Group 48 Newsletter - July 2009

Newsletter Amnesty International USA Group 48

07.09

In This Issue . . .

3 Tiananmen Square 20th Anniversary 5 China RAN: Fear of Torture and Other Ill-Treatment

Sofia Heniques Stock.Xchng

1 Central African Republic: Protect Children from Abduction and Violence

7 Central America RAN: Fear For Safety MEXICO 8 Iran: Detained Political Leaders at Risk of Torture, Possibly to Force “Confessions” AIUSA-Group 48 http://aipdx.org 503-227-1878 Next Meeting: Friday July 10th First Unitarian Church 1011 SW 12th Ave 7:00pm informal gathering 7:30pm meeting starts

NewsLetter Designed By Michelle Whitlock MichelleWhitlock.com

Central African Republic: Protect Children from Abduction and Violence

Amnesty International is concerned

Central African Republic (BONUCA), which is to be succeeded by the United about the ongoing instability in the north including the kidnapping of chil- Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office (BINUCA). As Ethiopia’s representative dren, sexual violence against women, to the African Union Peace and Security the use of child soldiers, extrajudicial executions, lack of humanitarian access, Council, she has been involved in deliband ongoing impunity for perpetrators erations on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) and she brings of human rights abuses. to her new position over twenty years of On June 4, 2009, United Nations Secre- effective diplomatic service. In this new tary General Ban Ki-moon appointed position, Ambassador Zewde can use Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia as his her influence to improve the situation Special Representative and Head of the for the children in the CAR. » UN Peacebuilding Support Office in the

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 2

Background

While recent efforts have been made to end the civil war in the Central African Republic (CAR), tens of thousands of civilians in the northern part of the country and displaced Central Africans in neighboring Chad remain in a precarious humanitarian situation. Persistent human rights violations continue as civilians are caught between a variety of uncontrolled rebel groups and armed bandits known as Zaraguinas. The government's regular Central African Armed Forces (FACA) have been ineffective in protecting civilians from these armed groups and human rights violations committed by members of the CAR armed forces have remained uninvestigated. Ongoing violence in neighboring Sudan and Chad has put additional strains on CAR’s security situation. The CAR government hosted a political dialogue in December 2008, which brought together rebel groups, opposition parties, civil society groups, and outside mediators in an effort to end the rebellions in the northeast and northwest of the country. The political dialogue concluded with President Bozizé’s pledge to form a new consensus government made up of all actors in the dialogue in preparation for the holding of municipal elections in 2009 and presidential and parliamentary polls in 2010. Renewed fighting and the rejection of the government’s peace deal by several armed groups now threaten the fragile agreement. Amnesty International is concerned about the ongoing instability in the north including the kidnapping of children, sexual violence against women, the use of child soldiers, extrajudicial executions, lack of humanitarian access, and ongoing impunity for perpetrators of human rights abuses. Action Request

Please write a letter to express concern for the thousands of children who face danger in northern CAR emphasizing the points in the following sample letter. Sample Letter

Son Excellence Sahle-Work Zewde Représentant du Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies, Bureau de l’ONU en Centrafrique (BONUCA) BP 3338 BANGUI République Centrafricaine / Central African Republic

Dear Madame Zewde, As a member of Amnesty International, I welcome you to your new post as Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral and Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA). I am writing to you out of great concern for the thousands of children who face grave peril in northern CAR due to ongoing abductions by armed bandits called Zaraguinas and the impact of the continued fighting of armed groups. Due to the continued instability in the northern region of CAR, these children’s right to life, health, security, and dignity are routinely violated with impunity. Some children have been abducted by Zaraguinas more than 10 times. Others have been killed when their families are unable to pay the ransom » AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information

Group Coordinator Joanne Lau 971-221-5450 [email protected] Concert Tabling Will Ware 503-227-5225 [email protected] Newsletter Editor Dan Webb 503-253-3491 [email protected] Treasurer Janan Stoll 503-282-8834 [email protected] Legislative Coordinator Dan Johnson 503-310-4540 [email protected]

Central Africa RAN OR State Death Penalty Coordinator Terrie Rodello 503-246-6836 [email protected] Central America RAN Marylou Noble 503-245-6923 marylou_noble@ yahoo.com Guantanamo cases & Darfur Jane Kristof [email protected] Marty Fromer 503-227-1878 [email protected] Indonesia RAN Max White 503-292-8168 [email protected]

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 3

requested. I am also gravely concerned about the children who continue to be recruited and used by armed groups in the region. Given this situation, I urge BONUCA to: ◌◌ Formulate and implement, in conjunction with the government of the CAR and civil society organizations, a detailed action plan to protect children from abduction and other other forms of violence; ◌◌ Reinforce the presence of child protection experts in the northern CAR and develop local and regional mechanisms to prevent and protect children from abductions; ◌◌Take measures to provide abducted children with access to medical treatment, including psychological support, and ensure that internally displaced children and refugee children from the CAR enjoy their basic rights.

