| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 95.1 | Beyond War - War in the Gulf letter | NECSC::PECKAR | One happy camper | Mon Jan 14 1991 13:23 | 99 |
| This letter was printed in a full page ad in the Worcester Telegram
recently. We send our a version of this.
It was sponsored by Beyond War, a grass roots type
peace education group. Their address is:
Beyond War
c/o Bari Boyer
325 Salisbury St.
Worcester, MA 01609
Dear (),
I urge the United States and the United Nations to stay on the
diplomatic course in the Persian Gulf and to do everything possible to
avoid the military option, which will have no winners.
War with Iraq will solve nothing. War will kill not only soldiers, but
also many of the Kuwaiti citizens we seek to save. It will likely
destroy the very oil fields we want to protect. War will drive oil
prices sky high, causing the worldwide recession we want to prevent.
The cost of deployment to date, without a shot having been fired, is
already dashing any hope of reducing our overwhelming budget deficit.
While sanctions have brought the world community together against Iraq's
aggression, war would break apart this historic global coalition.
Simply put, war will not work in the Persian Gulf. It will not solve
problems; it will create new ones. If we start shooting, we will be
shooting ourselves in the foot.
I applaud all efforts that help the U.N. do what it was created to do:
promote peaceful solutions. The sanctions ARE working. With every
passing day, Iraq's military grows weaker from lack of supplies and
spare parts. With every passing day, Saddam Hussein's power ebbs as his
citizens realize that the whole world stands against his use of force in
Kuwait. With every passing day, Iraq suffers millions of dollars in
lost revenues from the sale of its oil. With every passing day, global
cooperation is successfully proving that military aggression is a losing
proposition.
We don't need war to accomplish our goals in the Gulf. The courageous
approach is to maintain the diplomatic course. Patience, persistence
and creativity can be as tough as tanks and planes, but without the
casualties and costs. One experienced and respected expert in
international conflict is Harvard's Roger Fisher, co-author of "Getting
to Yes". Fisher has proposed a strategy that's tough but non-violent,
creative but non-yielding: a strategy which builds the current
international sanction policy into a comprehensive framework that will
motivate Hussein to withdraw from Kuwait and release foreign nationals
without rewarding aggression. Fisher's is just one of many creative
voices. I encourage you to pursue ALL innovative options.
We can win, without firing a shot. And when we do, we will have set a
precedent for the resolution of other international disputes. Let's not
lose the momentum recently created by the ending of the Cold War, as the
nations and peoples of this small planet learn to live together.
Sincerely,
name
address
Addresses to send letters to:
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Sen. Edward Kennedy
SR-315
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Sen. John Kerry
SR-358
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Congressman Joseph Early
34 Mechanic St.
Worcester, MA 01608
The Honorable Javier Perez de Cuellar
Secretary General of the United Nations
First Avenue adn 46th St.
New York, NY 10017-0000
Ambassador Thomas Pickering
U.S. Mission to the U.N.
799 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
|
| 95.2 | | MSHRMS::FIELDS | A TIME 4 PEACE,I SWEAR ITS NOT 2LATE | Mon Jan 14 1991 16:08 | 1 |
| I just mail one off to the President, hope it gets there in time.......
|
| 95.3 | Addresses of NH delegation to Washington | CIVIC::ROBERTS | sing us a song | Tue Jan 15 1991 17:05 | 25 |
|
Names and addresses of the present NH delegation. Since phone calls
are not impressive enough to these guys .... perhaps my telling them
that they have my attention and I won't forget them or their vote will
make an impact!
Warren Rudman
US Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
Robert Smith
825A HSOB
WAshington, DC 20510
Swett
128 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Zelliff
512 Cannon HOB
Washington, DC 20515
|
| 95.4 | Anti-war groups | SPICE::PECKAR | More or less in line | Sun Jan 27 1991 13:57 | 5 |
|
See note 91.213 for a list of groups involved in the anti-Middle East War
movement.
Fog
|
| 95.5 | MLK Day | ISLNDS::CLARK | | Thu Feb 14 1991 17:43 | 163 |
| {forwarding headers removed}
From: NAME: DIANE JACKSON @MKO
FUNC: COMMUNITY RELATIONS
TEL: 264-2964 <JACKSON.DIANE AT A1 AT CGHUB>
To: See Below
* * * PLEAE DISTRIBUTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS BROADLY AS POSSIBLE
THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY AND IN THE COMMUNITY:
IT'S TIME TO SEND THE LETTERS, MAKE THE CALLS AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO BE
IN CONCORD, NH NEXT WEEK!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME TODAY THAT A JOINT LEGISLATIVE HEARING IS SCHEDULED
IN REPRESENTATIVES HALL AT THE STATE HOUSE IN CONCORD AT 1:30 P.M. ON
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 TO CONSIDER THE THREE PENDING BILLS PROPOSING A
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY AND A CIVIL RIGHTS DAY.
It was originally expected that each of the bills (SB 229, HB 58 and SB
127 would receive individual hearing dates after being assigned to their
respective committees. However, the joint hearing will occur in which
testimony will be heard pro and con for each bill, then recommendations
will be made by the committees to the appropriate legislative chambers for
their vote. As it stands, any of these bills can advance or be defeated in
the legislative process (see attached for description of each bill).
The greatest emphasis and thus efforts should be placed on Senate Bill
#229. This is the bill advocated by those hoping to see NH enact
legislation which would establish the third Monday in January as a Martin
Luther King Human Rights Day following the conscious intitiatives of 48
other states to comply with the federal MLK legislation passed in 1983.
STEP ONE: MAKING YOUR VOICE HEARD
Of highest immediate priority is to get in touch with members of the
Senate Public Affairs committee. This is the legislative body that's been
assigned to consider SB #229. Call (all 603 area codes) the following 7
committee members AND immediately drop letters (if not post cards)
advocating your support for this bill:
Sen. Charles Bass (commitee chair), PO Box 210, Peterborough 03458-0210,
Tel. 563-8525
Sen. Wayne King, PO Box 500, Rumney 03266-0500, Tel. 786-9730
Sen. Eleanor Podles, 185 Walnut Hill Ave., Manchester 03104, Tel. 627-7749
Sen. Sheila Roberge, Old Lantern Rd., Bedford 03102, Tel. 472-8391
Sen. Joseph Delahunty, 108 Hooker Farm, Salem 03079, Tel. 893-9134
Sen. Mary Nelson, 18 Stanley Lane, Nashua 03062, Tel. 888-5384
Sen. Burton Cohen, PO Box 208, 125 Portsmouth Ave., New Castle 03854-0208,
Tel. 431-0066
Written correspondence needn't be lengthy. It merely needs to represent
your support for SB 229 and recommend the Senators vote in favor of it.
Focus messages on the appropriateness of this bill using the following
guidelines:
- SB 229 creates no fiscal impact, a desirable outcome given the state's
need to contain its expenditures and other factors adversely impacting
the budget. By eliminating Fast Day, this bill creates no additional
state holidays.
- Because Fast Day is now a floating holiday, Martin Luther King Human
Rights Day wod be established as a floating holiday. This means state
offices would not be forced to close and state employees could choose
to take the day off. (The status of a holiday as regular or floating is
defined by the contract between the State Employees Assn. and the State
of NH, not by statute.)
- The bill would have no impact on private business, counties,
municipalities or school districts.
- This bill is supported by a large number of private organizations,
businesses and individuals across the state including Digital
Equipment Corporation, the NAACP (Portsmouth and Manchester chapters),
NH Council of Churches, NH AFL-CIO, NH State Employees Assn., National
Education Assn., NH Women's Lobby, the Granite State Coalition, the
Univ. of NH, the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and many more.
STEP TWO: TAKING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
To ensure representation in the legislative process, you should make every
effort to attend next week's hearing and take the opportunity to testify
if you so choose. Spread the word about the hearing and encourage as many
others as you can to attend. Feel free to bring children. They may also
testify.
The hearing starts at 1:30. When the last legislative hearing was held to
consider a MLK Holiday Bill, more than 400 people packed the hearing. It's
expected that this many or more will attend next week's hearing so try to
arrive beforehand, especially if you're going to testify because you must
fill out a card at or near the entrance to Representatives Hall and submit
it to the clerk. Sen. Bass will conduct the hearing and make opening
remarks, then open the floor up to hear testimony. He'll shuffle through
the cards that have been submitted and decide who will testify and in what
order at his discretion.
Following the testimony, the Public Affairs Committee will make a
recommendation on how the bill should be voted by Senate members. If the
outcome is favorable, the bill will advance. If it's voted inexpedient to
legislate or negatively, the legislative process ceases and bill is
considered defeated.
The hearings for HBs 58 and 127 will be conducted in a similar manner that
same day.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Through the unified coalition of businesses, educators, churches,
legislators, labor groups and community organizations, we can make a
difference in influencing passage of SB 229. Forty eight school districts
already close to observe the holiday as well as the cities of Concord,
Dover, Keene, Nashua and Portsmouth. The momentum exists. Within the last
week, Montana established a Martin Luther King holiday. Due to mounting
economic pressure, Arizona is likely to reconsider a bill to enact a
Martin Luther King holiday before NH will have a subsequent chance beyond
next week. Let's not be last NH.
Hope to see you at the state house!
DIRECTIONS TO THE STATE HOUSE AND FURTHER INFORMATION WILL BE FORTHCOMING
PRIOR TO NEXT WEEK'S HEARING AT THE STATE HOUSE. PLEASE DIRECT ANY
QUESTIONS TO MYSELF OR ARNIE ALPERT AT THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE
COMMITTEE (603) 224-2407.
Author: DIANE JACKSON @MKO
Date: 14-Feb-1991
Posted-date: 13-Feb-1991
Subject: MLK Holiday update
*** 1) Sponsored by Sen. Susan McLane (R-Concord) and Wayne King (D-Rumney)
and 3 other senators, (supported by the Martin Luther King Coailtion) SB 229
proposes to establish the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King
Human Rights Day and eliminate Fast Day at a state holiday, now recognized
on the fourth Monday in April.
2) Sponsored by Rep. Caroline Gross (R-Concord) and supported by Gov.
Judd Gregg, House Bill #58 would establish MLK Day on the Sunday
before the third Monday in January.
3) Sponsored by Jacqueline Domaingue (R-Manchester), House Bill #127
would change Fast Day (celebrated on the fourth Monday in April) to
Civil Rights Day. This bill intends to recognize the contributions of
the "many people from a variety of cultural backgrounds who fought and
died in the struggle to gain freedom and equality for all
individuals." It is important to note that Rep. Domaingue was the most
vocal opponent of a Martin Luther King Day the last time the bill was
considered in the House of Representatives. She considers HB #127 "a
reasonable compromise and alternative to an MLK Day."
|
| 95.6 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Mon May 06 1991 12:49 | 35 |
|
The following letter appeared in a recent NARAL newsletter. NARAL
suggests that those of us who are pro-choice might want to send a
copy of this letter, or a variation on it, to Governor Bangerter of
Utah at the address listed below. The letter is posted here FYI.
Remember that all correspondence must include a full name and return
address.
Phyllis
Governor Norman H. Bangerter
210 State Capitol
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Dear Governor Bangerter:
Decisions about abortion should be made by women and families,
not politicians. You showed callous disregard for the health
and lives of women and put another challenge to Roe v. Wade in
the judicial pipeline by signing a law banning abortion in
Utah.
I am joining tens of thousand of NARAL members and supporters
in pledging not to travel to Utah. I also intend to contact
other organizations to which I belong and urge them not to
hold conferences or meetings in your state.
I strongly urge you to reconsider the anti-choice law. Bans
do not prevent abortion. They simply make them more dangerous.
Sincerely,
|
| 95.7 | Urgent Adirondack Appeal | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Wed May 08 1991 19:34 | 64 |
|
Please help protect the Adirondack Park. An appeal has been issued by
the Adirondack Council and the groups within it's coalition
(Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, Natural Resources
Defense Council, The Wilderness Society, National Parks & Conservation
Association) to send letters to the legislative leaders in New York
State and urge them to support a dedicated fund for land protection and
support new legislation to protect the areas of the Adirondack Park.
Letters should be sent to: Assembly Speaker Melvin Miller
Legislative Office Building
Room 932
Albany, NY 12248
Senate Majority Leader Ralph Marino
The Capitol
New York State Senate
Room 330
Albany, NY 12248
A copy of my letter is attached.
529 E. 85th St. - #3C
New York, NY 10028
May 8, 1991
Assembly Speaker Melvin Miller
Legislative Office Building
Room 932
Albany, NY 12248
Dear Sir:
I am writing to bring to your attention the efforts of land
speculator Henry Lassiter and his offer to sell his vast holdings
in the Adirondack Wilderness. Mr. Lassiter has described his
acreage as containing "a minimum of 156 miles of public road
frontage, 40 miles of river frontage, 3 miles of lake frontage,
225 acres of ponds and several majestic waterfalls."
Never before has so much of the Adirondack Park been so threatened.
We must protect these wild landscapes for future generations - our
kids and theirs. Please support a dedicated fund for land
protection, as well as new legislation to protect the wild, but
currently unprotected areas of the Adirondack Park.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Koyner
|
| 95.8 | Amnesty International Freedom Writers | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Thu May 09 1991 12:11 | 206 |
|
Following are the May 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue: Indonesia - Thomas Wainggai - prisoner of conscience
Morocco - Embarca ment Taleb ould Husein - disappearance
South Africa - Stanza Bopape - disappearance
Peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Suharto
President RI
Istana Negara
Jalan Veteran
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention a most disturbing occurence.
Reports have come to me that Dr. Thomas Wainggai, who lived in the
province of Irian Jaya, was arrested on December 14, 1988, for the
peaceful expression of his political views.
Dr. Wainggai was arrested along with all those who attended a
nonviolent public ceremony to proclaim Irian Jaya the independent
state of "West Melanesia." Found guilty of subversion, Dr. Wainggai
was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for espousing independence
for Irian Jaya. Thirty-six others, including Dr. Wainggai's wife,
were sentenced to terms of between two and eight years for sharing
his opinion.
I am greatly alarmed that the peaceful exercise of the basic
human right to express one's opinion can be considered a crime in
Indonesia punishable with years in prison or even death. Even the
regional military command in Irian Jaya reportedly said that Dr.
Wainggai's group was "...not an armed movement. It is really nothing
more than a diplomatic group."
Please understand, Your Excellency, that my concern for Dr.
Wainggai stems not from any approval of disapproval of his views
regarding independence for Irian Jaya; rather, I simply feel that he
and others should be free to express their views in a nonviolent
manner. I respectfully urge that Dr. Thomas Wainggai be immediately
and unconditionally released.
Most Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Abdul Rachman Ramly
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Majesty King Hassan II
Office of His Majesty the King
Palais Royal
Rabat
MOROCCO
Your Majesty,
I am deeply disturbed about the "disappearance" of Embarca ment
Taleb ould Husein following her arrest in Laayoune in the Western
Sahara in 1979.
Embarca ment Taleb ould Husein is one of the hundreds of people
from the south of Morocco and the Western Sahara who "disappeared"
after being arrested because they or their relatives were suspected of
opposing the government and supporting the Polisario Front
organization. It is believed by human rights groups such as Amnesty
International that many of the "disappeared" may now have been held in
detention in appalling conditions for up to 15 years.
Embarca ment Taleb ould Husein was a radio announcer in Laayoune.
She is said to have led an independent life and, in fact, was the first
woman in the Western Sahara to obtain a driver's license. She was
arrested for the first time shortly after Morocco took control of the
Western Sahara in 1979. She spent a year in jail without trial before
being released. In September 1979, her house was raided and searched
by plainclothes police. At about 6:00pm, she was blindfolded, forced
into a car and taken away. She has never been seen since.
I urge the Moroccan Government to end more than 15 years of
secrecy by holding a public inquiry into the fate of the "disappeared"
and by revealing where those still alive are being held. My interest
in the fate of Embarca ment Taleb ould Husein springs not from any
partisan position with regard to sovereignty of the Western Sahara, but
rather from a sincere concern for basic human rights. I respectfully
urge that she and all other "disappeared" alive today should be
released immediately and unconditionally unless charged with a
recognizably criminal offense.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Mohamed Belkhayat
Embassy of Morocco
1601 21st Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<name>
<address>
<date>
State President F.W. De Klerk
State President's Office
Private Bag X83
Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA
Dear State President De Klerk,
I am writing on behalf of Johannes Maisha "Stanza" Bopape who
"disappeared" after being arrested by security police on June 9, 1988.
He was detained under Section 29 of the Internal Security Act, which
allows police to hold detainees indefinately.
Stanza Bopape, then 28, was General Secretary of the local black
Civic Association in Mamelodi Township and a staff member of the
Community Resource and Information Center (CRIC). CRIC had earlier
been the target of arson attacks, and other CRIC staff had previously
been detained for political reasons.
Following his arrest, Stanza Bopape was taken to the security
police headquarters at John Vorster Square in Johannesburg. The police
say Bopape escaped from a van four nights after his arrest while he was
being taken under police guard to Vereeniging. They say that Bopape
escaped while police were changing a flat tire on the van.
Former detainees, human rights activists and others have
questioned the police version of events. They note that Stanza Bopape
apparently had three police guards when he allegedly escaped and that
Section 29 prisoners are routinely handcuffed and kept in leg-irons
while being transported. Police reportedly failed to notify Bopape's
family or lawyer until three weeks after his alleged escape, or to
question his family or friends to see if they knew of his whereabouts.
In fact, the police had told Stanza Bopape's lawyer on June 17, 1988,
that Bopape was still in detention, although when they announced his
"escape" on July 4, they said it had occurred on June 12.
The Minister of Law and Order said in June 1990 that an "intensive
investigation" into Stanza Bopape's "disappearance" was "continuing
unabated." However, none of Stanza's friends or relatives have heard
from him, and he is not known to have arrived in any neighboring
country.
