The House letter urging China to help convince President Al-Bashir to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur is now being circulated. We have previously referred to this as the Lantos letter. Those of us in New Jersey can now proudly call it the Lantos-Smith-Payne-Wolfe letter! Congressmen Chris Smith (NJ4), Donald Payne (NJ10), and Frank Wolfe (VA10) have joined Tom Lantos of California in introducing this important letter!
If you have not already done so, please contact your member of the House and ask him to sign the Lantos-Smith-Payne-Wolfe letter!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Torture Awareness Month is Almost Here!
I had the opportunity to meet the new Denounce Torture Program Manager while I was at Amnesty’s DC office last Friday. As you may know, June 26th is the annual United Nations Day in Support of Torture Victims and Survivors. Last June, Amnesty joined with a broad coalition of organizations to mobilize support for the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act.
Since then, Congress has passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This law contains provisions that directly and indirectly undermine the right to physical, mental, and emotional integrity of the person (protection against torture), such as
-the elimination of habeas corpus appeals for all so-called “enemy combatants”
-the admissibility of evidence obtained through cruel and inhuman interrogation methods
-impunity for those who have committed or authorized torture.
It is therefore extremely urgent for Amnesty, its supporters, and other organizations to make our voices heard this June. Please check back here for more information as soon as it becomes available.
If you are part of a student chapter, please make plans to stay connected after the school year ends so that you can take part in this important mobilization.
Since then, Congress has passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This law contains provisions that directly and indirectly undermine the right to physical, mental, and emotional integrity of the person (protection against torture), such as
-the elimination of habeas corpus appeals for all so-called “enemy combatants”
-the admissibility of evidence obtained through cruel and inhuman interrogation methods
-impunity for those who have committed or authorized torture.
It is therefore extremely urgent for Amnesty, its supporters, and other organizations to make our voices heard this June. Please check back here for more information as soon as it becomes available.
If you are part of a student chapter, please make plans to stay connected after the school year ends so that you can take part in this important mobilization.
Darfur Letter Update / Amnesty Report on China
As of Friday, 96 members of the Senate have agreed to sign the Biden-Lugar letter urging China to help convince the Sudanese government to allow peacekeepers into Darfur! As previously mentioned, NJ Senators Lautenberg and Menendez have already agreed to sign on.
There has been some delay in circulating the corresponding letter in the House of Representatives. As you know, however, hundreds activists around the country have already urged their congressmen to sign it. I will post any information I receive about the status of the this letter.
Amnesty International continues to be very concerned about human rights problems within China. The London office has just released a report documenting the Chinese government’s failure to fulfill its promises to improve conditions in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
There has been some delay in circulating the corresponding letter in the House of Representatives. As you know, however, hundreds activists around the country have already urged their congressmen to sign it. I will post any information I receive about the status of the this letter.
Amnesty International continues to be very concerned about human rights problems within China. The London office has just released a report documenting the Chinese government’s failure to fulfill its promises to improve conditions in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Cluster Munitions Update
While I was checking on the status of S 549, I noticed that there is now a corresponding House bill to limit the use and sale of cluster weapons. Congressman James McGovern introduced HR 1755 in late March. As you know, many of the "bomblets" released by these weapons fail to explode upon impact and thus create minefields that kill civilians for years to come. Children are especially vulnerable because they mistake the brightly colored "bomblets" for toys.
Unfortunately, no members of the New Jersey congressional delegation have cosponsored either of these important pieces of legislation. We'll have to work on that!
(Note: I had the honor of interviewing McGovern for my dissertation in early 2001. He served as Congressman Joe Moakely's aide during the investigation of the 1989 masacre at the Jesuit university in El Salvador. Once elected, he continued to play an important role in the Salvadoran peace process and other human rights issues.)
Unfortunately, no members of the New Jersey congressional delegation have cosponsored either of these important pieces of legislation. We'll have to work on that!
(Note: I had the honor of interviewing McGovern for my dissertation in early 2001. He served as Congressman Joe Moakely's aide during the investigation of the 1989 masacre at the Jesuit university in El Salvador. Once elected, he continued to play an important role in the Salvadoran peace process and other human rights issues.)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Eritrea Letter Update--Three NJ Representatives Onboard
I have just found out that NJ Congressmen Bill Pascrell and Steven Rothman have signed the Udall-Kirk letter concerning the troubling situation in Eritrea, including the reported death of AI focus case Fessahaye Yohannes.
