Viet Nam, December 2009

We have just recently received confirmation from our source in Viet Nam that Dr. Pham Hong Son has now been released from house arrest.

 

We are not aware of any further restrictions so far placed on him, or whether local authorities are maintaining a watch on his activities.

 

We are likely to become aware of any future attempts to target Dr Pham Hong Son, or if it seems possible that he is at risk of re-arrest at any time.

 

Many thanks to all for following his case so closely and consistently and for all the actions taken and letters written!

 - see summary of Dr. Son's case.

 

Despite the strong attacks on freedom of expression and recent arrests in Viet Nam, we do believe that it is very important to continue focusing on individual cases and sending a very strong message to the authorities that the detention of prisoners of conscience like Dr Pham Hong Son will always bring condemnation and will achieve nothing.

~

Teheran, May 11, 2009

 

When Roxana Saberi, a 32-year-old American journalist was sentenced to eight years in prison on trumped-up charges of espionage, you and thousands of other Amnesty supporters immediately responded by sending over 26,000 letters to the Iranian government in less than 24 hours.

Your letters worked!

Roxana was just released from prison today after an appeal court in Tehran reduced her sentence to two-years, which was then suspended.

Senator Byron Dorgan from Roxana's home state of North Dakota credited the happy outcome to the international pressure generated by the case.

Amnesty International worked closely with other human rights organizations in a world-wide effort to obtain justice for Roxana.

Thanks for standing up for Roxana!

Special Focus Cases

Rebiya Kadeer, our 'adopted' Prisoner of Conscience

– NOW FREE!

Rebiya Kadeer is greeted with flowers as she is reunited with her family in the USA after her release from prison in China. © Amnesty International, all rights reserved

Rebiya Kadeer has been released!

China, March 17, 2005

Rebiya Kadeer, a prominent business woman, was arrested and jailed in 1999 for calling attention to discrimination and other violations against the China's Uighur ethnic group. The release of prisoner of conscience & Nobel Peace  Prize nominee Rebiya Kadeer is a joyful victory, and our joy is only tempered by thoughts of the many others who remain unjustly jailed in China, including those jailed after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Rebiya's release demonstrates that no government is immune to the persistent pressure applied by dedicated human rights activists worldwide, and Amnesty International will redouble its efforts to win further releases.

'I don't believe that I would be alive today without the support of Amnesty International.' - Rebiya Kadeer

At AI Group 471 we are very honored and excited to have Rebiya Kadeer join us and speak about her experience at our

20th Anniversary Candlelight Walk for Human Rights on Sunday, October 19, 2008 in Oceanside, CA

Attention by the US government and the scores of Members of Congress who had called for her release was critical to winning Rebiya's freedom.

Rebiya Kadeer, Uighur activist and former AI prisoner of conscience, holds an Urgent Action that was issued on her behalf, whilst visiting AI Switzerland. © Amnesty International, all rights reserved

Her release indicates that consistent pressure can win concrete progress on human rights, and underscores the need for the US to maintain such pressure. The effectiveness of the US-China human rights dialogue will continue to be measured by the resolution of remaining individual cases and by advances toward the overall protection of fundamental freedoms in China.

Rebiya's daughter Akida Rouzi issued the following statement on behalf of the family:
"We are beyond happy. We have waited for this moment for five and a half years and want to thank everyone who worked toward this joyful day."

* Local Amnesty Chapter toasts another release!
~

GOOD NEWS FOR MEXICO!!!

 

Thanks in large part to the overwhelming number of Amnesty members who took action; we are happy to report that human rights protections were included in Congress' first installment of the Merida Initiative.

US funding to Mexico and Central America to help fight drug cartels and organized crime was signed into law by President Bush last week and the most significant debate about the aid package was the human rights component.

While some in the US and Mexico advocated to completely strip the aid package of human rights safeguards your voices were heard and the final legislation requires that 15 % of the total funds for the Mexican military and police forces may be made available only after certain human rights conditions have been met.

These conditions include:

• Civilian Judicial officials are investigating and prosecuting members of the federal police and military forces who violate human rights
• Testimony obtained through torture is not used in the justice system
• Mexican human rights and civil society organizations are being consulted with by the Mexican government on the implementation of the Merida initiative
• Improved police accountability and transparency

Thanks for playing a part in this victory for human rights. Amnesty will continue to monitor the situation in Mexico including the implementation of the Merida Initiative. 

Stay informed by visiting our website regularly
and continue to take action for human rights!
Thank you!
~~~
Here below are a few of Amnesty International most recent victories in the cause of human rights. Enjoy!

Marvyn Perez

Our focus guest speaker and success story at this year's

SAN DIEGO CANDLELIGHT

WALK FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Sunday, October 18

 

Arrested in 1982 by the Guatemalan military for protesting violence by the junta  against social leaders, Mr. Perez was continually subjected to torture, in the course of 4 months of interrogations. Amnesty International's letter writing campaign on behalf of the disappeared contributed to Mr. Perez' release. Three students arrested with Mr. Perez disappeared forever, along with countless others. Soon after, Mr. Perez and his family left Guatemala; they were granted Political Amnesty by the United States in 1989.  His story will be of great inspiration for the 700+ students attending. 

Marvyn is available for interviews

at 818 277 1880

or via e-mail marvyn7@yahoo.com   

***

GOOD NEWS!

In June '08, the United Nations Security Council issued a Presidential Statement urging the government of Sudan to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Court (ICC).  
Thank you all for writing to the U.S. Ambassador to the UN urging the Security Council to take action to advance justice in Darfur.  Your letters made a difference.  
The statement is available at: http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/unsc_pres_
statements08.htm.

~~~
Watch videos of Amnesty Int'l memorable moments of
2007
2008: Holding Hope

 Since Amnesty International was founded in 1963, more than 44,000 individuals have been freed from prison,
protected from torture and ...

Here's where all of your hard work writing letters and sending emails pays off!