The human rights organization Amnesty International is concerned
that Stanza Bopape may have died or been killed in security police
detention and that this was covered up by those responsible. I urge
you to uncover the true fate and whereabouts of Johannes Maisha
"Stanza" Bopape and to make public this information.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Pieter G.J. Koornhof
Embassy of South Africa
3051 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.9 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Tue May 28 1991 22:09 | 47 |
|
Following is a letter written by Planned Parenthood and published in
today's New York Times. If you are pro-choice, or have the slightest
interest in maintaining First Amendment rights, I'd strongly suggest you
extract the letter, edit in the correct names and send it off to your
state senators and house representatives. Also, anyone who's inclined
to donate money to Planned Parenthood might consider this a good time
as they are giving up the government's funds in lieu of complying with
the "gag rule".
"One must wonder what force the First Amendment retains if it is read
to countenance the deliberate manipulation by the Government of the
dialogue between a woman and her physician."
- Justice Blackman in his dissent
The Honorable <fill in the blank>
United States Senate <or United States House of Representatives>
Washington, DC 20510 <or 20515 for House of Reps>
Dear <fill in the blank>:
I was outraged by the May 23rd Supreme Court decision in Rust v.
Sullivan. I urge you to untie the gag on federally funded family
planning clinics by voting for S. 323 - and if necessary, overriding a
Presidential veto. Please also reauthorize Title X without language
that restricts the free speech of health professionals.
Sincerely,
_______________________________________
NAME
_______________________________________
ADDRESS
_______________________________________
CITY/STATE/ZIP
|
| 95.10 | another letter re: Rust v. Sullivan | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Wed May 29 1991 11:33 | 36 |
|
Following is another Planned Parenthood letter from today's New York
Times. No editing necessary - just extract, sign and mail.
Majority Leader George Mitchell
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Title X, the nation's family planning program, has worked well for 20
years. The Supreme Court's ruling in Rust v. Sullivan is nothing less
than a public health disaster. Title X must be rescued from
regulations designed to destroy it. It must be strengthened to serve
every woman in need of care and reauthorized free of restrictive
amendments. Please take action now.
_________________________________
NAME
_________________________________
ADDRESS
_________________________________
CITY/STATE/ZIP
|
| 95.11 | Amnesty Int'l. June 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Wed Jun 19 1991 13:16 | 189 |
|
Following are the June 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Greece - Leonidas Tsaousis - prisoner of conscience
Honduras - Rolando Vindel Gonzalez - disappearance
Myanmar (Burma) - Ma Theingi - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
General Saw Maung
Chairman
State Law and Order Restoration Council
Yangon (Rangoon)
UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention an alarming occurence.
Ma Theingi, a painter and art teacher in her early 40s, was
arrested in Myanmar on July 20, 1989, with many other leaders of the
National League for Democracy (NLD). Ma Theingi served as the personal
secretary to NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi. They were both arrested in a
mass detention of opposition figures in Myanmar in July 1989. Aung San
Suu Kyi has been held under house arrest since that time. Ma Theingi
is believed to be held in solitary confinement in the women's wing at
Insein Prison near Yangon.
Ma Theingi taught art at Yangon's International School before her
arrest. She is also a writer and translator. She was reportedly
sentenced "for breach of existing laws," but it is not clear when she
was sentenced or what was the exact nature of the charges against her.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Ma Theingi is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely
for the non-violent expression of her political views. It calls for
her immediate and unconditional release. I join Amnesty International
in this plea, and I respectfully urge you to correct this injustice and
order the release of Ma Theingi.
Most Sincerely,
cc: U Hla Myint Oo
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Sr. Jose Francisco Cardona
Ministro de Gobernacion y Justicia
Palacio de los Ministerios, 2o piso
Tegucigalpa
HONDURAS
Your Excellency,
I seek your assistance on a matter of great importance. On March
18, 1984, Rolando Vindel Gonzalez "disappeared" after leaving his home
in Tegucigalpa to attend a union meeting. Rolando Vindel Gonzalez was
president of the National Electricity Workers' Union (STENEE), which at
the time was deadlocked in wage negotiations with the state-owned power
company. He was seized by a group of heavily armed men, thrown into a
vehicle and driven away.
Evidence gathered by local human rights groups suggests that his
captors were agents of the National Directorate of Investigations
(DNI). STENEE officials alleged that following his abduction, Rolando
Vindel Gonzalez was held at three different clandestine detention
centers, including a miliarty center used by United States military to
train Honduran and Salvadorian military officers. The Honduran
authorities, however, have repeatedly denied that he was ever in
custody.
At the time of Rolando Vindel Gonzalez's "disappearance," the
Honduran Government announced that the National Congress had ordered an
investigation into the case, but no findings were ever published.
According to Amnesty International, 143 men and women are believed to
have "disappeared" at the hands of the military and security forces in
Honduras since 1981. Despite an announcement by the Minister of the
Interior in December 1990 that his government would take steps to
investigate past "disappearance" cases, there has since been no public
information about these investigations.
I seek your help, Your Excellency, in ascertaining what steps have
been taken to clarify the whereabouts and fate of Rolando Vindel
Gonzalez and the other "disappeared" in Honduras. I look forward to
your reply and to the public disclosure of this information.
Sincerely and respectfully,
cc: His Excellency
Jorge Ramon Hernandez-Alcerro
Embassy of Honduras
3007 Tilden Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis
Office of the Prime Minister
Maximou Palace
Herodou Atticou Avenue
Athens
GREECE
Your Excellency,
Leonidas Tsaousis is serving a four-year sentence in Avlona
Military Prison for refusing to perform military service. He is a
Jehovah's Witness and his religious beliefs do not allow him to serve
in the armed forces in any capacity. He therefore cannot accept the
unarmed military service Greece offers conscientious objectors as an
alternative to regular military service.
Before his imprisonment, Leonidas Tsaousis studied chemistry and
intends to pursue a career in that field once he is released. He
spends his days in prison reading the Bible and literature.
I am dismayed that Greece has failed to observe United Nations,
Council of Europe and European Parliament resolutions and
recommendations which call on member states to implement alternative
civilian service of non-punitive length for conscientious objectors.
According to the human rights organization Amnesty International, at
any given time Greece holds some 400 Jehovah's Witnesses in prison for
their conscientious objection. Amnesty International considers them to
be prisoners of conscience.
I appeal to your government to grant the immediate and
unconditional release of Leonidas Tsaousis. I further urge Greece to
introduce civilian service of non-punitive length for conscientious
objectors to military service.
Most Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Christos Zacharakis
Embassy of Greece
2221 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.12 | Amnesty Int'l. July 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Wed Jul 31 1991 17:18 | 178 |
|
Following are the July 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW
from direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent
as is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications.
If you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Cuba - Orlando Azcue Rodriguez - prisoner of conscience
Philippines - Linda Cabra, Eva Amido, D. Quinsapao - disappearance
Yugoslavia - Nijazi Beqa - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
Peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz
Presidente del Consejo de Estado
Ciudad de la Habana
CUBA
Your Excellency,
I am greatly alarmed to learn that Orlando Azcue Rodriguez, a
33-year-old-cigar factory technician, is serving a three-year sentence
for distributing handwritten leaflets calling for free elections in
Cuba.
Orlando Azcue Rodriguez was arrested on April 5, 1990, in Havana
and brought to trial on October 12 on charges of making "enemy
propaganda." According to reports of his trial, he was removed from
the courtroom because, when asked if he wanted to say anything in his
defense, he began to talk about his belief that political change was
needed in Cuba.
While in prison, Orlando Azcue Rodriguez has reportedly continued
his protests for peaceful political change in Cuba. These protests and
his refusal to wear a prison uniform have led to his being transferred
from prison to prison. While in "Kilo 7" Maximum Security Prison in
Camaguey, he was said to have been forcibly dressed in prison uniform
and held for at least 17 days with his arms chained to the bars of his
cell to prevent him from removing the uniform. He was also reportedly
beaten by prison guards on at least three occasions.
I believe there is an international standard for basic human
rights that can be applied to all nations, regardless of their
political system. Such a standard can be found in the United Nations
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that "Everyone has
the right to freedom of opinion and expression." I appeal to your
government to stand by Cuba's commitment to this standard as a member
of the United Nations, and grant the immediate and unconditional
release of Orlando Azcue Rodriguez.
Sincerely and respectfully,
cc: Mr. Jose Antonio Arbesu Fraga
Cuban Interests Section
2630 and 2639 - 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<name>
<address>
<date>
Her Excellency President Corazon C. Aquino
Malacanang Palace
Manila
THE PHILIPPINES
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention an alarming situation. In
January 1988, 19-year-old Linda Cabra was shopping with two friends
when they were abducted by armed men. The three have not been seen
since.
According to eyewitnesses, Linda Cabra, a farmer and council
member of the Small Farmer's Association of Negros, and two other union
organizers, were shopping in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, on
January 20, 1988, when they were seized by a group of armed men
including a police sergeant from La Carlota Integrated National Police,
a member of the Philippines Constabulary Forward Command Force, and a
civilian informer. The three were reportedly taken in the direction of
the Canman-Og, headquarters of the Philippines Constabulary Forward
Command Force.
Attempts by the families of the missing unionists to locate the
three have failed. The area police and military authorities have
denied holding Linda Cabra and her two companions, Eva Amido and
Dionisio Quinsapao.
I appeal to you to establish an independent investigation into the
fate and whereabouts of the three "disappeared" unionists. I ask that
the findings of the investigation be made public and that those found
to be responsible for any wrongdoing be brought to justice. I thank
you greatly for your assistance.
Sincerely and respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Emmanuel Pelaez
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
<name>
<address>
<date>
Dr. Vlado Kambovski
Federal Minister of Justice
Omladinskih brigada 1
11000 Beograd
YUGOSLAVIA
Your Excellency,
I wish to call to your attention the plight of Nijazi Beqa, a
29-year-old student of physics from Urosevac in Kosovo province.
Nijazi Beqa, who is married with one child, was one of ten ethnic
Albanians arrested in September 1988 and charged with having formed a
"hostile" organization aimed at securing republic status for Kosovo.
As you know, Kosovo borders on Albania and most of its population are
ethnic Albanians.
Nijazi Beqa and his co-defendants were not charged with having
used or advocating violence. At their trial in Pristina in February
1989, all were found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment. Nijazi Beqa
received the longest sentence: eight years, later reduced to five
years on appeal.
I know that the Yugoslav federal criminal law was changed in 1990
and many people convicted for similar non-violent activity were
released. However, Nijazi Beqa remains in Dubrav Prison near Istok.
Surely, you would agree that the non-violent expression of one's
political views is a basic human right, not a crime. I respectfully
appeal to you to grant the immediate release of Nijazi Beqa.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Dzevad Mujezinovic
Embassy of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2410 California Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.13 | | SPICE::PECKAR | Clean Phil Wanted | Wed Jul 31 1991 20:47 | 6 |
|
thanks for posting those, Phyllis!
Fog
|
| 95.14 | Amnesty Int'l. August 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Mon Aug 12 1991 15:04 | 185 |
|
Following are the August, 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW
from direct correspondence with the governments involved. These
letters must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be
sent as is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications.
If you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Guatemala: Maria Tiu Tojin and her daughter, Maria Josefa Tiu
Tojin - disappearance
Syria: Sulaiman 'Issa al-' Ali - prisoner of conscience
Vietnam: To Thuy Yen - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
Peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
General Luis Mendoza Garcia
Ministro de Defensa
Ministerio de Defensa
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala, GUATEMALA
Senor Ministro,
I seek your assistance on a matter of great urgency. Maria Tiu Tojin
and her one-month-old daughter, Maria Josefa Tiu Tojin, were detained
by the Guatemalan Army one morning last summer. They have not been
seen since.
Maria Tiu Tojin and her daughter were reportedly detained by about 100
soldiers and 40 members of a local Civil Defense Patrol in the village
of Santa Clara, in the Amacchel area of El Quiche department, on the
morning of August 29, 1990. Detained with them was a group of 85
peasants, including women and children. Maria Tiu Tojin and the others
were foreced to walk for nine hours until they reached Amacchel, where
they were held and interrogated. Maria Tiu Tojin, whom the authorities
had accused of belonging to an armed opposition group, was reportedly
subjected to prolonged interrogation at this time.
On September 8 or 9, 1990, the group was transported to the military
garrison in Nebaj. Soon after their arrival at the garrison, a soldier
took Maria Tiu Tojin and her baby away from the rest of the group.
Neither the baby nor her mother was ever seen again.
I recognize the right of the Guatemalan Government to defend against
armed opposition forces. However, it is clear that innocent civilians
often suffer from counter-insurgency efforts. I hope you agree that
under no circumstance should someone simply "disappear", whatever their
activities.
I respectfully urge you to investigate and make public the whereabouts
of Maria Tiu Tojin and her daughter. I further ask you to ensure that
those responsible for the "disappearance" are brought to justice. I
thank you for your help.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Juan Jose Caso-Fanjul
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency President Hafez al-Assad
Office of the President
Presidential Palace
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
This letter is written on behalf of Sulaiman 'Issa al-'Ali, who has
spent the last 10 years in prison for the non-violent expression of his
beliefs and for his affiliation with a political party.
An army volunteer at the time, Sulaiman 'Issa al-'Ali was arrested in
June 1981 for his alleged membership in the Party for Communist Action.
He has been held since without charge or trial at Tadmur Military
Prison in the Province of Homs. Since there is no indication that
Sulaiman 'Issa al-'Ali used or advocated the use of violence in his
political activities, his continued imprisonment would seem to be in
contradiction of Article 38 of the Syrian Consitution which states,
"Every citizen has the right to freely express and openly express his
views in words, in writing and through all other means of expression."
I am heartened by reports of recent releases of political prisoners in
Syria, and I hope that this deliverance of justice can now extend to
Sulaiman 'Issa al-'Ali. I appeal to you to grant his immediate
release. I thank you for your help.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Walid al-Moualem
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Do Muoi
Chairperson of the Council of Ministers
Hoi Dong Bo Truong
Ha Noi
Socialist Republic of
VIETNAM
Dear Minister,
In my capacity as a member of the independent human rights organization
Amnesty International, I recently learned of a situation in your
country that I would like to bring to your attention.
To Thuy Yen is a writer and poet in his fifties who was arrested on
November 13, 1990, at his home in Ho Chi Minh City. He was charged
with writing anti-government poetry and making contact with foreign
groups deemed "hostile" by the government. His arrest occurred during
a crackdown on government critics which began in May 1990 and continues
still. Journalists and academics, among others, have been arrested for
their alleged opposition to government policies.
Amnesty International believes that To Thuy Yen was arrested for
peacefully exercising his right to freedom of opinion and expression.
He is currently detained in a prison in Ho Chi Minh City, and
reportedly has not been brought to trial.
It is my belief that basic human rights transcend political and
national boundaries, and must be respected by all governments,
regardless of political system. It is in this spirit that I
respectfully appeal to you to grant the immediate release of To Thuy
Yen.
Most sincerely,
|
| 95.15 | Amnesty Int'l. Sept. 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Thu Sep 19 1991 13:47 | 180 |
|
Following are the September 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Bhutan: Biswanath Chhetri - prisoner of conscience
Kenya: Edward Oyugi and three others - prisoners of conscience
South Korea: Im Su-kyong - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
Peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Thimphu
BHUTAN
Your Majesty,
I appeal to you for your assistance in a matter of great concern to me.
Biswanath Chhetri was a 24-year-old student when he was arrested on
November 5, 1989, in Kanglung District for "anti-national activities."
He and a number of others were apparently arrested in connection with
the writing and distribution of a pamphlet entitled, "Bhutan: We Want
Justice." The pamphlet criticized the government's attitude toward
Bhutan's various ethnic groups, saying that the government should
respect the religion, dress and language of the different ethnic groups
which make up the Bhutanese population.
As you know, there was unrest in parts of the country following your
May 1989 decree requiring all Bhutanese to wear national dress in
public and speak the official language, Dzongkha. Many people were
reportedly severely beaten, fined or jailed for violating or opposing
the decree.
Biswanath Chhetri, a student representative to Bhutan's People's Forum
for Human Rights, is believed to be held in the capital, Thimphu. The
independent human rights organization Amnesty International believes
that he has been detained for the non-violent expression of his
political beliefs. I join Amnesty International in imploring you to
grant the immediate release of Biswanath Chhetri.
Very respectfully yours,
cc: His Excellency Ambassador Nado Rinchhen
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan
to the United Nations in Geneva
Palais de Nations
Geneva, SWITZERLAND
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Daniel arap Moi
Office of the President
P.O. Box 30510
Nairobi
KENYA
Your Excellency,
I was concerned to learn that Edward Oyugi and three others were
recently sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in an
allegedly seditious meeting.
Oyugi, a professor of educational psychology at Kenyatta University,
was arrested July 12, 1990, with three friends at a Nairobi bar. The
arrests followed the detentions of two former government ministers and
three human rights lawyers who had led calls for the restoration of a
multi-party political system in Kenya. The three sentenced with Edward
Oyugi are George Anyona, a former member of parliament, Ngotho Kariuki
an accountant, and Augustine Kathangu, a businessman.
All four men denied holding a seditious meeting, and the prosecution
produced no evidence that the men had discussed the overthrow of the
government. All of the defendants stated during their trial that they
had been tortured in police custody. However, no steps reportedly were
taken to investigate the allegations of torture.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers these four men to be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for
the expression of their non-violent opposition to the government. I
join Amnesty International in urging your government to grant the
immediate and unconditional release of Edward Oyugi, George Anyona,
Ngotho Kariuki, and Augustine Kathangu.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Denis D. Afande
Embassy of Kenya
2249 R Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency President Roh Tae-woo
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no
Chongno-gu
Seoul
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Your Excellency,
I wish to express to you my concern that Im Su-kyong, a 23-year-old
student of French literature, is serving a five-year prison sentence on
account of her peaceful activities to promote reunification of the
Korean peninsula.
Im Su-kyong had travelled to North Korea to attend the 13th World
Festival of Youth and Students held in Pyongyang in July 1989. She
went to the festival as a representative of Chondaehyop (National
Council of Student Representatives), and while there made a number of
statements calling for the peaceful reunification of the Korean
peninsula. After the festival, Im Su-kyong took part in a "peace
march" which she hoped would take her across the length of the
peninsula. She was arrested on August 15, 1989, while returning to the
Republic of Korea at Panmunjom.
I believe that Im Su-kyong has been imprisoned for the peaceful
expression of her political views. I urge your government to grant
her immediate release.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Hong-choo Hyun
Embassy of Korea
2370 Masschusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.16 | Voice your opinion on the Thomas Confirmation | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Mon Oct 14 1991 11:52 | 25 |
|
Anyone desiring to contact the Senate Judiciary Committee can
telephone:
Senator State Phone
Biden D-DE 202/ 224-5042
DeConcini D-AZ 224-4521
Heflin D-AL 224-4124
Kennedy D-MA 224-4543
Kohl D-WI 224-5653
Leahy D-VT 224-4242
Metzenbaum D-OH 224-2315
Simon D-IL 224-2152
Brown R-CO 224-5941
Grassley R-IA 224-3744
Hatch R-UT 224-5251
Simpson R-WY 224-3424
Specter R-PA 224-4254
Thurmond R-SC 22405972
Over the weekend most of the Senator's offices were taking polls on
how the public felt. You can make a difference in this thing!
|
| 95.17 | Amnesty Int'l Oct. 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Mon Oct 14 1991 16:52 | 183 |
|
Following are the October 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the
appropriate embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
India: Jaswant Singh and Chanan Singh - possible "disappearance"
Iran: Mariam Firouz - prisoner of conscience
Malawi: Dany Muhango - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
Peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
General Surinder Nath
Governor of the State of Punjab
Office of the Governor
Chandigarh
Punjab
INDIA
Dear Governor,
I would like to bring to your attention a matter of great concern.
Jaswant Singh and Chanan Singh, ages 65 and 70 respectively, have
reportedly been held in illegal and unacknowledged detention since
their arrest with five others on October 4, 1990. There are
allegations that they were badly beaten by police.
Five of the seven men were found on October 11 at Dera Baba Naka police
station following a habeas corpus petition. However, the petition
failed to locate Jaswant Singh and Chanan Singh. On October 30, 1990,
a High Court judge concluded that the five men found were illegally
detained, and the police officers in charge were ordered to pay
compensation to each of the five men. The whereabouts of Jaswant Singh
and Chanan Singh remain unknown.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International has
urged your government to investigate the "disappearance" of these men.
I join them in this request. I further join Amnesty International in
calling for the release of Jaswant Singh and Chanan Singh if they are
not immediately charged and tried under the ordinary procedures of
criminal law. I am most grateful for your help with this matter.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Abid Hussain
Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency Hojatoleslam Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection
Tehran
Islamic Republic of IRAN
Your Excellency,
I am writing on behalf of Mariam Firouz, who is currently being held in
Tehran's Evin Prison on account of her political activities. She is in
poor health, suffering from rheumatism and heart disease.
Mariam Firouz, who is in her mid-70s, was reportedly arrested in 1983
with dozens of other leading figures in the Tudeh Party of Iran. The
Tudeh Party was accused of plotting with a foreign power, the Soviet
Union, to overthrow Iran's Islamic Government. Party leaders were said
to have been tortured to force them to confess to involvement in
espionage and other illegal activity. After she was tried by an
Islamic Revolutionary Court, whose proceedings fell far short of
international standards for a fair trial, Mariam Firouz was sentenced
to death in 1986. This sentence was later commuted. She had no right
to appeal against the verdict or sentence, and throughout her
imprisonment she has been refused access to a defense lawyer.
Mariam Firouz is a translator and writer, and holds a degree in French
language and literature. She was the President of the Democratic
Organization of Iranian Women. She has contributed articles on
literature and women's issues to party newspapers, and translated
numerous works of French literature into Farsi.
I appeal to you to ensure that Mariam Firouz is given access to a
lawyer of her choice and that she is provided with adequate medical
treatment. I respectfully appeal to you for her immediate and
unconditional release on the grounds that she has been imprisoned
apparently for the peaceful expression of her political beliefs.
Sincerely,
cc: Iranian Interests Section
2209 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency the Life President
Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda
Office of the President and Cabinet
Private Bag 388
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI
Your Excellency,
I write to you concerning Dany Muhango, who has been detained since
April or May of 1989 without charge or trial and is currently held at
Mikuyu Prison in Zomba.
Dany Muhango is from northern Malawi and his arrest came during a time
when many northern Malawians were detained for allegedly planning to
secede from Malawi or for allegedly trying to develop the northern
economy to the detriment of the rest of the country. The independent
human rights organization Amnesty International documented the arrest
of numerous northern Malawians at this time and considered many of them
to be prisoners of conscience. A number of these detainees have been
freed over the past year, and I applaud your government for granting
their release. However, Dany Muhango remains imprisoned.
I respectfully appeal to you to intervene in this case and order the
unconditional release of Dany Muhango, who has apparently been detained
solely on account of his ethnic origin. I thank you for your kind
assistance.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Robert Mbaya
Malawi Embassy
2408 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.18 | Clinic Defenders Needed in Boston TOMORROW!!! | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Fri Nov 01 1991 15:59 | 19 |
|
Operation Rescue is trying to pull a Wichita in Boston, THIS Saturday,
TOMORROW. NOW is organising the clinic defenses for the four targeted
clinics. Defenders are assigned alphabetically unless you go in a group
- then NOW can keep you together.
- if your last name begins with A-F go to Preterm
Clinic 1842 Beacon St. Brookline
- last name begins with G-L go to Repro Assoc.
1297 Beacon St. Brookline
- last name begins with M-R go to Planned Parenthood,
1031 Beacon St. Brookline
- last name begins with S-Z go to Gynecare Clinic
177 Tremont St. Brookline
You need to be at the clinics by 6:30am because OR likes to get there
early.
For more information or directions call NOW at (617) 782-1056.
|
| 95.19 | | SPICE::PECKAR | Hail Baby! | Fri Nov 01 1991 16:26 | 13 |
| RE: <<< Note 95.18 by TERAPN::PHYLLIS "Wake, now discover.." >>>
-< Clinic Defenders Needed in Boston TOMORROW!!! >-
Brookline is bracing for the largest confrontation ever. Operation
Rescue's plans for tommorows protests represents an "no holds barred"
effort on their part.
NPR reported that OR supporters will outnumber right-to-lifers.
I suspect some serious violence might errupt. What a bummer. :-(
Fog
|
| 95.20 | a nit? | ROULET::DWEST | Dont Overlook Something Extraordinary | Fri Nov 01 1991 16:36 | 5 |
| a nit, but aren't right-to-lifers and operation resue the same folks?
i know what you mean (i think) but i also know what you said (i think)
:^)
da ve
|
| 95.21 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Fri Nov 01 1991 16:36 | 8 |
|
Bummer indeed. I know they're bracing for a large confrontation. I
was called by NOW NYC who is helping to mobilize folks down here to
actually head up to Boston and help in the defense.
:-(
|
| 95.22 | | SPICE::PECKAR | Hail Baby! | Fri Nov 01 1991 16:40 | 6 |
|
yeah, I meant right-to-choicers...
DySLexIa_P
|
| 95.23 | out right violence to stop a so-called violence ? | MSHRMS::FIELDS | send a smile, show you care | Fri Nov 01 1991 17:24 | 7 |
| people hurting people ? gee call me stupid but these ORs have a problem
with the way they go about trying to stop what they call a violation of
someone elses rights ! the only sad thing is the cops will not be so
nice to either side I'm afraid.
Chris
|
| 95.24 | | LANDO::HAPGOOD | now we play for life | Fri Nov 01 1991 17:55 | 20 |
| ok folks!
I haven't stirred up an muck for a while and don't really want to.
but from what I've seen and heard - Op. Rescue hasn't been doing
anything violent - unless you call sitting in front of a car in
the middle of the street violent (don't get me wrong...I dissagree
with their tactics of putting their children into perilous situations
like seeting them down in front of cars etc etc etc).
So am i wrong? I thought the both sides of this have remained mostly
peaceful up to this point....
??
signed,
a prochoice muckraker
ps. it's entirely possible that I misread the previous notes - that you
all were just staing that you hope nothing violent happens etc. to which
I say - delete this note!:)
|
| 95.25 | 2c | SPICE::PECKAR | Hail Baby! | Fri Nov 01 1991 18:07 | 15 |
| When I speculated that violence might result from tommorows activities,
I was not saying that I felt a particular group might "throw the first punch",
nor was I implying that a particular group (or any individual who represents
one side or the other) would be more likely to act in a pre-meditated violent
manner.
I doubt that any organized group actually condones violence, and I
would hope that none of the groups present tommorow condone physical
intervention, other than the Police, that is.
Again, I still feel that violence will errupt, but from an extremist
individual not closely tied with any organization who will light the fuse of a
very large explosive.
Setting_the_matter_straightP
|
| 95.26 | sometimes reality does not reflect intention... | ROULET::DWEST | Dont Overlook Something Extraordinary | Fri Nov 01 1991 19:00 | 6 |
| both sides of the issue swear that they are non-violent and will not
start fights etc.... however it is a highly emotional issue and the
demonstrations can reflect those highly charged individuals can
occasionally lose control... :^( :^( :^(
da ve
|
| 95.27 | | VERGA::STANLEY | what a long strange trip it's been | Mon Nov 04 1991 12:04 | 1 |
| I guess fighting about it is where I draw the line.
|
| 95.28 | ? | ROULET::DWEST | Dont Overlook Something Extraordinary | Mon Nov 04 1991 12:12 | 6 |
| me too...
btw... did anything happen??? i didn't catch any coverage this
weekend...
da ve
|
| 95.29 | | VERGA::STANLEY | what a long strange trip it's been | Mon Nov 04 1991 12:26 | 9 |
| Me neither. I spent the weekend in Maine with my step daughters
playing with crayons.
I don't know... I feel strongly about it, but ... I just don't see the
sense in fighting over it.
There must be another way... there has to be another solution ... and if
there is... I'll find it....
"you know the one thing we need is a left hand monkey wrench"
|
| 95.30 | | LANDO::HAPGOOD | now we play for life | Mon Nov 04 1991 12:38 | 13 |
| well let's see.
Not sure why but the Right to Life folks ended up in Providence, RI
I believe and not in Boston. There was a large crowd of Pro-Choice
folks in Boston. I meant to read the article to see if the R_T_life
people avoided Boston because of an opposing (expected) crowd but
I didn't rear it....
Front page - sunday Globe.
bob
|
| 95.31 | | VMPIRE::CLARK | puzzlin' evidence | Mon Nov 04 1991 12:58 | 9 |
| I read that there was a funeral for a policeman being held in Boston, and
having the OR event in Boston would've kept a lot of policemen from being able
to attend, so OR moved it to Providence ...? Something like that.
Re the violence ... like da ve said, this is a highly emotional issue. I
wouldn't have been surprised to hear of violence erupting ... as a matter of
fact, I'm surprised at how "calm" the pro-lifers have been. Remember, a lot
of them consider abortion to be infantcide (sp?). This is going to be an
ugly issue for a long, long time.
|
| 95.32 | Sideline nit... | SCAM::GRADY | tim grady | Mon Nov 04 1991 14:01 | 10 |
| I think it would be a misnomer to equate the Right to Life movement
with the Operation Rescue Organization. I believe the former is a
broader based group, not necessarily a single organization, whereas the
latter group tends to border on the lunatic fringe. OR people indeed
identify with the Right to Life movement, however I think it is
erroneous to state that they ARE that movement. I think they're
fringies.
tim
|
| 95.33 | Amnesty Int'l Nov. 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Fri Nov 08 1991 13:41 | 191 |
|
Following are the November 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Israel: Abie Nathan - prisoner of conscience
Mexico: Joaquin Capetillo Santana - detention w/o trail & torture
Sri Lanka: Mutunayaka Silavati Patmalata - "disappearance"
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Mr. Yitzhak Shamir
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
3 Kaplan Street
Hakirya
Jerusalem 91919
ISRAEL
Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
I write to obtain your assistance on a matter which has come to my
attention. I am quite concerned about the plight of Abie Nathan, who
was recently sentenced to 18 months in Ramle Prison.
Abie Nathan was arrested for having met with Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat in Tunis on March 10 and 16,
1990. A well-known Israeli peace campaigner, Abie Nathan has stated
his conviction that the Israelis will eventually have to negotiate with
the PLO to establish a lasting peace in the Middle East.
The human rights organization Amnesty International believes that Abie
Nathan is a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his
non-violent political beliefs and peace activities. I am aware that
your government has declared that Nathan was prosecuted "not...because
of his political views or his expression of them, but as a consequence
of his action." However, the internationally recognized rights to
freedom of expression and to peaceful association fully encompass
non-violent actions such as those carried out by Abie Nathan.
I respectfully urge your government to grant the immediate and
unconditional release of Abie Nathan.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Zalman Shoval
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Drive N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Lic. Fernando Sanchez de la Cruz
Secretario de Gobierno
Secretaria de Gobierno
Palacio de Gobierno
Villahermosa, Tabasco 8600
MEXICO
Your Excellency:
I am most concerned about the well-being and legal situation of Joaquin
Capetillo Santana, who was detained by state judicial police agents on
suspicion of robbery on May 10, 1986, in Villahermosa, Tabasco state.
He was 13 years old at the time.
During the days following his arrest, he was reportedly tortured in
custody at the local police headquarters and forced to confess to
several crimes. The torture allegedly consisted of beatings,
near-asphyxiation in water, and electric shocks to several parts of the
body, including the testicles. Nine days later, the police presented
him to the media as a dangerous criminal, and he was transferred to the
local prison for adults, the Center for Social Rehabilitation, instead
of to the juvenile center.
Joaquin Capetillo Santana remains detained in the Center for Social
Rehabilitation in Villahermosa, awaiting trial. During his
imprisonment, he has reportedly suffered more beatings and threats,
both from prison wardens and adult prisoners.
As you know, the imprisonment of minors in adult prisons is forbidden
by the Mexican Constitution. The Constitution further stipulates that
detainees should be tried within one year of arrest at the very
longest. Joaquin Capetillo Santana has been held now for five and half
years without trial.
I strongly urge you to ensure that Joaquin Capetillo Santana is tried
promptly or else released. I ask that he be allowed regular visits by
his family and by those interested in his legal situation. I thank you
for your assistance with this important matter.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Gustavo Petricioli
Embassy of Mexico
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency President R. Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
Democratic Socialist Republic of SRI LANKA
Dear President:
I seek your assistance with a very serious matter. At 2:30pm on
February 23, 1990, Mutunayaka Silavati Patmalata was detained on the
road to Malandeniya, one mile from Hataraliyedda. According to
witnesses, she was seized by an armed group dressed in civilian clothes
who were in a vehicle with the words "Anas Brothers" written on the
side. Another witness reportedly saw her later in the army camp at
Veheravatta. The family of Mutunayaka Silavati Patmalata has sought
information on the whereabouts of the missing 27-year-old woman, but
has met with no success.
I understand that "disappearances" and other human rights violations
committed by security forces in Sri Lanka take place against a
background of violent activities by armed opposition groups. However,
I believe that the suppression of violence cannot justify human rights
violations. I welcome the recent steps the government has taken toward
the protection of human rights, such as the establishment of the Human
Rights Task Force, which is compiling a central register of all
detainees.
I respectfully request information on the current whereabouts of
Mutunayaka Silavati Patmalata. I urge you to take immediate steps to
safeguard her physical and mental well-being. I thank you for your
assistance.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency W. Susanta de Alwis
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
2418 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.34 | | SPICE::PECKAR | Not the Mama | Fri Nov 08 1991 13:56 | 9 |
|
RE: .last
Once again, thanks Phyllis. Also, Please send a copy of the letter
to Shamir to your congressional representatives with a note expressing disfavor
in your tax dollars going to support govenments which treat their citizens like
that.
Fog
|
| 95.35 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Fri Nov 08 1991 14:12 | 3 |
|
Good idea, thanks.
|
| 95.36 | Amnesty Int'l Dec. 1991 Freedom Writers Letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | Wake, now discover.. | Wed Dec 04 1991 13:09 | 180 |
|
Following are the December 1991 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
China - Zhang Jie, prisoner of conscience
Peru - Marcela Valdez de la Cruz, disappearance
Syria - Muhammad Duraiwas, prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a 1 page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Governor Zhao Zhihao
Shandong Provincial People's Government
193 Jinger Lu
Jinanshi
Shandongsheng
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency,
I write to you concerning Zhang Jie from Jinan in Shandong Province,
who was reportedly sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for making
counter-revolutionary speeches.
Zhang Jie was a 23-year-old unemployed worker when he reportedly stood
outside the municipal government offices in Qingdao on June 5, 1989,
and called upon a crowd of several thousand people to pay their
respects to those killed in Beijing days earlier during the government
crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Tiananmen Square.
According to the October 15, 1989 issue of the local newspaper, Jinan
Qunzhong Ribao, Zhang Jie was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for
his aions.
Workers sentenced for their involvement in the 1989 pro-democracy
protests have received lengthy prison terms. I am concerned at reports
that workers are more likely than intellectuals to be subject to harsh
prison conditions and ill-treatment such as beatings, unheated cells
and insufficient food. No prisoners should have to endure such
treatment.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Zhang Jie is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely
for the non-violent expression of his political beliefs. I join
Amnesty International in calling for Zhang Jie's immediate and
unconditional release.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Zhu Qizhen
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Alberto Fujimori
President of the Republic of Peru
Palacio de GobiernoPlaza de Armas
Lima 1
PERU
Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente,
I wish to bring to your attention a serious matter. On the morning of
May 17, 1991, Marcela Valdez de la Cruz left her house in the La
Magdalena area of the city of Ayacucho. While walking across Magdalena
Square she was detained and taken away by members of the Peruvian armed
forces. She has not been seen since.
The 34-year-old teacher and trade unionist had participated in a
national strike called by her union, the Sindicato Unico de
Trabajadores en la Educacion del Peru (SUTEP), the national teachers
union. Members of the union have been frequent victims of
"disappearance" or of extrajudicial execution after detention by
members of the security forces. SUTEP's leadership has claimed that
while they have been accused by the government of subversion, they also
are attacked by the armed opposition group Sendero Luminoso for
refusing to take part in or support their actions.
Witnesses saw Marcela Valdez de la Cruz being taken away by members of
the Peruvian armed forces. However, the army subsequently denied all
knowledge of her detention. This sequence of events has been repeated
time and again in Peru's recent history. According to figures given to
Amnesty International in July 1991 by Peru's Public Ministry, over
5,000 people were reported as "disappeared" since 1981, of which over
4,000 are still unaccounted for.
I urge you to investigate the whereabouts of Marcela Valdez de la Cruz.
She should be able to see and speak with relatives, as well as medical
and legal experts. She should be brought before the civilian courts if
she is thought to have committed a crime, or else she should be
released. I thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully yours,
cc: His Excellency Roberto MacLean
Embassy of Peru
1700 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency President Hafez al-Assad
Office of the President
Presidential Palace
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
Please allow me to express my serious concern for Muhammad Duraiwas, a
31-year-old Syrian citizen from Latakia, who has been imprisoned
without formal charge or trial since his arrest on October 28, 1980.
A university student at the time of his arrest, Muhammad Duraiwas
belonged to a political opposition party. There is no indication that
he used or advocated the use of violence. He is believed to be a
prisoner of conscience imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of
his political beliefs. He is currently detained at Homs Central
Prison.
I am encouraged by the April 1991 release of 80 political prisoners in
Syria. Since Muhammad Duraiwas has not been charged with any violent
crime during his prolonged detention, I hope that such humanitarian
concerns will likewise benefit him. I respectfully appeal to you to
grant the immediate release of Muhammad Duraiwas.
Sincerely yours,
cc: His Excellency Walid al-Moualem
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.37 | Occupation & Torture | POBOX::NASH | | Thu Dec 19 1991 15:37 | 112 |
| Forwarded by Bob Nash, Chicago Il.
Hi, this is a mail message I have received from a friend and I
think that it is something we can help with using only a small
amount of our time. The numbers of people we can reach by our
networks is tremendous and we can have an effect.
Have a happy holiday
Artie
PS Sorry this message is a little (lot) impersonal but I'm
trying to send it to a lot of people.
=========================================================================
OCCUPATION AND MASSACRE IN EAST TIMOR
Creation of an International Scientific Chain of Protest
Dear Colleague:
East Timor is a non-self governed territory, in an island close to Australia.
Although the other (western) part of the Island is Indonesian, the influence
of the Catholic Church and of Portugal since 1515 has created a completely
different culture in his people. While more than 80% of the Indonesian are
muslims, more than 80% of the timorese are catholics.
Until 1975 East Timor was a Portuguese colony. After the April 1974 democratic
revolution in Portugal, the Portuguese authorities started the decolonization
of the territory. In July 75 a law has established the calendar for free
elections in order to promote self-determination of the territory.
To impede the territory to be free and independent, the Indonesian Government
instigated the instability and finally invaded the territory the 7th December
1975. In 1976 they declared the occupied territory integrated into Indonesia,
against the resolutions of the United Nations Assembly and Security Council
that have affirmed (22nd December 1975) and reaffirmed (22nd April 1976):
"the inalienable right of the people of East Timor to self-determination
and independence (...)", and that "calls upon the Government of Indonesia
to withdraw without further delay all its forces from the territory".
According to the International laws, Portugal is still the governing power,
until the process of self-determination will be concluded.
Since the beginning of the occupation, more than two hundred thousand (200,000)
in a whole population (in 1975) of about seven hundred thousand people
(700,000), have been killed. Many others have been emprisoned, beaten and
tortured, and many women have been rendered sterile by the occupying power.
In November the 12th, the Indonesian militaries perpetrate a new massacre
killing about one hundred people, most of them students between 10 and 25
years old, and imprisoned and very severely tortured many others. About one
hundred timorese more have been killed after imprisonment. One New Zealander
has also been killed, and three journalists (two Americans and one British)
have been severely beaten.
The International Scientific Community could play an important role in this
matter, so we ask you, to send a copy of this letter to other ten colleagues
in your or any other country around the world, in view to create an enormous
chain, with the final objective of collecting signatures, which will be sent
to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the President of the U.S.A.,
the prime ministers of Japan, Australia and The Netherlands to "protest against
the present situation of occupation and massacre in East Timor".
In order to defend the RIGHT to SELF-DETERMINATION and HUMAN RIGHTS of the
Timorese people, we ask you, before you start working in your Laboratory or
University to "loose" five minutes and send this appeal to other colleagues
(if possible ten). Please answer this appeal as soon as possible. The 15th of
February we will send your answer to the Secretary General of U.N.
We hope that voices of the Scientific Community can influence the future of the
massacred people of EAST TIMOR.
Sincerely Yours
Barbedo de Magalhaes (University of Porto)
H.P. Goncalves (LNETI- Lisbon)
P.S. Please send the enclosed form to:
H.P. Goncalves
DER/LNETI
Estrada do Paco do Lumiar
1699 Lisboa Codex - Portugal
fax: 351 + 1 + 716 09 01
E-mail: helder@donald.lneti.rccn.pt
_______________________________________________________________
| OCCUPATION AND MASSACRE IN EAST TIMOR |
| Creation of an International Scientific Chain of Protest |
| |
| "I protest against the present situation of occupation and |
| massacre in EAST TIMOR". |
| |
| Institution: ............................................ |
| Position: ............................................... |
| Address: ................................................ |
| Country: ................................................ |
| Signature: .............................................. |
|_____________________________________________________________|
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Received: by enet-gw.pa.dec.com; id AA24746; Wed, 18 Dec 91 08:47:40 -0800
% Date: Wed, 18 Dec 1991 11:46:15 GMT
% From: JACKSON@plh.af.mil
% Message-Id: <911218114615.20410a6a@plh.af.mil>
% To: pobox::nash
% X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"nash@pobox.enet.dec.com"
|
| 95.38 | Amnesty Int'l Jan. 1992 Freedom Writers letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | I'm working on it..I'm working on it | Tue Jan 07 1992 15:02 | 186 |
|
Following are the January 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Cuba - Maria Elena Cruz Varela, prisoner of conscience
Equatorial Guinea - Joaquin Elema Boringue, prisoner of conscience
Indonesia - Bonar Tigor Naipospos, prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz
Presidente de los Consejos
de Estados y de Ministros
Ciudad de La Habana
CUBA
Your Excellency:
I wish to bring a serious matter to your attention. Maria Elena Cruz
Varela, president of the unofficial opposition group Criterio
Alternativo, was subjected to an acto de repudio which took place on
November 19, 1991. During the incident against Ms. Cruz Varela, some
of the crowd are reported to have been armed and carrying
walkie-talkies. Soon after, she was detained at a local police station
where she was held for several hours before being released.
I understand that during actos de repudio, human rights activists and
political dissidents are subjected to physical and verbal abuse by
groups of people chanting pro-government slogans. These acts are
believed to be orchestrated by Cuba's security services to intimidate
any opposition.
The acto de repudio continued outside the home of Maria Elena Cruz
Varela, and on November 21, 1991, she was again detained, along with
three other activists, and reportedly taken to the headquarters of the
State Security police. She was brought to trial on November 28, 1991,
at the People's Municipal Court of East Havana and ssentenced to two
years' imprisonment on charges of illegal association and defamation.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Maria Elena Cruz Varela is a prisoner of conscience
detained for the non-violent expression of her political beliefs. I
join Amnesty International in urging you to grant her immediate and
unconditional release.
Sincerely yours,
cc: Mr. Jose Antonio Arbesu Fraga
Cuban Interests Section
2630 16th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
<name>
<address>
<date>
Coronel Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Presidente de la Republica
Ministro de Defensa Nacional
Gabinete del Presidente de la Republica
Malabo
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Your Excellency:
There is a significant human rights concern which I would like to
address. Joaquin Elema Boringue, a former army sergeant, was sentenced
to death in September 1988 for allegedly attempting to assassinate you.
This sentence was later commuted to 20 years' imprisonment.
The only evidence used to convict Joaquin Elema Boringue was his
"confession," which was extracted under torture, and a plan of the
Presidential Palace which he had drawn two years earlier on the orders
of a senior officer. He was arrested along with many other alleged
supporters of a political opposition party based outside the country.
According to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, Joaquin Elema Boringue was denied access to a lawyer
until a few hours before his trial. At that time, he retracted his
confession and described the torture he had endured until he had signed
a piece of paper without reading it. Further, it appears that the
drawing of the Presidential Palace merely had been taken from military
files and produced in court, rather than having been found in his
possession when he was arrested.
Amnesty International believes that Joaquin Elema Boringue has been
imprisoned for his non-violent political activities and that the
charges of attempted assassination were never substantiated. I join
Amnesty International in urging that he be immediately and
unconditionally released. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Most sincerely,
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Suharto
Presiden RI
Istana Negara
Jalan Veteran
Jakarta
INDONESIA
Your Excellency:
I would like to take this opportunity to express my concern about Bonar
Tigor Naipospos, a 29 year-old who was arrested in June 1989 in
Jakarta. I understand that he was a post-graduate student of political
science at Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta at the time of his
arrest.
Bonar Tigor Naipospos was accused of spreading Marxist ideas and
attempting to undermine the Indonesian state idealogy, Pancasila,
through participation in a study club. However, one of the defense
witnesses at his trial stated that such groups were not only common at
the university, but were encouraged by professors. Additionally, he
was accused of giving banned books to another student, a charge which
the other student denied in court.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that the imprisonment of Bonar Tigor Naipospos is a denial of
the right to freedom of expression and opinion and of the right to
impart information to others. I respectfully implore you to look into
this matter and see that Bonar Tigor Naipospos is freed. Thank you for
your attention to this matter.
Sincerely yours,
cc: His Excellency Abdul Rachman Ramly
Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
2020 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 95.39 | Amnesty Int'l Feb. 1992 Freedom Writers letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | through a dream night wind | Thu Feb 13 1992 13:51 | 173 |
|
Following are the February 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Saudi Arabia - Naji Jasib al-Tuhaifa, prisoner of conscience
South Korea - Chong Son-hee, prisoner of conscience
Ukraine - Sergey Osnach, prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
The Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines
King Fahd bin `Abd al-'Aziz
Office of His Majesty the King
Riyadh
Kingdom of SAUDI ARABIA
Your Majesty,
I am deeply concerned about Naji Jasib al-Tuhaifa, a 30-year-old
laborer who currently is being detained in the al-Mabahith al-'Amma
Prison in al-Dammam. He was arrested in al-'Awamiyya during October
1990 on suspicion of being a sympathizer or member of the banned
Organization of Islamic Revolution in the Arabian Peninsula (OIRAP).
There is no evidence of calls to violence or armed action by OIRAP,
which has claimed that Shi'a Muslims are discriminated against in Saudi
Arabia.
Additionally, Naji Jasib al-Tuhaifa reportedly has been subjected to
torture. Both the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any
Form of Detention or Imprisonment prohibit the use of torture.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International remains
concerned that Naji Jasib al-Tuhaifa is being detained solely for the
non-violent expression of his political beliefs. I concur with this
belief and urge you to take this opportunity to promote and respect
human rights by immediately and unconditionally releasing Naji Jasib
al-Tuhaifa.
Respectfully,
cc: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Sultan
Embassy of Saudi Arabia
601 New Hampshire Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Roh Tae-woo
The Blue House
1 Sejong-no
Chongno-gu
Seoul
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Dear President Roh,
I write to you on behalf of Chong Son-hee, who was arrested on March
18, 1991, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. She was convicted
under Article 7 of the National Security Law with carrying out
activities benefiting North Korea and organizing a group to carry out
such activities.
Chong Son-hee and ten other members of Somiryon, the Seoul affiliate of
the National Minjung Arts Movement, were arrested in March 1991. The
works of their members depict scenes of the life of working people and
often contain political messages, in particular messages supporting
Korean reunification. Chong Son-hee was held responsible for several
activities, including painting a banner on the theme of Korean
reunification. Eight of the arrested members were eventually released.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International regards
Chong Son-hee, Choi Ik-kyun, and Oh Chin-hee as prisoners of conscience
and is calling for their immediate and unconditional release. As an
individual concerned with the human rights of all people, I join with
Amnesty International in urging you to release these artists.
Yours sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Hong-Choo Hyun
Embassy of Korea
2370 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President L.M. Kravchuk
Verkhovny Soviet Ukraine
ul. Kirova, 6
g. Kiev
UKRAINE (formerly USSR)
Dear President Kravchuk,
Please allow me to bring a serious matter to your attention. Sergey
Aleksandrovich Osnach, a 21-year-old, was arrested on April 4, 1991, in
the town of Shostka in the Sumy Region of Ukraine. He was charged with
evasion of regular call-up to active military service under Article 72
or the Ukrainian Criminal Code. He subsequently was sentenced to 18
months compulsory labor.
Sergey Osnach refused his compulsory military service on the grounds
that the Soviet Army did not defend the motherland and the nation, but
the socialist choice. I understand that current law offers no civilian
alternative to military service. I further understand that while
compulsory labor is less severe than imprisonment at a corrective labor
colony, prisoners remain under surveillance. The independent human
rights organization Amnesty International regards these restrictions to
be analagous to imprisonment.
The United Nations recognizes that conscientious objection to military
service is a legitimate exercise of the right of freedom of thought,
conscience, and religion. Amnesty International has appealed for the
immediate and unconditional release of Sergey Aleksandrovich Osnach. I
join that appeal, and urge that a non-punitive civilian alternative
service be made available to those whose conscience or profound
convictions do not permit them to serve in the military.
Respectfully and sincerely,
|
| 95.40 | Amnesty Int'l March 1992 Freedom Writers letters | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Fri Mar 20 1992 13:13 | 182 |
|
Following are the March 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
China - Wei Jingsheng, prisoner of conscience
Greece - Maria Nikolaidou, torture and ill-treatment
Sri Lanka - K. Suvendran, disappearance
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Premier Li Peng
Guowuyuan
Beijingshi
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency,
I appeal to you on behalf of Wei Jingsheng, who begins his fourteenth
year in prison this March for advocating democracy. He was arrested on
March 29, 1979, and charged with "counter-revolutionary activities" in
connection with his efforts to further democracy in China.
Most of the charges resulted from his political writings, including an
article called "The Fifth Modernization," which he placed on Beijing's
Democracy Wall. In the article he argued that "The Four
Modernizations" espoused by Deng Xiaoping were insufficient and that
Chairman Deng needed to include democracy and human rights in his
modernization program for the country. As a result of his activities,
Wei Jingsheng was sentenced in October 1979 to 15 years' imprisonment
and three years' deprivation of civil rights.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers Wei Jingsheng to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely
for the non-violent expression of his beliefs. The world has not
forgotten the courage shown by Wei Jingsheng in the expression of these
beliefs. I respectfully urge you to grant his immediate and
unconditional release.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Zhu Qizhen
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Michalis Papakonstandinou
Minister of Justice
96 Messogion Avenue
115 27 Athens
GREECE
Dear Minister,
I am greatly concerned about an event which took place in your country
on November 2, 1991. On this day, Maria Nikolaidou and 32 others were
detained by six police officers in Athens while putting up posters
criticizing police actions taken at a recent demonstration. They were
taken to the headquarters of the Geniki Asfaleia (General Security) on
Alexandras Avenue where they were allegedly tortured and ill-treated.
Maria Nikolaidou has stated, "Although I am three months' pregnant and
informed the police of this immediately, they did not hesitate to hit
me on my head on the 12th floor of the General Security. More
specifically, a senior plainclothes police officer who was sitting in
an office, came out of his office, grabbed me by my hair and beat my
head against the wall violently, abusing me with foul language."
Fifteen of the detainees lodged a formal complaint against the police
on November 4, 1991. All female prisoners were subjected to body
searches, allegedly carried out under irregular conditions, in full
view of male policemen. Following their trial in November 1991, the
detainees were released after being sentenced to six months'
imprisonment for illegal posting of bills and verbal abuse. They are
currently free pending appeal.
The human rights organization Amnesty International has expressed
concern regarding the allegations of torture, particularly the
continued abuse of Maria Nikolaidou even though she had informed police
that she was pregnant. I urge you to ensure that a thorough and
impartial inquiry is conducted into these allegations of torture and
ill-treatment, and that steps are taken to prevent similar
ill-treatment of detainees in the future.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Christos Zacharakis
Embassy of Greece
2221 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency President R. Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Your Excellency,
I would like to obtain your assistance on a very important matter which
has come to my attention. On June 15, 1990, K. Suvendran, an
18-year-old Tamil man, was arrested along with 34 other people by Sri
Lankan Army personnel at the Trincomalee Base Hospital in Trincomalee
District. Since then, the authorities have provided no information to
his family as to his whereabouts or his physical or legal status.
I understand that the Sri Lankan armed forces operate under difficult
circumstances in the context of armed conflict with opposition groups.
These circumstances cannot, however, justify "disappearances" or other
human rights violations. I welcome the recent announcement of the
government's acceptance of the independent human rights organization
Amnesty International's recommendations to improve the protection of
human rights in Sri Lanka. I hope that the implementation of these
recommendations will safeguard the human rights of the people of Sri
Lanka.
I appeal to you to investigate the "disappearance" of K. Suvendran and
to take all necessary steps to ensure his well-being. Thank you for
your assistance.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency W. Susanta de Alwis
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist
Republic of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.41 | Israeli gov't response | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Fri Mar 20 1992 13:17 | 7 |
|
I received a letter from the Israeli Ministry of Justice in response to
the November Freedom Writers letter regarding Abie Nathan. If you'd
like a copy, send me mail. It's too long to type in.
Phyllis
|
| 95.42 | | SPICE::PECKAR | Shadow skiing the apocalypse | Fri Mar 20 1992 17:31 | 8 |
|
Phyllis,
Could you paraphrase?
Thanks
Fog
|
| 95.43 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Fri Mar 20 1992 18:24 | 66 |
|
Ok.
Basically they start by saying they don't doubt the sincerity of my
inquiry and criticism but wonder whether I have the facts straight.
They recount some of the history of Israel and the PLO. "...Despite
attempts to moderate its image in the Western media, the PLO remains
officially committed to its declarerd goal of eliminating the State of
Israel..." Then this paragraph:
"The Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance made participation in the PLO
unlawful, but originally did not include any restrictions regarding
contact with such terrorist organizations. As a result, terrorist
organizations took advantage of Israel's open democratic system to
further their ends. In 1986 Israel's parliament found it necessary to
broaden the scope of the Ordinance by also outlawing unauthorized
contact with terrorist organizations. However, taking into
consideration certain human and social necessities, the law provides
for special exceptions including: (i) meetings with family members
known to belong to terrorist organizations, (ii) assisting relatives in
distress who are members of such organizations; (iii) attending
international press conferences; and (iv) participating in
international academic symposia in which terrorists take part."
