Aliados

Aliados con AI is recruiting volunteers for the September concerts.

Jaguares wil have 7-8 concerts in california. If you are intrested in volunteering at concerts with Aliados con Amnesty International, please act now. 

Volunteers need to be prepared to work 6-7hrs shifts at the concerts.  This includes working before, during and after the show.  All volunteers should be bilingual. If you are interested in volunteering at one of the concerts please email aliados@aiusa.org the following information:

Name, date of show, contact information (email and phone number) and why do you want to be a volunteer at the Jaguares concert?

Space is limited; unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate everyone's request. 

The last day to apply for a September concerts is September 10, 2008

Por 10 días en julio, una delegación del Comité de Justicia y Paz de Denver, Colorado estuvo participando en la conmemoración anual de la matanza de la Universidad de La Cantuta en Lima, Perú. La Cantuta es una de las matanzas por las cuales Alberto Fujimori, el notorio ex-dictador del Perú, ahora afronta cargos por violaciones de derechos humanos durante su década represiva en el poder en los años noventa. La conmemoración de este año tomó un significado especial porque coincidía con el re-entierro de los restos de las víctimas que se habían llevado a un laboratorio forense frances como evidencias en un juicio por separado a los autores materiales del crímen.

Fue nuestro gran honor poder brindar a los familiares de las víctimas nuestro acompañamiento durante la conmemoración y re-entierro de sus seres queridos. En el siguiente video, hecho por el programa Cuarto Poder, te puedes enterar de la historia de La Cantuta y ver las imagenes conmovedoras de los actos conmemorativos del profesor y los 9 estudiantes que perdieron la vida en aquella noche del 18 de julio, 1992.

"Escucha Fujimori, ¡Cantuta NO SE OLVIDA! 

--Hayden Gore

Last week, I reported on a debate at the trial of ex-Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori over the admissibility of an amicus brief submitted to the court by George Washington University's International Human Rights Clinic. Fujimori's defense opposed the brief--which concludes that Fujimori "permitted, facilitated, and participated in" the Barrios Altos and La Cantuta Massacres--as a partisan document that would compromise the impartiality of the court.

In a unanimous ruling on Friday, the court dismissed the defense's argument and allowed the admission of the brief, explaining that it constituted a "relevant legal instrument" that would permit the court "to consider legal and social arguments that are in play" at the trial. The court stressed, however, that the brief was "non-binding" and would "not produce a detriment" to either the prosecution or the defense.

Amnesty International's report explores the obstacles Mexican women face when trying to report cases of domestic violence, including being rebuffed by officials when they make complaints. The report also cited deficient investigations and poor enforcement of protective measures. The report is being published 18 months after Mexico passed a law to counter violence against women.

"Over a year ago, Mexico took the positive step of passing a new law to protect women from violence, but a law will not prevent women from being beaten, raped and abused unless it's implemented rigorously at the federal and state level," said Kerrie Howard, deputy director for the Americas Program at Amnesty International.

Domestic violence is endemic in Mexico, as it is in many other countries. A national survey conducted in 2006 showed one in four women in Mexico have suffered abuse at the hands of their partner and 82 per cent of women decided not to report it.

Women who find the courage to report the abuse are often treated with indifference and have to prove they are subject to violence. In many cases officials even ask them to deliver summons to their aggressor, according to the Amnesty International report, "Women's Struggle for Safety and Justice: Violence in the Family in Mexico."

The case of a woman named Marcela underscores the problem. In 2005, Marcela's former husband broke into her house in the state of Sonora and stabbed her, leaving her paralyzed for four months. Over the years, Marcela had made more than 10 complaints of abuse to the public prosecutor's office. Every time, she was advised to resolve the issue directly with her partner. One time, she was told "when you come with a bruise, we'll do something." After the stabbing, Marcela's former husband was prosecuted for attempted murder and sentenced to 10 years. He is now appealing the length of his sentence and Marcela is scared that when he is released he will kill her.

"Women in Mexico need to have their complaints of abuse taken seriously, and they need access to justice and effective protection mechanisms," said Kerrie Howard.

In February 2007, Mexico enacted a law to help protect women and prevent violence, but the law is not properly funded or enforced.

Amnesty International is calling on Mexico's federal and state authorities to: