Another Setback for Gay Rights in the US

The NY Senate has voted down a bill that would have legalised gay marriage. Read on here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/nyregion/03marriage.html?_r=1&hp

Indigenous Teacher in Danger after Violent Eviction in Brazil

UA 306/09, AMR 19/020/2009. (PDF here, html (web) page here.)

A Brazilian Indigenous teacher, Mr Rolindo Vera, has been missing since October 30. He and other indigenous people were violently evicted from land they had occupied in accordance with their clam as it being their ancestral land. The body of another male teacher who was taken away at the same event was found in a nearby river showing signs of torture. Mr Vera's life is in grave danger, but the federal police of Brazil has already abandoned their serach for him.

Please write immediately, and before 25 December, to

• demand that the Federal Police, working with their counterparts in Paraguay, resume their search, doing everything in their power to find Rolindo Vera;
• call on the authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the violent eviction of around 25 people from farmlands near the border town of Paranhos and the subsequent death of Genivaldo Vera, and to bring those responsible to justice;
• urge the authorities to fulfill their obligations under the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 169, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Brazilian constitution by demarcating lands to be returned to Indigenous communities.

Please send appeals to:

Federal Minister of Justice
Exmo. Sr. Tarso Genro
Esplanada dos Ministérios,
Bloco "T"
70712-902 - Brasília/DF Brasil
Fax: + 55 61 3322 6817/ 3224 3398
(Salutation: Exmo. Sr. Ministro/ Dear Minister)

Federal Human Rights Secretary
Secretaria Especial de Direitos Humanos
Exmo. Secretário Especial
Sr. Paulo de Tarso Vannuchi Esplanada dos Ministérios-
Bloco "T" - 4º andar, 70064-900 -Brasília/DF Brasil
Fax: + 55 61 3226 7980
(Salutation: Exmo. Sr. Secretário)

Please send copies to:

Conselho Indigenista Missionário,
(CIMI – local NGO)
CIMI Regional Mato Grosso do Sul
Av. Afonso Pena, 1557 Sala 208 Bl.B
79002-070 Campo Grande/MS, Brasil
Email: cimims@terra.com.br

Please also send copies to the Brazilian mission abroad which is closest to you.

My letter is below:

Federal Minister of Justice
Exmo. Sr. Tarso Genro
Esplanada dos Ministérios,
Bloco "T"
70712-902 - Brasília/DF Brasil
Fax: + 55 61 3322 6817/ 3224 3398

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 20/11/2009


RE: ROLINDO VERA

Dear Minister,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Mr Rolindo Vera, a teacher and member of the Guarani Kaiowa Indigenous group, went missing on 30 October this year. This followed a violent eviction carried out by armed men in Mato Groso do Sul, near Paraguay. Since the body of another teacher, Genivaldo Vera, who also went missing during the eviction, was later found showing signs of torture, I consider Mr Rolindo Vera to be in extremely grave danger.

It is extremely disconcerting to learn that the Federal Police has already called off their search for Mr Vera.

I demand that the federal police immediately resume their search, and that, collaborating with their counterparts in Paraguay, do absolutely everything in their power to find Rolindo Vera immediately.

I call on you to immediately launch a thorough investigation into the violent eviction of around 25 people from farmlands near the border town of Paranhos and the subsequent death of Genivaldo Vera, and to bring those responsible to justice.

I urge you to fulfill your obligations under the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 169, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Brazilian constitution by demarcating lands to be returned to Indigenous communities. Do not delay this process any futher.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Your sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Update on Young Man Facing Execution in Singapore

I just received the below update via email, relating to the previous post here about the Malaysian man Yong Vui Kong, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Singapore in January 2009.

The president is likely to consider his clemency in the next week, so please send any appeals immediately.

You may also find this blog post interesting. It is about the justification for the death penalty in general in Singapore, and also about this particular case. I don't agree with it all, but it is well enough written and worth a read.

Dear friends,

On 3 November we issued a UA on Singapore (ASA 36/004/2009), on behalf of Malaysian national Yong Vui Kong, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Singapore in January 2009. We have since found out that Singapore's President is likely to be considering his clemency petition within the next week, so please advise participants to send appeals as soon as possible. As there is no change to the Recommended Actions and the UA was only issued on Tuesday, we feel that this information can be communicated in an email to coordinators rather than a UA follow-up.

We have also recently received a translated copy of a letter of apology written by Yong's brother, addressed to President S. R. Nathan and the people of Singapore, dated 23 June 2009, pleading for a pardon for Yong Vui Kong. With his permission, here are some excerpts from the letter:

“I hereby tender my sincere apology to all the people of Singapore regarding my brother’s wrongdoing. I sincerely hope that all of you will give him a chance to live by pardoning him of his death sentence and commute it into a life sentence so that, as a first offender, he could have an opportunity to turn over a new leaf. He is a remorseful youth now….

10-year old Vui Kong was unable to continue with his education…. Initially he became a kitchen help and he fell into bad company. Vui Kong was used by the so-clled “Big Brother” to be a runner to collect bad debts…. Vui Kong himself did not consume drugs, but from collecting bad debts, he was slowly tasked to delivering gifts. The young Vui Kong obeyed the instructions of “Big Brother” who said that delivering a little bit of drugs would not lead to death. Vui Kong fell into the trap of the drug trafficking syndicate.

His mother who suffers from depression does not know anything of his arrest…. My family and I conceal the truth from her as we are worried that she would not be able to take such a blow.

Although the chances of escaping death are very slim, I hope that all of you would give him a new lease of life and hope that Vui Kong would have an opportunity to live again and under the yellow ribbon scheme, he would be able to learn a skill in prison and make some contributions to society in the future.“

Disclaimer

It should be unnecessary to say, but I think it is not.

The views expressed on this blog are those of the authors of the letters alone. In the case of posts other than responses to Amnesty's requests for urgent actions, they usually reflect the views of Ole Koksvik, and not necessarily of the other authors.

In particular, the views are not those of the Australian National University, nor has the university condoned or in any other way supported the contents. In the cases where the university is mentioned in the letters, this is just because it is a convenient way for the authors to receive mail.

The views expressed in this blog are also not those of Amnesty International Australia, nor of any other chapter of that organisation.

Any questions or complaints should be directed to Ole Koksvik, whose contact details are here.

Young Man Facing Execution in Singapore

ASA 36/004/2009 (Html here, .rtf file here.)

Yong Vui Kong was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in January 2009. He had exhausted his appeals by October, and can now escape execution only if the president grants clemency.

Read more by clicking one of the links above.

Please send appeals immediately,

• Urging the president to grant clemency to Yong Vui Kong and commute his death sentence;
• Expressing concern that because the death penalty is mandatory for drug-trafficking cases, the court had no discretion to sentence Yong Vui Kong to an alternative punishment;
• Calling on the president to introduce a moratorium on executions, with a view to complete abolition of the death penalty.

Please send appeals immediately, and before December 15, to:

His Excellency SR Nathan
Office of the President
Istana, Orchard Road
Singapore 0922
Fax: +65 6735 3135 (My fax went through on the first attempt.) Email: s_r_nathan@istana.gov.sg
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Please send copies to:

Editor-in-Chief
The Straits Times
1000 Toa Payoh North
News Centre,
Singapore 318994
Fax: +65 6319 8282 (My fax went through on the first attempt.) Email: stonline@sph.com.sg

Please also send a copy to the Singaporean foreign mission closest to you.

