AII Member Mahesh Kumar’s arduous ‘One Man Human Rights Padyatra’ from New Delhi to Lucknow concluded successfully on 4th November. He submitted a nine point memorandum to the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Sailesh Krishnan, concerning the elimination of torture and discrimination, a moratorium on death penalty, governmental and corporate accountability to human rights standards, and the need for human rights education in schools. Read more...
Visit Amnesty International India stall at the 18th New Delhi World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi2nd - 10th February, 2008 Read more...
Amnesty International India members from the states of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Chhatisgarh, Uttaranchal, Kerela, Jharkhand, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and others are conducting a marathon post card campaign on the human rights violations at Nandigram. Post cards from all over the country will land on the Chief Minister’s table in a condensed time from 17 November-21 Novemeber 2007, for maximum effect. AII members are writing to the Chief Minister of West Bengal demanding a stop to the use of force in Nandigram. Read more...
Demanding:
Given the political developments in Myanmar in the last week, we are calling on again for an urgent action in Delhi on Saturday 6th October 2007. This is a coalition event. Partners include Burma Solidarity. Your support is greatly needed to keep the pressure on the Myanmar authorities to stop the violence towards demonstrators and to release thousands of detainees and prisoners of conscience. We must also maintain our call on Indian government to continue to focus their efforts.
Targets and messages:Our primary target remains the government of Myanmar, as those primarily responsible for the human rights violations we are addressing. We are calling on the Myanmar authorities to (i) stop their violent crackdown on protestors; (ii) respect their right of freedom of assembly and expression and the right to peaceful protest; (iii) release all prisoners of conscience; and (iv)end other ongoing human rights violations which AI has documented for years.
Our secondary targets include those governments with influence over Myanmar, in particular India, China and ASEAN. We call on these states to (i) use their influence in support of our calls above; (ii) prohibit the supply of arms to Myanmar.
We are also targeting the wider international community. We have called on the UN Security Council to send a mission to Myanmar and to impose an arms embargo. We have recently also called on the UN Human Rights Council to pressure the Myanmar authorities. We have also called on other states to prohibit the supply of arms.
The purpose of this 2nd global demonstration is to maintain much needed international pressure on the Myanmar authorities not to respond with further violence and to immediately release the more than 1000 detainees recently arrested as well as over 1,150 political prisoners, including prisoners of conscience, all of whom are at serious risk of further human rights violations. This demonstration is also important in calling on the international community to act, by exerting their influence as outlined above. To maximise the impact of our demonstrations, media coverage is crucial. The more global our demonstration - the more chance of international media coverage we will have.
SITUATION UPDATE
The heavy military presence on Myanmar's streets, combined with mass arrests, has stamped out the massive protests of the past week. Large numbers of troops are visible across the city of Yangon, the focal point for the demonstrations. The many reports of alleged brutal killings, disappearances and arrests are causing major concern for the people of Myanmar and those watching the continuing crisis. However, it remains extremely difficult for anyone to confirm details about who has been arrested, where they are held, why and under what circumstances. This uncertainty is partly as a consequence of restrictions on Internet and phone use.
Security forces have scaled up their efforts to curb the mass distribution of images and blogs providing information about the crackdown. Internet access remains limited and phone lines, including of diplomats, appear to have been cut. Random searches for cameras and mobile phones have reportedly been introduced in Yangon, with arrests taking place. Over the past week, security forces in Myanmar have raided monasteries and attacked peaceful demonstrators, firing live bullets as well as tear gas and beating protestors with batons.
The authorities have acknowledged 10 deaths, including a Japanese video journalist, Kenji Nagai, who was killed when troops opened fire on a group of chanting demonstrators. However, it is feared that the actual number of fatalities is much higher.
Amnesty International believes that at least 1,000 people have been arrested in Yangon alone, the majority of them monks. Arrests are also reported from towns and cities across the country. This is in addition to at least 150 other persons arrested in August at the onset of the protests. Numerous key figures in the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, and other activists are among those arrested. The authorities are said to have constructed new temporary detention facilities in August, suggesting that some detainees may be held in such places.
Amnesty International has condemned the use of violence against peaceful protestors and is seriously concerned at the safety of all those detained across Myanmar.
Messages: Our ‘banner’ messages are: NO MORE BLOODSHED RELEASE PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE ACT NOW FOR A FREE MYANMAR
Location: Organise your own event in busy or symbolic public areas which will act as a suitable backdrop. Ideas may include main squares, famous historic sites, main shopping districts or outside government buildings.
Contact: Sana Das, Mukul SharmaAmnesty International India
Amnesty International India invites you to the inaugural of the International Week of Justice Caravan – the Kabuliwallah Express that starts its journey from the Rendezvous Festival at Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi on 21st September 2007. The International Week of Justice Festival is being organized in January 2008 (13-19) to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Festival has as its main theme Voices of Dignity.
From September to December 2007, the International Week of Justice Caravan, themed as Kabuliwallah Express will roam all campuses and key public sites in Delhi carrying Kahani Kabuliwalleh Ki which comprises Theatre, Exhibition, Films, Talks, Signature Campaigns, Competitions on Music, Theatre, Screenwriting, Short Film, Photography, Painting, Posters and Caricatures.
The Caravan begins from the Rendezvous Festival at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi on 21st September and will be in the Campus till 23rd September.
We feel honored to invite you to the Inaugural Ceremony of the Caravan. We hope you will encourage this endeavour of Amnesty International India to link youth from various disciplinary and professional background to human rights ideals of right to life and right to dignity enshrined in the UDHR with your participation. Your role will be inspirational and invaluable in helping to deliver a powerful message on the occasion of the Inaugural of the Caravan. We look forward to your kind confirmation.
Contact: Sana Das. Amnesty International India sana@amnesty.org.in , carafest@amnetsy.org.in Amnesty International India, C-1/22, First Floor, Safdarjung Development Area. New Delhi-16. INDIA. Tel – 011-41642501, 26854763 (Ext 20). Fax: 011-26510202.