Congressman Rush Holt has previously agreed to sign this important initiative. Amnesty International is very grateful to all signers and hopes that this action will contribute to the safe release of Yohannes' fellow journalists who remain in prison.
Congressman Rush Holt has previously agreed to sign this important initiative. Amnesty International is very grateful to all signers and hopes that this action will contribute to the safe release of Yohannes' fellow journalists who remain in prison.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Menendez joins Lautenberg in Signing Darfur Letter!
I have just received an updated list of the signers of the Biden-Lugar letter urging China to persuade Sudan to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. So far, we have 51 out of 100 senators onboard! New Jersey has done even better, though—Senator Robert Menendez has joined Senator Lautenberg in agreeing to sign. Amnesty greatly appreciates their support for this important initiative. Thanks to everyone who contacted them about this letter!
There has been a bit of delay in getting out the corresponding letter in the House. As a result, no one has been able to sign on to it so far. We have, however, been hearing positive reactions from many House offices. If you have not done so already, please give call your representative’s office!
There has been a bit of delay in getting out the corresponding letter in the House. As a result, no one has been able to sign on to it so far. We have, however, been hearing positive reactions from many House offices. If you have not done so already, please give call your representative’s office!
Representative Sires Joins the Stand Against Gender-Based Violence in Guatemala
Amnesty International is very grateful to learn that Congressman Albio Sires has signed on as a cosponsor to HRes 100, the resolution on violence against women in Guatemala! He joins New Jersey Representatives Andrews, Holt, Payne, and Rothman.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Let's NOT get off China's back until the people of Darfur are safe!
"Also piling on the pressure were the Hu Jintao told Sudan's leader during a visit in February that he must give the United Nations a bigger role in trying to resolve the conflict in Darfur. Last month, a senior Chinese diplomat visited a refugee camp in Darfur, a clear signal that Beijing was concerned. China's new message to Khartoum appears to be 'help us get these people off our back,' said John Prendergast of the International Crisis Group."
ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU, Associated Press Writer
World awaits Sudan's next move in Darfur published April 17, 2007
WE are the people on China's back. The pressure is working! Let's make sure the Chinese government understands that we will NOT get off of its back until Sudanese President Al-Bashir accepts the full contingent of UN peacekeeping troops to protect the people of Darfur. If you haven't done so, please call Senator Menendez and your member of the House and urge them to sign the Biden-Lugar (Senate) and Lantos (House) letters to Chinese President Hu!
ALFRED de MONTESQUIOU, Associated Press Writer
World awaits Sudan's next move in Darfur published April 17, 2007
WE are the people on China's back. The pressure is working! Let's make sure the Chinese government understands that we will NOT get off of its back until Sudanese President Al-Bashir accepts the full contingent of UN peacekeeping troops to protect the people of Darfur. If you haven't done so, please call Senator Menendez and your member of the House and urge them to sign the Biden-Lugar (Senate) and Lantos (House) letters to Chinese President Hu!
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sen. Lautenberg Agrees to Sign Darfur Letter!
I still don't have any news on who has agreed to sign the House letter urging China to pressure the Sudanese government to accept UN peacekeepers. There is, however, good news about the Senate letter! 27 senators, including NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg, have said they will sign it! Amnesty International greatly appreciates his support for this important initiative and hopes that the rest of New Jersey's congressional delegation will follow his lead.
There's even more good news. Right before our week of lobbying official began, China started making statements about Sudanese President Al-Bashir's need to be more "flexible" on the issue of UN peacekeepers. Today, Al-Bashir announced that Sudan will allow 3,000 UN troops into the region. This is an important victory for EVERYONE who has worked to stop the killing in Darufr! It is not, however, enough! The Sudanese government has backed down from previous commitments, so it is important to keep up the pressure. Furthermore, while this is a very positive development, 3,000 troops will not be enough to protect the people of Darfur. Please call your representative and Senator Menendez to urge them to sign the letters to make sure that China follows through!