My letter below:

His Excellency SR Nathan
Office of the President
Istana, Orchard Road
Singapore 0922
Fax: +65 6735 3135

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 06/11/2009

RE: MR YONG VUI KONG

Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Mr Yong Vui Kong, who was arrested in 2007 at the age of 19 and who was sentenced to death in January 2009, has now exhausted his appeals, save pardon by the President.

I am writing to urge you to grant clemency to Yong Vui Kong and to commute his death sentence.

I am deeply concerned that because the death penalty is mandatory for drug-trafficking cases, the court had no discretion to sentence Yong Vui Kong to an alternative punishment.

I call on you to introduce a moratorium on executions, with a view to complete abolition of the death penalty.

The death penalty is the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment, and it is a gross violation of a person's right to life, as embodied in the UDHR.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.


Your sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Female Journalist Under Threat in Sri Lanka

ASA 37/021/2009

Journalist and media rights activist, Dileesha Abeysundera is in danger after a gang of unidentified people threatened her and tried to forcefully gain access to her property in Sri Lanka on 28 September.

Dileesha Abeysundera is an award winning journalist for the newspaper Irundia, known for highly critical coverage of the Sri Lankan government, and the Deputy Secretary of the Free Media Movement and Secretary of the National Forum for Journalists in Sri Lanka. She believes the gang threatened her because of her work campaigning for media rights. She had organised and attended a meeting on 28 September, calling for the abolition of what she has publically stated as the ‘draconian provisions in the Press Council Act.’

In Sri Lanka, at least 14 media workers have been killed since 2006. White vans, which were present in this case, have been used in many abductions and enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka particularly since 2006, when state agents and paramilitary groups allied to the government stepped up attacks on critics of the government.

Please send appeals immediately, calling on the Sri Lankan authorities to:

• ensure the safety of Dileesha Abeysundera;
• investigate the intimidation of Dileesha Abeysundera and attacks on other Sri Lankan journalists and media workers;
• abolish or reform legislations that are being used to suppress the right to freedom of expression and put an end to the climate of impunity that has allowed a long campaign, by state agents and paramilitary groups, of intimidation and violence against independent journalists in Sri Lanka

Please send appeals immediately, and before November 18, to:

His Excellency the President
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1, Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 11 2446657
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Inspector General of Police
Jayantha Wickramaratne
Sri Lanka Police Headquarters
101/1 Kew Road, Colombo 2
Sri Lanka
Fax: + 94 11 244 6174
(Salutation: Dear Inspector General)

Please send copies to the chapter of Sri Lankan foreign mission closest to you.

Rachael's letter below:

Rachael Brown
[personal address omitted]


His Excellency the President
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2446657

RE: Threats to female journalist, Dileesha Abeysundera

Your Excellency the President,

My name is Rachael Brown. I am an Australian citizen, and a PhD Candidate at the
Australian National University.

I am writing concerning a threat to both the human rights of journalists and the right to
freedom of expression in your country, bought to my attention by Amnesty International. In
particular, I am calling upon you to act to ensure the safety of Dileesha Abeysundera, award
winning journalist for the Sri Lankan newspaper, Irundia (part of The Leader Group).

Ms Abeysundera and other Sri Lankan journalists and media workers have reported being
threatened and intimidated as a consequence of their work promoting freedom of expression,
I urge you to investigate these matters and bring those responsible to justice.

I also call for you to abolish or reform legislations that are being used to suppress the right to freedom of expression and put an end to the climate of impunity that has allowed a long campaign, by state agents and paramilitary groups, of intimidation and violence against independent journalists in Sri Lanka.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns, I trust you will act upon them in due
course.

Yours sincerely,

Rachael Brown

A Juvenile Offender Executed in Iran, Another at Risk

MDE 13/105/2009 (html here, text file (.rtf) here)

The Iranian male Behnoud Shojaee, aged 21, was executed in Evin prison, Tehran, on 11 October, for a murder he was found guilty of committing committed when he was 17. He had no legal representation at his initial trial.

Safar Angooti was convicted of murder when he was 17, and he was sentenced to death. The authorities have told his lawyer that he will be executed on 21 October, but he may be executed on 19 October.

Executions of those under 18 at the time of their offence is strictly prohibited under international law.

Please send appeals immediately, and before the 19th of October (possible day of the execution), to:

Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Via website: http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/81/Default.aspx
First starred box: your given name;
second starred box: your family name;
third: your email address
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Head of Tehran Judiciary
Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue,
Corner of Ally 17, No 152,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir
(Salutation: Dear Mr Avaei)

Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran
Mohammad Javad Larijani
Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh
Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying)
Email: fsharafi@bia-judiciary.ir or int_aff@judiciary.ir (Both these failed permanently for me.)

Also send copies to the Iranian foreign mission closest to you.

My letter below:

Head of Tehran Judiciary
Ali Reza Avaei
Karimkhan Zand Avenue
Sana’i Avenue,
Corner of Ally 17, No 152,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
avaei@Dadgostary-tehran.ir


Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA

RE: The execution of Behnoud Shojaee and the planned execution of Safar Angooti

Dear Mr Avaei,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a
PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I am writing to condemn the execution of Behnoud Shojaee. His execution is a gross
violation of international law as he was under 18 at the time of the crime he had been
sentenced for.

I would also urge the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the execution of Safar Angooti so that his case can be reviewed urgently with a view to overturning his death sentence.

I would respectfully remind the Iranian authorities that Iran is a state party to the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child (CRC), both of which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Elderly Couple Facing Jail for Practicing Falun Gong

ASA 17/057/2009 (or download a .rtf file here).

Falun Gong practitioners Yan Dongfei and her husband Qiao Yongfang (60) have been detained since 8 June. On 5 July they were formally arrested, on suspicion of "using a heretical organisation to undermine implementation of the law". It is known that Qiao Yongfang has been tortured. They are both at risk of (further) torture and other ill-treatment while in detention, and risk lengthy prison sentences. Read more by following the links above.

Please send appeals immediately, and before November 20, to:

Huimin District People's Court
Huiminqu Renmin Fayuan
Hai Xi Lu
Huhehaote Shi 010000
Nei Menggu Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China
(Salutation: Dear Head of the Court )

Huimin District Procuratorate
Huiminqu Renmin Jiancha Yuan
He Fang
Xin Hua Da Jie Xi Jie
Huhehaote Shi 010000
Nei Menggu Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China
(Salutation: Dear Head of the Procuratorate)

Please send copies to:

Huhehaote Procuratorate
Huhehaote Shi Renmin Jiancha Yuan
Huhehaote Shi 010000
Nei Menggu Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China
(Salutation: Dear Head of the Procuratorate)

As well as to the foreign mission that is closest to you.

My letter below:

Huimin District People’s Court
Huiminqu Renmin Fayuan
Hai Xi Lu
Huhehaote Shi 010000
Nei Menggu Zizhiqu
People’s Republic of China


Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 16/09/
2009
ole.koksvik at anu.edu.au

RE: YAN DONGFEI AND QIAO YOUNGFANG

Dear Head of the Court,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a
PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Falun Gong practitioners Yan Dongfei and Qiao Yongfang, aged 60, have been held at the No. 1 Detention Center in the Huhehaote since 8 June. They have been allowed no visits or phone calls from their family since they have been in custody, and have only been allowed one visit from their lawyers. It has also come to my attention that Qiao Yongfang had been tortured, resulting in injuries to his head, and that he appeared disoriented and depressed in that meeting.

I implore you to release Yan Dongfei and Qiao Yongfang immediately and unconditionally, unless they are charged with an internationally recognized crime and tried promptly in proceedings which meet fair trial standards.

I am deeply concerned that they have been detained solely because of their religious beliefs. If that is the case, they are therefore prisoners of conscience.

I call on you to guarantee that they will not be tortured or ill-treated, and I demanding that you give them immediate access to their family, medical care and a lawyer of their choosing.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Your sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Former Australian PM Malcom Fraser Accuses Liberal Party of Risking Lives

Go to ABC News Radio, here, http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/, and find this audio (at least today, I am guessing) on the left.

Malcom Fraser, former Australian PM for the Liberal party, made some good points in this interview. The Liberal party has been claiming that the increase in people setting sail for Australia to seek asylum can be blamed on Labour's asylum policies. Mr Fraser pointed out that the way Tamils are being treated in Sri Lanka is likely to alone be sufficient to cause more to flee. Anyway, well worth a listen. Thanks, mr Fraser!

Yemeni Journalist Abducted after Criticising Government

MDE 31/011/2009

A male Yemeni journalist, Muhammad al-Maqalih, has been abducted in the capital, Sana’a. Government forces have mounted a series of attacks in Sa’da province, northern Yemen, since mid-August, including bombing raids against villages and towns. Muhammad al-Maqalih published criticism of the army’s killing of civilians on the Yemeni Socialist Party’s website

Muhammad al-Maqalih’s whereabouts are unknown, and his life is at risk. In Yemen, critics of the state are often at risk of arrest, detention, abduction and beatings.

Read more here.

Please send appeals as soon as possible, and before 12 November. Remember to send faxes when you can!

President ‘Ali ‘Abdullah Saleh
Office of the President of the Republic of Yemen
Sana’a
Republic of Yemen
Fax: +967 1 274147 (I faxed this number, it went through fine.)
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

Major General Ghaleb al-Qamash
Chairman of the Central Organ for Political Security
Central Organ for Political Security
Sana’a
Republic of Yemen
Fax: +967 1 443040 (Also works.)
(Salutation: Dear Sir)

Send copies to:

Minister of Human Rights
Houda ‘Ali ‘Abdullatif al-Baan
Ministry for Human Rights
Sana’a
Republic of Yemen
Fax: +967 1 444833
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

My letter below:

President ‘Ali ‘Abdullah Saleh
Office of the President of the Republic of Yemen
Sana’a
Republic of Yemen
+967 1 274147

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 14/10/2009

RE: Detainment of Muhammad al-Maqalih
Your Excellency,
My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I am writing to call on the Yemeni authorities to clarify publicly Muhammad al-Maqalih’s whereabouts and to release him immediately and unconditionally if he is being held solely for his criticism of the government.

I would like to point out that if Muhammad al-Maqalih is being held solely for criticising the Yemeni government, Amnesty International would consider him to be a prisoner of conscience.

If, however, Muhammad al-Maqalih is held on suspicion of a recognizably criminal offence, I would urge the Yemeni authorities to ensure that he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment, and also to allow him prompt and regular access to a lawyer of his choosing, to his family and to any medical treatment that he may require.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Condemn Child Execution

Last year, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen and Sudan still executed children.

Add your name to the call to end all executions of minors HERE.

Two Uighur men at risk of torture in China - ASA 17/053/2009

ASA 17/053/2009

Two Uighur men are at risk of torture and other ill treatment while in detention in China. Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir were detained on 23 September, in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China. Their detention relates to the death in custody of Shohret Tursun. The police told his family that he had suffered a heart attack, but when his family received his body his chest was covered in bruises and his legs, stomach and back were scarred and cut. They believe he was tortured.

Haji Memet is related to Shohret Tursun, and Abdusalam Nasir participated in the burial rites. The two men are accused or leaking "state secrets". Read more here.

Please send appeals immediately, and before October 16 (which is soon!), to:

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: master@xinjiang.gov.cn(Does not appear to work, use regular mail.)
(Salutation: Dear Chairman)

Chairman of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China
YANG Jing Zhuren
Guojia Minzu Shiwu Weiyuanhui
252 Taipingqiaodajie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100800
People's Republic of China
(Salutation: Your Excellency)

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)

Send copies to the Chinese diplomatic representative closest to you.

My letter below:

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
master@xinjiang.gov.cn

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 11/09/2009
ole.koksvik at anu.edu.au

RE: Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir

Dear Director
My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir were detained on the 23 of September, in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China, on suspicion of leaking “state secrets”. It is my understanding that the "secrets" in question relate to Shohret Tursun, who is related to Haji Memet , and who, after being detained on 6 July in Urumqi, died in custody. It is further my understanding that when his family received his body from the police in Langan village in Huocheng county, the body showed signs of having been subjected to torture.

I demand that Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir be immediately and unconditionally released, unless they are charged with an internationally recognizable criminal offence. Working toward securing the human rights of others is not a crime, nor is disseminating information about human rights violations.

I demand that they are not tortured or otherwise ill-treated while they remain in custody.

I call on you to ensure that they have access to their family and legal counsel of their choice, and I urge you to ensure an independent and impartial investigation into the allegations that Shohret Tursun’s death in custody was as a result of torture is carried out forthwith, with a view of bringing those guilty to justice.


Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Your sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Article Argued for Ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

[A]n article in an official military journal argues forcefully this month for repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that requires homosexuals in the services to keep their sexual orientation secret.

Obama has promised to overturn the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, but so far nothing much has happened. Maybe this is a step forward for Gay Rights in the US. Read on in the New York Times here.

Myanmarese Human Rights Activist at Risk of Torture - ASA 16/005/2009

Kyaw Zaw Lwin, a Myanmarese human rights activist was arrested on 3 September after flying to Yangon, Myanmar. He may be in police custody in Myanmar and is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Torture is common in pre-trial detention in Myanmar, where there are more than 2,200 political prisoners.

Read on here: ASA 16/005/2009

Please send appeals as soon as possible, and before 23 October, to:

Minister for Home Affairs
Maung Oo
Ministry of Home Affairs
Office No. 10
Naypyitaw,
Union of Myanmar
(Salutation: Dear Minister)
Fax: +95 67 412 439 (Read this note on sending faxes.)

Minister of Information
Brigadier-General Kyaw Hsan
Ministry of Information
Bldg. (7), Naypyitaw,
Union of Myanmar
(Salutation: Dear Minister)

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nyan Win
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Naypyitaw,
Union of Myanmar
(Salutation: Dear Minister)

Please send copies to Myanmar's local diplomatic representative.

In Australia:
Embassy of Myanmar
22 Arkana Street, Australia.
Yarralumla
A.C.T 2600
Fax: (02) 6273 3181

My letter below.

Minister for Home Affairs
Maung Oo
Ministry of Home Affairs
Office No. 10
Naypyitaw, Union of Myanmar
Fax: +95 67 412 439

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 18/09/2009

RE: Arrest of Kyaw Zaw Lwin on the 3rd of September in Yangon

Dear Minister,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I am writing to request that the Myanmarese authorities immediately and unconditionally release Kyaw Zaw Lwin (who also known as Nyi Nyi Aung) unless he is charged with a recognisable criminal offence.

I would also urge the authorities to guarantee that Kyaw Zaw Lwin is not tortured or ill-treated while he remains in custody and that he has access to his family, legal counsel, and proper medical care.

Finally, I would like to urge the authorities to provide information on his whereabouts, and the reasons and legal basis for his continued detention.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Gao Zhisheng in Danger of Torture - ASA 17/052/2009

All the details here: ASA 17/052/2009

Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has been missing since February, was seen late June or early July, looking thin and weak. In 2007, after publishing an open letter to the US congress, agents came to his home, stripped him and beat him unconscious, took him into illegal detention, during which he was beaten and received repeated electric shocks to his genitals. Lit cigarettes were held close to his eyes for several hours, leaving him partly blind for days afterwards.

He is in grave danger of torture.

Please write immediately, and before October 27, 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: +86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Your Excellency

and

Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau
MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Beijingshi Gong'anju
9 Dongdajie, Qianmen
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 10 65242927
Salutation: Dear Director

Both these fax number work.

Send copies to:
Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Public Security
WANG Rui Tingzhang
Shaanxisheng Gong'anting
Xinchengdayuan Donglou
Xi'anshi 710006
Shaanxisheng
People's Republic of China
Email: info@shxga.gov.cn (this address has not worked for me)

Also send a copy to the Chinese foreign mission closest to you (follow the link and look for your country).

My letter is below:

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: +86 10 65961109

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA 21/09/2009

RE: GAO ZHISHENG
Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng has been observed looking thin and weak, being accompanied by several officials. I am gravely concerned for his safety. I know that he has been subjected to prolonged illegal detention and torture at the hands of the government of the People’s Republic of China before, and I fear that this is happening again.

I call on you to ensure that Gao Zhisheng is released immediately and unconditionally.

I urge you to ensure that Gao Zhisheng has access to proper medical treatment while he remains in custody, and to guarantee that he is not tortured or ill-treated while he remains in custody.

I furthermore urge you to immediately provide information on his whereabouts, and the reasons and legal basis for his continued detention.



Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Letter Writing Made Easy

Dear All,

The point of this blog is very largely to make it easier for others to write letters for Amnesty. If you have any comments on how it can do that better, please let me know.

I think writing letters on behalf of Amnesty is easy, and it even gets easier as you go. Here are some thoughts to make it even easier.

1. Keep a template. Create a document that has your name and address in the top, and a line or two that work well to finish a letter with at the bottom. (To get an idea of how one might do this, look at any letter posted here, and subtract the content that is specific to the particular action it is about.)
2. Make it personal. Begin your letter with some words about yourself. Part of the impact of the urgent action network is that so many different people react. The recepients of the letters will only know that if you tell them who you are.
   
3. Shamelessly copy and paste. It is perfectly fine to copy text from the Urgent Action into your letter. The main strength of the Urgent Action network is in its numbers, it is wildly unrealistic to think that all the letters get read. You should ensure that your letter is grammatical, and you should write: "I urge you to release so and so immediately", not "urging the authorities to ...", and so on. Aside from that, use copy and paste a lot.
   
4. Grab a friend. If you pool your efforts with a friend, and share your template with her, you can easily double your output with almost no increase in effort. You take one action, your friend another. You create two sets of letters, one for yourself, one for your friend, and your friend does the same.
5. Set a managable target. Aim for a level of activity that you can sustain. It is better to write one letter every two weeks for a year than to write five the first week, and then no more.

If you have thoughts on how to write good Amnesty letters, please post them below.

Damning Report of Israel

The inquiry, headed by a former South African judge, Richard Goldstone, delivered a detailed and damning criticism of the war, accusing both Israel and armed Palestinian groups, notably Hamas, of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. It was by far the most serious international inquiry into the three-week war, which left 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead and which triggered a wave of criticism across the world.

Read on here.

Unsurprisingly, Isreal rejects the findings.

Tsvangirai Ups the Pressure

The Prime Minister in the "power sharing" government of Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, is starting to up the pressure on Mugabe. That's good news, presumably, but I hope he can back it up.

"I am not going to stand by while Zanu-PF continue to violate the law, persecute our members of parliament, spread the language of hate, invade our productive farms … ignore our international treaties," the prime minister told thousands of supporters in Bulawayo. "I am not going to stand by and let this happen."

Read on here.

Several Hundred Thousand Tamils Still Held in Prison-like Camps

[L]ess than 5% of the 300,000 Tamils [have been] released from what the United Nations describes as "internment camps". ...

The Sri Lankan authorities recently allowed humanitarian relief workers
into Manik Farm [which is one of the camps]. The immediate criticism was that there were persistent water shortages. Then heavy rains sent rivers of sewage cascading through tents and tin sheds.

Now there are growing fears that with monsoon rains due in October, the camps could become a sea of thick mud and slop.

Doctors in the main hospital in Vavuniya, the largest town near the camp, say that more 1,000 people have died since May, mainly due to "malnutrition-related complications", and warn of an impending disaster if conditions do not improve.

Read on in the Guardian here. The Sri Lankan governments excuse is that there may be LTTE rebel soldiers hiding among the civilians, but it is hard to see how that can justify bereaving so many of their human rights in this way.

Recall that Sri Lanka in May managed to manipulate the Human Rights Council of the UN to praise its victory over the LTTE and to and refuse to investigate allegations of war crimes on both sides of the conflict. They managed to get a resolution passed saying that the war was a "domestic matter that doesn't warrant outside interference".

Recall also the earlier action about five doctors being held by the Sri Lankan government, at risk of torture. Four of these have been released, but one is still being held.

Nice News: Brown Apologises to Turing

Gordon Brown issued an unequivocal apology last night on behalf of the government to Alan Turing, the second world war codebreaker who took his own life 55 years ago after being sentenced to chemical castration for being gay.

From the Guardian. Read on here.

Turing played a vital role in the war effort. He also invented the Turing Test, which has been highly influential in thought about artificial intelligence (AI).

Juvenile Offender Faces Execution in Iran

Hossein Haghi is facing imminent execution for a murder committed when he was a 16-year-old boy. Read more here:

UA: 234/09 Index: MDE 13/095/2009

Please send appeals immediately, and before October 15:

• Leader of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei; The Office of the Supreme Leader; Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street; Tehran; Islamic Republic of Iran; Send email via website. (Salutation: Your Excellency)
• Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani; Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary) Pasteur St.; Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri; Tehran 1316814737; Islamic Republic of Iran, Send email via website. (First starred box: your given name; second starred box: your family name; third: your email address), (Salutation: Your Excellency)

Please send copies to:

• Director, Human Rights Headquarters of Iran Mohammad Javad Larijani; Howzeh Riassat-e Ghoveh Ghazaiyeh; Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave.; south of Serah-e Jomhuri; Tehran 1316814737; Islamic Republic of Iran. Fax: +98 21 3390 4986 (please keep trying) Email: fsharafi at bia-judiciary.ir or int_aff at judiciary.ir (In the subject line: FAO Mohammad Javad Larijani)
• Your local diplomatic mission.

My letter is below.

Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme Leader
Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street
Tehran
Islamic Republic of Iran

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA Friday, 11 September 2009


RE: Death sentence of Hossein Haghi

Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, and a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University. It has come to my attention that Hossein Haghi’s death sentence was approved by Branch 27 of the Supreme Court during the last week of August 2009.

I write to express my concern at this development and I call on you and the authorities in your country to commute this death sentence of Hossein Haghi.

