which said that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would not be executed by stoning. However, her precise legal status is unclear as her lawyer has not received any official communication regarding commutation of her death sentence.
During her trial, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani retracted a "confession" that she had made during her pre-trial interrogation, alleging that she had been forced to make it under duress, and denied the charge of adultery. Two of the five judges found her not guilty, noting that she had already been flogged and adding that they did not find the necessary proof of adultery in the case against her. However, the three other judges, including the presiding judge, found her guilty on the basis of "the knowledge of the judge", a provision in Iranian law that allows judges to make their own subjective and possibly arbitrary determination whether an accused person is guilty even in the absence of clear or conclusive evidence. Having been convicted by a majority of the five judges, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was sentenced to death by stoning.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In Iran, stoning to death is prescribed as the mode of execution for those convicted of committing the offense of "adultery while being married". In 2002, the Head of the Judiciary instructed judges to impose a moratorium on stonings. Despite this, at least five men and one woman have been stoned to death since 2002. In January 2009, the Spokesperson for the Judiciary, Ali Reza Jamshidi, confirmed that two executions by stoning had been carried out in December 2008 and said that the directive on the moratorium had no legal weight and that judges could therefore ignore it.
At least seven other women and three men are currently believed to be at risk of stoning to death in Iran. Buali Janfashani and Sarimeh Sajjadi were also reported to have had their sentences of stoning upheld on appeal in January 2010.
In June 2009, the Legal and Judicial affairs committee of Iran's parliament (Majles) recommended the removal of a clause permitting stoning from a new version of the Penal Code currently under discussion in the parliament. It appears that the draft currently being considered for approval by the Council of Guardians, which checks legislation for conformity to the Constitution and to Islamic Law, may not include the penalty of stoning. However, the Council of Guardians could reinstate the clause on stoning.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
- Urging the Iranian authorities not to execute Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani by stoning or any other means;
- Calling on them to clarify her current legal status to her and her lawyer;
- Stating that Amnesty International opposes the criminalization of consensual sexual relations, and urging the authorities to speedily enact legislation that unequivocally bans stoning as a legal punishment and does not permit the use of other forms of the death penalty or flogging or imprisonment against those convicted of "adultery".
APPEALS TO:
Leader of the Islamic Republic
Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email: info_leader@leader.ir;
via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English);
OR http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter (Persian)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani
Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St.
Vali Asr Ave. south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Email via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/81/Default.aspx
(1st starred box: your given name; 2nd starred box: your family name; 3rd: your email address)
Salutation: Your Excellency
Secretary General, High Council for Human Rights
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri
Tehran 1316814737
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Fax: 011 98 21 3390 4986
Email: bia.judi@yahoo.com (In subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
COPIES TO:
Iran does not presently have an embassy in the United States. Instead, please send copies to:
Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington DC 20007
Phone: 202 965 4990
Fax: 1 202 965 1073
Email: requests@daftar.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 20 August 2010.
----------------------------------
Tip of the Month:
Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible to the date a case is issued.
** POSTAGE RATES **
Within the United States:
$0.28 - Postcards
$0.44 - Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Canada:
$0.75 - Postcards
$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Mexico:
$0.79 - Postcards
$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To all other destination countries:
$0.98 - Postcards
$0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Good News!
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
7 July 2010
Further information on UA 239/09 (11 September 2009) and follow-up (1 October 2009) – Prisoner of conscience
IRAN
Shiva Nazar Ahari (f) }
Ali Bikas (m) } Human Rights Defenders
Naseh Faridi (m) }
Iranian human rights defender Ali Bikas was released from Evin Prison on 29 June 2010 after being acquitted of all charges on appeal. He had previously been sentenced to seven years imprisonment and was a prisoner of conscience.
Ali Bikas, a member of the Student Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners (SCDPP) and an activist for the rights of the Iranian Azerbaijani minority, was arrested in mid-June 2009 in the wake of the disputed presidential election. Ali Bikas appeared in a "show trial" session on 14 August 2009 in which he was accused of being a "field agent for a velvet coup". He was sentenced to seven years and 74 lashes on 7 January 2010 after being convicted of "gathering and colluding to act against national security" and "causing unease in the public mind". During his time in prison, Ali Bikas developed gum problems for which he did not receive adequate medical care.