There's even more good news. Right before our week of lobbying official began, China started making statements about Sudanese President Al-Bashir's need to be more "flexible" on the issue of UN peacekeepers. Today, Al-Bashir announced that Sudan will allow 3,000 UN troops into the region. This is an important victory for EVERYONE who has worked to stop the killing in Darufr! It is not, however, enough! The Sudanese government has backed down from previous commitments, so it is important to keep up the pressure. Furthermore, while this is a very positive development, 3,000 troops will not be enough to protect the people of Darfur. Please call your representative and Senator Menendez to urge them to sign the letters to make sure that China follows through!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Darfur Event with Congressman Chris Smith
As you know, Amnesty International greatly appreciates Congressman Chris Smith's strong record of leadership on the ongoing attrocities in Darfur. I am therefore happy to pass along the following information from his office.
(Note: Amnesty International has not taken a position on whether the human rights violations in Darfur constitute "genocide." It has, however, identified them as very serious crimes against humanity and war crimes that must end immediately.)
News Release
For Information Contact:
Office of Public Affairs April 10, 2007
Emily Weiss • 609.771.3066
Congressman Smith and a “Doctors Without Borders” Pediatrician Partner with TCNJ to Urge Advocacy on behalf of Darfur Genocide
EWING, NJ …The College of New Jersey will be hosting a free public forum on April 21st to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and engage local communities to advocate for an end to the violence.
The free event—which will feature U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Doctors Without Borders pediatrician Dr. Jerry Ehrlich—will take place at 2 pm on April 21st in Forcina Hall 130, and is open to the public.
The genocide in Darfur, which began in 2003, has resulted in the deaths of as many as 400,000 people and the displacement of more than two million from their homes. Entire villages have been looted and destroyed, and countless men, women, and children have been murdered, abducted, raped or otherwise abused.
Last May, the Government of Sudan and the strongest faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement, one of the Darfur rebel groups, signed a peace accord. However, Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir’s resistance to a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur and the rejection of the accord by smaller Darfur rebel groups has prevented the peace process to take hold.
Congressman Smith, who has traveled to Sudan and met with President al-Bashir, will discuss U.S. efforts to end the violence and aid the people of Darfur. Smith—a graduate of The College of New Jersey (when it was Trenton State)—has represented the Fourth District of New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1981. During his tenure as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, Smith chaired numerous hearings on human rights abuses in Sudan that focused on the situation in Darfur and strongly advocated for the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan. He led debate on the House floor and managed the passage of a package of legislative initiatives aimed at stopping the genocide and bringing relief to the people of Sudan’s Darfur region. Smith currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.
Dr. Ehrlich, a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, will share his work to help children in Darfur. Dr. Ehrlich has been a practicing pediatrician for 40 years. As a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders, he has been to many of the world’s trouble spots, including Sri Lanka and Darfur. While on these missions, he brought with him paper and crayons in order to document what the children have seen and experienced. His work in Sri Lanka was featured in a documentary titled “Rice and Honey.”
A Q&A session—as well as breakout sessions on fundraising, advocacy, and awareness campaigns—will follow the presentations by Congressman Smith and Dr. Ehrlich. Break-out advocacy sessions will take place in the Kidsbridge mini-museum of tolerance (also in Forcina Hall) which features exhibits on genocide, holocausts and Darfur.This program is jointly sponsored by TCNJ’s Bonner Center for Community and Civic Engagement, Kidsbridge Children’s Museum, Lutheran Social Ministries – Refugee Program and Congressman Smith’s office.
For more information, please contact Lynne Azarchi at 609.581.0239.
###
(Note: Amnesty International has not taken a position on whether the human rights violations in Darfur constitute "genocide." It has, however, identified them as very serious crimes against humanity and war crimes that must end immediately.)
News Release
For Information Contact:
Office of Public Affairs April 10, 2007
Emily Weiss • 609.771.3066
Congressman Smith and a “Doctors Without Borders” Pediatrician Partner with TCNJ to Urge Advocacy on behalf of Darfur Genocide
EWING, NJ …The College of New Jersey will be hosting a free public forum on April 21st to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and engage local communities to advocate for an end to the violence.
