Aliados

As the year comes to an end an we prepare to start a new one, I would like to ask everyone who reads this to do what you can and donate to Amnesty International or volunteer with your local A.I. chapter.  If you don't have a local chapter, please try to organize one.  With your financial support and hard work, A.I. can continue to fight for the causes that brought us to A.I. in the first place.  I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year, and  I look forward to working with you in 2008.

A new interview has been posted on the Justice Without Borders site.  The interview is with Gisela Ortiz Perea, whose brother was disappeared and killed in 1992 in Peru.  The interview is in English and Spanish. Meet Gisela and watch AIUSA's new film Justice Without Borders: www.amnestyusa.org/justice/

On September 21, 2007, Chile's Supreme Court ordered former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori to be extradited to Peru to face trial for corruption and human rights crimes committed while he was head of state. Alberto Fujimori was extradited to Peru the following day and his trial began in Peru on December 10, 2007, International Human Rights Day.

Take a minute to read the letter from Gisela Ortiz to AIUSA activists and listen to the KGNU interview with Gisela Ortiz (mp2 format 38MB). Please check back for updates and further action as the Alberto Fujimori's trial continues forward.

Hay una nueva entrevista con Gislea Ortiz Perea en el sitio Justicia Sin Fronteras. Su hermano era desaparecido y matado en 1992 en Peru.  Aquí es una carta de Gisela Ortiz Perea:

Ya era hora que nos tocaran las buenas noticias después de tanta espera.

La decisión de la Corte Suprema, significa el fin de un largo camino por extraditar y traer a la justicia peruana al principal responsable de la muerte de mi hermano, pero también, el inicio de un camino complejo que tendremos que recorrer para alcanzar justicia. Me siento feliz por esta decisión y tranquila de saber que, de a pocos, estamos ganando en la lucha contra la impunidad.

Complacida porque es el resultado del esfuerzo y terquedad del compromiso de los familiares.

Creo que para todo el mundo es una victoria el reconocer que a los violadores a los derechos humanos les queda poco espacio donde esconderse, que donde estén, la justicia tiene que alcanzarlos para restituir dignidad a las víctimas. Claro y contundente mensaje de la justicia chilena de reconocer que los principios universales de protección a los derechos humanos están más vigentes que nunca y que no caben pretextos para justificar el accionar criminal de ningún estado.

Comparto esta alegría con todos ustedes que sé y reconozco que desde sus propios espacios han estado apoyándonos solidariamente en nuestra lucha.

Escucha a la entrevista aquí: www.amnestyusa.org/justice

December 18 was proclaimed as International Migrants Day in the year 2000 in commemoration of the Assembly adopting a resolution in 1990 which recognizes and protects migrant workers and their families. You can see the resolution here: resolution_45.158.pdf. As a first-generation Latina (daughter of Chilean and Mexican immigrants) living in the United States, I am proud to see the many different faces of people from all over the world living in this country. Without immigrants and their continous efforts, the United States would not be what it is today. It is such a beautiful thing to be surrounded by a diversity of cultures. I couldn't imagine it any other way.

Check out december18.net for more info about this day.

Artwork: Rini Templeton

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Today we commemorate it as International Human Rights Day. Fifty-nine years later, we still struggle to ensure that every person is granted their rights worldwide. Let us not give up on that struggle! It begins with educating yourself on your rights, sharing them with your friends, family, and community, and then organizing together for change. A simplified version of the UDHR appears below. Please share it. Happy International Human Rights Day!

1. When children are born, they are free and each should be treated in the same way. They have reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a friendly manner.
2. Everyone can claim the following rights, despite
   • - a different sex
   • - a different skin color
   • - speaking a different language
   • - thinking different things
   • - believing in another religion
   • - owning more or less
   • - being born in another social group
3. You have the right to live, and to live in freedom and safety.
4. Nobody has the right to treat you as his/her slave and you should not make anyone your slave.
5. Nobody has the right to torture you.
6. You should be legally protected in the same way everywhere, and like everyone else.
7. The law is the same for everyone; it should be applied in the same way to all.
8. You should be able to ask for legal help when the rights your country grants you are not respected.
9. Nobody has the right to put you in prison, to keep you there, or to send you away from your country unjustly, or without good reason.
10. If you go on trial this should be done in public. The people who try you should not let themselves be influenced by others.
11. You should be considered innocent until it can be proved that you are guilty. If you are accused of a crime, you should always have the right to defend yourself. Nobody has the right to condemn you and punish you for something you have not done.
12. You have the right to ask to be protected if someone tries to harm your good name, enter your house, open your letters, or bother you or your family without a good reason.
13. You have the right to come and go as you wish within your country. You have the right to leave your country to go to another one; and you should be able to return to your country if you want.
14. If someone hurts you, you have the right to go to another country and ask it to protect you. You lose this right if you have killed someone and if you, yourself, do not respect what is written here.
15. You have the right to belong to a country and nobody can prevent you, without a good reason, from belonging to a country if you wish.
16. As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or she has the right to marry and have a family. In doing this, neither the color of your skin, the country you come from nor your region should be impediments. Men and women have the same rights when they are married and also when they are separated. Nobody should force a person to marry. The government of your country should protect your family and its members.
17. You have the right to own things and nobody has the right to take these from you without a good reason.
18. You have the right to profess your religion freely, to change it, and to practice it either on your own or with other people.
19. You have the right to think what you want, to say what you like, and nobody should forbid you from doing so. You should be able to share your ideas also - with people from any other country.
20. You have the right to organize peaceful meetings or to take part in meetings in a peaceful way. It is wrong to force someone to belong to a group.
21. You have the right to take part in your country's political affairs either by belonging to the government yourself or by choosing politicians who have the same ideas as you. Governments should be voted for regularly and voting should be secret. You should get a vote and all votes should be equal. You also have the same right to join the public service as anyone else.
22. The society in which you live should help you to develop and to make the most of all the advantages (culture, work, social welfare) which are offered to you and to all the men and women in your country.
23. You have the right to work, to be free to choose your work, to get a salary which allows you to support your family. If a man and a woman do the same work, they should get the same pay. All people who work have the right to join together to defend their interests.
24. Each work day should not be too long, since everyone has the right to rest and should be able to take regular paid holidays.
25. You have the right to have whatever you need so that you and your family: do not fall ill; go hungry; have clothes and a house; and are helped if you are out of work, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wife or husband is dead, or if you do not earn a living for any other reason you cannot help. The mother who is going to have a baby, and her baby should get special help. All children have the same rights, whether or not the mother is married.
26. You have the right to go to school and everyone should go to school. Primary schooling should be free. You should be able to learn a profession or continue your studies as far as you wish. At school, you should be able to develop all your talents and you should be taught to get on with others, whatever their race, religion or the country they come from. Your parents have the right to choose how and what you will be taught at school.
27. You have the right to share in your community's arts and sciences, and any good they do. Your works as an artist, writer, or a scientist should be protected, and you should be able to benefit from them.
28. So that your rights will be respected, there must be an 'order' which can protect them. This 'order' should be local and worldwide.
29. You have duties towards the community within which your personality can only fully develop. The law should guarantee human rights. It should allow everyone to respect others and to be respected.
30. In all parts of the world, no society, no human being, should take it upon her or himself to act in such a way as to destroy the rights which you have just been reading about.

Monday December 10th, for most people, will probably go by just like any other day. For me, it has begun to be quite the holiday. There are no parties, costumes, cards, presents, days off, turkeys or parades. In fact, most people don't even know what that heck it celebrates.

Today is December 10th, and because the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations in1948, we are able to hold the world accountable for the basic dignity and respect deserved by all.

I have been involved in the human rights movement for about 5 years now. I have served on steering committees, planned community awareness campaigns, signed petitions organized student groups and been to many conferences. Recently, I began OUTfront Seattle, a local action team to work on LGBT human rights worldwide out of a concern for what my community is faced with locally and internationally.


The process began with a bit of research on issues confronting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. I wanted to have the group be a part of Amnesty Internationals Program on LGBT rights. People dont always think of AI as an LGBT Human Rights organization, but its mission and work are widespread and on the forefront of all human rights.

I began the process of starting a local group with the regional AI office in San Francisco. I had conference calls with Amnesty staff in NYC to begin collaborating. I networked with other OUTfront activists around the country. I was never rejected. Never turned down. I am not breaking any laws by starting a group to raise awareness about human rights violations. I can work on local issues, national issues and international issues. My biggest concern is updating the website and planning events.

