Student Activism

            Last week after class, my friend and I were discussing the number of homeless people that can be seen in the downtown area of the city. We discussed how horrible it feels to see so many people with nowhere to go at the end of the night and how, even if you gave a little money to every person on the way home, it would still feel like you weren't doing enough to help the situation.

            It's really surprising the importance Economic, Social, and Cultural rights (ESCR) are to an individual's wellbeing. Economic, social, and cultural rights are the minimal basic needs that each person requires to achieve the minimum standard of living. They include resources like food, shelter, education, healthcare, and gainful employment. From the Hurricane Katrina clean-up in New Orleans to forced evictions in Zimbabwe, ESCR violations occur throughout the world.

          There is no excuse for young children to starve or families to go without homes in the advanced world of today. We should all work to make sure everyone, despite their country or socioeconomic status, is equipped with these standard needs for life. Learn more about current actions that are happening right now and what you can do to help.

Later,

Veronica

a) Must not interfere in the business of foreign governments because "It's a different country and those are their laws."

b) Is partial to some governments and not others.

c) Will not be effective.

Amnesty International takes its charge from the UDHR, which was written by people and governments from all over the world. The important fact is that different leaders and governments from around the world got together to agree on what human rights must be afforded to all people.

It's not our business to tell governments HOW to promote rights, but it is our business to identify where rights are not being afforded or respected. We know that the only way for rights to be respected is for everyday people to demand it. In some countries, like the US and other democratic countries, citizens can make human rights demands without fear of reprisal. But in many other countries it is dangerous for people to advocate for their own rights - that's why we see prisoners of conscience. That's when AI activists promote rights for people - we do it with them, not for them. For example, on the issue of domestic violence we were working on Zimbabwe which doesn't have a law saying domestic violence was illegal. We worked with local organizations to identify the best actions to take to make sure that we were not doing something that would go against their work.

Amnesty has a record of real achievements. We know this because the people we have helped tell us that our advocacy has had real effect. Through our advocacy work, some governments are persuaded to change their laws and practices. Our advocacy and solidarity with individuals in need helps to keeps hope alive. Hope is a precious weapon for prisoners battling to survive, for relatives trying to obtain justice on behalf of their loved ones, and human rights defenders working in dangerous and isolated circumstances.

To this day, Amnesty International has helped secure the release of over 40,000 prisoners of conscience; helped successfully campaigned for the International Criminal Court, Convention Against Torture, Violence Against Women Act, etc. Check out the Success Section of the AIUSA website.

Remember that Amnesty International is non-partial. Please keep that in mind within the context of your work. If you have any questions or experiences we can all learn from, please post them on the Student Activism Blog.

Cheers,

Corey Glenn, National Youth Advisory Committee

One of the more interesting aspects of state and local public policy might be the interest in privatization of some services normally provided by the public sector. It calls to the fore questions of accountability, responsibility, incentives, and a link between these factors and the output of the service. When the private sector provides goods and services to at the local level, as opposed to the state or national level, they are more closely accountable and responsible to the local citizens, or their customers.

Iraq for Sale, a film from Brave New Films by producer/director Robert Greenwald, explores the role of the US government's privatization, or contracting, of services in the Iraq War. If privatization of public goods and services operates well under accountability and competition, these firms perform poorly because they lack both. They operate thousands of miles away from the US government and its citizens, to whom their actions – and in this case human rights violations – should be accountable. "40 percent of Pentagon contracts were awarded under full and open competition" from FY98 to FY03. 

“As the United States engages in military operations in two countries and conducts the global war on terror, the U.S. government is outsourcing key security and military support functions, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, to private companies whose civilian employees carry out the work. The civilians conduct functions ranging from logistical support to providing security for U.S. government personnel and reconstruction projects, training military and security personnel, operating and maintaining weapons systems, and rebuilding schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure. But they also serve in more sensitive roles, such as interrogation and translating during questioning of alleged terrorist suspects.” Outsourcing Facilitating Human Rights Violations

Voluntary accounts of actions by companies in Iraq, contracted by the US government and military, strongly allege that these companies have violated human rights. They have participated in the torture in Abu Ghraib, provided unsafe water to military personnel and soldiers, and placed civilians in harm’s way. Human rights violations by these firms should be stopped. Please learn more.

nadine

I was talking with my friend the other day about ways people can stay involved with human rights and political issues throughout their lives. She felt that it would be extremely difficult to have a major impact on human rights unless you get a job in some political career field. However, after working here at Amnesty, I know that this is not true. Here are just a few ideas that Amnesty presents for getting (and staying) involved:

Amnesty's Online Action Center provides up to date information on current human rights violations and issues. It also presents the steps you can take to make a difference. Joining is free and will provide you with notifications on urgent human rights cases that need your immediate help.