◌◌ Help ensure that child protection is properly addressed in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process. Children are the most vulnerable members of society, and they are a nation’s most important hope for the future. I hope that you will use the power of your office to aid in restoring safety and security so that these children can experience and create that future. I look forward to receiving your response to these urgent concerns. Sincerely, More information on Amnesty International’s concerns in the Central African Republic can be found at http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/central-africanrepublic/page.do?id=1011131

c

Jeff Widener AP/PA Photos

Tiananmen Square 20th Anniversary Sherry Harbert Tiananmen Square 20th Anniversary By Sherry Harbert

Portland, Oregon, USA, June 6, 2009

Multnomah County Central Library Amnesty International Group 48, PSU Professor Bruce Gilley, PBS Frontline film, “The Tank Man,” 2007

hina’s internal relationship with its people and with the world are steeped in historical battles. Even as the nation attains global leadership, it continues to struggle with its past. Most evident of its dilemma is the annual recognition of the events of Tiananmen Square. On the 20th anniversary, members of Amnesty International Group 48 gathered to commemorate the ongoing impact of the events which still echo from Beijing 20 years ago. Bruce Gilley, an expert on China at Portland State University, opened the event with a talk on the current workings of Chinese society. Gilley first traveled to China in 1991 as an English teacher when “Tiananmen was still in the air.” His experiences inspired him to author several books about China to document its impact on global affairs and that of its internal struggle. “There’s more to China than just business,” said Gilley. Until the recent economic crisis, China and U.S. enjoyed a friendly business relationship. The economic implosion tested that relationship with China calling for currency changes and better guarantees. They were assured by both Secretaries of State and Treasury, Hillary Clinton and Timothy Geithner, »

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 4

that business comes before all other concerns. China welcomed the news.

state exerts control over all communications, both those going out and coming into the country.

So talk of Tiananmen was again put aside. When Gilley was in China in 1991, he witnessed the first wave of consequences for those who talked openly about those events. “The atmosphere was very grim,” he told the audience. His students were sent to military or factory camps to re-educate them into society. Gilley said no one dared talk of those incidents afterwards.

Tiananmen does continue to resonate with others in the world. When PBS first aired “The Tank Man” in 2006, it focused on one of the most iconic images known around the world. To this day, no one knows the name of the man who courageously walked in front of a tank and refused to allow it to move. The documentary was recently re-broadcast on PBS stations and is available in its entirety on its website, (http:// www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/).

The impact was felt throughout Chinese society. “Tiananmen wasn’t just one night or day,” said Gilley. “It was a three-year oppression.” Gilley also conveyed that Tiananmen was more than Beijing. He said that it was a mass movement that was active in over 350 cities that began in Beijing at the Institute of Science and Technology. The students began marching to push for demands they thought were essential to society—freedom of the press, expansion rights, more openness and an end to corruption. Gilley said the reason why the movement was so systematically crushed was that it attracted more than students. People from all economic levels and professions joined to push for change. “Only the Chinese leaders didn’t take part,” said Gilley. “That’s why they were so spooked.”

The film was shown at the event, followed by a question and answer session with Gilley. Gilley addressed the questions of economic impacts on the society. He said the new middle class has become so materialistic that the Party is allowing Confucianism back into daily life to fill the moral vacuum created by the breakneck speed of its economic achievements. Gilley told the audience the Party exists today on three main principles, economic growth, nationalism and governance/ infrastructure. “If you lose that, there’s no moral support of the Party,” said Gilley. He said that the Party changed its image in 2002 to represent the educated and urban citizen, while distancing itself from the rural classes of the past.

Gilley said the events of Tiananmen Square can be considered An audience member asked Gilley about his thoughts on both a failure and success. The failure of the movement is not Hong Kong. She said that Hong Kong was the Tank Man for in question, as it was rejected by the Party and still controls China today. its version of history. But he said it also was a success in that the Party had to respond to the people on some level. They “Hong Kong is very important,” said Gilley. “It passed the Bachose to provide more economic freedoms over social ones. sic Law just before Tiananmen. Beijing stuck with it after the There have been important reforms in workers’ rights, travel takeover, but is trying to change it.” He said democratic moveand even some political changes. But, it has far to go to proment is much greater in the city, but does not have much afvide true social reforms. fect on the mainland. “Most amazing to me is what little affect it has on the mainland,” said Gilley. “There’s a whole generaGilley said the momentum of Tiananmen is in danger of tion in China that doesn’t know anything of Tiananmen.” being lost. Many more people in China are experiencing economic gains at the risk of political and social reforms. The event ended with a poignant reading of “June,” one of the Few students in China even know about Tiananmen. It is not poems by Shi Tao, the journalist imprisoned for 10 years for taught in schools and the government has managed to almost forwarding a government edict about coverage of Tiananmen. completely deny any access to information on the web. The He is still in prison.

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 5

Matt Benson Stock.Xchng

lence of forced confessions in China, Amnesty International believes he is at risk of torture and ill-treatment. Liu Xiaobo is one of the signatories to Charter 08, a proposal for political and legal reform in China. Chinese police seized him from his home in Beijing on 8 December, two days before the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the original planned launch date of Charter 08. In violation of the Criminal Procedure Law, the police failed to inform Liu Xiaobo’s family about where he was being detained or to provide them with a detention notice, within the first 24 hours of an individual being detained, as required. The police placed him under “residential surveillance”, a form of house arrest that can be used for up to six months without a charge being made. His official “residential surveillance” term should have expired on 8 June 2009. Background Information

Charter 08, initially signed by approximately 300 Chinese scholars, lawyers and officials, is a proposal for fundamental legal and political reform in China that aims to achieve a democratic system that respects human rights. Charter 08 was launched on 9 December 2008. Numerous signatories of the charter have been questioned and harassed by Chinese authorities since its launch.

China Urgent Action 169/09 Fear of Torture and Other Ill-Treatment 24 June 2009 People’s Republic of China Liu Xiaobo (m), 54

Scholar and activist Liu Xiaobo was formally arrested for

“inciting subversion of state power” on 23 June. Liu Xiabo has been held under “residential surveillance” since 8 December 2008, without any due process or access to a lawyer. The People’s Daily, an official Chinese Communist Party organ, reported that Liu Xiaobo has been accused of activities such as “spreading of rumors and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years”. The newspaper claims that Liu Xiaobo had confessed to the charge made against him during the preliminary police investigation. Given the preva-

Liu Xiaobo, a well-known scholar, has been arbitrarily detained for his writings before. He spent several years in detention after 3-4 June 1989, when Chinese authorities brutally cracked down on the democracy movement centered around Tiananmen Square. Human rights activists in China who attempt to report on human rights violations, challenge policies that the authorities find politically sensitive, or try to rally others to their cause, face serious risk of abuse. Authorities use broad and vaguely defined charges of “stealing, possessing and leaking state secrets” and “subversion” to arbitrarily detain and prosecute activists, journalists and internet users. Many are jailed as prisoners of conscience after politically motivated trials, while growing numbers are being held under house arrest with the police conducting intrusive surveillance and standing guard outside. Since the beginning of 2009, a year that marks »

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 6

several sensitive anniversaries in China, the crackdown on human rights activists has intensified. Family members of human rights activists, including children, are increasingly targeted by the authorities in the crackdown. Recommended Action

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: ◌◌ Calling on the authorities to release Liu Xiaobo immediately without conditions; ◌◌Urging the authorities to guarantee that Liu Xiaobo is not tortured or ill-treated while he remains in custody; ◌◌ Calling on the authorities to ensure Liu Xiaobo has access to his family and lawyers; ◌◌ Calling on the authorities to end use of vaguely defined crimes to prevent dissidents and activists from peacefully demanding legal and political reform. ◌◌ Expressing deep concern that the detention of peaceful human rights activists runs counter to promises made by Chinese officials on their first ever National Human Rights Action Plan 2009-2010. Appeals To

Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli The State Council General Office 2 Fuyoujie Xichengqu Beijingshi 100017 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Fax: 011 86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Salutation: Your Excellency Minister of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China MENG Jianzhu Buzhang Gong’anbu

14 Dongchang’anjie Dongchengqu Beijingshi 100741 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Fax: 011 86 10 63099216 (it may be difficult to get through, please keep trying) Salutation: Your Excellency Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate of the People’s Republic of China CAO Jianming Jianchazhang Zuigao Renmin Jianchayuan 147 Beiheyandajie Beijingshi 100726 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Salutation: Dear Procurator-General Copies To

Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou Embassy of the People’s Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 328-2582 PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 05 August. Tip of the Month: Write as soon as you can. Try to write as close as possible to the date a case is issued. POSTAGE RATES

Within the United States: $0.28 - Postcards $0.44 - Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.) To China: $0.98 - Postcards $0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards (up to 1 oz.) Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that promotes and defends human rights.