Naseh Faridi, also a member of the SCDPP who was arrested on 15 June 2009, and appeared in the same "show trial" session as Ali Bikas. He was sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes in January 2010. He was released on bail on or around 1 September 2009 and remains free pending an appeal. He was accused at the "show trial" of passing information to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, a banned organization based in Iraq, on account of his activities in the SCDPP, including interviews with foreign media. If rearrested and imprisoned, Amnesty International would consider him to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association and would call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Shiva Nazar Ahari, a female journalist, blogger and human rights defender was released on bail from Evin Prison, Tehran, on 23 September 2009 after her arrest in June 2009, but was rearrested in December 2009. A prisoner of conscience, she remains detained awaiting trial (see UA 347/09), and updates and Iran: Case sheet: Shiva Nazar Ahari, 3 May 2010, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/049/2010/en.
Protests in 2009 at the disputed outcome of the election were violently repressed, with scores killed. Thousands were arrested, many of whom were tortured or otherwise ill-treated, often to obtain forced "confessions". Hundreds have been tried unfairly, including in mass "show trials", many of whom are serving long-prison terms, often as prisoners of conscience. Some have been sentenced to death, and two executed.
For further information please see, From Protest to Prison: Iran One Year after the Election, June 2010, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/062/2010/en and Iran: Election Contested, Repression Compounded, December 2009, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/123/2009/en.
No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals. Amnesty International is campaigning for the release of Shiva Nazar Ahari and will take further action if Naseh Faridi is imprisoned.
----------------------------------
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
7 July 2010
Further information on UA 239/09 (11 September 2009) and follow-up (1 October 2009) – Prisoner of conscience
IRAN
Shiva Nazar Ahari (f) }
Ali Bikas (m) } Human Rights Defenders
Naseh Faridi (m) }
Iranian human rights defender Ali Bikas was released from Evin Prison on 29 June 2010 after being acquitted of all charges on appeal. He had previously been sentenced to seven years imprisonment and was a prisoner of conscience.
Ali Bikas, a member of the Student Committee for the Defense of Political Prisoners (SCDPP) and an activist for the rights of the Iranian Azerbaijani minority, was arrested in mid-June 2009 in the wake of the disputed presidential election. Ali Bikas appeared in a "show trial" session on 14 August 2009 in which he was accused of being a "field agent for a velvet coup". He was sentenced to seven years and 74 lashes on 7 January 2010 after being convicted of "gathering and colluding to act against national security" and "causing unease in the public mind". During his time in prison, Ali Bikas developed gum problems for which he did not receive adequate medical care.
Naseh Faridi, also a member of the SCDPP who was arrested on 15 June 2009, and appeared in the same "show trial" session as Ali Bikas. He was sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes in January 2010. He was released on bail on or around 1 September 2009 and remains free pending an appeal. He was accused at the "show trial" of passing information to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, a banned organization based in Iraq, on account of his activities in the SCDPP, including interviews with foreign media. If rearrested and imprisoned, Amnesty International would consider him to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association and would call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Shiva Nazar Ahari, a female journalist, blogger and human rights defender was released on bail from Evin Prison, Tehran, on 23 September 2009 after her arrest in June 2009, but was rearrested in December 2009. A prisoner of conscience, she remains detained awaiting trial (see UA 347/09), and updates and Iran: Case sheet: Shiva Nazar Ahari, 3 May 2010, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/049/2010/en.
Protests in 2009 at the disputed outcome of the election were violently repressed, with scores killed. Thousands were arrested, many of whom were tortured or otherwise ill-treated, often to obtain forced "confessions". Hundreds have been tried unfairly, including in mass "show trials", many of whom are serving long-prison terms, often as prisoners of conscience. Some have been sentenced to death, and two executed.