Unfortunately, this is not the same for activists around the world. Many are persecuted, jailed, killed, or simply not allowed to stand up for what they believe in. In Botswana Lesbians Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LeGaBiBo), were recently not allowed to register with the national government because their mission goes against the Botswana Penal Code. In Botswana same sex relations are punishable by at least 7 years in prison.

LeGaBiBo has been working for years now to try and fight against the taboo on homosexuality in their country but is at a crossroads because moving forward is rough without being able to raise funds. Without the national registration, it is impossible to legitimately raise the funds to run such an endeavor in Botswana. I ran into that article yesterday and couldn't help but think about what it must be like to be driven to change something but not be allowed to even try. Its hard to imagine that these basic things that I take for granted, are so hard to get. Botswana is not an isolated incident. This happens everywhere, people being detained for what they believe, how they look, who they love... its motivating to me and the work that I do, but it must be painful to these men and woman so committed to change but up against a wall that too often is hard for them to tear down all alone.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights set a standard from which a lot of International Law was drawn from. It is free of one political ideology, religious belief or any bias. It allows us to be whatever political party we want, for to us to pray to who we want and with who we want and for us to fight for what we believe in if we so choose to do. In a post World War II world it was important to set an international standard without which the world would not have been able to hold nations accountable for the atrocities of war. Today, in the post 9/11 world it continues to be crucial for us to never forget these ideals and maintain them as we move forward to trying to get to a place without terror, torture, discrimination and hate.

Whether its Human Rights Day, Hanukkah, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Years... I hope that everyone finds a way to acknowledge and appreciate what we have and in turn contribute to the well being and dignity of others. It doesnt have to be in Botswana, it doesnt even have to be on the other side of the world. There are still many people oppressed, less fortunate or somehow struggling here in the U.S. It doesnt have to take much time or much money. Google search what you care about, sign an online petitions, ask your friends who you know are part of a movement, volunteers, read the paper, join a campaign or simply change the way you treat other people day to day.

You are welcome to join my group if youre in the Seattle area, or get involved with Amnesty International and let your friends and family in on what you learn about and what you are passionate about. We need to have conversations about our struggles are a people and make human rights and human dignity a part of what we all care about.

 Lets make it a great day Aliados! 

 (read more of my blogs at blogazar.blogspot.com)

Two programs on Friday, Nov. 9, at New Mexico State University spotlight Esther Chavez Cano and Paula Bonilla Flores, women activists from Ciudad Juarez.

The NMSU Library's Department of Archives and Special Collections hosted a program and reception to honor Chavez  on the east side of the second floor of Zuhl Library.

The program honored Chavez for her efforts toward establishing justice in the border region and celebrate her donation of the "Esther Chavez Cano" papers to the NMSU Library's Rio Grande Historical Collections. The collection documents 14 years of human rights activism in Ciudad Juarez, with a major focus on violence against women.

In 1992, Chavez began to collect documentation of the growing wave of violence against women in Juarez. She also founded the group "Ocho de Marzo" (Eighth of March) to pressure the Chihuahuan government to preserve and protect the rights of women. In 1999, Chavez established Casa Amiga Centro de Crisis, the first organization in Juarez and the northern border region to provide shelter, counseling and legal services to victims of violence.

Cynthia Bejarano, of the NMSU Criminal Justice Department, who has worked with families of victims of violence, contacted the NMSU Library about the possibility of preserving Chavez's archive. Molly Molloy, the NMSU Library Border and Latin American specialist, worked with Bejarano and the archives department to acquire the collection. Archivist Charles Stanford organized the collection and developed a guide to its contents.

Flores, a Juarez community activist, showed a slide presentation on the work of Fundacion Maria Sagrario and the kindergarten she founded in the community of Lomas de Poleo in Juarez. Flores is the mother of Maria Sagrario Gonzalez Flores, one of more than 400 women who have been killed in the border region in the past 13 years.

Flores also discussed the "Movimiento de Familias Fortalecidas Para Exigir Justicia," a group of families who organized to stage protests at government sites in Ciudad Juarez, demanding justice for family members who have disappeared or been murdered.

The NMSU student organization Advocates to Stop Chihuahua Femicides raised funds at the Flores event to purchase toys and equipment for the Jardin de Ninos Maria Sagrario, the first kindergarten for families living in the Lomas de Poleo neighborhood in Juarez.