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 7

Michal Zacharzewski Stock.Xchng

Lucas Lucía and Manuel Ponce Rosas were abducted, tortured and killed in February 2009, had met with a state police official to arrange protection measures. The police official agreed to provide, starting that day, periodic patrols outside their homes and escorts when they travelled away from their communities. However, despite this commitment and the fact that at the meeting a specific request had been made for a police escort to accompany the women on their way home, the police never turned up. After the attack, they tried to call the police many times, on the number they had been given at the meeting that morning to call if they were in immediate danger, but there was never an answer. They also tried to use the satellite phone they had been given by the federal government for their protection, but it did not work. The three women are active members of the Organization for the Future of the Mixteco People, Organización para el Futuro del Pueblo Mixteco – OPFM.

Central America Urgent Action 173/09 Fear For Safety MEXICO 26 June 2009

Background Information

In response to the killing of human rights defenders Raúl Lucas Lucía and Manuel Ponce Rosas, both leading members of the OPFM, and the threats, harassment and intimidaMargarita Martín De Las Nieves (f) tion suffered by their relatives and other members of IndigSantiago Ponce Lola (m), her husband’s brother enous human rights organizations working in the area, the Modesta Laureano Petra (f), her sister-in-law Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued provisional measures on 9 April 2009. The Court ordered the Mexican he three people named above, who are active members of government to provide effective protection measures for the an indigenous rights organisation, were attacked by a gunman two widows and 105 other human rights defenders in Gueron 24 June. rero state. In the last few months Amnesty International has documented that the situation of human rights defenders in Margarita Martín de las Nieves, Santiago Ponce Lola and the state of Guerrero is deteriorating. Modesta Laureano Petra were travelling in a pickup truck from the municipality of Ayutla de los Libres to their home in Recommended Action the community of La Cortina, both in Guerrero state, when Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish they saw a man crouching beside the road, pointing a shotor your own language: gun at them. They said he was dressed in black, with his face ◌◌Urging the authorities to implement and strengthen the covered by a black bandanna. When they accelerated to avoid protection measures for Margarita Martin and Guadalupe the man, he fired twice at them but missed. He ran after them Castro that have already been agreed with federal and state and tried to fire again, but his gun jammed. The three escaped authorities; unhurt. ◌◌Urging them to implement effective protection measures Earlier that day, Margarita Martín de las Nieves and Guadafor all other human rights defenders for whom the Interlupe Castro, whose husbands, human rights defenders Raúl American Court of Human Rights has requested protection; »

T

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 8

◌◌ Calling on them to investigate and punish the failure to provide protection measures for Margarita Martin, in Spite of specific agreements made on 24 June; ◌◌ Calling on them to investigate the attempt on the lives of Margarita Martin, Santiago Ponce Lola and Modesta Laureano, and bring those responsible to justice. Appeals To

Minister of the Interior Lic. Fernando Francisco Gómez-Mont Urueta Secretario de Gobernación Secretaría de Gobernación Abraham González No.48, Col. Juárez, Del. Cuauhtémoc, C. P. 06600, México, D. F., MÉXICO Fax: (+52 55) 5093 3414/15/16 (to confirm receipt /17) E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] Salutation: Señor Secretario / Dear Minister

Governor of Guerrero Lic. Zeferino Torreblanca Galindo Gobernador del Estado de Guerrero Palacio de Gobierno, Boulevard René Juárez Cisneros No. 62 Edificio B, Ciudad de los Servicios, CP 39075 Chilpancingo, Guerrero, MÉXICO Tel/Fax: (52 747) 4719801 / 9802 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Señor Gobernador/ Dear Governor Attorney General of Guerrero Lic. Eduardo Murueta Urrutia, Procurador del Estado de Guerrero Boulevard René Juarez Cisneros, esquina calle Juan Jiménez Sánchez, Col. El Potrerito, C.P. 39098, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, MÉXICO FAX (Switchboard): +52 747 494 29 99 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Señor Procurador / Dear Attorney

Nat Merry Stock.Xchng

Iran: Detained Political Leaders at Risk of Torture, Possibly to Force “Confessions” 29 June 2009