The free event—which will feature U.S. Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) and Doctors Without Borders pediatrician Dr. Jerry Ehrlich—will take place at 2 pm on April 21st in Forcina Hall 130, and is open to the public.
The genocide in Darfur, which began in 2003, has resulted in the deaths of as many as 400,000 people and the displacement of more than two million from their homes. Entire villages have been looted and destroyed, and countless men, women, and children have been murdered, abducted, raped or otherwise abused.
Last May, the Government of Sudan and the strongest faction of the Sudan Liberation Movement, one of the Darfur rebel groups, signed a peace accord. However, Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir’s resistance to a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Darfur and the rejection of the accord by smaller Darfur rebel groups has prevented the peace process to take hold.
Congressman Smith, who has traveled to Sudan and met with President al-Bashir, will discuss U.S. efforts to end the violence and aid the people of Darfur. Smith—a graduate of The College of New Jersey (when it was Trenton State)—has represented the Fourth District of New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1981. During his tenure as Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations, Smith chaired numerous hearings on human rights abuses in Sudan that focused on the situation in Darfur and strongly advocated for the appointment of a Presidential Special Envoy to Sudan. He led debate on the House floor and managed the passage of a package of legislative initiatives aimed at stopping the genocide and bringing relief to the people of Sudan’s Darfur region. Smith currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health.
Dr. Ehrlich, a volunteer with Doctors Without Borders, will share his work to help children in Darfur. Dr. Ehrlich has been a practicing pediatrician for 40 years. As a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders, he has been to many of the world’s trouble spots, including Sri Lanka and Darfur. While on these missions, he brought with him paper and crayons in order to document what the children have seen and experienced. His work in Sri Lanka was featured in a documentary titled “Rice and Honey.”
A Q&A session—as well as breakout sessions on fundraising, advocacy, and awareness campaigns—will follow the presentations by Congressman Smith and Dr. Ehrlich. Break-out advocacy sessions will take place in the Kidsbridge mini-museum of tolerance (also in Forcina Hall) which features exhibits on genocide, holocausts and Darfur.This program is jointly sponsored by TCNJ’s Bonner Center for Community and Civic Engagement, Kidsbridge Children’s Museum, Lutheran Social Ministries – Refugee Program and Congressman Smith’s office.
For more information, please contact Lynne Azarchi at 609.581.0239.
###
Friday, April 13, 2007
Darfur Senate Letter Update
So far, 27 U.S. Senators have agreed to sign the Biden-Lugar letter calling on China to help convince the Sudanese government to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. Neither of New Jersey's Senators have done so, though! Please call their offices at 202-224-3224 (Lautenberg) and 202-224-4744 (Menendez) and urge them to join this effort!
I will let you know when we have information on who has agreed to sign the Lantos letter in the House.
I will let you know when we have information on who has agreed to sign the Lantos letter in the House.
We met with Congressman Sires--Please call YOUR congressional offices!
Yesterday (April 12th), Bill Volonte and I met with a member of Congressman Albio Sires’s staff in his Jersey City office. The meeting went very well and we are optimistic that Congressman Sires will sign the letter urging China to convince the Sudanese government to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. Naturally, we expressed our gratitude for the human rights work that Sires has already done, including joining the Human Rights Caucus and cosponsoring HR 1352, the Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act.
We also asked the staff member to follow up on an issue I had previously raised with Sires’s DC office, support for the Solis resolution on violence against women in Guatemala (HRes 100). He said that he would look into this and expressed interest in learning more about gender based violence in Guatemala and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. As you may know, Congressman Sires represents a district with a large Central American population.
Hundreds of other activists across the country are meeting with the offices of their Senators and Representatives to ask them to take action on Darfur. If you have not already done so, please contact the offices of your House member and both NJ Senators to urge them to sign on to these letters. Representatives can do so by contacting Tom Lantos’s office. Senators can contact the offices of Joe Biden and Richard Lugar.
Talking points:
-Fighting has increased in Darfur last year despite the May 2006 peace agreement. Civilians—especially women—continue to bear the brunt of the violence. This includes the widespread use of rape as a weapon.
