Group 48 Newsletter - October 2009

Newsletter Amnesty International USA Group 48

10.09

In This Issue . . .

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1 Chad - New Report on Forced Evictions 2 Central America

RAN - Honduras

3 China UA - Risk of torture 6 Equatorial Guinea Stop Disappearances AIUSA-Group 48 http://aipdx.org 503-227-1878 Next Meeting: Friday October 9th First Unitarian Church 1011 SW 12th Ave 7:00pm informal gathering 7:30pm meeting starts Chad: New Report on Forced Evictions

End forced evictions and provide emergency shelter to tens of thousands made homeless

On September 8, 2009, Amnesty

NewsLetter Designed By Michelle Whitlock MichelleWhitlock.com

International released a report ‘Broken Homes, Broken Lives’ (http://www. amnestyusa.org/science/chad_report. pdf) about forced evictions by the Chad Government that have left tens of thousands homeless in the capital city of N’Djamena. The report analyses

commercially available satellite images, verified by in-depth interviews and site inspections in N’Djamena in May 2009. They show the scale of demolition that took place in the capital from January 2008 until late July 2009.This action was allowed by Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno who issued a decree in Feb- »

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ruary 2008 authorizing the destruction of what were termed illegally constructed buildings and structures.

tions have access to adequate alternative housing, emergency assistance, access to justice and effective remedies, including reparations.

On September 8th, Sarah Milburn, Chad country specialist for Amnesty International USA, said, “We are very concerned Through the Dignity campaign, Amnesty International is that these demolitions are part of a campaign by the governcalling on governments globally to take all necessary meament to target, and even evict, people or ethnic groups who sures, including the adoption of laws and policies that comply are perceived to be sympathetic to armed opposition groups.” with international human rights law, to prohibit and prevent forced evictions. A blog entry (http://blog.amnestyusa.org/ As part of its Demand Dignity campaign, launched in May africa/extreme-makeover-needed-in-chad/) and AIUSA 2009, Amnesty International is calling on the government of online action (http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/adChad to introduce a moratorium on mass evictions until a vocacy/index.aspx?c=jhKPIXPCIoE&b=2590179&template=x. clear and effective prohibition against forced evictions and a ascx&action=12964)  are available for human rights work on legal framework that protects human rights is in place. The this issue. government should also ensure that all victims of forced evic-

Central America RAN - Honduras, By Marylou Noble

Names: Staff of Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras (COFADEH)

At approximately 8:45am on September 22, around 15 police Nick Winchester Stock.Xchng

officers parked outside the entrance to the office of the human rights organization COFADEH and tried to enter the building. Suddenly, with no prior warning, the police officers fired tear gas canisters into the office.   At that time the office was full with both the staff of COFADEH and some 100 people, including several women and children, who had come to give their testimony in relation to abuses committed by police during the break up of a demonstration just a few minutes earlier outside the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa.

Amnesty International is deeply concerned at the increasing reports of mass arrests and excessive use of force by police against demonstrators in Honduras, including using beating as a method of punishment.  Amnesty International is also very concerned at the harassment and intimidation of human rights defenders, and this latest attack against COFADEH is indicative of a serious deterioration in the human rights situation in the country. COFADEH is a renowned Honduran human rights organization which has been at the forefront of seeking reparation for relatives and victims of enforced disappearance and torture. »

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Concerns about human rights in Honduras have intensified since the democratically elected President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales was forced from power on 28 June and expelled from the country by a military-backed group of politicians led by Roberto Micheletti, former leader of the National Congress. There has been widespread unrest in the country since the coup d’etat with frequent clashes between the police, military and civilian protestors. At least two people have died after being shot during protests. Action

Please write appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: ◌◌ Demanding Roberto Michelletti and the de facto authorities immediately stop all attacks on human rights defenders; ◌◌ Calling for the de facto authorities to stop using excessive force against protestors and respect freedom of expression and association.

Appeals To

Roberto Micheletti Boulevard Juan Pablo Segundo Palacio José Cecilio del Valle Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS Fax: +504 2357700 Salutation: Dear Mr Micheletti Copies To

Bertha Oliva Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos en Honduras (COFADEH) Barrio La Plazuela, Avenida Cervantes, Casa No. 1301 Apartado Postal 1243 Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS Email: [email protected] Salutation: Sra Bertha Oliva Thanks for your efforts,

China UA 252/09 - Risk of torture 25 September 2009 Haji Memet (m), Abdusalam Nasir (m)

Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir were detained on 23 Sep-

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tember, in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China, reportedly on suspicion of leaking “state secrets”. The “state secrets” are believed to be related to allegations of torture that led to the death of Shoret Tursun, Haji Memet’s relative. Both men are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.