Amnesty International is gravely concerned that several op-

position leaders detained in the wake of the 12 June elections may be facing torture, possibly to force them to make televised “confessions” as a prelude to unfair trials in which they could face the death penalty.   “If our fears are born out, this would be an appalling tactic on the part of the security services to silence high profile political leaders once and for all, and to send a clear message to others with dissenting views that they should expect dreadful consequences if they speak out,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa Programme. »

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 9

Senior political leaders Mohsen Aminzadeh, Abdollah Ramazanadeh and Mostafa Tajzadeh were taken away from their homes in the early hours of 16 June, coinciding with the arrests of many other opposition leaders and supporters. According to reports received by Amnesty International, all three are believed to be held in Section 209 in Evin Prison in Tehran which falls under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence, and where reports of torture of detainees are frequent. It is not clear whether they have been allowed to contact their families. In ‘security’ related cases, detainees are routinely denied access to a lawyer during the interrogation period which can be prolonged indefinitely.

instructions to all government and judicial officials not to torture people within their custody, and urge him and the security services to guarantee the safety of every detainee, including by clarifying their whereabouts, allowing immediate access to families and lawyers and any medical care that may be needed.” Amnesty International considers the three leaders to be prisoners of conscience who should be immediately and unconditionally released. At the very least, those arrested must be promptly informed of any charges and brought before a judge to assess the legality and necessity of their detention.

On Friday 26 June, cleric Ahmad Khatami, who is a member According to the Iranian authorities, eight members of the Basij militia, a volunteer paramilitary force under the control of the Assembly of Experts, in a sermon at Friday prayers at Tehran University, called on the judiciary to punish, “severely of the Revolutionary Guards which has been used to crack and without mercy”, those involved in the demonstrations. He down on protesters, have died in the demonstrations. While the authorities have not revealed any information about these said that “agitations, destructive acts, setting fire to mosques deaths or named any suspect, Amnesty International is worand buses, destroying people's property, creating insecurity ried that if these deaths are ultimately attributed to detained and terror, and harassing people” could be considered to opposition leaders, it would pave the way to them being senbe instances of moharebeh or enmity against God, a charge tenced to death and would make more likely their eventual which can carry the death penalty.  execution”. This echoes a warning made by Esfahan province’s Prosecutor Televised “confessions” have repeatedly been used by the General, Mohammad Reza Habibi, on 17 June when he reportedly stated that the few elements behind the post-election authorities to incriminate political activists in their custody. Many have later retracted these “confessions”, stating that they unrest could face the death penalty. were coerced to make them, sometimes after torture or other On 16 June, following the arrest of Mohsen Aminzadeh, Abill-treatment.  dollah Ramazanadeh and Mostafa Tajzadeh and other leading Several people arrested at the demonstrations that followed opposition figures, Intelligence Minister Gholam Hossein the 12 June election have made statements on state television Mohseni Ejeie reportedly told the Fars news agency that saying they were “influenced” by foreign radio broadcasts. 26 "masterminds" suspected to be involved in post-election A woman shown on Press TV on 25 June, who admitted to unrest had been arrested. It is not known whether Mohsen carrying grenades in her bag, had her face digitally concealed. Aminzadeh, Abdollah Ramazanadeh and Mostafa Tajzadeh Such televised statements may indicate that other “confessions” are among the 26 referred to. regarding the recent demonstrations will be forthcoming. “Such statements, including by those in influential clerical positions, add to the already worrying signs that the authori- Background Mohsen Aminzadeh, Abdollah Ramazanadeh and Mostafa ties in Iran are preparing to eradicate any form of peaceful political opposition, including by trying these political leaders Tajzadeh were all officials in former President Mohammad Khatami’s government and are supporters of Mir Hossein on trumped-up and vaguely worded charges,” said Hassiba Mousavi. » Hadj Sahraoui. “We call on the Supreme Leader to give clear

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009 Pg 10

Up to 21 people are reported by the Iranian authorities to have been killed in the recent protests.  The true number of deaths is likely to be higher, as the Iranian authorities have a history of under-reporting deaths at the hands of security forces during demonstrations.

The Assembly of Experts is an elected state body of 86 clerics charged with electing, supervising and if necessary dismissing the Supreme Leader.

Paulo Correa Stock.Xchng

The charge of moharebeh, dealt with under Articles 183 to 195 of the Penal Code, attracts one of four penalties – execution, cross-amputation, crucifixion or banishment, although the death penalty is the most common punishment applied.

Postage

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2009