-Two thirds of the people of Darfur do not have access to humanitarian aid because the warring parties have attacked relief organizations.
-300,000 to 400,000 civilians have died since the conflict began. Over 2.5 million people have been displaced, contributing to regional instability.
-While China has begun to pressure Sudanese President Al-Bashir, it has not done enough. As Sudan’s largest trading partner, China is in a powerful position to convince President Al-Bashir to do allow UN peacekeepers in to protect the people of Darfur and the international organizations that can help them.
We also asked the staff member to follow up on an issue I had previously raised with Sires’s DC office, support for the Solis resolution on violence against women in Guatemala (HRes 100). He said that he would look into this and expressed interest in learning more about gender based violence in Guatemala and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. As you may know, Congressman Sires represents a district with a large Central American population.
Hundreds of other activists across the country are meeting with the offices of their Senators and Representatives to ask them to take action on Darfur. If you have not already done so, please contact the offices of your House member and both NJ Senators to urge them to sign on to these letters. Representatives can do so by contacting Tom Lantos’s office. Senators can contact the offices of Joe Biden and Richard Lugar.
Talking points:
-Fighting has increased in Darfur last year despite the May 2006 peace agreement. Civilians—especially women—continue to bear the brunt of the violence. This includes the widespread use of rape as a weapon.
-Two thirds of the people of Darfur do not have access to humanitarian aid because the warring parties have attacked relief organizations.
-300,000 to 400,000 civilians have died since the conflict began. Over 2.5 million people have been displaced, contributing to regional instability.
-While China has begun to pressure Sudanese President Al-Bashir, it has not done enough. As Sudan’s largest trading partner, China is in a powerful position to convince President Al-Bashir to do allow UN peacekeepers in to protect the people of Darfur and the international organizations that can help them.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
NJ COSPOSNORS OF HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION
The following is a list of New Jersey Representatives and Senators who have signed on as cosponsors of selected human rights legislation (Source: THOMAS, April 11, 2007). Amnesty International USA is campaigning on behalf of all of these bills except HRES 101. While AIUSA is not organizing support for HRES 101, it is campaigning for ratification of CEDAW in the Senate.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
HRES 100 Violence Against Women in Guatemala (4 NJ/84 Total Cosponsors)
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1]
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]
HRES 101 CEDAW (Convention on the Elitmination of All Forms of Discrimnation Against Women) Ratification (6 NJ/93 Total Cosponsors)
Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6]
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8]
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13]
DARFUR & RELATED CONFLICTS
SRES 76 Chad/Sudan/Central African Republic (0 NJ/12 Total Cosponsors)
“WAR ON TERROR”
HR 1352 Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act (4 NJ/48 Total Cosponsors)
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10]
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12]
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13]
HR 1416 Habeas Corpus Restoration Act (1 NJ/24 Total Cosponsors)
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
S 185 Habeas Corpus Restoration (1 NJ/10 Total Cosponsors)
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R.
HR 1415 Restoring the Constitution Act (1 NJ/25 Total Cosponsors)
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9]
S 576 Restoring the Consutitution (2 NJ/11 Total Cosponsors)
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R.
Sen Menendez, Robert
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Week of Lobbying on Darfur--Call Your Congressman and Senators!
Starting tomorrow (Monday, April 9th), activists across New Jersey and the rest of the nation will meet with their congressional offices to ask their Senators and Representatives to sign a letter urging the Chinese government to use its influence to facilitate the deployment of UN peacekeepers in Darfur.
You can support these efforts by calling your member of the House of Representatives to urge him to sign the letter being circulated by Congressman Tom Lantos. Please enter your zip code at www.house.gov if you need to find out who represents you and how you can contact his office!
As announced last week, Senators Joseph Biden and Richard Lugar are circulating a similar letter in their chamber. If you have not done so already, please call the offices of Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and Senator Menendez (202-224-4744) and ask them to add their signatures!
Over the last year, the situation in Darfur has worsened. Only a strong message from Sudan’s closest allies—including China—will help bring improvement. Please help get peacekeepers on the ground to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid as soon as possible!
You can support these efforts by calling your member of the House of Representatives to urge him to sign the letter being circulated by Congressman Tom Lantos. Please enter your zip code at www.house.gov if you need to find out who represents you and how you can contact his office!