For further information please see, From Protest to Prison: Iran One Year after the Election, June 2010, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/062/2010/en and Iran: Election Contested, Repression Compounded, December 2009, http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/123/2009/en.
No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals. Amnesty International is campaigning for the release of Shiva Nazar Ahari and will take further action if Naseh Faridi is imprisoned.
----------------------------------
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
Friday, July 2, 2010
Urgent Action 7-2-10
URGENT ACTION APPEAL
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa11910.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on May 18, 2010. Thanks!
2 July 2010
Further information on UA 119/10 (18 May 2010) and follow-up (26 May 2010) – Risk of Death Penalty/Prisoners of Conscience
SUDAN
Ashraf Abdelaziz ]
Abuzar Al Amin ] employees of Rai Al Shaab newspaper
Ramadan Mahjoub ]
Al Tahir Abu Jawhara ]
Four journalists from a Sudanese newspaper affiliated to the opposition party are currently facing trial. If they are found guilty, they could be sentenced to death.
Abuzar Al Amin, editor in chief, Ashraf Abdelaziz, deputy editor, Al Tahir Abu Jawhara, head of the news desk, and Ramadan Mahjoub, editor, of Rai Al Shaab newspaper are currently standing trial for charges including undermining the constitutional system, terrorism and espionage against the state. Some of these charges are punishable by death in Sudan.
On 16 June, the lawyers for the four men withdrew from the case, with their clients consent, in protest against the prosecution and judges’ refusal to accept four of the witnesses that the defense team had brought forward.
A new defense team was formed; the sessions resumed at the end of June and are still ongoing.
Abuzar Al Amin and Ashraf Abdelaziz were arrested on 15 May, Al Tahir Abu Jawhara was arrested on 16 May and Ramadan Mahjoub was arrested on 27 May. Amnesty International has received reports that Abuzar Al Amin and Al Tahir Abu were tortured following their arrest.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Between 15 and 27 May, six staff members of Rai Al Shaab newspaper were arrested. When staff arrived for work on 16 May, the Rai Al Shaab office was closed and guarded by NISS agents. Amnesty International considers the staff arrested to be prisoners of conscience, held for expressing their beliefs. Abu Baker Al Sammani, the newspaper’s printer was reportedly released a few days after his arrest. Nagi Dahab, the newspaper’s administrator was released on 2 June.
The arrest of the Rai Al Shaab staff immediately followed the arrest of Hassan Al Turabi, leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party, Hassan Al Turabi, was released without charge on 30 June.
The closure of Rai Al Shaab was followed by a resurgence of censorship by National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). This includes pre-print censorship, where NISS agents visit newspapers and remove articles considered sensitive or threatening to the state or where agents visit printing houses and prevent papers from going to print. The NISS also performs ‘remote control’ censorship, where NISS agents inform editors of banned subjects and expect them not to print articles on these issues. Several papers have been prevented from going to press as a result, including Al Midan and Ajras Al Hurriya.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
-Call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the imprisoned journalists, who are detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
-Call on the authorities to open an independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice.
APPEALS TO:
HE President Omar Al Bashir
Office of the President
People’s Palace
PO Box 281
Khartoum
SUDAN
Fax: 011 249 183 774339
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice of Sudan
Mohamed Bushara Dousa
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 302
Khartoum
SUDAN
Fax: 011 249 183 770 883
Email: moj@moj.gov.sd
Salutation: Dear Director Abbas
COPIES TO:
Rapporteur of the Advisory Council
Dr Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha
Advisory Council for Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum
SUDAN
H.E. Ambassador Khidir Haroun Ahmed
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202 338 8565
Fax: 202 667 2406
E-mail: info@sudanembassy.org
kahmed@sudanembassy.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 13 August 2010.
----------------------------------
Tip of the Month:
Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible
to the date a case is issued.
** POSTAGE RATES **
Within the United States:
$0.28 - Postcards
$0.44 - Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Canada:
$0.75 - Postcards
$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To Mexico:
$0.79 - Postcards
$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
To all other destination countries:
$0.98 - Postcards
$0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.)
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement
that promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable).