Then they go on to talk about how Abie Nathan has "demonstratively and
flagrantly made a mockery of a law of the State by openly meeting with
Yassir Arafat and other leaders of the PLO.."
He has been arrested several times for different meetings with Arafat
and has received varying sentences. Abie always claims that his meetings
are within the framework of the Ordinance, the gov't always disagrees.
"It has been claimed by Amnesty Int'l that Abie Nathan is a prisoner of
conscience. This is not the case. The issue here is not Abie Nathan's
motivation or character. He went a step beyond exercising his right to
free expression; rather than pursuing a change of the law through the
democratic process, he intentionally and blatantly disregarded the law.
...Hence, Abie Nathan has been tried and convicted, not for his
opinions or his expression of them, but for his actions which were a
blatant violation of the law. Moreover, it is unacceptable for any
private citizen, without the consent of the government, to appoint
himself to conduct personal negotiations with members of a terrorist
organization."
"Abie Nathan....received a fair trial in accordance with the Israeli
judicial system which provides the right to appeal to the Supreme Court
and to request a presidential pardon....A pardon cannot be considered
as long as Nathan does not publicly retract his statement that he
intends to break the law upon his release."
They end with some discussion of AI:
"...Without wishing to question the noble objectives of AI, we regret
that their record is not always one of true objectivity and full
impartiality in matters concerning Israel. Over the years, AI has
demonstrated overzealousness to find fault with nearly every security
measure adopted by the Israeli authorities, while simultaneously
showing indifference to acts of murder, torture, and hostage taking
committed by Palestinian terrorist factions against Israelis and Arabs
alike."
The letter is signed by Tamar Gaulan, Adv. Director, Human Rights and
International Relations Dept.
|
| 95.44 | grrr | SPICE::PECKAR | Shadow skiing the apocalypse | Fri Mar 20 1992 20:46 | 7 |
|
Thanks.
..not a single mention of international law; just ramblings on in a vain, but
nicely packaged PR-like attempt to justify their own oppressive policies/laws
curtailing freedom of speech, right to assembly, and other basic rights...
|
| 95.45 | | CLOSUS::BARNES | | Wed Mar 25 1992 14:37 | 8 |
| not to mention their right to protect themselves.... sad, sad
situation, always has been, always will be...
"Children of Isreal, what's yer story?, killin each other for a piece
of land..."
rfb
|
| 95.46 | Abie Nathan released from prison | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Mon Apr 06 1992 17:48 | 23 |
|
The following is extracted from the March 30 edition of "Israel Line", an
electronically-distributed summary of major stories in the Israeli press.
Abie Nathan Released from Prison Today
Today's DAVAR reports that Israel's President, Chaim Herzog,
yesterday converted the rest of Abie Nathan's sentence to a
suspended sentence. This allowed Nathan to leave prison today after
he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for meeting with
terrorist leader Yasser Arafat. The President decided to cut
Nathan's sentence short, after Nathan stated he wouldn't violate
the law any more. Israel Radio quotes Abie Nathan who said upon
leaving prison that in the next three months he'll move to promote
the peace process only within the framework of the law. However, he
stated that he believes this law will be changed after the upcoming
elections, and talks with P.L.O. people will be permitted.
Today's Israel Line was prepared by Gideon Sa'ar and Robert
Socolof.
|
| 95.47 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writer Letters - April 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Mon Apr 13 1992 14:26 | 187 |
|
Following are the April 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Philippines - Guarina Celso - extrajudicial execution
Sudan - Ali al-Nahi al-Sakhi - fear of torture
Tunisia - Moncef Triki - prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
General Renato S. de Villa
Secretary of National Defense
Department of National Defense
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
1110 Quezon City
PHILIPPINES
Dear General:
I write to express my concern regarding a matter of great importance.
On July 13, 1989, Guarina Celso, another woman, and a man were arrested
by a group of 50 men identified as soldiers from the 19th Infantry
Battalion and members of a local Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit
(CAFGU) in sitio Batac, Mondragon, Northern Samar. They were arrested
after a CAFGU member had accused Celso and the other woman of being
members of the New People's Army.
The arrested man subsequently escaped, and later testified that the two
women were taken to a house where they were beaten, raped, and brutally
tortured. He also stated that the next day the two were taken by the
military and CAFGU members to a place near a river in barangay
Flormina, Mondragon, where they were further tortured, then stabbed to
death and buried nearby. Members of a regional office of the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) later found freshly dug soil and
forensic evidence at the site, although the bodies had been moved.
In August 1989, relatives filed a complaint against the suspected
perpetrators. At a hearing conducted by the CHR in October, a military
colonel said that the two women had been released from custody before
being raped and killed. The CHR chairman accepted this denial without
question and declared that the regional CHR office had "fabricated" the
case and accused the eyewitness of false testimony.
To the knowledge of the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, no further action has been taken on this case and no
arrests have been made. I urge that a fresh and impartial
investigation into the killings be undertaken, and those found
responsible be brought promptly to justice.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Emmanuel Pelaez
Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
<name>
<address>
<date>
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan al-Bashir
Head of State and Chairman of the NSRCC
People's Palace
P.O. Box 281
Khartoum
SUDAN
Your Excellency:
I appeal to you on behalf of Ali al-Mahi al-Sakhi, a foundry worker and
president of the banned Sudan Mint Workers' trade union, who was
reportedly arrested in the third week of November 1991 in Khartoum for
his political activities. Three others were reportedly arrested around
the same time, apparently in connection with the circulation of
opposition pamphlets. All four are believed to be held without charge
or trial in "ghost houses," or secret detention centers.
I understand that Ali al-Mahi al-Sakhi and the other men are at risk of
torture, which is routine in "ghost houses." According to the
independent human rights organization Amnesty International, more than
60 people arrested since November 1989 and placed in these centers have
been tortured by members of a security service known as "the Security
of the Revolution."
I urge that you look into this matter and see that Ali al-Mahi al-Sakhi
and the others are immediately and unconditionally released unless they
are to be charged with a recognizably criminal offense and brought
promptly to trial. Should they be charged, I join Amnesty
International in requesting that precautions be taken to ensure that
they are humanely treated.
Most respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla
Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan
2210 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
President de la Republique
Palais Presidentiel
Tunis/Carthage
TUNISIA
Your Excellency:
Please allow me to bring a great injustice to your attention. Moncef
Triki, president of the Tunis office of the Association for the Defense
of Human Rights and Public Liberties, was arrested on May 11, 1991. He
was held incommunicado in Bouchoucha Detention Centre for nearly two
months, over 40 days beyond the maximum 10-day period allowed by
Tunisian law. In July 1991 he was transferred to 9 Avril Prison in
Tunis. He reportedly is being held virtually naked for up to four days
at a time in cachots (small, damp isolation cells).
Moncef Triki was tried on August 1, 1991 for membership in al-Nahda, an
illegal Islamic organization, and for holding an unauthorized meeting,
although no evidence of any such meeting was presented in court. He
denied all charges and said that he had been severely tortured. The
court failed to consider the allegations of torture and prolonged
incommunicado detention.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers Moncef Triki to be a prisoner of conscience. I urge that you
look into this matter, and secure the immediate and unconditional
release of Moncef Triki.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Ismail Khelil
Embassy of Tunisia
1515 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
|
| 95.48 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - May 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Fri May 22 1992 15:00 | 190 |
|
Following are the May 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
India - Parvati Rusankote - sexual assault
Kuwait - 'Umar Abu Shanab - incommunicado detention
Mauritania - Corporal Sy Oumar Aliou - death in detention
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Mr. Sudhakarrao Naik
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Office of the Chief Minister
Mantralaya
Bombay 400 032
Maharashtra
INDIA
Dear Chief Minister:
I am deeply concerned about Parvati Rusankote, a 25-year-old woman from
the Bhagdi Dhangar tribe, who was reportedly detained and sexually
abused by police in Tuljapur. On the evening of June 21, 1990, a group
of drunken policemen from the Tuljapur police station had tried to rape
Parvati Rusankote until her brother Namdeo Atak intervened. Both were
thrown into a jeep and taken to the police station. At the station,
Parvati Rusankote, who was five months' pregnant, was reportedly beaten
and sexually abused by policemen and Namdeo Atak beaten to death.
Parvati Rusankote says that her brother died after four hours of
beating.
A medical examination at the Civil Hospital reportedly found forty
marks of external injuries and many broken bones on the body of Namdeo
Atak, according to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International. The molestation of Parvati Rusankote and the death of
her brother were condemned in the state assembly. All the policemen
allegedly involved were suspended and the then Chief Minister, Sharad
Pawar, instituted an inquiry by the Criminal Investigative Department
(CID) into the incident, promising that the victim's family would be
compensated. It is unknown whether the CID inquiry was held or whether
prosecutions have taken place.
I appeal to you to look into this matter. I am very concerned about
the reported sexual abuse of Parvati Rusankote and the death under
torture of Namdeo Atak. I urge you to institute an independent and
impartial inquiry into the incident, and bring to justice the
responsible parties.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Abid Hussain
Embassy of India
2107 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency Ahmad al-Hammoud al Jaber
Minister of Interior
Ministry of Interior
Safat
KUWAIT
Your Excellency:
I write to you about a matter of great urgency. 'Umar Shehadeh
'Abdallah Hamdan Abu Shanab is a 31-year-old Palestinian hospital
worker of Jordanian nationality who reportedly is being held
incommunicado at Kuwaiti Central Prison. He was arrested at al-Razi
Hospital in February 1991 and was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment
following an unfair trial by the Martial Law Court the following June.
He was charged with "collaboration" during Iraq's occupation of Kuwait
for allegedly giving medicine to Iraqi soldiers who came to the
hospital for treatment.
According to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, legal proceedings in Kuwait's collaboration trials were
defective in all critical phases. Amnesty also has expressed concern
that 'Umar Shehadeh 'Abdallah Hamdan Abu Shanab allegedly was tortured
while in detention. Although he was allowed family visits following
his conviction, he once again is being denied visits and his relatives
are not permitted to communicate with him. They fear that he continues
to be tortured.
I urge that 'Umar Shehadeh 'Abdallah Hamdan Abu Shanab be given
immediate access to his relatives and to legal counsel, that an
immediate and impartial investigation into his alleged torture be
established, and that his case be reviewed. Most urgently, I implore
you to take steps to ensure his physical and mental well-being.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Shaikh Saud Nasir al-Sabah
Embassy of Kuwait
2940 Tilden Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Son Excellence M. le Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid' Ahmed Taya
President du Comite militaire de salut national
La Presidence
B.P. 184
Nouakchott
MAURITANIA
Monsieur le President:
There is a serious situation which recently has come to my attention.
Corporal Sy Oumar Aliou is among several thousand black Mauritanians,
most of them members of the Hal-Pulaar or Fula ethnic group, who were
arrested in November or December 1990 following an alleged plot to
overthrow the government, which is dominated by a different community,
the Moors. The authorities, however, presented no evidence that a real
plot had existed, and the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International believes it is likely that most were arrested because of
their ethnic origin. He was reportedly held at Nouadhibou.
Amnesty International has raised concerns that Corporal Sy Oumar Aliou
may have died as a result of torture in illegal incommunicado
detention. I am concerned that those responsible for the prisoner may
not have been acting in accordance with internationally accepted
standards governing the treatment of prisoners. Many political
prisoners have been killed in Mauritania recently, and most of those
deaths seem to be the direct result of torture or ill-treatment.
I respectfully request that you look into this matter. I also urge
that you ensure that adequate safequards are introduced to protect
prisoners detained in your country.
Most respectfully,
cc: Mohammed Vall Ould Ainina
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
2129 Leroy Place N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
|
| 95.49 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - June 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Tue Jun 09 1992 15:55 | 183 |
|
Following are the June 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Bahrain - Salah 'Abd Allah Hubail al-Khawaja - possible prisoner of
conscience
Myanmar - U Than Nyunt - prisoner of conscience
Turkey - Nazmiye Sevgin - disappearance
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Highness Sheikh Isa Bin Sulman Al-Khalifa
Office of His Highness The Amir
P.O. Box 555
The Amiri Court
Rifa'a Palace
Rifa'a
STATE OF BAHRAIN
Your Highness:
An important matter has recently come to my attention. Salah 'Abd
Allah Hubail al-Khawaja was a university student when he was arrested
in Saudi Arabia by Saudi authorities on November 2, 1988. They
subsequently handed him over to the Bahraini Security and Intelligence
Service.
After 11 months in detention, Salah al-Khawaja was tried in January,
1990 and sentenced to seven years imprisonment on charges of belonging
to an illegal political organization. His trail reportedly fell short
of international standards, with the defendant having no access to his
lawyer until just before the trial. He currently is being detained in
cell 27 in "Jaw 2" Prison. There have been allegations of torture
during his detention, and he is reportedly in ill-health.
Amnesty International has raised concern that Salah al-Khawaja may be a
prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful expression of
his political beliefs. I share their concern, and respectfully urge
you to look into this matter. I also ask that you order an
investigation into the allegations of torture and ill-treatment of
Salah al-Khawaja, and that you ensure that he is allowed visits by his
family. Thank you for your assistance with this matter.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Abdul Rahman bin Fares Al-Khalifa
Embassy of the State of Bahrain
3502 International Drive N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
General Than Shwe
Chairman, State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Ministry of Defense
Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon
UNION OF MYANMAR (BURMA)
Your Excellency:
I am concerned about the urgent situation of U Than Nyunt, former
headmaster of Thanbyuzayat State High School, Mon State. I understand
that he was arrested in the summer of 1989. Earlier that year, he had
been demoted from his job for participating in 1988 demonstrations
calling for free and fair elections, demonstrations in which most of
the students of his school had participated. His colleagues have
stated that he participated in them in order to advise and help his
students. According to reports, he opposed confrontation with the army
and police, but joined in organizing peaceful demonstrations.
Following his demotion, U Than Nyunt found a new job as a translator on
a merchant ship trading with Singapore. The government issued a
warrant for his arrest, and he was arrested in Nhit Aing village, near
Thanbyuzayat township, after disembarking from the ship.
U Than Nyunt is believed to be a prisoner of conscience, detained for
the non-violent expression of his political beliefs. I join the
independent human rights organization Amnesty International in calling
for his immediate and unconditional release.
Most respectfully,
cc: His Excellency U Thaung
Embassy of the Union of Myanmar
2300 S Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Mr. Necdet Menzir
Istanbul Chief of Police
Istanbul Emniyet Muduru
Istanbul
TURKEY
Dear Sir:
I write to you on behalf of Nazmiye Sevgin, a 17-year-old woman who was
reportedly detained after she left her home in Istanbul on March 29,
1992. According to an official complaint submitted to the Public
Prosecutor's Office in Fatih, Istanbul, and reported in the daily
newspaper Cumhuriyet, she had been shopping when she was approached by
two men in plainclothes who took her by her arms to make her get into a
car with civilian number plates. Although she initially resisted, they
showed police identity cards, whereupon she complied.
On April 2, Nazmiye Sevgini reportedly was seen at the Political Branch
of Istanbul Police Headquarters. However, when her family made
inquiries as to her whereabouts, they were told that there was no
record of her being detained. Her mother called a press conference at
the office of the Human Rights Association in Istanbul and alleged that
officers of the Political Branch of the Istanbul police force had
harassed Nazmiye Sevgin for a long time, urging her to work for them.
Her father was detained in mid-April, but he was released the same day.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International has
expressed concern about the unacknowledged detention of Nazmiye Sevgin.
I share their concern and urge that she be granted immediate access to
her family and a lawyer if she is in detention. I further request that
you take steps to ensure that she is not subjected to ill-treatment
while detained. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Nuzhet Kandemir
Embassy of Turkey
1714 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 95.50 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - July 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Tue Jul 21 1992 18:55 | 186 |
|
Following are the July 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Guatemala - Maria Mejia, extrajudicial execution
Laos - Thongsouk Saysangkhi, prisoner of conscience
Yemen - Mansur Rajih, prisoner of conscience
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
S.E. Jorge Serrano Elias
Presidente de la Republica de Guatemala
Palacio Nacional
Guatemala
GUATEMALA
Excelentisimo Sr. Presidente,
I am deeply disturbed to hear of the death of Maria Mejia, a
47-year-old Quiche Indian who was shot dead in her home in the village
of Parraxtut Segundo Centro, El Quiche department, by two Guatemalan
military agents on March 17, 1990. Her husband, Pedro Castro Tojin,
was seriously wounded in the attack. They had received death threats
because of their membership in the Council of Ethnic Communities
(CERJ), formed in Guatemala in 1988 to defend the rights of indiginous
peoples.
Although judicial and police officials arrived the next day to
investigate, the inquiry was seriously flawed. No photographs were
taken, no attempts were made to locate material evidence, and no
autopsy was ever conducted on Maria Mejia's body. Indeed, family
members and villagers affiliated with CERJ and those who testified
about her killing were threatened, on some occasions by the two men
believed to be responsible for her murder. These two were arrested in
May, 1990, but released several days later on grounds of insufficient
evidence. Pedro Castro Tojin's testimony was declared inadmissable
because of his relationship with the victim.
I am extremely concerned about this case. I understand from the
independent human rights organization Amnesty International that few
such cases have been investigated in Guatemala. When cases have been
investigated, the investigations have reportedly been fraught with
judicial irregularities. I respectfully request that you look into
this matter and see that those responsible for the killing of Maria
Mejia are held accountable for their crime.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Juan Jose Caso-Fanjul
Embassy of Guatemala
2220 R Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Kaysone Phomvihan
Office of the President
Vientiane
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
There is a distressing situation which has recently come to my
attention. Former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Thongsouk
Saysangkhi, was arrested on October 8, 1990. He was arrested following
the circulation of a letter he wrote on August 26, 1990, criticizing
the country's political system and asking to resign from his government
post and from the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party. I
understand he also reportedly tried to establish a "social democratic
club" to promote the idea of multi-party democracy and co-wrote an
article supporting such a system.