Haji Memet is related to Shohret Tursun, who was detained on 6 July in Urumqi, capital of the XUAR. Shohret Tursun died in custody. On 19 September, the police in Lengger (Chinese: Langan) village in Korgas (Chinese: Huocheng) county, Ili (Chinese: Yili) prefecture gave Shohret Tursun’s body to his family, stating that he had suffered a fatal heart attack. According to the family, his chest was covered in bruises and his legs, stomach and back were scarred and cut. Shohret Tursun’s family believes he died as a result of torture. They refused to bury the body immediately as requested by the police and called for an investigation. Radio Free Asia, quoting unnamed villagers, reported that the family home was surrounded on 19 September by eight truck loads of soldiers »

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and two armed vehicles, which prevented villagers from visiting the family. Soldiers forcibly entered the family’s home on 19 September and threatened to bury Shohret Torsun if the family did not do so themselves. The family then buried Shohret Tursun on Sunday 20 September. Abdusalam Nasir was involved in performing the burial rites. According to Radio Free Asia, Shohret Tursun’s father used Abdusalam Nasir mobile phone before the burial to call Radio Free Asia, which then published the allegations of torture on 19 September. There has been a heavy police presence in the village since the burial of Shohret Tursun as the police have been investigating who is the source for Radio Free Asia, regarding information on Shohret Tursun’s case. They are said to still be searching for a third, unnamed person. Background Information

Shohret Tursun was one of some 40 people from Korgas who were detained around at the time of the July riots in Urumqi, the regional capital. According to his father, quoted by Radio Free Asia, he was transferred to Ili on 18 July and further on to Korgas on 23 July. All over China, tight security measures are in place as the country prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949. These include checkpoints on all roads leading to Beijing and suspension of postal services for liquids. Many human rights activists are being silenced to ensure celebrations proceed according to the authorities plan and thousands of people have been detained in “strike hard” anti-crime campaigns. The authorities have again stopped issuing travel permits to foreigners to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and in the XUAR, the recent riots have only added to the heavy security. Following the July unrest in the XUAR the authorities have detained thousands, reportedly brought dozens to trial, and threatened those involved in the unrest with harsh sentences. The authorities have interpreted all signs of dissent as stemming from “terrorist” or “separatist” activities, justifying their harsh crackdown while ignoring deep-rooted sources of the

discontent. Authorities claim that the July unrest was orchestrated by organizations operating outside China including the World Uyghur Congress whose current president is Rebiya Kadeer, former prisoner of conscience. Eye-witness accounts received by Amnesty International contradict government accounts of the events of July, and suggest excessive use of force on the part of the authorities resulting in injury and deaths. A recently concluded meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee vowed to “effectively prevent and resolutely crack down on ethnicity-related separatist activities” and to institutionalize measures to combat corruption. Over recent years the Chinese authorities have increasingly used vaguely-worded provisions in the Criminal Law to curtail freedom of expression. These include “disturbing » 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 Terrie Rodello 503-246-6836 [email protected]

OR State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator Terrie Rodello 503-246-6836 [email protected] Central America RAN Marylou Noble 503-245-6923 marylou_noble@ yahoo.com Dignity Campaign Janie Whitlock 360-859-3050 [email protected] Guantanamo cases & Darfur Jane Kristof [email protected] Marty Fromer 503-227-1878 [email protected] Indonesia RAN Max White 503-292-8168 [email protected]

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public order” and “endangering state security”, which includes, among others, “subversion of state power”, “separatism” and “leaking state secrets”. The definition of “state secrets” is very broad and arbitrary, and can be retroactive and hence open to misuse: people charged with these crimes are often deprived of many rights, including access to legal counsel of their choosing, access to family and a public trial. Rebiya Kadeer, for example, was convicted on charges of “leaking state secrets”. The verdict of her trial describes the “secret information” as copies of the publicly available newspapers, Kashgar Daily, Xinjiang Legal News, Yili Daily and Yili Evening News, that she sent to her husband in the USA. Recommended Action

Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: ◌◌ Demand the authorities immediately and unconditionally release Haji Mamat and Abdusalam Nasir, unless they are charged with an internationally recognizable criminal offense; ◌◌ Demand they are not tortured or otherwise ill-treated while they remain in custody; ◌◌ Call on the authorities to ensure they have access to their family and legal counsel of their choice; ◌◌Urge the authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations that Shohret Tursun’s death in custody was as a result of torture, with a view of bringing those guilty to justice. Appeals To

