Saturday, November 29, 2008

In this issue we start with the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also included are actions for Burma and Darfur, as well as a message for U.S. President-elect Obama to focus on human rights. Finally there are is an action to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a holiday gift idea that supports peace and stability in the Middle East.

NEW: In addition to this email, check out Outreach International’s blog – it has great commentary, updated every couple of days, at: http://blog.sustainablegood.org/

DEMOCRACTIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Democratic Republic of Congo has been a region of unimaginable violence for years, with at least 4 million deaths from the fighting and its consequences. In 2003 a peace treaty was signed, but particularly in its Eastern region, the fighting has never subsided, and has recently flared up. Thus the UN Security Council, which already has a peacekeeping force in the DRC, has authorized reinforcements, although that depends on donor countries. Rapid action would allow the political process to get back on track and prevent further escalation that could drag the larger region back into more violence. Amnesty International has created an email that goes to the Foreign Affairs offices in the US, France, Belgium and South Africa.

Any country: Send Email (click button towards bottom of page; needs registration):
http://www.amnesty.org/en/appeals-for-action/protect-people-drc

Canada: Email Prime Minister Harper:
http://www.amnesty.ca/urgentappeal/drc_08/

Background:
History of Last Ten Years of Turmoil

Pathetic side note: The UN Human Rights Council abolished its post of rights monitor for the DRC earlier this year. One can only wonder how many lives that might have been saved if the Council had not acted on the government’s request to abolish the office. While I love the concept of the UN and the areas where it does much good, its Human’s Right Council is a blight on the agency – a topic for another day.

BURMA – STOP UNDERWRITING THE JUNTA

This request comes from the Burmese democracy movement, via Avaaz. The military dictatorship is well-entrenched and protected from most pressure to change. But one avenue of possible influence deals with the generals’ need for insurance, currently obtained through Lloyd’s of London and their syndicates. While getting such companies to stop dealing with Burma - even if successful – is not likely to bring down the generals, it is one more action that can hamper their efforts and send a signal that the world has not forgotten their viciously oppressive ways.

The action is not an automated email, but is easily created with some copy-and-pasting.

Email Executives of Lloyd’s and Affiliates:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/shame_lloyds_on_burma/?cl=142196782&v=2357

DARFUR: TELL U.S. TO STAND FIRM ON ICC JUSTICE

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) has asked the court to charge Sudan’s President Bashir with acts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. In response President Bashir has been actively seeking to undermine any judgment that the court might give, by getting various UN nations to vote to suspend any such possible judgment. He initially received the backing of the African Union and the Arab League and other countries.

The U.S., among other countries, has gone on record saying it will not compromise on the issue. To ensure there is no wavering on this issue, you can email Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Take Action:
Email U.S. Secretary of State

DARFUR: TELL INVESTMENT FIRMS TO PRESS DARFUR ISSUE

Entrenched dynamics like Darfur require multiple approaches, as long as they all have the same overall vision - Darfur’s flourishing - and are all anchored on the most solid strategies (see Strategy section of www.UntilAll.org/darfur.htm). A previous action has involved pressing investments in Sudan; this action is a continuation of this avenue of influence. By itself, it is fairly ineffectual regarding Sudan; but with the dramatic increase in pressure from the ICC prosecutor, and the pressure on China to recalibrate its international dynamics and thus possibility its relationship with Sudan, divestment pressure becomes more prominent.

Take Action:
Tell investment firms to pressure Darfur

SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS EMPHASIS FOR US PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA

On January 20, 2009 Barrack Obama will become the next President of the United States. He will take office facing many daunting challenges. During the classic “first 100 days” he has the chance to set the tone for his administration. Amnesty International (U.S.) has created an email to voice support for some initiatives centered on human rights. They include announcing a timeline to close Guantánamo, issuing an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment as defined under international law and ensuring that an independent inquiry is established to examine the USA’s detention and interrogation practices in its “war on terror.”

The focus here is not on the direct, appropriate actions to reduce the threat of another 9/11 – clearly there have been some such steps, as the U.S. has not received another attack (although concerns remain about issues such as inadequate port security or insufficient attention to secure world-wide fissionable materials). Rather, the focus is at the deeper layer of the laws that address how a nation treats people. At this level, Amnesty feels that 9/11 sparked an overreach that unduly eroded these laws and that it is time to restore them to a level that both protects basic rights without compromising security. I concur and feel that such a rebalance is not only good in itself – positioning the laws more squarely on the espoused fine balance among freedom, equality and justice – but is also in the U.S.’s national self-interest – the overreach damaged international goodwill and tarnished its image and sense of what it truly stands for. If you agree, then consider taking the action below, as it strengthens the sense of constituency for such rebalance.

Tell Obama to show solid leadership on human rights:
Send Email to President-Elect Obama

CANADA – FOCUS ON CHILD POVERTY DURING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

Twenty years ago Canada’s leaders pledged to halve the child poverty rate. Yet it remains today at basically the same disgraceful levels. Take action below to tell today’s leaders that especially during this time of economic downturn, they must not only prevent further slippage, but there exists an opportunity to close the gap.

Take Action:
http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/en/child-poverty/take-action

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS --- 60TH ANNIVERSARY !!

The UDHR was signed 60 years ago on December 10. You can celebrate this anniversary by supporting its ongoing need – join Amnesty International’s Global Write-a-thon. Do it as a group, if possible!

Support Human Rights Anniversary:
http://www.amnestyusa.org/individuals-at-risk/global-write-a-thon/page.do?id=1108452

HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT STRENGTHEN MIDDLE-EAST RELATIONS

This initiative was first raised in an email earlier this year. But with holiday giving starting, there can be few gifts that give back to the world as much as the purchase of T-shirts from a joint Israeli-Palestinian venture. Started by a U.S. Jewish entrepreneur, they are made in Bethlehem by Palestinians, and are also made of organic cotton. The joint project has been praised in both Israeli media and Al Jazeera; and both Israeli and Palestinian governments. So they stand as a small but needed and hopeful symbol in such a messy part of the world, plus give a desperate people some employment. But you’ll need to order soon to get it in time.

Here are the T-shirt choices:
Purchase some Hope and Stability

Here is a quick YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/nosweatapparel

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Missed an action email? An archive is kept at:
http://www.cofchrist.org/humanrights/hr-newsletter/default.asp

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In appreciation and support,

Rod Downing