According to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, the official news media announced that Thongsouk
Saysangkhi would be "interrogated and tried according to the country's
law" for committing "propaganda against the policies of the Party and
State" and for conducting "acitivities aimed at overthrowing the regime
and creating political disturbances in Vientiane capital." However, I
have heard of no formal charges being brought against him. I remain
concerned that he has been detained for the non-violent expression of
his beliefs, and urge you to look into this matter immediately.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Linthong Phetsavan
Embassy of the Lao People's Democratic Republic
2222 S Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency General 'Ali 'Abdullah Saleh
Chairman of the Presidential Council
Sana'a
REPUBLIC OF YEMEN
Your Excellency:
Please allow me to bring an urgent matter to your attention. In
January, 1983, Mansur Muhammad Ahmad Rajih was arrested in Yemen by
members of al-Amn al-Watani (National Security) on his return from
Lebanon where he had been a university student. He was detained for
six months, released, and rearrested eight days later. At this time,
he was taken to Shabaka Prison in the city of Ta'iz, and detained
blindfolded in solitary confinement, during which he was reportedly
tortured.
Mansur Rajih was tried in March, 1984, before the Court of First
Instance in Ta'iz for the murder of a man from his village. During his
trial, two of the prosecution "eye-witnesses" failed to identify him in
court. Defense witnesses, including relatives of the murdered victim,
were ruled by the judge to be "mentally ill." Mansur Rajih was
sentenced to death, and this sentence is pending ratification by the
Presidential Council.
I understand that Mansur Rajih has been politically active for most of
his life. He had been president of the Yemeni Student Association in
Aleppo, Syria, and Secretary General of the Organization of Arab
Students in Beirut, Lebanon. He also was a member of the National
Democratic Front (NDF), although he disassociated himself from NDF's
violent political activities. Amnesty International has declared
Mansur Rajih to be a prisoner of conscience, detained for his
non-violent political opposition to the government of the former Yemen
Arab Republic. I urge you to arrange his immediate and unconditional
release. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Most respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Mohsin A. Alaini
Embassy of the Republic of Yemen
Suite 840
600 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
|
| 95.52 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - Sept.1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | fly through the night | Fri Sep 25 1992 17:39 | 184 |
|
Following are the Sept. 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
France - Jean-Francois Lefort - prisoner of conscience
Malawi - Chakufwa Chihana - prisoner of conscience
Venezuela - Columba Guadelupe Rivas - extrajudicial execution
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Monsieur Pierre Joxe
Ministre de la Defense nationale
Ministere de la Defense nationale
14 rue Saint Dominique
75008 Paris
FRANCE
Monsieur le Ministre,
A serious matter has recently come to my attention. I would like to
express my concern over the imprisonment of Jean-Francois Lefort, a
21-year-old from Arbonne in the Basque region of southwest France, who
was arrested near the village of Larressore on May 4, 1992, following
his refusal to report for compulsory military service. He was then
apparently escorted to a military barracks in Poitiers where he refused
to put on a military uniform or to perform in any military service.
The next day, he was transferred to a civilian prison, and was
subsequently sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment for insubordination.
Jean-Francois Lefort reportedly bases his total objection to both
military and alternative civilian services on his beliefs that the
French political authorities and army are forces of occupation in the
Basque region.
The human rights organization Amnesty International believes that
individuals who claim conscientious objection should be permitted an
alternative to armed service that is not imposed as punishment for
their objection. I understand that under French law, the length of
service for those choosing alternative civilian service remains twice
that of ordinary military service. This contravenes several
international standards which hold that the length of alternative
civilian service shall not be of a punitive nature. I therefore urge
the immediate and unconditional release of Jean-Francois Lefort.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Jacques Andreani
Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
<name>
<address>
<date>
H.E. The Life President Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda
Life President of the Republic of Malawi
Office of the President and Cabinet
Private Bag 388
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI
Your Excellency,
I was concerned to hear of the arrest of Chakufwa Chihana, a political
activist and secretary general of the Southern Africa Trade Union
Coordination Council. He originally was arrested on April 6, 1992, and
detained without charge for over three months. In July, he was
released in compliance with a High Court ruling granting him bail, and
charged before a magistrates' court in Zomba on three counts of
possessing or importing seditious publications, including a copy of a
letter from several Roman Catholic bishops criticizing the government's
human rights record and one-party political system. While fulfilling
his bail condition of reporting to the police weekly, he was
re-arrested. I understand that he currently is being detained at
Mikuyu Prison.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers Chakufwa Chihana to be a prisoner of conscience, detained
solely for his non-violent political beliefs and activities. I concur
with their assessment, and urge that you look into this matter and see
that he is immediately and unconditionally released.
Most respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Robert B. Mbaya
Embassy of Malawi
2408 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Sr. Carlos Andres Perez
Presidente de la Republica
Palacio Miraflores
Caracas
VENEZUELA
Dear President Perez,
I am writing to you to express my concern about an incident which took
place in Valencia on February 4, 1992. According to reports received
by Amnesty International, state police intercepted a bus carrying
civilians and members of the military. Witnesses reported that after
the military surrendered and threw down their weapons, the police
boarded the bus and reportedly shot Columba Guadalupe Rivas, a student,
in the head as she lay on the floor of the bus. Her friend, Ivonne
Sequera, was taken off the bus, beaten, and taken to the police station
of Navas Espinola. She was released on February 6 without having been
charged with any crime.
I am especially concerned that the investigation of this incident, like
other similar ones in the past, has been transferred from a civilian
court in Valencia to military jurisdiction. Amnesty International has
repeatedly expressed its concern about the military court's failure to
properly investigate complaints of human rights violations; little or
no progress has been made in the investigations of arbitrary killings
carried out by the military during the period of suspended
constitutional guarantees in 1989.
Although I appreciate the difficulties faced by the security forces in
connection with the killings that morning, I urge a prompt, full, and
impartial investigation into the death of Columba Guadalupe Rivas and
the detention of Ivonne Sequera be carried out. I also ask that you
ensure that the security forces in Venezuela abide by the United
Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
Sincerely yours,
cc: His Excellency Simon Alberto Consalvi
Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela
1099 30th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
|
| 95.53 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - Oct. 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Wed Oct 14 1992 17:56 | 190 |
|
Following are the October, 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Central African Republic - Joseph Bendounga, prisoner of conscience
China (Tibet) - Rigzin Choenyi, prisoner of conscience
Zimbabwe - Edwin Bhundani Nleya, extrajudicial execution
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Son Excellence
le General d'Armee
Andre Kolingba
President de la Republique et Chef du RPC
Palais de la Renaissance
Bangui
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Monsieur le President de la Republique,
I am writing to you concerning the case of Joseph Bendounga, the leader
of the Democratic Movement for the Rebirth and Development of the
Central African Republic, a recently legalized political party. He was
sentenced on May 13, 1992, to eight months' imprisonment for insulting
the head of state in an open letter dated April 27, 1992. In the open
letter, he called for a national conference to debate the country's
political future. He is believed to be detained in N'garagba prison in
Bangui.
I understand that Joseph Bendounga was convicted under Article 133 of
the Central African Republic's Penal Code (outrage au Chef de l'Etat).
However, this article contradicts Article 9 of the African Charter on
Human and People's Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights. As you know, the Central African
Republic has acceded to both of these human rights documents.
The international human rights organization Amnesty International
believes Joseph Bendounga to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned
for the non-violent expression of his opinions. I respectfully request
that he be released immediately and unconditionally. I further request
that no one in the Central African Republic be imprisoned in the future
solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression or
association.
With respect,
cc: His Excellency Jean-Pierre Sohahong-Kombet
Embassy of the Central African Republic
1618 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Gyaltsen Norbu Zhuxi
Xizang Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu
1 Kang'andonglu
Lasashi 850000
Xizang Zizhiqu
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Your Excellency,
There is a matter of great urgency which I wish to bring to your
attention. In September 1989, Rigzin Choenyi, a young Buddhist nun from
Shungsep nunnery in Lhasa, took part with five other nuns in a small
gathering on the Barkor, a circular pilgrimage path and market in
Lhasa. She and the other nuns are said to have shouted slogans in
favor of Tibetan independence from China.
Rigzin Choenyi was charged with breaking martial law regulations, and
was sentenced in October 1989 to seven years' imprisonment. Three of
the other five nuns who took part in this demonstration appear to be
still detained. The three - Choenyi Lhamo, Sonam Choedron and Konchok
Drolma - are reportedly serving terms of administrative detention,
known as "re-education through labor." I understand that it is
uncertain if they have been tried.
According to the independent human rights organization Amnesty
International, Rigzin Choenyi and the three other nuns are prisoners of
conscience, detained solely for the non-violent expression of their
political views. I urge you to look into this matter and see that
these women are immediately and unconditionally released. Thank you
for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Zhu Qizhen
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency Robert Mugabe
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Office of the President
Private Bag 7700
Causeway
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Your Excellency,
I am deeply disturbed to learn of the death of Edwin Bhundani Nleya, a
36-year-old captain in the Zimbabwean national Army (ZNA), whose body
was found on a hillside in Hwange in the western province of
Matabeleland in March 1989.
Captain Nleya had been missing since January 1989, shortly after
claiming he had uncovered evidence of Zimbabwean Army officers poaching
ivorty and rhino horns and smuggling goods from Mozambique.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Captain Nleya may have been estrajudicially executed, as
he reportedly received threats from his army superiors shortly before
his death. Amnesty International also has expressed concern at several
similar cases in which individuals have died after allegedly witnessing
the army's involvement in smuggling goods from Mozambigue.
An inquest carried out in December 1989 found that Captain Nleya had
been murdered. Although a police investigation was announced in
January 1990, it appears that no such investigation has since been
mounted to determine the exact circumstances and cause of his death.
I urge you to set up an independent and impartial public inquiry into
the death of Captain Edwin Bhundani Nleya in accordance with
internationally accepted standards and to make the findings public so
that those found responsible may be brought to justice.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Stanislaus G. Chigwedere
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
1608 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
|
| 95.54 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Thu Oct 15 1992 18:42 | 65 |
|
Last letter reposted w/o the typos. Thanks for catching them, Chuck.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Excellency Robert Mugabe
President of the Republic of Zimbabwe
Office of the President
Private Bag 7700
Causeway
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Your Excellency,
I am deeply disturbed to learn of the death of Edwin Bhundani Nleya, a
36-year-old captain in the Zimbabwean national Army (ZNA), whose body
was found on a hillside in Hwange in the western province of
Matabeleland in March 1989.
Captain Nleya had been missing since January 1989, shortly after
claiming he had uncovered evidence of Zimbabwean Army officers poaching
ivory and rhino horns and smuggling goods from Mozambique.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
believes that Captain Nleya may have been estrajudicially executed, as
he reportedly received threats from his army superiors shortly before
his death. Amnesty International also has expressed concern at several
similar cases in which individuals have died after allegedly witnessing
the army's involvement in smuggling goods from Mozambique.
An inquest carried out in December 1989 found that Captain Nleya had
been murdered. Although a police investigation was announced in
January 1990, it appears that no such investigation has since been
mounted to determine the exact circumstances and cause of his death.
I urge you to set up an independent and impartial public inquiry into
the death of Captain Edwin Bhundani Nleya in accordance with
internationally accepted standards and to make the findings public so
that those found responsible may be brought to justice.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Stanislaus G. Chigwedere
Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe
1608 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
|
| 95.55 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - Nov. 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Thu Nov 05 1992 18:35 | 182 |
|
Following are the November, 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
South Africa - Johannes Mafatshe - extrajudicial execution
Syria - Burhan Nassif - prisoner of conscience
Turkey - Selahattin Simsek - unfair trial, torture
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Chief L. M. Mangope
President
Private Bag X2005
Mmabatho 8681
Bophuthatswana
SOUTH AFRICA
Your Excellency,
I would like to bring a matter of great importance to your attention.
On March 21, 1991, Johannes Mafatshe, a 22-year-old teacher and one of
a group of unarmed and peaceful demonstrators, was shot and killed in
Phokeng, in the Bophuthatswana "homeland." Bophuthatswana security
forces have admitted that they were reponsible for Johannes Mafatshe's
death; however, authorities have neither suspended the officers
involved in the unlawful shooting nor brought them to justice.
Johannes Mafatshe and many other members of the Bafokeng community had
gone to the home of their traditional leader, chieftainess Mrs.
Molotlegi, to show their support for her. Mrs. Molotlegi faced
imminent expulsion from Bophuthatswana, apparently on account of her
political opposition to your government. Security forces are said to
have used tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition to disperse the
crowd, reportedly without giving prior warning.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International is
concerned that the security forces used an unncessary degree of force
to disperse the peaceful crowd. I urge you to investigate this matter
fully and impartially, to make the findings of such an investigation
public, and to bring to justice those found responsible.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Harry Heinz Schwarz
Embassy of South Africa
3051 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President Hafez al-Assad
Office of the President
Presidental Palace
Damascus
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
Your Excellency,
I have recently learned of the situation of Burhan Nassif, a student
who was arrested in July 1983, apparently on account of his membership
in a banned political party. He has been held without charge or trial
for over nine years.
Burhan Nassif had been a student at Damascus University at the time of
his arrest. Although he was initially held in Shaikh Hassan Prison in
Damascus, it is not known where he currently is being detained.
Despite the fact that some 2,000 political prisoners were released in
Syria between December, 1991, and January, 1992, Burhan Nassif is one
of several thousand prisoners of conscience and political prisoners
still locked away in Syrian jails.
The independent human rights organization Amnesty International
considers Burhan Nassif to be a prisoner of conscience, detained for
the non-violent expression of his beliefs. I urge you to look into
this case and see that Burhan Nassif is immediately and unconditionally
released. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Walid al-Moualem
Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic
2215 Wyoming Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Mr. Seyfi Oktay
Minister of Justice
Adalet Bakanligi
06659 Ankara
TURKEY
Dear Minister,
I am pleased to learn that government officials in your country have
indicated a desire to improve Turkey's adherence to international human
rights standards, including those pertaining to fair trials. Given
your concern in this area, I would like to bring the situation of
Selahattin Simsek, a 37-year-old Kurdish schoolteacher, to your
attention. I understand that he has been in prison for more than 12
years, having been convicted of robbery and killing a policeman on
behalf of the Kurdish Workers' Party. Selahattin Simsek has
consistently denied any involvement in these crimes, and, according to
the independent human rights organization Amnesty International, his
trial was grossly unfair.
Selahattin Simsek has said that he was tortured for 23 consecutive days
while undergoing interrogation. During a two-year trial invovling more
than 500 defendants, he was allowed to see his lawyer only once. None
of the prosecution witnesses was able to identify him in court, and his
conviction was based on contradictory evidence, mainly statements
extracted by torture from his fellow defendants. In addition, he was
not permitted to see important legal documents relating to his case,
including the testimony of witnesses, until three years after the trail
ended. He was sentenced to death in 1983, although this was commuted
to a 20-year prison term in 1991. He is currently held in Bursa
Special Type Prison.
I urge that Selahattin Simsek's allegations of torture be investigated
by an impartial and independent authority, and that his case be
reviewed.
Respectfully,
cc: His Excellency Nuzhet Kandemir
Embassy of Turkey
1714 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
|
| 95.56 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - Dec. 1992 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Tue Dec 22 1992 15:17 | 189 |
|
Following are the December, 1992 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If
you would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the
Amnesty International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter
writing instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Sri Lanka - Nelson Ranjit Gunaratnam Ponniah - disappearance
Thailand - Rak Rakphong - potential prisoner of conscience
Yugoslavia - Fatima Berbic and husband
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
President R. Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Your Excellency,
I wish to bring to your attention a very serious matter. On December
9, 1990, Nelson Ranjit Gunaratnam Ponniah, a 45-year-old embalmer, was
arrested at his home at 12 Mathias Road, Batticaloa by a group of men
wearing army uniforms. There were witnesses to his detention. Since
then, the Sri Lankan authorities have given his family no information
as to his whereabouts or legal status.
I understand that the Sri Lankan Army and other security forces operate
under difficult circumstances, given the ongoing conflict with armed
opposition groups, such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. These
circumstances cannot, however, justify "disappearances" or other human
rights violations. I welcome your government's announcement in
December 1991 of its acceptance of Amnesty International's
recommendations to improve the protection of human rights in Sri Lanka.
It is my fervent hope that the implementation of these recommendations
will further the human rights of the people of Sri Lanka.
I respectfully request that you investigate the "disappearance" of
Nelson Ranjit Gunaratnam Ponniah and take all necessary steps to ensure
his well-being.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Susantha de Alwis
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Chuan Leekpai
Office of the Prime Minister
Government House
Nakhorn Pathom Road
Bangkok 10300
THAILAND
Dear Prime Minister,
I recently learned of a situation in your country which is of great
concern to me. Rak Rakphong, founder of the Santi-asoke religious
congregation, was arrested on June 18, 1989. He and many other members
of the Santi-asoke congregation are currently on trial for violating
Thailand's Penal Code and Ecclesiastical Act by allegedly impersonating
Buddhist monks and novices. Rak Rakphong, who goes by his monastic
name of Phra Phoothirak, established the Santi-asoke congregation in
1973. From then until the late 1980s, the congregation functioned
without interference from the government.
It appears that the administration of the previous Prime Mnister used
provisions of the Penal Code and Ecclesiastical Act to arrest members
of the Santi-asoke congregation for the peaceful exercise of the
internationally-recognized right to freedom of religion. I am
concerned that the arrests may have been motivated by a desire to
curtail the non-violent and legitimate political activities of many lay
members of the congregation. While governments may legitimately
regulate the practice of religion, it concerns me that authorities of
the previous administration went beyond this to restrict religious
practice in a manner which violates international human rights
standards.
Freedom of religion is a basic human right. I urge you to look into
this situation and ensure that all such charges against Rak Rakphong
and his followers are dropped. Thank you for your assistance in this
matter.