Chairman of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China YANG Jing Zhuren Guojia Minzu Shiwu Weiyuanhui

Event Announcement The Northwest Film Center is showing a series of human rights films this month. Films include ˃ Every War Has Two Losers ˃ Crude ˃ Why Kerala, Grampa? ˃ An Unlikely Weapon ˃ Birdwatchers ˃ Burma VJ - Reporting from a Closed Country ˃ Kimjongilia

Detailed film descriptions and schedule are online at . . . http://www.nwfilm.org/screenings/21/206/

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Chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional People’s Government Nur BEKRI Zhuxi Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu,2 Zhongshanlu, Wulumuqishi, 830041 Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear Chairman

252 Taipingqiaodajie, Xichengqu Beijingshi 100800 PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Salutation: Your Excellency »

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Director of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional Department of Public Security LIU Yaohua Tingzhang Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Gong’anting 58 Huanghelu Wulumuqishi 830001 Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Salutation: Dear Director 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 Email: [email protected] PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 16 October 2009. 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.)

Equatorial Guinea - Stop Disappearances

Urge Equatorial Guinea to End Detention and Ratify Convention on Enforced Disappearance

Amnesty International is campaigning for countries to

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ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Over the past 10 years, Equatorial Guinean security personnel have allegedly abducted several exiled political opponents of the government of Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinean authorities refuse to acknowledge these abductions despite the fact that the victims are known to be held incommunicado in secret cells in either Black Beach prison in Malabo or in Bata prison. Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono Ntumu are three individuals who were allegedly abducted by Nigerian security personnel in 2005 and are held in incommunicado detention in Equatorial Guinea Background

In April 19, 2005, Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono Ntumu, former army officers, were on their way to Benin to seek political asylum. But they were arrested in Lagos, Nigeria by Nigerian security personnel. They were held incommunicado in prisons in Lagos and Abuja until June before being reportedly handed over to Equatorial Guinean security officers. Then the three men were taken to Black Beach prison in Malabo, where they have been held »

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incommunicado in secret cells in cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions. The Equatorial Guinean authorities refuse to acknowledge the detention of the three men, despite the fact that they are known to be held in the Black Beach prison. To read more: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR44/009/2005/ en/dfc89b2c-d4e8-11dd-8a23-d58a49c0d652/afr440092005en. html Action

your assistance in obtaining information about Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono, who were arrested and reportedly abducted from Nigeria by Equatorial Guinean agents in April 2005. Since 2005, they have been held in detention without access to family friends or lawyers. I seek information about their fate, whereabouts and health. I urge you to ensure an independent investigation is conducted into their disappearance, the results are made public and those responsible are brought to justice.

Please write polite letters to the following authorities asking them to reveal the whereabouts of Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono to end their incommunicado detention, and to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance to prevent enforced disappearance.

These three individuals must be given access to their families and lawyers. They must be held in conditions that meet international law and standards for prisoners and must not be tortured or ill-treated. Information about their health and whether they are given access to appropriate medical treatment if necessary is very important to their families.

Vice Prime Minister in charge of human rights Sr Don Salomón Nguema Owono Vice Primer Ministro 2º. Encargado de derechos humanos Gabinete del Vice Primer Ministro Palacio del Gobierno Malabo República de Guinea Ecuatorial Fax: 011 240 09 3313 / 8259

My second request concerns the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. It was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2006 to help prevent enforced disappearances, establish the truth about this crime, punish the perpetrators, and provide reparations to the victims and their families. The enforced disappearance of Florencio Elá Bibang, Antimo Edú and Felipe Esono is against this international agreement.

Minister of Justice Sr Don Salvador Ondó Ncumu Oye Ministro de Justicia y Culto Ministerio de justicia y Culto Apartado de Correos No. 459 Malabo República de Guinea Ecuatorial Fax: 011 240 09 2126 Sample Letter

Your Excellency, A member of Amnesty International, I am writing to ask your assistance with two important matters. First, I ask

Therefore, I urge you ask your government to: ◌◌ Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The ratification of the Convention would represent a strong signal that your government is committed to ending this gravest human rights violation. ◌◌Take the necessary steps to implement the Convention in your country soon after ratification. Thank you for your attention to these important matters. I look forward to your response. Regards,

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Postage

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2009