Thank you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
600 Pennsylvania Ave SE 5th fl
Washington DC 20003
Email: uan@aiusa.org
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 202.544.0200
Fax: 202.675.8566
----------------------------------
END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
----------------------------------
- From Amnesty International USA
To learn about recent Urgent Action successes and updates, go to
http://www.amnestyusa.org/iar/success
----------------------------------
For a print-friendly version of this Urgent Action (PDF):
http://www.amnestyusa.org/actioncenter/actions/uaa11910.pdf
Note: Please write on behalf of these persons even though you may not have received the original UA when issued on May 18, 2010. Thanks!
2 July 2010
Further information on UA 119/10 (18 May 2010) and follow-up (26 May 2010) – Risk of Death Penalty/Prisoners of Conscience
SUDAN
Ashraf Abdelaziz ]
Abuzar Al Amin ] employees of Rai Al Shaab newspaper
Ramadan Mahjoub ]
Al Tahir Abu Jawhara ]
Four journalists from a Sudanese newspaper affiliated to the opposition party are currently facing trial. If they are found guilty, they could be sentenced to death.
Abuzar Al Amin, editor in chief, Ashraf Abdelaziz, deputy editor, Al Tahir Abu Jawhara, head of the news desk, and Ramadan Mahjoub, editor, of Rai Al Shaab newspaper are currently standing trial for charges including undermining the constitutional system, terrorism and espionage against the state. Some of these charges are punishable by death in Sudan.
On 16 June, the lawyers for the four men withdrew from the case, with their clients consent, in protest against the prosecution and judges’ refusal to accept four of the witnesses that the defense team had brought forward.
A new defense team was formed; the sessions resumed at the end of June and are still ongoing.
Abuzar Al Amin and Ashraf Abdelaziz were arrested on 15 May, Al Tahir Abu Jawhara was arrested on 16 May and Ramadan Mahjoub was arrested on 27 May. Amnesty International has received reports that Abuzar Al Amin and Al Tahir Abu were tortured following their arrest.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Between 15 and 27 May, six staff members of Rai Al Shaab newspaper were arrested. When staff arrived for work on 16 May, the Rai Al Shaab office was closed and guarded by NISS agents. Amnesty International considers the staff arrested to be prisoners of conscience, held for expressing their beliefs. Abu Baker Al Sammani, the newspaper’s printer was reportedly released a few days after his arrest. Nagi Dahab, the newspaper’s administrator was released on 2 June.
The arrest of the Rai Al Shaab staff immediately followed the arrest of Hassan Al Turabi, leader of the opposition Popular Congress Party, Hassan Al Turabi, was released without charge on 30 June.
The closure of Rai Al Shaab was followed by a resurgence of censorship by National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS). This includes pre-print censorship, where NISS agents visit newspapers and remove articles considered sensitive or threatening to the state or where agents visit printing houses and prevent papers from going to print. The NISS also performs ‘remote control’ censorship, where NISS agents inform editors of banned subjects and expect them not to print articles on these issues. Several papers have been prevented from going to press as a result, including Al Midan and Ajras Al Hurriya.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
-Call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the imprisoned journalists, who are detained solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
-Call on the authorities to open an independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of torture and bring the perpetrators to justice.
APPEALS TO:
HE President Omar Al Bashir
Office of the President
People’s Palace
PO Box 281
Khartoum
SUDAN
Fax: 011 249 183 774339
Salutation: Your Excellency
Minister of Justice of Sudan
Mohamed Bushara Dousa
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 302
Khartoum
SUDAN
Fax: 011 249 183 770 883
Email: moj@moj.gov.sd
Salutation: Dear Director Abbas
COPIES TO:
Rapporteur of the Advisory Council
Dr Abdelmuneim Osman Mohamed Taha
Advisory Council for Human Rights
PO Box 302
Khartoum
SUDAN
H.E. Ambassador Khidir Haroun Ahmed
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Phone: 202 338 8565
Fax: 202 667 2406
E-mail: info@sudanembassy.org
kahmed@sudanembassy.org
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.
Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 13 August 2010.
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL
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