I respectfully remind you that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), both of which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,


Ole Koksvik

Stop Violence against Evicted Community

The inhabitants of San Antonio Ebulá in Mexico were forcibly evicted, and some were beaten, on 13 August by private security guards aided by police. Although the village was levelled, the inhabitants are planning to return. It is feared that violence may be used by police and private security guards to prevent their return.

Read more here: UA 235-09 (pdf file)

Please send appeals, before October 15, to:

• Jorge Carlos Hurtado Valdez; Gobernador del Estado de Campeche; Palacio de Gobierno; Calle 8 entre 61 y Circuito Baluartes S/N; San Fco. de Campeche 24009; MEXICO. Fax: +52 98 1811 4004 (Salutation: Dear Governor), and
• Lic. Carlos Miguel Aysa González; Secretario de Seguridad Pública; Av. López Portillo por Av. Lázaro Cárdenas S/N; Col. Laureles, San Fco. de Campeche; C. P. 24085; MEXICO. Fax: +52 98 1 811 9110 (ask: "me puede dar tono de fax por favor") (Salutation: Dear Governor)

Send copies to:

• And your local diplomatic mission
• Equipo Indignación: informativo at indignacion.org.mx

My letter is below.

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


Jorge Carlos Hurtado Valdez
Gobernador del Estado de Campeche
Palacio de Gobierno, Calle
8 entre 61 y Circuito Baluartes S/N,
San Fco. De Campeche 24009.
MEXICO
Fax: +52 1811 4004

RE: San Antonio Ebulá

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, and a
PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

After receiving information regards this matter from Amnesty International, I write to express
my concern about the current situation of the inhabitants of San Antonio Ebulá.

As I understand it, they have been forcibly and violently evicted from their village without
warning or a legal warrant and were not provided with an adequate alternative. I strongly urge, you and your fellow authorities to investigate the allegations of beating and damages against private property and dwellings.

I also ask that you provide the inhabitats of San Antonio Ebulá with protection from further forced eviction of abuses by private security guards or police, should they wish to return to their village pending the outcome of legal proceedings in relationship to the ownership and use of the land. Please make every attempt to promptly resolve the ownership of the land and engage in genuine consultation with the community, including provision of adequate alternative housing with security of tenure and compensation, should this be necessary.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Legal Aid Worker at Risk of Torture

Three letters today! (I am a member of a small group who help each other write letters. The letters on this page is the result of our joint effort.)

The first is from China.

Zhuang Lu works for a legal aid and research organisation called the Open Constitution Initiative in Beijing. She has been missing since 22 August, and may be in police custody and is at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

Read more here: ASA 17/051/2009

Please write before October 13 2009 to:

• Director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau; MA Zhenchuan Juzhang; Beijingshi Gong'anju; 9 Qianmen Dongdajie; Dongchengqu Beijingshi 100740; People's Republic of China; Fax: +86 10 85222320 (Salutation: Dear Director)
• 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 (Salutation: Your Excellency) Fax: +86 10 63099216

Remember to send a copy to China's diplomatic mission in your local area.

My letter is below.

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


MA Zhenchuan Juzhang
Beijingshi Gong'anju
9 Qianmen Dongdajie
Dongchengqu
Beijingshi 100740
People's Republic of China 11/09/2009
Fax: +86 10 85222320


Dear Director,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent
Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

It has come to my attention that Zhuang Lu, who is the Finance Secretary of the Open Constitution Initiative (Gongmeng) was detained by police on 29 July and, despite statements from the police that she has been released on August 22, her whereabouts are still unknown. She has not been hear from since 26 August.

I call on you to release Zhuang Lu immediately and unconditionally unless she is charged with an internationally recognizable offence.

I urge you to guarantee that she is not tortured or ill-treated while she remains in custody, and to immediately provide information on her whereabouts, and the reasons and legal basis for her continued detention.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider my concerns.


Sincerely yours,
Ole Koksvik

On Faxing

I want to encourage all readers to use fax as much as possible when writing letters on behalf of Amnesty International. It is harder to dismiss a piece of paper than it is to dismiss an email; thus letters and faxes are better than emails, I think. But it is also important that the action reach quickly, and so faxes are the better choice of those two.

You may not be aware that you can fax without having a fax machine. There are many providers that let you send an email, with what you want faxed in an attachment, and they will send the fax for you. We use Ozefax, and this has proved a reliable and cheap service so far.

So, please consider sending faxes!

Travis Bishop, soldier imprisoned as conscientious objector in USA

AMR 51/093/2009

Sargent Travis Bishop is serving a one-year prison sentence over his refusal to serve in Afghanistan, a refusal caused by his religious beliefs. AI considers him a prisoner of conscience. Click above for full details.

Please write to:
Commanding Officer of Travis Bishop's Unit

• Lieutenant General Rick Lynch; Commanding General; III Corps HQ; 1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave.; Bldg. 1001, Room W105; Fort Hood, TX 76544-5005; USA (Salutation: Dear Commanding General), and
• Military Commander Colonel James H. Jenkins III; Headquarters, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; Building 10053, Battalion Avenue; Fort Hood, TX 76544-5068; USA

before 05 October.

Send copies to your local diplomatic mission for the US, as well as to Travis's lawyer
Travis Bishop’s lawyer

• James M. Branum; 3334 W. Main St., PMB #412; Norman, OK 73072; USA

My letter is below.

Lieutenant General Rick Lynch
Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA

Commanding General
III Corps HQ
1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
Bldg. 1001, Room W105
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5005
USA


Dear Commanding General,

RE: Travis Bishop

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident and a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I wish to draw your attention to the fact that Amnesty International considers Travis Bishop to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for his conscientious objection to participate in war.

I understand that Bishop went absent without leave, however he did so to complete an application for conscientious objector status and seek legal advice, thereafter returning to his unit to submit the application.

I strongly urge the authorities to release Travis Bishop immediately and unconditionally.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,


Ole Koksvik

Police Killings in Venezuela: 900 a Year!

From the Guardian again:

Human rights group estimate that during the past decade there has been an average of 900 killings a year. "Extra-judicial executions are extremely widespread. It's a habitual practice," said Pablo Fernandez, of the Support Network for Justice and Peace, an advocacy group that tracks human rights abuses.

Read the whole article here.

Doctors Participated in Torture, Committed Illegal Research

First of all, I'm tired of the BS of calling what CIA did "harsh techniques", or "rough interrogation" or similar euphemisms. What the CIA (and others) have done is torture, pure and simple. Waterboarding is torture. Slamming someone's head against the wall is torture. Keeping someone awake for prolonged periods of time is torture. The list goes on. So, this is an allegation by a watchdog that doctors participated in torture.

From the Guardian:

Doctors and psychologists the CIA employed to monitor its "enhanced interrogation" of terror suspects came close to, and may even have committed, unlawful human experimentation, a medical ethics watchdog has alleged. ...

PHR [Physicians for Human Rights] says health professionals participated at every stage in the development, implementation and legal justification of what it calls the CIA's secret "torture programme".

Read on here.

Gender Inequity in South Africa: "correctional rape" against lesbian women

I have decided to more of the stuff I read on human rights in general on this blog, not just AI letters. Hopefully this will still be of interest to most readers.

This article in the Guardian is well worth a read. It starts off with talk about Caster Semenya -- the athlete asked to prove that she is female -- but quicly gets on to more general questions about gender roles in South Africa, and rape.