Most respectfully,
cc: His Excellency M.L. Birabhongse Kasemsri
Embassy of Thailand
2300 Kalorama Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
Delegates to the International Conference of former Yugoslavia
Case Postale 254
1211 Geneve 6 Eaux-Vives
SWITZERLAND
Dear Delegates,
As delegates to the peace conference seeking an end to the hostilities
in the areas comprising the former Socialist Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, there is a serious matter to which I would like to draw
your attention. The independent human rights organization Amnesty
International has confirmed reports of extensive human rights
violations in the republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, including massacres,
mass detentions, and arbitrary arrests. In some cases, whole villages
have been rounded up, with some of the inhabitants being sent to
detention centers and others being held hostage. Poor detention
conditions are common, and many detainees have been beaten to death.
Human rights violations have been committed by forces from all sides of
the conflict.
One example is the case of Fatima Berbic and her husband, Mustafa, who
were killed by uniformed Serbs on May 16, 1992. The two were among at
least 83 Muslims, including men, women, and children, who were
massacred in the village of Zaklopaca, near Vlasenica. According to
one woman, the population of teh village prior to the massacre was 150.
I urge you to look into this matter, and ensure that those responsible
for such crimes are held accountable. No peace settlement can be
complete without the restoration of basic human rights in the former
Yugoslav republics.
Respectfully,
cc: Slobodan Milosevic
President of the Republic of Serbia
Predsednik Republike Srbije
Srpskih Vladara 14
11000 Beograd
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA
|
| 95.57 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Wed Jan 27 1993 11:49 | 55 |
|
Hi Phyllis,
Can you post this in Grateful and ask people to call?? Thanks!
peace,
t!ng
==================================================================
Subj: Tell it to the White House!
*************************NGLTF ALERT*****************************************
Many citizens of the US are sending messages by phone and mail to the White
House urging President Clinton to NOT lift the ban on gays and lesbians in the
military. It is essential that our voices in support of ending the 50 year ban
are heard:
IMMEDIATELY DO THE FOLLOWING:
1. Telephone the White House at 202-456-1111 and tell them to LIFT THE BAN
NOW. If you get a busy signal, keep trying. It doesn't count unless you
connect.
2. Write and send by overnight mail if possible to the White House at the
following address:
President Bill Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,
Washington. D.C. 20500
3. Legislation is being introduced in the House and Senate to make the ban
enforceable by legislation. (Remember the ban was instituted through an
Executive Order 50 yrs ago - legislation could make the ban into LAW!!!) It is
essential you immediate call and write your Congressperson and Senator and let
them know you oppose such legislation. Senators are the most important right
now - VISIT THEM IN PERSON IF POSSIBLE.
4. Get all of your friends and work associates to do all of the above!!!!.
Thank you!!!
Elizabeth Birch and Curt Shepard
CoChairs Board of Directors NGLTF
% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Received: by enet-gw.pa.dec.com; id AA18491; Tue, 26 Jan 93 15:49:26 -0800
% Received: from chinacat.barra.com by corwin.barra.com (5.65/BARRA-SRV-1.3) id AA07069; Tue, 26 Jan 93 15:49:22 -080
% Received: by chinacat.barra.COM (5.65/1.34) id AA05226; Tue, 26 Jan 93 15:49:25 -080
% Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 15:49:25 -0800
% From: ting@Barra.COM
% Message-Id: <9301262349.AA05226@chinacat.barra.COM>
% To: terapn::phyllis
% Subject: can you post this in Grateful?
|
| 95.58 | | CSCMA::M_PECKAR | under eternity | Wed Jan 27 1993 14:03 | 5 |
|
If your going to do it, do it now, since Clinton's decision will be announced
later today.
Its probably made up by now, though, and I expect a "compromise"...
|
| 95.59 | Curious... | ROADKL::INGALLS | castles made of sand | Wed Jan 27 1993 14:25 | 18 |
|
My values say lifting the ban is a good thing, but my gut get's a little
uncomfortable when putting myself in the shoes of those in the military.
There's a privacy issue here that's the current basis for seperating
Men and Women into different barracks.
How's Clinton propose for this to be implemented?
Four different segregations? If only the current sepreation of the male/female
sexes are to remain, isn't this encroaching on privacy in much the same way as
eliminating all segregations would (i.e. have everyone co-habitate regardless
of sex or sex-orientation?)
I mean there's sleeping, dressing, and showering involved..
What do ye say DECheads???
Glenn_Not opposed to the idea, but wondering how it'll work...
|
| 95.60 | | STUDIO::IDE | Can't this wait 'til I'm old? | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:02 | 12 |
| All the arguments against gays in the military are the same as the ones
they used to keep blacks out and to segregate them when they finally got
in. The big difference is that the Army led the US in desegregation
because of manpower shortages during the Korean conflict. Eliminating
separate units, barracks, bathrooms, etc., was accomplished because it
saved money. There's no similar impetus for them to end the ban on
homosexuals.
When the ban finally ends, they'll find out that the gay population in
the military now is nearly the same as the general population.
Jamie
|
| 95.61 | | QUIVER::SIEGEL | The revolution wil not be televised | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:21 | 10 |
| My opinion is that the ban should be lifted and segregation of gays and
non-gays should not be necessary. If a gay person offends or propositions a
non-gay person in the shower, bathroom, barracks, etc, this should be
considered sexual harrassment and should be dealt with through the normal
channels of dealing with sexual harrassment.
If a soldier has a problem with the mere existence of a gay soldier in his/her
unit, that's their problem.
adam
|
| 95.62 | Sexual Harrassment Regardless of Sex... | LUNER::YOUNG | where is this place in space??? | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:38 | 5 |
| Man adam,
You nailed it on the head...why can't the military see it that way???
dugo
|
| 95.63 | | NRSTA2::CLARK | duck and cover | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:38 | 11 |
| What Adam said.
Being homosexual does not equate to observably practicing homosexuality.
There are plenty of gays in the military now, and I don't think
heterosexuals get attacked in the barracks shower on a regular basis
(sarcasm there).
Regarding the argument some military officers make about violence
against gays ... lifting the ban will not cause gays
to proclaim their sexual orientation to others, so this is still
under their control (as it is in society today).
|
| 95.64 | | CSCMA::M_PECKAR | under eternity | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:46 | 13 |
|
The issue isn't whether gays should be in the military or not, I think
everyone forgets that they already are: at least %10 are gay now.
The issue is whether or not those who choose not to hide their sexual
preference, or those who "get caught" should be punished for it, that is the
why this issue is coming to a head in the first place.
There are people rotting in leavenworth for no other reason than they are gay.
If Clinton lifts the ban on gays, you won't see a mad rush of gay conscripts;
the military has always been a place for homosexuals whether non-gays like it
or not.
|
| 95.65 | | RAISE::GLADU | | Wed Jan 27 1993 15:59 | 7 |
| re: Note 95.64 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR
>There are people rotting in leavenworth for no other reason than they are gay.
Is this true? I thought the military just discharged them.
Gerry
|
| 95.66 | | LANDO::HAPGOOD | | Wed Jan 27 1993 16:25 | 11 |
| <<< Note 95.64 by CSCMA::M_PECKAR "under eternity" >>>
Hey Fog,
Where'd you get those stats? the 10% of military being gay and also
what sort of people in leavenworth are rotting because they are gay
(military people? civilians?)
thanks bud,
bob
|
| 95.67 | Lift it! | ZENDIA::FERGUSON | A blues guitar echoes in my mind | Wed Jan 27 1993 16:39 | 16 |
| I say lift the ban also as it is absolutely no different then the executive
order Truman signed in 1948 allowing black people in the military. IMO, too
many non-progressive, unwilling to change, older generation folks have some
degree of "homophobia" - I suppose naturally as because gays had to always hide
in the closet up until recently, hence these people were not accustomed to
having gays as friends, acquaintences, and/or work collegues. The military
will adjust just fine I reckon...
Lift the ban.
BTW, Massachusetts is behind Clinton. Both senators support Clinton and
something like 7 out of 10 congresspeople support him as well. I wonder
where Gov. Weld stand on this issue?
Are there any people in here who feel the ban should stay in effect? If so,
what are your reasons?
|
| 95.68 | military intelligence... | ROULET::DWEST | if wishes were horses... | Wed Jan 27 1993 16:49 | 45 |
|
i too am under the impression that gays are (sometimes/usually)
discharged for homosexuality... i haven't heard of people being locked
up for it...
mho on this is that they should be allowed to serve like any one
else... the facts are that many have served, and with distinction,
in the past... i believe they will continue to regardless of the
outcome of this particular debate... the only difference will be
whether or not they are serving as openly gay...
fwiw, i think the brass have thier heads in the wrong place on this
one... even if the issue of "unit cohesion" that they are spouting off
about turns out to be true, that doesn't mean that there's no place for
gays in the military... fer instance, they still do not allow women to
serve in combat units for the same kinds of reasons, yet women continue
to make valuable contributions in other roles... if that's the issue
why can't gay service people be given similar treatment??? (for the
record, i don't believe that this is "right" either but it makes a lot
more sense than saying that gays have no place in the service)...
apparently, there is a fair amount of hypocracy in the military on this
subject... NPR ran a story yesterday about this... they focused on a
case in the navy where a gay sailor was killed by a couple of his
shipmates while on shore leave... apparently he had served on a couple
of ships prior to his last assignment and was openly gay and it was NOT
a problem... on this one ship however he was constantly harassed...
he requested a closed meeting with the Capt... was granted an "open"
meeting at which several other people were present... in this meeting
he requested an administrative discharge due to being gay... i don't
know if it was granted or not (missed that part of the story) but it
didn't matter because two of his shipmates beat him to death later on
shore leave... the nayvee now refuses to investigate or acknowledge
the gay angle, and are only investigating it as a murder case... the
fact that he was gay and constantly harassed will NOT be considered
in the court martials...
apparently regardless of the policy, you can be openly gay and serve
in some situations, but not others... it also would seem that it is
often up to the commanding officer as to whether or not action is
taken again gay service people in thier commands... makes you wonder
if thye just want the ban on the books so they can have an excuse to
get rid of some folks if ever a problem should arise...
da ve_who_sez_"let 'em serve!"
|
| 95.69 | ps. | ROULET::DWEST | if wishes were horses... | Wed Jan 27 1993 16:51 | 11 |
| also, i don't doubt that 10% number at all... i have actually heard
that the numbers for the generall population were actually more like
15%... can't recall lwhere though...
also, fwiw, i understand France, Belgium and some other European
countries have been allowing gays to serve for years with no noticable
effect...
believe it if you need it...
da ve
|
| 95.70 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:13 | 16 |
| re last
on the other hand, England and other Euro countries have the same
standards as the US military have....
I can only think of one case where a gay man was imprisioned for his
acts outside of military life, he was an officer here in COlo. in the
Army...most are discharged dishonerably.
my experiance with gays is that they want NOTHING to do with you
sexually if you are not gay...conversion is not a goal, however
IDENTIFICATION is, ie: if you are a confused highschool student
gays want the oppurtunity to "council" you...nothing to do with the
military discussion, just a sidenote
rfb
|
| 95.71 | Not so fast | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:27 | 42 |
| I'm a little rushed today but I wanted to make a few comments about
this issue. My perspective is one of a person who served in the Navy
for 4 years and knew several gays while there.
First off, but not to beat a drum louder, I'd like to see proof of
Fog's statements concerning gays being jailed. Everything I know tells
me this is false. I'd like to find out more.
Secondly, IMHO, allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the
military is nothing at all like intergrating the services was. There
are few, if any, similarities. In any case, the differences far
outweight the similarities.
The issue is not as cut and dried as it might first appear. The
question of a gay person's fittness is not really a question. Any
military person will tell you that they have "looked the other way"
when a person is believed to be gay. I personally know of at least two
commanding officers and several noncommissioned officers who went out
of their way to assist two different sailors to avoid ruining their
careers. Other than being gay they were fine sailors and the command
structure knew it.
The fact that they were gay was not a major issue. The issue was and
will continue to be behavior. Adam had it *mostly* right. Behavior's
the deal.
Issues making this situation more complex are those involving economic
issues such as housing, benefits and allotments as well as issues
concerning associations and group activism.
Clinton will be making a mistake if he unilaterally makes this
declaration. He should announce his intentions and leave it to the
Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs to work out the details.
Give 'em 6 or so months to mold it into a workable situation that
protects the rights of *everyone* and the safety of those G.I.'s who
are gay.
Just one man's opinion,
Marv
|
| 95.72 | | CSCMA::M_PECKAR | under eternity | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:34 | 8 |
|
I may be wrong about Leavenworth. I know of at least one person who was in
Leavenworth for refusing to accept a discharge on the sole basis that he was
gay. He wrote a long article I read a couple months ago which was published
in some Gay periodical, then got on the net. Its long gone, and he may be out
by now. What does it matter whether there are any in jail for this: under the
rules today, they could be legally jailed for being gay and in the military
and thats enough of a fright.
|
| 95.73 | ban the ban !? | SLOHAN::FIELDS | and we'd go Running On Faith | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:34 | 5 |
| if the military is set up so that if you join you lose your indentity
and you become one in the same then if your gay/straight/man/woman
it should not make a diffence....you give up your identity.
then why a ban ? fear......
|
| 95.74 | | STUDIO::IDE | Can't this wait 'til I'm old? | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:51 | 19 |
| re: <<< Note 95.71 by XCUSME::MACINTYRE >>>
> Secondly, IMHO, allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the
> military is nothing at all like intergrating the services was. There
> are few, if any, similarities. In any case, the differences far
> outweight the similarities.
I was trying to say that the arguments used against allowing openly gay
individuals to serve are the same, not that the situation is the same.
If anything, racially integrating the services was a huge step compared
to this.
They're currently arguing over whether Clinton has the power (through
an executive order) to do this or if it rests with Congress.
Remember the huge fuss over gay schoolteachers ten years ago? This
situation will be just as forgettable in ten years.
Jamie
|
| 95.75 | | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:52 | 20 |
| Chris,
Why would you ask a question and then answer it? Are you really
interested in knowing the reasons why the military supports a ban or
were you merely mocking them?
Fog,
How can you say that a person can be jailed for being gay? From what
I know about the Uniform Code of Military justice, that is not the case
at all. More often than not, a gay individual receives a general
discharge not a dishonorable one.
General comment: I want to repeat that things are rarely black and
white. The shades of grey on this topic are multiple. Making such a
impactful decision on this issue is like diving into a pond without
checking it depth.
Marv
|
| 95.76 | | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Wed Jan 27 1993 17:57 | 21 |
|
>I was trying to say that the arguments used against allowing openly gay
>individuals to serve are the same, not that the situation is the same.
>If anything, racially integrating the services was a huge step compared
>to this.
Understood and agreed.
>They're currently arguing over whether Clinton has the power (through
>an executive order) to do this or if it rests with Congress.
I think its obvious that he indeed has the power. I think the argument
is whether a single person should make such a decision rather and the
representatives of the general population.
>Remember the huge fuss over gay schoolteachers ten years ago? This
>situation will be just as forgettable in ten years.
Not really so I guess you made you point there.
:-)
Marv
|
| 95.77 | clarification | CSCMA::M_PECKAR | under eternity | Wed Jan 27 1993 18:14 | 13 |
|
> How can you say that a person can be jailed for being gay? From what
> I know about the Uniform Code of Military justice, that is not the case
> at all. More often than not, a gay individual receives a general
> discharge not a dishonorable one.
This individual, as I said, refused to accept a discharge which he
argued was issued soley on the basis that he came out of the locker. He
wanted to serve in the armed forces _and_ be openly gay, and was thrown in
jail as a result. He could have accepted the discharge, but that was not the
point: he was purposely testing the ban against gays.
|
| 95.78 | | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Wed Jan 27 1993 18:22 | 8 |
| Its still a little confusing but, as with just about everything,
there's more than at first meets the eye.
Thanks for the clarification.
Marv
|
| 95.79 | | SLOHAN::FIELDS | and we'd go Running On Faith | Wed Jan 27 1993 19:01 | 11 |
| Marv,
yeah I'm mocking the military....like I typed before when
you join the service you lose your indentity so if you are
white/black/gay/straight/male/female it should not be an issue.
this also must go the other way too....
if you're white/black/gay/straight/male/female you must give up
your identity freely, and be treated as equals....
Chris
|
| 95.80 | help stop domestic violence | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Fri Jan 29 1993 11:12 | 49 |
|
For political activists, or media watchdogs, or just concerned women,
here's a quick something you can do to help prevent and stop domestic
violence.
Super Bowl Sunday - which this year is January 31, here in southern
California at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena - is the single worst day for
domestic violence in the USA. There is an increase of as much as 40%
in the volume handled by domestic violence shelters on this day.
To try to stem this tide of violence, the Women's Action Coalition
(WAC) of Los Angeles is supporting the campaign by Fairness and
Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR) to convince NBC (the network carrying the
game) to carry two Public Service Announcements on domestic violence
during the Super Bowl this year. Anna Quindlen of the New York Times
wrote a fine editorial in the 1/17/93 edition of the Times supporting
this effort as well.
WAC is suggesting that letters/faxes be sent asap to NBC. Here is a
sample letter:
Dick Ebersol
President, NBC Sports
NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Dear Mr. Ebersol:
We (I) support FAIR's request that you air two Public Service
Announcements on domestic violence during the Super Bowl game. The
Super Bowl is one of the most widely viewed television events of the
year; it is also the day, according to women's shelters, when calls for
help increase by as much as 40%.
Your broadcast of the Super Bowl will reach a huge audience. By your
airing PSAs, NBC will be bringing to a national audience the critical
and important issue of domestic violence.
Sincerely,
To reach NBC by FAX: 212-664-5835.
Thanks for helping - you may save someone's life, or skeletal
structure, or eyesight. Please feel free to cross-post this anywhere.
Jennifer jrycenga@pomona.claremont.edu
|
| 95.81 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 13:54 | 4 |
| if the message here wasn't so important and, to me gastly, the previous
would almost be funny. What a sad thing, that men abuse women more on
the "most important day of football" (he says sarcastically)
rfb whose b-day coincides with^^^^^ gggrrrrrr
|
| 95.82 | | STAR::HUGHES | Captain Slog | Fri Jan 29 1993 14:08 | 6 |
| Yeah, I was a little surprised to see that on the news this morning. I
was even more surprised that noone mentioned the obvious (to me at
least) connection that it is probably also one of the peak alcohol
consumption days.
gary
|
| 95.83 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 14:26 | 4 |
| re alcohol...no excuse, I drink like a fish and don't beat my
wife....(I do beat my kids, though...)
rfb
|
| 95.84 | sad days... | SMURF::PETERT | rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty | Fri Jan 29 1993 14:29 | 8 |
| > least) connection that it is probably also one of the peak alcohol
> consumption days.
