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