From the article:

Semenya might have been embraced with adulation this week, but another sportswoman who transgressed gender expectations has met a very different fate. Last year Eudy Simelane, who captained South Africa's women football team, was gang-raped and beaten, before being stabbed 25 times in the face, chest and legs. ...

Gay and lesbian activists said that Simelane – a 29-year-old politically active lesbian of supposedly "butch" appearance – was just the most high-profile victim of so-called "corrective rape". That is the rape of a lesbian by a man to punish or "cure" her sexual orientation.
...
Shocking research published last year by Triangle revealed that 10 cases of "corrective rape" are reported in South Africa every week. An astonishing 31 lesbians have been reported murdered in homophobic attacks since 1998 but only two cases have made it to the courts and there has been only one conviction. (Emphasis mine.)

Rendition to CONTINUE under Obama??

If this is true, it is extremel disappointing!

The Obama administration will continue the Bush administration’s practice of sending terror suspects to third countries for detention and interrogation, but will monitor their treatment to ensure they are not tortured, administration officials said on Monday.

From the New York Times.

Death Sentence Postponed

Further details: MDE 13/086/2009

Here is extracted information from that document:
In Iran, Mohammad Reza Haddadi was sentenced to death in 2004 for a murder committed when he was 15. He confessed to the murder, but later retracted the confession. He said that he was innocent, but had claimed responsibility for the killing because his two co-defendants had offered to give his family money if he did so.

The execution of juvenile offenders is prohibited under international law, including Article 6(5) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to which Iran is a state party, and so has undertaken not to execute anyone for crimes committed when they were under 18.

Please write to:

• Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei; The Office of the Supreme Leader; Islamic Republic Street – End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street; Tehran; Islamic Republic of Iran. Email: info_leader@leader.ir, or via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
• Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi; c/o Director, Judiciary Public Relations and Information Office; Ardeshir Sadiq; Judiciary Public Relations and Information Office;
  No. 57, Pasteur St.; corner of Khosh Zaban Avenue; Tehran; Iran. Email: info@dadiran.ir
  

Send copies to:

• Judiciary spokesperson Alireza Jamshidi; Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh Qazaiyeh / Office of the Head of the Judiciary; Pasteur St, Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhuri; Tehran 1316814737' Iran; Email: info@a-jamshidi.ir
• His Excellency Mr Mahmoud MOVAHHEDI, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, PO Box 705 , Mawson ACT 2607, Fax : (02) 6290 2825, Email: ambassador@iranembassy.org.au, (Salutation: Your Excellency)

My letter is below:

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
c/o Director, Judiciary Public Relations and Information Office
Ardeshir Sadiq
Judiciary Public Relations and Information Office
No. 57, Pasteur St., corner of Khosh Zaban Avenue
Tehran
Iran

Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I write to recognise and welcome the postponement of Mohammad Reza Haddadi's execution. I urge you to now commute this death sentence without delay.

I respectfully remind you that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibit the use of the death penalty against people convicted of crimes committed when they were under 18.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Human Rights Defender on Trial in DR Congo

In DR Congo, human rights defender Golden Misabikom, who is the pPresident of the human rights organisation Association Africaine de défense des Droits de l’Hommein Katanga province (ASADHO/Katanga), is being put on trial, charged with "threatening state security," because his organization published a report alleging state complicity in illegal uranium mining.

Further details here: AFR 62/014/2009

Please write to:

• President; Son Excellence Joseph Kabila; Président de la République; Palais de la Nation; Avenue de Lemera; Kinshasa-Gombe; Democratic Republic of Congo; E-mail: presipp@yahoo.fr (Salutation: Dear President Kabila)
• Justice Minister; Luzolo Bambi Lessa; Ministère de la Justice; 228 Avenue de Lemera; BP 3137 Kinshasa-Gombe; Democratic Republic of Congo; Email : pourtous.justice@yahoo.fr (Salutation: Dear Minister)

My letter is below:

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA

Son Excellence Joseph Kabila
Président de la République
Palais de la Nation
Avenue de Lemera
Kinshasa-Gombe
Democratic Republic of Congo


Dear President Kabila,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I write to demand that you release Golden Misabiko immediately and unconditionally, as he is a prisoner of conscience detained solely for his lawful human rights work.

I urge you also to guarantee Golden Misabiko's right to freedom of expression, including the right to conduct research, publish and disseminate, by himself or through ASADHO/Katanga, human rights information, a principle recognized by the 1998 UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

This letter has been made public here: http://aiua-sent.blogspot.com/

Doctors at risk in Sri Lanka

ASA 37/018/2009

(I could not find the document on the AI servers yet, but this is the right UA, it has the same text as the word file I was sent.)

There is fear for the well being of five doctors who spoke out against the Sri Lankan government's methods of warfare during the recent war with the LTTE. They are now being held, and recently a press conference was held in which they recanted their previous accusations. Sri Lanka has a history of torture and ill treatment of prisoners.

AI writes:

Before their capture the doctors had provided eyewitness reports to the media and the international community from hospitals and makeshift medical centres in the conflict zone. Contrary to information from the government, their reports detailed the suffering of ordinary civilians, many of whom died from war-related injuries. Their reports also highlighted shelling of areas with large concentrations of non-combatants.

Please send appeals, before 23/09/09, to:
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 23 September 2009:

• His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Presidential Secretariat, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka, Fax: +94 11 2446657 (Salutation: Your Excellency)
• Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order, 15/5, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka, Fax: +94 11 245 1529 (Salutation: Dear Minister). NB: I was unsuccessful in getting a fax through to this number.

Send copies to your local Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. In Australia:

• His Excellency Mr Senaka C.B. WALGAMPAYA PC, High Commissioner, High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 35 Empire Circuit, Forrest ACT 2603, Fax: (02) 6239 6166, Email : admin@slhcaust.org (Salutation: Your Excellency)

My letter is below.

His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
Fax: +94 11 2446657

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia, Tuesday, 18 August 2009


Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident and a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University.

I write to express my grave concern for doctors Veerakkathipillai Shanmugarajah, Thurairaja Varatharaja, Thangamuttu Sathyamoorthy, Kathirvel Ilancheliyan Vallavan and S. Sivapalanm, who have not been charged since their detention on 15 May 2009.

I call on you to release the doctors immediately, unless they are charged with recognisably criminal offences.

I futhermore call on the Sri Lankan government to repeal or revise emergency regulations and other special security legislation so as to bring them into line with international human rights law and standards.

I also note that I regard with suspicion the retractions of earlier statements which were given by the doctors on the press conference on July the 8th. I call on you to do ensure that the doctors are treated well while in custody, and to ensure, in particular, that they are not subjected to torture or other ill treatment.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

This letter has been made public here: http://aiua-sent.blogspot.com/

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

White Flag Shootings in Gaza?

Here is a report in the Guardian, on allegations of killings of civilians carrying white flags, during Israel's offensive in Gaza this year.

Death in Custody: Justice for Mr Ward

I found this truly shocking. Mr Ward, an indigenous elder, was being transported by authorities when he died. AI writes:

Inside the metal pod, the temperature reached up to 50.4°C and the metal floor peaked at up to 56.6°C. Mr Ward died of heatstroke and suffered a serious burn from his skin touching the metal surface. His body temperature was 41.7°C when he reached Kalgoorlie Hospital. Despite the efforts of hospital staff, they were unable to revive him.