I wonder if there's any correlation between abuse and abuser being a
fan of the losing team? Personally I don't watch football. Too violent.
I miss Larry Bird....
PeterT
|
| 95.85 | fuutbahl, you-bet... :^P | ROADKL::INGALLS | castles made of sand | Fri Jan 29 1993 15:12 | 17 |
|
Of course the violent nature of football itself would heve nothing to do with
it either :^/
One of my favorite days to go skiing -- a lot of people are inside, but might
be going to see the Aztec exhibit at the Denver Museum this year.....
>> wife....(I do beat my kids, though...)
I'm sure smileys were intended here....
My fax is on the way...
Glenn
|
| 95.86 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 15:16 | 3 |
| no, no smileys intended %^)....screams more like it.....%^)
rfb
|
| 95.87 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 15:20 | 11 |
| BTW, our co-op here in Colo Spgs has some grate t-shirts for sale..
called SPEAK OUT...on the back is the "When they came for the ...."
quote on the front is says SPEAK OUT and has the pink triangle and the
red triangle. Pink, during the Nazi days, (are we over those yet??)
was of course to ID gays and red was to ID all who fell in the catagory
of "political dissadent" ...the quote is from a Protestant Minister who
was imprisoned by the Nazis...he obviuosly thought since he wasn't a
Jew, gay or a political dissadent he would be left alone, thus the
quote....GRATE SHIRT!!!! my daughter has one too...
rfb
|
| 95.88 | | RAISE::GLADU | | Fri Jan 29 1993 15:35 | 3 |
| I thought the red traiangle was to ID Bass Ale. ;-)
ger
|
| 95.89 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 15:59 | 3 |
| not the UPSIDEDOWN red triangle ger, unless yer drinking from a VERY
prone position!!!!!!! %^)
rfb
|
| 95.90 | all men were created equal... | SALEM::MARKIEWICZ | enfant de l'Univers | Fri Jan 29 1993 17:03 | 13 |
| I believe the ban on gays in the military should be lifted. IMHO hte
reason the military is so against lifting the ban is that elitism is
rampant. I'm still reeing from the Tailhook incident.
I think all the talk about segregating gays is a red herring. I do
realize however that many Americans are homophobic IMHO. I remember
the day in 1961 that two women were assigned to the same assembly
line I was on at HOrton & Hubbard in Nashua. Word quickly spread
that they were gay. So many employees stated that they would not
work next to the two new hires that they were "let go". I think
I stopped believing that this was a free country then. When all
are free, every race, color, religious affiliation, and sexual
preference, then I will be free.
|
| 95.91 | | CXDOCS::BARNES | | Fri Jan 29 1993 17:36 | 1 |
| excellent rose, excellent......STAND UP and SPEAK OUT!!!!
|
| 95.92 | seems like there's more to it... | ROADKL::INGALLS | castles made of sand | Fri Jan 29 1993 17:50 | 38 |
|
Let me first state that IMO the ban should be lifted... I was just curious
how people feel about the integration process.
Currently men and women are seperated I believe in order to control sexual
activity and to enforce sexual discretion. I also believe men and women
are seperated in sleeping and washing/showing facilities to provide a minimum
sense of privacy, my assumption that this privacy is defined as privacy from
being viewed and/or lusted after by another person, otherwise why have men and
women seperate?
I'm curious whether people propose to continue to provide this privacy, or
should we simply integrate everyone? If against a full integration, then
how do you enforce sexual discretion among the gay population that will
be sleeping and bathing in the same area? How do you continue to provide
the privacy that currently exists - granted most gays will only lust after
other gays, but I'm also believe that it does happen where gays will lust after
hetero's in much the same way that hetero's will lust after another hetero
regardless of whether mutual interest exists or not.
To me personally, sleeping and showing amongst gays would be a none issue (too
each their own), but to me it would also be an one issue to be sleeping,
showering and bathing with women ;^). I'm just trying to see it from the point
of view of. for example, a women that does not desire to sleep, bath or shower
with men or lesbians not because she hates men and lesbians, but because she
desires a sense of privacy. I don't think you could classify these feelings in
the same category as homophobia, since the person feels the same way about men
even though their sexual preference is hetero.
I'm probably missing something obvious, so please don't flame me.
Like I said I think the ban should be lifted, I just would like some opinions
on these sticky issues that I believe should be addressed. Maybe these issues
should be ignored and just say "tough" to those that may be uncomfortable - I
don't know.
Glenn
|
| 95.93 | my $.02 | JURAN::DCLARK | Monorail! Monorail! | Mon Feb 01 1993 13:57 | 4 |
| I didn't watch the Stupid Bowl. I didn't beat up my wife either.
Must be a strong correlation.
- Dave
|
| 95.94 | | LASSIE::TRAMP::GRADY | Short arms, and deep pockets... | Mon Feb 01 1993 14:15 | 20 |
| Re: Super Bowl Domestic Violence.
Sure enough, today's news revealed an arrest last night in Roxbury, which
is outside of Boston, of an alleged domestic homicide. This was the only
one in the news, but I'm sure there's others. The interesting twist, here,
is that the victim was a man, and the suspect was female....so much for
sexual stereotypes and assumptions about domestic violence. She allegedly
stabbed him to death.
Re: Gays in the military
U.S. Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, an openly gay public official,
has a good point about this. Gays have been sharing showers and sleeping
quarters with straights for decades. What's so different about it now that
it's out in the open?
I admire Clinton's courage to go against the popular tides on this one. I
hope the result ends up vindicating him in the polls...
tim
|
| 95.95 | What we need is love, sweet love! | ZENDIA::FERGUSON | A blues guitar echoes in my mind | Mon Feb 01 1993 16:35 | 17 |
| re <<< Note 95.90 by SALEM::MARKIEWICZ "enfant de l'Univers" >>>
-< all men were created equal... >-
> When all
> are free, every race, color, religious affiliation, and sexual
> preference, then I will be free.
Bob Marley comes to mind:
"Until the day when a man's skin is of no more
significance than the color of his eyes, there
will be war."
|
| 95.96 | don't jump just yet... | SMURF::PETERT | rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty | Mon Feb 01 1993 16:35 | 10 |
| > This was the only one in the news, but I'm sure there's others. The
> interesting twist, here, is that the victim was a man, and the suspect was
> female....so much for sexual stereotypes and assumptions about domestic
> violence. She allegedly stabbed him to death.
Until the facts (whatever those are) are in, it's too soon to say this is
a twist on the tale. Many battered women are currently in jail because
they ended up killing their abuser.
PeterT
|
| 95.97 | | LASSIE::TRAMP::GRADY | Short arms, and deep pockets... | Mon Feb 01 1993 20:41 | 16 |
| Yeah, I know, but I get so sick of the issue of domestic violence being
portrayed as strictly one-sided.
Now, before all the women reading this decide to beat me to a pulp, let
me say that I could not live half my live in the south and not
recognize that there are a whole lot more people of my gender who are
prone to violence than there are women of that persuasion. But
violence is not the only form of domestic abuse, and I think it's
healthy to remember that pathological behaviour is not necessarily
alligned along gender boundaries.
I didn't see the news article as a vindication as much as it merely had
a certain flavor of irony...I like that...
tim
|
| 95.98 | I'm OK - You're OK | MRNGDU::YETTO | the future is here | Tue Feb 02 1993 12:05 | 12 |
|
> Now, before all the women reading this decide to beat me to a pulp, let
why would I beat you to a pulp? You raise a good point, that violence
(like just about anything) is not one-sided. Everything in life has
a tendency, for example racism tends to be negative towards blacks,
sexism tends to be negative towards women but there are no absolutes.
When we truly understand the meaning of those words we know that.
I know that and I agree with your points.
Lisa
|
| 95.99 | Super Sunday no worse/better than any other | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Tue Feb 02 1993 12:15 | 27 |
| Today's Boston Globe, page 1, lower left corner, is running a story
stating that the Super Bowl/domestic violence connection is bogus and
that the media, in particular NBC, got suckered.
"It was not quite accurate," Steven Rendell, a spokesman for Fairness
and Accuracy in Reporting, said of his group's assertion that reports
of domestic violence increased 40 percent on Super Bowl Sundays. "It
should not have gone out in FAIR material."
.
.
.
The error, in additino to several others by women's rights activists
that were highlighted in a Washington Post article on Sunday, threatens
the credibility of the movement to curb domestic violence, according to
several advocates for battered women.
----------------------------------------------------------------
There is quite a bit more in the lengthly article. I might get a
chance to post the whole thing. If someone else can and cares to do
so, please feel free.
As has been pointed out by others in here several times (usually where
the government is concerned), you can't believe everything you read.
Marv
|
| 95.100 | | XCUSME::MACINTYRE | | Tue Feb 02 1993 12:17 | 7 |
| My previous entry was provided solely for your information.
My personal feelings are that any and every day is a bad one for a
battered person (male or female).
Marv
|
| 95.101 | | ZENDIA::FERGUSON | A blues guitar echoes in my mind | Tue Feb 02 1993 13:23 | 6 |
| Marv,
I read that article also! Basically, that organization ("FAIR") pulled one
over on the media... how it got by is beyond me. It basically says there
is no hard data on to support the fact that woman are beaten up more on
Stupor Bowl sunday then any other time of the year...........
|
| 95.102 | President Clinton's email address! | DEDHED::Spine | Tom Spine | Tue Feb 02 1993 14:14 | 20 |
| This is as good a place as any for this, I suppose. Mods, if you want to
move this to someplace more visible, go ahead...
tms
[forwards removed]
From: VERGA::BECK "Phyllis 223-5313" 1-FEB-1993 08:28:22.61
To: @WOMEN.DIS
CC: BECK
Subj: to send President Clinton a mail message
use this address:
DECWRL::"clintonpz@aol.com"
Isn't it great to have a president who's in touch with the times?
Phyllis
|
| 95.103 | | LANDO::HAPGOOD | | Tue Feb 02 1993 14:38 | 7 |
| >>>how it got by is beyond me.
Lemmings ring a bell??
What bandwagon?
bob
|
| 95.104 | | STAR::HUGHES | Captain Slog | Tue Feb 02 1993 16:56 | 16 |
| The violence/superbowl connection certainly suckered in a lot of
people, myself included. I guess I let my dislike of "organised sports
interfering with my life" get the best of me.
New Engalnd Cable News had a long interview Sunday am with a
psychologist who runs some organization to help vicitms of domestic
violence. The interviewer raised the question of alcohol and it's role.
He responded that alcohol may make it easier to become violent, but it
is never the cause. FWIW.
re .95 (Bob Marley quote)
Aren't the words to that song a speech by H.I.M. Haile Selassie? Isn't
that what Sinead O'Connor sang on SNL?
gary
|
| 95.105 | More on Whitehouse Email | ESGWST::MIRASSOU | | Tue Feb 02 1993 20:16 | 36 |
| More info on Whitehouse email...
[forwards removed]
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 19:49:00 EST
Subject: From the White House
From: The White House <75300.3115@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: RE: Your message
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| 95.106 | Amnesty Int'l Freedom Writers Letters - April 1993 | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | in the shadow of the moon | Fri Apr 30 1993 16:05 | 209 |
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Following are the April 1993 Amnesty International Freedom Writers
letters. These are three cases that AI feels could benefit NOW from
direct correspondence with the governments involved. These letters
must be sent no later than one month from today, and should be sent as
is, with only personal info (name, address, etc.) modifications. If you
would prefer to write personalized letters, please access the Amnesty
International notesfile at GAMBLN::AMNESTY for letter writing
instructions. Note that copies should be sent to the appropriate
embassy leaders in Washington.
In this issue:
Haiti - Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste - disappearance
Kuwait - 'Awatif Qasim Muhammad 'Ali al-Maliki - disappearance
Sri Lanka - Muthusamy Ravindran and 15 others
Airmail postage is .50cents for a one-page letter.
peace,
Phyllis
<name>
<address>
<date>
Monsieur Marc Bazin
Prime Minister
Presidency of the Republic of Haiti
Palais National
Port-au-Prince
HAITI
Monsieur le Premier Ministe,
I am deeply disturbed about the "disappearance" of Jean-Robert
Jean-Baptiste following the military coup in 1991 that ousted the
government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Jean-Robert
Jean-Baptiste, a 40-year-old father of seven, "disappeared" October 1,
1991, the day after the military coup.
I understand that Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste had been the Vice-Delegate
for Haiti's South-West Department under President Aristide's
government, representing the National Front for Change and Democracy
(FNCD), an electoral commission which had supported Aristide. Because
of his prominent position under the Aristide government and his
affiliation to the FNCD, Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste was targeted
immediately after the coup.
In March 1992, Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste's family told an Amnesty
International delegation that eyewitnesses said he had been arrested by
policemen from the 46th Police Company of Lamentin. His family members
were initially told that he had been shot by security forces, and
visited the morgue and hospitals in an unsuccessful attempt to locate
him. The family then heard rumors that he had been seen in different
detention centers, but the police continued to deny holding him. He
remains "disappeared," and his family has been threatened and
intimidated.
I join Amnesty Internationa, the independent human rights organization,
in respectfully requesting that you open a full and impartial
investigation into the whereabouts of Jean-Robert Jean-Baptiste and
bring those responsible for his detention and subsequent
"disappearance" to justice.
Most Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Jean Casimir
Embassy of the Republic of Haiti
2311 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
His Highness Shaikh Sa'ad al-'Abdullah al-Salem al-Sabah
Crown Prince and Prime Minister
Office of the Crown Prince and Prime Minister
P.O. Box 4
Safat
KUWAIT
Your Highness:
I wish to bring to your attention a matter which I find most
disturbing. At the end of February 1991, 'Awatif Qasim Muhammad 'Ali
al-Malaki, a 27-year-old Iraqi woman from al-Salmiyya, "disappeared"
after she was arrested in the street by state security forces in
Kuwait.
It is my understanding that following the chaos left behind after the
withdrawal of Iraqi forces on February 26, 1991, the Amir of Kuwait
declared a three-month period of martial law in which Kuwaiti
government forces and armed civilians immediately carried out a
campaign of arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial killings of
individuals suspected of collaborating with Iraqi forces. Many of
those detained -- including 'Awatif Qasim Muhammad 'Ali al-Malaki, --
subsequently "disappeared" and their fate and whereabouts remain
unknown. It seems that the Kuwaiti authorities have made little effort
to investigate such cases.
'Awatif Qasim Muhammad 'Ali al-Malaki's family searched various police
stations and were reportedly informed by police officers at one station
that she was in custody and would be held "indefinately." They were
told that she had been taken to a hospital, but were not given any
details about her "illness." There are fears that she may have been
severly tortured.
I join Amnesty International, the independent human rights
organization, in asking that 'Awatif Qasim Muhammad 'Ali al-Malaki
either be promptly charged with a recognizable criminal offense or
immediately released. The government of Kuwait has the responsibility
to undertake a full investigation into the whereabouts of 'Awatif Qasim
Muhammad 'Ali al-Malaki. Thank you for your timely attention regarding
this very important situation.
Most sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Shaikh Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah
Embassy of Kuwait
2940 Tilden Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
<name>
<address>
<date>
President R. Premadasa
Presidential Secretariat
Republic Square
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Dear President Premadasa:
I would like to bring to your attention a very serious matter which
deserves your consideration. On September 23, 1990, approximately 70
Sri Lankan soldiers from Kommanthurai Army Camp came in uniform to the
Eastern University refugee camp in Vantharumoolai, Batticaloa District.
They arrested and took away with them 16 young Tamil men. Their names
are: Muthusamy Ravindran, Thangavel Sureshchandar, Arumaithurai
Vimalan, Manikam Nagaiah, Thiyagarajah Ravindran, Krishnapillai Rajan,
Sinniah Karunakaran, Tharmalingam Kularajan, Saravanamuthu
Arulpragasam, Gnanamuthu Wigneswaran, Gopalan Yogarasa, Kandiah
Thavarasa, Suntharalingam Ananthan, Madhavan Krishnan, Rajadurai
Kanagan and Veerakudy Kandasaym. Since then, the Sri Lankan
authorities have given the relatives of these men no information as to
their whereabouts or legal status.
I understand that "disappearances" and other human rights committed by
the security forces in Sri Lanka take place against a background of
violent activities by armed opposition groups, which are themselves
responsible for many abuses. These circumstances cannot, however,
excuse "disappearnces" or other human rights violations. I welcome
your government's announcement in December 1991 of its acceptance of
Amnesty International's recommendations to improve the protection of
human rights in Sri Lanka. It is my fervent hope that the
implementation of these recommendations will further the human rights
of the people of Sri Lanka.
I respectfully request that you investigate the "disappearances" of
these 16 young men and take all necessary steps to ensure their
well-being. I thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
cc: His Excellency Ananda W.P. Guruge
Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
2148 Wyoming Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
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| 95.107 | | TERAPN::PHYLLIS | you are the eyes of the world | Mon Feb 07 1994 20:50 | 22 |
| My local Amnesty group is currently working for the release of a
prisoner in Kuwait. Her name is Zikrayat Mahmud Harb. She is a
Jordanian woman, living in Kuwait, who had been an editor for a Kuwaiti
newspaper. During the Iraqi invasion, Harb, along with 14 others, was
forced by the Iraqi's to work instead on an Iraqi publication,
al-Nida'. After the war, the Kuwaiti's accused the group of
collaborating with the Iraqi's, had them imprisoned, and convicted them
all after a highly suspect trial that fell far short of international
fair trial standards. Since their imprisonment, there have also been
many reports of systematic torture and ill-treatment. We are asking
the Kuwaiti government for their immediate and unconditional release.
We've generated a petition and are mailing as many copies as possible
to the Crown Prince & Prime Minister of Kuwait, with copies to the
Kuwaiti Ambassador in DC. If you would be willing to collect
signatures and mail in one of these petitions, please email me your
snailmail address and I'll send one out to you. You can either fill it
out and mail it directly to Kuwait or you can just mail the filled out
form back to me.
Pick up a pen and raise your voice for those who can't!!
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