The two events were sponsored by the NMSU Library's Department of Archives and Special Collections, the NMSU student organization Advocates to Stop Chihuahua Femicides, the Center for Latin American and Border Studies and the Student Association for Latin American Studies. The presentations were in English and Spanish with translation provided.

Jeanette Smith
Nov. 10, 2007

 
“No Nomos Víctimas, Somos Vencedores.”

Si, Maria Guardado pese a haber sufrido brutales torturas en su natal El Salvador, se define como una vencedora, porque cualquier que puede sobrevivir a tales tormentos, no es mas que un vencedor.  Maria Guardado acusa de sus torturas a militares guatemaltecos como a la Escuela de Las Americas (School of the Americas).

La historia de la señora Guardado llego a mis oídos por casualidad.  Yo estaba en un hotel de Los Angeles por trabajo y realmente no me esperaba escuchar un crudo y dramático relato de una mujer, sobre las torturas que sufrió algunos años atrás en su El Salvador de origen.

Así de dramática puede llegar a ser la vida, hasta el punto de lo inconcebible. A pedido de la propia protagonista de los hechos, transcribiré con detalles el relato de sus torturas.  Y así ese día la señora Maria Guardado, me entregó su historia. Dijo me entregó, porque su relato fue tan detallista e íntimo que era una entrega emocional más que una mera descripción de hechos.  

Maria Guardado fue secuestrada el 12 de enero de 1980. En ese entonces la señora Guardado era parte de la agitada vida política del Salvador.  Tenía activa presencia en ATACES, la Asociación de Trabajadores Agropecuarios y Campesinos del Salvador y colaboraba con un sindicato de maestros llamado Andes 21. Su participación política se convirtió en el blanco de su secuestro y horrible ataque.

La señora Guardado fue secuestrada y retenida por 3 días. Durante esos días recibió torturas en múltiples partes de su encuentro. Como ella lo relata, los secuestradores le exigieron los nombres de las personas que trabajaban en política con ella. Pero ella contesto que no sabía nada.  Y así empezaron las torturas.  “Me desnudaron, recibí choques eléctricos, especialmente en los senos y partes privadas.  Luego me pusieron un palo por el recto, ya que como ellos dijeron si la violaban no tenia el mismo efecto.” Tras estas brutales torturas, cuando Maria casi agonizaba, uno de los atacantes dijo “esta cabrona ya se murió, vamos a tirarla al mar.”  La sacaron del recinto y fue dejada a un lado de la carretera.  

En agosto de 1980, un amigo de Maria Guardado la ayudo a salir de Guatemala con rumbo a México. Maria pasó 3 años viviendo en México con unos sobrinos. Luego en diciembre del mismo año, con la ayuda del grupo “Santuario” fue trasladada a Estados Unidos.  Primero entre “mojada” detalla, pero finalmente en 1983 recibí asilo político y ayuda económica.

Si no hubiera venido a este país, me hubiera muerto, no lo dijo por la ayuda que el gobierno me ha ofrecido, pero por lo que la gente me ha ayudado.

En 1983 se conectó con CISPES y comenzó a dar a conocer públicamente su testimonio. También recibió ayuda de Amnistía Internacional, a través de la oficina de sobrevivientes de Tortura.

Entonces señora Guardado, cómo ha sido su vida en Estados Unidos?
Al principio fue muy dura, sufría de dolor, no podía trabajar producto de una fractura a la columna y a la cadera.  

Pero entonces señora Guardado, ¿nunca se trató estas fracturas en México?
No, porque yo tenía miedo, simplemente usaba una faja.

¿Y qué espera de la justicia?
Espero que las cosas cambien, pero no van a cambiar, si las organizaciones de derechos humanos no nos unimos. Yo he denunciado públicamente al gobierno de los Estados Unidos y ahora quiero hacer una demanda contra el gobierno de este país, porque la CIA estuvo participando en mis torturas. Había un anglosajón que daba las órdenes.

Pese al dolor que el relato de estos hechos le trae, la señora Guardado quiere seguir contando su historia, y enfáticamente puntualiza, “es nuestra obligación moral cerrar esta es Escuela de las Americas y las bases militares de Estados Unidos en América Latina.

SI quieres tener mas informacion sobre el caso de Maria Guardado, puedes ir al siguiente sitio electronico:

 http://mariaguardado.com/