Please follow this link to write to the Attorney-General to protest. My letter is below.

Dear Attorney-General,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a PhD student at the Australian National University. I am writing to express my utter disgust at the appalling death of Mr Ward, and to express my grave concern that the history of Indigenous deaths in custody in Australia is, evidently, still not receiving adequate attention by the Australian Government.

I call on the Commonwealth to uphold its responsibility to honour Australia's human rights obligations.

The treatment of Mr Ward breached Australia's human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which states that no-one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and that all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and dignity; and the Convention Against Torture which obliges States to ensure that effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment are in place, and that all violations are punished.

I also call on the Commonwealth to uphold its responsibility to ensure that the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody have been implemented. These include:

- addressing the economic and social factors that underpin the extreme over-representation of Indigenous people in custody;
- improving standards of continuous monitoring to ensure the health and well-being of Indigenous prisoners;
- limiting the unnecessary transportation of accused persons over long distances;
- not placing Indigenous prisoners in institutions far from their families and allowing appeal against transfer decisions; and
- ensuring that all deaths in custody are investigated on the basis that they may be homicides.

I trust that you will do all that is within your power to ensure that the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is upheld and that all necessary actions are taken to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy.

Sincerely yours

Ole Koksvik

Iran: Execution by Stoning

Today's second letter regards the threat of execution by stoning, in Iran. AI writes:

Iranian woman, Sakineh Mohammadi is at risk of execution by stoning in Tabriz Prison, western Iran. She was convicted in 2006 or 2007 of “adultery while being married”. She was previously flogged for “having an illicit relationship”.

Further details: MDE 13/082/2009

Write to Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, Office of the Head of the Judiciary. Email: shahroudi@dadgostary-tehran.ir (In the subject line write: FAO Ayatollah Shahroudi).

Send copies to:

• Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Sayed ‘Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader. Email: via website: http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter
• The local diplomatic contacts for Iran (click through to the right country, then click "contact us" on the left). In Australia: His Excellency Mr Mahmoud MOVAHHEDI, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. PO Box 705 , Mawson ACT 2607, Fax : (02) 6290 2825

My letter is below:

Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA


Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi
Office of the Head of the Judiciary
Pasteur St., Vali Asr Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri
Tehran 1316814737,
Islamic Republic of Iran


Your Excellency,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University and a member of Amnesty International.

It has come to my attention that Sakineh Mohammadi is at risk of being stoned, having been convicted for “adultery while being married".

I am writing to urge you to ensure that Sakineh Mohammadi is not executed. Execution is the ultimate cruel and inhuman punishment; it is a punishment which is never justified, and certainly not in the case at hand.

I further call on you to ensure that an immediate and effective moratorium is imposed on executions by stoning and the use of other forms of execution and cruel and inhuman punishments, including flogging.


Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and to consider my concerns.


Sincerely yours

Ole Koksvik

Two men hanged; others in grave danger

Two urgent actions letters today:

The first relates to the hanging of two men, and the immediate risk of the execution of three further men, in Japan.

Further details: ASA 22/012/2009

Write, in the first instance, to MORI Eisuke, the Minister of Justice, fax: +81 3 5511 7200.

Send copies to:

• ASO Taro, Prime Minister, fax: +81 3 3581 3883, Email: (via website) http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/forms/comment.html
• Newspaper Asahi Shimbun, fax: +81 3 3545 0285.
• The local Japanese diplomatic contacts. In Australia: His Excellency Mr Takaaki KOJIMA, Ambassador. Fax: (02) 6273 1848

I believe that sending a fax strikes the best balance between speed of delivery and delivering a product that will be taken somewhat seriously, and I think email comes second. However, if you prefer sending an ordinary letter, click here to obtain postal addresses.

My letter is below.

MORI Eisuke
Minister of Justice
1-1-1 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-897
JAPAN
Fax: +81 3 5511 7200
E-mail: webmaster@moj.go.jp


Ole Koksvik
Philosophy, RSSS
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 2600
AUSTRALIA Friday, 14 August 2009

Dear Minister,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University and a member of Amnesty International.

I write to express my concern at the your decision to proceed with the executions of Maeue Hiroshi and Yamaji Yukio.

I strongly urge you not to execute Shinozawa Kazuo, Zoda Hiroshi and Ogata Hidek. I also call on you to order an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, with a view to eventual abolition, and to commute the sentences of all those now on death row.

Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

128 People Facing Imminent Execution in Iraq

MDE 14/009/2009

Amnesty has been informed by the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council informed that Iraq’s Presidential Council has ratified the death sentences of 128 people, all of whom now face imminent execution. No details are known about the identities of these people.

You can write to President Jalal Talabani; Vice-Presidents Tariq al-Hashimi and ‘Adil ‘Abdul Mahdi, with copies to Prime Minister Nuri Kamil al-Maliki; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hoshyar Zebari, the Minister of Human Rights; Wajdan Mikhail Salam and the Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Ghanim Taha A AL-SHIBLI. Send all letters care of the embassy, Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, 48 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley ACT 2606, and ask them to forward them to their addressees with urgency.

My letter is below:

His Excellency Mr Ghanim Taha A AL-SHIBLI                    

Ambassador                                                                              

Embassy of the Republic of Iraq                                                                                                  

48 Culgoa Circuit                                                                                                                              

O’Malley  ACT  2606                                                         

Ole Koksvik

Philosophy, RSSS

The Australian National University

Canberra ACT 2600

AUSTRALIA

Monday, 16 March 2009

Your Excellency,

RE: FEAR OF IMMINENT EXECUTION

I am a student at the Australian National University, an Norwegian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, and a member of Amnesty International. I am writing to express my concern that 128 people are facing imminent execution in your country, the death sentences of which were ratified by Iraq’s Presidential Council earlier this month. 

I strongly urge the authorities in your country to commute these 128 death sentences along with all the death sentences pending in Iraq.

I also call on Iraqi authorities to establish an immediate moratorium on executions in your country.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and hear my concerns.

Yours sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, the Bahamas

It has been a long time since my last post, I really wish that was different. Hopefully I'll manage to post more regularly from now on.

AMR 14/001/2009

Amnesty International fears for the safety of detainees at a detention centre in Nassau, the Bahamas. The Carmichael Road Detention Centre houses foreign nationals alleged by the authorities to have breached immigration laws, including asylum-seekers, some of whom are believed to be children.

A number of recent reports indicate that detainees are severely beaten and otherwise mistreated. Read the full brief from AI.

Please write to

• Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honourable Brent Symonette via fax Fax: +1 242 356-5990, 328-8212 or 326-2123 
  
• Minister of National Security, The Honourable Tommy Turnquest, via Fax: Fax: +1 242 356 6087 or 356 7444
• Minister of State for Immigration, The Honourable Branville McCartney, via Fax: Fax: +1 242 326 0977
• Send copies to: The Tribune Newspaper, via Fax: + 1 242 328 2398.

(Follow the link above to obtain mail addresses.)

My letter is below.

The Honourable Brent Symonette

Ministry of Foregin Affairs

Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre

West Bay Street

P.O. Box N 3746

Nassau, The Bahamas

FAX: +1 242 356 5990, 328-8212, 326-2123

Ole Koksvik

Philosophy, RSSS

The Australian National University

Canberra, ACT 2600

AUSTRALIA 16/03/2009

DETAINEES AT THE CARMICHAEL ROAD DETENTION CENTRE

Dear Deputy Prime Minister,

My name is Ole Koksvik, I am a Norwegian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, a PhD Candidate at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. I am a member of Amnesty International.