As announced last week, Senators Joseph Biden and Richard Lugar are circulating a similar letter in their chamber. If you have not done so already, please call the offices of Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and Senator Menendez (202-224-4744) and ask them to add their signatures!
Over the last year, the situation in Darfur has worsened. Only a strong message from Sudan’s closest allies—including China—will help bring improvement. Please help get peacekeepers on the ground to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid as soon as possible!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
I will be speaking at this event on April 15, 2007.
THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO
On Sunday, April 15th. from 2:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m. AI Group 41 (Cherry Hill, NJ) will host a special screening of this movie followed by discussion and Q&A with Lawrence Ladutke, Amnesty International's Legislative Coordinator for New Jersey.
This movie is a reenactment of the capture and treatment of the British detainees at Guantanamo who were eventually released and chronicles their experiences throughout the entire ordeal.
The legal implications and human rights implications of this detention center will be highlighted and discussed afterwards.
This event will also be an ideal opportunity for you to learn more about Amnesty International and its human rights work and how you may become involved personally.
The event will be held at the Camden County Library in the 3rd. floor meeting room. This library is at 203 Laurel Road in Voorhees, opposite the Echelon Mall. Sunday, April 15th. from 2:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
On Sunday, April 15th. from 2:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m. AI Group 41 (Cherry Hill, NJ) will host a special screening of this movie followed by discussion and Q&A with Lawrence Ladutke, Amnesty International's Legislative Coordinator for New Jersey.
This movie is a reenactment of the capture and treatment of the British detainees at Guantanamo who were eventually released and chronicles their experiences throughout the entire ordeal.
The legal implications and human rights implications of this detention center will be highlighted and discussed afterwards.
This event will also be an ideal opportunity for you to learn more about Amnesty International and its human rights work and how you may become involved personally.
The event will be held at the Camden County Library in the 3rd. floor meeting room. This library is at 203 Laurel Road in Voorhees, opposite the Echelon Mall. Sunday, April 15th. from 2:00 p.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Call NJ's Senators to Support UN Peacekeepers in Darfur!
As you know, activists around the country are planning a week of lobbying to get members of Congress to sign letters calling upon China to put pressure on the Sudanese government to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur. I am happy to report that we have received the text of the letter being circulated in the Senate by Joseph Biden and Richard Lugar!
Please call the offices of Senator Menendez (202-224-4744) and Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and ask them to sign these important letters!
I will post information about the House letter as soon as it becomes available.
Please call the offices of Senator Menendez (202-224-4744) and Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and ask them to sign these important letters!
I will post information about the House letter as soon as it becomes available.
AI Easter Actions: You Can Do More!
AIUSA has posted several actions in commemoration of Easter and Passover. They ask that you send letters or postcards of support to several human rights victims and their families.
With regard to two of the actions on the Easter list, however, you can take further action to help by supporting initiatives in Congress. In addition to sending letters to the family of Claudina Velásquez, please call your member of the House of Representatives and ask him to cosponsor HRes 100 on gender-based violence in Guatemala. This will send a strong message to the Guatemalan government that it must do more to protect women and girls like Claudina.
Please also ask your Congressman to sign a letter being circulated by Representatives Mark Steven Kirk and Mark Uduall about the situation in Eritrea. It expresses concern about the reported death of Yohannes Fessahaye in prison and calls upon the Ethiopian government to release all prisoners of conscience, such as imprisoned protestant pastors featured in the Easter action.
With regard to two of the actions on the Easter list, however, you can take further action to help by supporting initiatives in Congress. In addition to sending letters to the family of Claudina Velásquez, please call your member of the House of Representatives and ask him to cosponsor HRes 100 on gender-based violence in Guatemala. This will send a strong message to the Guatemalan government that it must do more to protect women and girls like Claudina.
Please also ask your Congressman to sign a letter being circulated by Representatives Mark Steven Kirk and Mark Uduall about the situation in Eritrea. It expresses concern about the reported death of Yohannes Fessahaye in prison and calls upon the Ethiopian government to release all prisoners of conscience, such as imprisoned protestant pastors featured in the Easter action.
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