---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 13:06:11 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: AICS: Amnesty E-News, June 2000 AMNESTY E-NEWS: June 2000 Featuring the latest news from Amnesty International We appreciate your support of human rights and are glad to be able to share our most recent news with you once again. In this issue: - Pierre Sané, Amnesty International's Secretary General, speaks out on Sierra Leone - Human rights defenders intimidated in India - Released prisoner of conscience thanks Amnesty - Amnesty International Report 2000 released - Apply for your Amnesty International VISA card *** Pierre Sané, Amnesty International's Secretary General, speaks out on Sierra Leone Following a successful mission to Sierra Leone in May 23-26, Pierre Sané visited Canada to urge Canadian government officials and Amnesty members not to forget the people of Sierra Leone as media interest fades. Mr. Sané spoke movingly to Amnesty members gathered in Hamilton, Ontario of the 450,000 citizens of Sierra Leone who have sought refuge in neighbouring Guinea and the children forced to serve in the rebel army. He underlined the need for an international commission of inquiry to investigate and bring to justice rebel leaders like Foday Sankoh to send the message to future generals and politicians that the world will hold them accountable for their actions. Read Pierre Sané's compelling statement made in Freetown, Sierra Leone on behalf of Amnesty International at http://www.web.amnesty.org/crisis/sierral.nsf/index?openview. To find out more about the link between the international diamond trade in the current conflict in Sierra Leone and how you can take action, visit http://www.amnesty.ca/SierraLeone. Earlier this month, Emergency Alert (ELERT) participants wrote letters to the Canadian government on the subject of Sierra Leone. ELERT participants are on call to respond to actions on an infrequent basis in response to incidences of mass human rights violations. You can request to have your name added to the ELERT list by sending a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thank you for making us stronger and more effective! *** Human rights defenders intimidated in India Women in India have been subjected to violent harassment and intimidation by police, local authorities and company workers for their peaceful demonstrations against the mega-dam system being constructed in the Narmada river valley. The dams will displace some 1.5 million rural people, who fear they will lose their only means of survival - their land base and their community ties. Find out why women are being targeted for human rights abuses in the Narmada valley and how you can help at http://www.amnesty.ca/actnow. *** Released prisoner of conscience thanks Amnesty Two Tunisian prisoners of conscience were released from prison by presidential pardon on June 10 following an intensive letter writing campaign by Amnesty members around the world. One of the released prisoners, Abdelmoumen Belanes, immediately called Amnesty International to thank the organisation's members for their support and help. Like many prisoners of conscience, they were jailed solely for having suspected links with an unauthorized political party. The Amnesty members who wrote letters on behalf of this case did so through the Urgent Action Network. To find out more about this network or to join it, visit http://www.amnesty.ca/join/uanpage.htm. Here are three Urgent Actions requiring immediate attention: - On May 28 in southern Peru, 45 peasants were arrested as they went to vote in the presidential elections simply because their names were the same as, or similar to, those on the arrest warrants. They risk false charges, unfair trials and torture. - Executions and amputations continue in Saudi Arabia at an alarming rate, usually following grossly unfair trials and confessions obtained under torture, duress or deception. - In Brazil last week, a neofascist group continued to send death threats to human rights defenders for their work defending the basic human rights of members of minority groups. *** Amnesty International Report 2000 released The Amnesty International Report 2000 describes human rights issues around the world of concern to Amnesty International during the past year. It also gives an overview of the activities Amnesty International has undertaken during the year to promote human rights and to campaign against specific human rights abuses. Link directly to Report 2000 and read about human rights in any part of the world at http://www.amnesty.ca/library. The English language report can be purchased from Amnesty International's offices at for $20 ($25 for French) by calling 1-800-AMNESTY or by e-mailing [EMAIL PROTECTED] We do require prepayment for all Amnesty International publications. *** Apply for your Amnesty International VISA card Support Amnesty International by using our VISA card, offered in partnership with Citizens Bank of Canada. When your card is approved, Amnesty will receive $20, and each time you use the card, Citizens Bank will donate 10˘ to Amnesty, no matter how small the purchase. What a great way to support Amnesty day to day! For further information or to apply for the Amnesty VISA card, visit http://www.citizensbank.ca/visa/amnestyvisa.html, call toll-free at 1-888-708-7807 or e-mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also visit the Citizens Bank's Web site at http://www.citizensbank.ca to learn about Citizens Bank's ethical business practices, commitment to the community and actions on social and environmental issues. ABOUT THIS LIST Amnesty e-mails people on this list every few months when we have news to share with our Canadian membership. We keep all e-mail addresses confidential. We appreciate your comments and suggestions. If you know any members who did not receive this message, please suggest that they send us their e-mail address at [EMAIL PROTECTED] (along with their postal address so that we can find them in our records) and we will keep them up to date. Feel free to pass this message on to people you think may be interested in our work. If you'd like to have your name removed from this distribution list, please send us a message at [EMAIL PROTECTED] requesting removal. Use the same address, or call 1-800-AMNESTY (266-3789), to renew your membership, update your address, join our monthly giving program, or request information on the full range of options that are available to Amnesty members and supporters (such as letter-writing, staying informed by receiving press releases or joining a local group). Mona-Lynn Courteau & Andrew Bales Member Services Amnesty International - Canadian Section (English-Speaking) Toll-free tel. 1-800-AMNESTY (266-3789) Local calls (613) 744-7667 x 229 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.amnesty.ca/ <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! 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