I am writing to express my grave concern at reports that people being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre have been beaten and ill-treated.

I call on you to ensure that the detainees who have been ill-treated are given immediate medical treatment.

I request that you initiate an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into the allegation of ill-treatment, and that you ensure that those found responsible are brought to justice.

I call on you, furthermore, to ensure that independent monitors are allowed access to the detention facility, including that of human rights organisations.

I urge that you unsure that no asylum-seeker be returned without access to a fair and effective refugee determination procedure, which should include the right to appeal to an independent tribunal, and which should include, also, access to effective legal assistance, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and access to interpreters.

Finally, I urge you to use the detention of irregular migrants and asylum-seekers only as a measure of last resort. Please ensure that alternatives to detention are available and accessible, both in law and in practice, and without discrimination.

Thank you for considering these concerns.

Sincerely,

Ole Koksvik

Obama to Close Guantanamo and Overseas Prisons with A Year

Excellent news:

President Obama is expected to sign executive orders Thursday directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons and ordering the closing of the Guantánamo detention camp within a year, government officials said.

From the New York Times here.

Congratulations, President Obama!

As many, I have great hopes pinned on the new U.S. administration.

AI is asking us to email the new president, urging him to close Guantanamo, issue an executive order to ban torture, and bring about an independent review on U.S. interrogation and detention practices. You can email Obama on AI's site here, or via president at whitehouse.gov.

My email is below.

Congratulations President Obama.

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, and a PhD student in philosophy at the Australian National University.

As many people around the world, I have high hopes to your administration. I have listened to your speeches, and I have believed that you are sincere. For me, that is rare. I believe you can bring to an end the previous US administration's seven-year assault on human rights in the 'war on terror'. I was heartened by your rejection of the choice between safety and ideals, and I took this as a reaffirmation of your conviction that human rights must not be sacrificed, for any reason.

As a member of Amnesty International I am calling on you to demonstrate your commitment to justice by announcing a timeline to close Guantanamo Bay, issuing an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment as defined under international law, and by ensuring an independent inquiry into the US's detention and interrogation practices in its "war on terror".

These are three key steps on Amnesty International's checklist for your first 100 days in office.

You can counter terror with justice. We are counting on you.

Thank you for considering our message.

Sincerely yours,

Ole Koksvik

Closure of Guantanamo

AI Australia is asking that we email the US president-elect Mr Barack Obama, and call on him to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Read more here.

Australian citizens and residents can email the embassy, on usrsaustralia at state.gov. Others could either email their local embassy (find the details here), or use the contact form here.

My email is below.

Dear President-elect Obama,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, and a PhD student at the Australian National University.

You have inspired and brought hope to millions around the world. A hope shared by many is that you will reverse the atrocious trend manifested under the Bush administration, of human and civil rights being subjected to summary approval or rejection by the executive power of the US.

Human rights may not be set aside when convenience or dire circumstance seems to demand it. They are inviolable. Using torture to defend what we hold dear destroys it instead.

You can bring to an end the previous administration's seven-year assault on human rights in the 'war on terror'.

I call on you to demonstrate your commitment to justice by:

* Announcing the timeline to close Guantanamo
* Issuing an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment as defined under international law
* Ensuring that an independent inquiry into the USA's detention and interrogation practices in its "war on terror" is set up
* Ensuring that an immediate review of Bush’s “signing statements” is carried out, and that commitment to separation of powers is reaffirmed and strengthened


You can counter terror with justice. We are counting on you.


Sincerely

Ole Koksvik

Mr Zuhair, Guantanamo Detainee on Hunger Strike

AMR 51/156/2008

This regards Mr Ahmed Zuhair. He has been on a hunger strike since mid-2005, and has been force fed since August that year. There is a significant concern for his health, according to his lawyer he has lost 1/4 of his body weight, and does now appear skeletal. He vomits often.

Despite not resisting treatment, he is being force fed in a restraint chair, a process which causes him very great pain. Mr Zuhair alleges that this process is being used as collective punishment.

Read the brief from AI for further details.

Please send appeals to the President of the USA, Mr Bush, on president at whitehouse.gov, and to the secretary of defence, Mr Gates, via fax +1 703 571 8951 or regular mail: US Secretary of Defence, 1000 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301, USA. My letter to the president is below.

As always, send copies to your local embassy.

Dear Mr President,

My name is Ole Koksvik. I am a Norwegian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, and a PhD student at the Australian National University. I am writing to express my grave concern about the health of Guantánamo detainee Ahmed Zuhair.

It has come to my attention that Mr Zuhair is being force fed in a restraint chair, a process which is causing him very significant pain. There are indications that this practice is used as a form of collective punishment, and it is clear that the practice is unnecessary in the case of Mr Zuhair, who is not resisting the treatment. I therefore call for the immediate cessation of this method of feeding Mr Zuhair.

I welcome Judge Emmett Sullivan's order for an independent medical examination of Ahmed Zuhair, and I call on you to ensure that this examination is carried immediately, and that Mr Zuhair receives all necessary medical treatment. The treatment must always be carried out by medical personnel and in a gentle and humane fashion. It must never be carried out by guards, and never in a manner that produces suffering.

I also call for the immediate release of Mr Zuhair, unless he is immediately charged with recognizably criminal offences for trial in ordinary US federal court.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and for considering my concerns.

Sincerely,


Ole Koksvik

Gaza

AI in Australia are asking people to write to the Australian Foregin Minister Stephen Smith, urging him to do his utmost to influence the UN to put pressure on Israel and Hamas to obtain an immediate seize fire. Please go here to follow AI's request, or email him at stephen.smith.mp at aph.gov.au.

My letter is below.

Dear Minister,

I am writing to express my grave concern at the escalating conflict in the Gaza strip and Southern Israel.

I urge Australia to take all available measures to encourage the UN Security Council and the international community take firm and decisive action to halt the violence.

The Security Council has a key responsibility to help ensure that the parties to the conflict respect international human rights and humanitarian law. It is imperative that the Council urgently adopt a strong resolution condemning attacks against civilians by both Israel and Hamas and demanding that such attacks cease immediately.

Israel is the strongest party in this conflict, that much is obvious. Particular pressure must be put on Israel to end the completely disproportionate use of violence.

Israel's president Shimon Peres said that Hamas needs a "serious lesson" and that they are now getting it. It is, however, the innocent civilians on Gaza that are paying the price of this supposed lesson. That is unacceptable. Israel must seize the attacks that are killing civilians on a massive scale and in brutal ways.

The Security Council should also urge Israel to lift restrictions on the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza - medicines, food, fuel and other necessities urgently required to alleviate civilian suffering - and to allow humanitarian and human rights workers and journalists unfettered access to Gaza.

Humanitarian workers and journalists have been barred from Gaza by the Israeli military since early November. Their presence is urgently required to independently assess humanitarian needs and report on the situation on the ground, including abuses of international law. Their exclusion is absolutely unacceptable, and Israel must be forced to let them in.

The Security Council should also consider the deployment of international monitors. Civilians on both sides continue to pay a heavy price, which might be alleviated if international monitors were to be deployed. Their functions should include verifying compliance with international law by both Israel and the Palestinian administration in Gaza.

Sincerely

Ole Koksvik