Voting is now open for the National Week of Student Action!! Take a few minutes, head over to Amnesty's website and cast your vote for the NWSA topic. National Week of Student Action is the joining together of students groups throughout the country to bring awareness to a major human rights issue. The four possible topics to choose from are: Racial Profiling, Darfur, Children of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Air Torture. All of these are important human rights issues and you can read more background information at Amnesty. Gather information about these four topics and then vote on your choice for the focus of NWSA. Online voting will end November 15^th.

The years following college graduation can be some of the most exciting times of a person's life. However, the can also be some of the busiest. Individuals in their 20s and 30s shouldn't feel that they have no time to still be activists with human rights issues. Amnesty's Generation Activist is a social network of post graduate activist that want to be more involved in their community. Sign up today to receive updates and stay connected.

These are just a couple of things Amnesty suggests as ways to get involved. Of course there are countless other things you can do. Contact local organizations in your community that match your interest. Get together with other people like yourself that want to make a difference. The possibilities are endless.

Later,

Veronica

The other day, I received an email from a group coordinator asking me questions relevant to all AI group's efforts to raise campus awareness. As a Student Area Coordinator, I often encounter similar questions. It's important as AI advocates that we be knowledgeable about our core issues and platform. It's not expected that you know everything, and there's times when you won't know an answer. When confronted with an unusual question, don't feel obligated to make up something. Just say that you don't have the answer and you will get back to them with the answer. Or direct these individuals to the many AI resources that can answer their question. There are many knowledgeable people within AI who can answer questions, so feel free to contact your SAC, Field Organizer, or post them on the Student Activism Blog.

Cheers,

Corey Glenn, National Youth Advisory Committee

I was listing to National Public Radio and learned how major arms corporations are getting away with selling their weapons to governments and groups that violate human rights. The good thing was that the reporter was referencing information from an Amnesty International co-produced report. Arms corporations in the USA, Canada, and Europe are using loopholes in arms regulations to get away with their harmful transactions. Either they are directly selling all the parts necessary to make the weapons to the violators, whom assemble the weapons themselves. Or, the arms corporations first send the parts to a country with companies that have little concern for the human rights violations of clients. The middle-man corporation assembles the weapons, then sells them to violators. These arms corporations are real crafty. But Amnesty and other human rights groups are documenting how these transactions are happening and what should be done to prevent them.

To learn more about the loop holes in arms regulations, check out Amnesty's Press Release.

 Peace,

 Jihad *)

The President signed into law the Military Commissions Act. This is unfortunate for reasons written about in a previous entry. Bush said, “With the bill I'm about to sign, the men our intelligence officials believe orchestrated the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent people will face justice.” The American Civil Liberties Union called the law, "one of the worst civil liberties measures ever enacted in American history." In response to the signing, Amnesty International’s President, Larry Cox, issued a statement.  The law allows the CIA to, “detain people in secret prisons and use interrogation techniques that amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment...” Amnesty International will continue to push for clarification of the law to prevent human rights violations under it.

In other news, National Week of Student Action voting has begun.

Nadine

Recently, I watched The Torture Question, a PBS Frontline documentary . It documents the road from the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars and occupation, to documented and suspected torture through extraordinary rendition and in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (Gitmo) and Abu Ghraib. During the Afghanistan and Iraqi Wars, the US detained suspected terrorists. Some were flown to their home countries – extraordinary rendition - where they could be tried according to the laws of those countries, and were subjected to human rights violations. In Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, the push from Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld for security intelligence and information led to an atmosphere and understanding in which military intelligence personnel and guards would use torture to gather information. Inhumane treatment was permitted.

Both Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay have become prison centers that according to The Torture Question, utilize various means of torture against detainees to gather intelligence.  The film shows Defense Secratery Rumsfeld declaring that the Guantanamo Bay center, located in sunny Cuba, is better than one in Afghanistan.

Though military intelligence personnel were given briefings on The Geneva Conventions, there was a “wink wink” understanding that they did not have follow them.

The Military Commissions Act passed by the House and Senate at the end of September and awaiting President Bush’s signature – and despite Hamdan v. Rumsfeld - prevents detainees from filing writs of habeus corpus, and from protecting their rights in court under the Geneva Conventions.

Those detained are prevented from protecting their rights and preventing sometimes inhumane methods used against them to gather security intelligence. Please learn more about torture. The American I believe in does not torture people.

Nadine 

The other evening, I attended an AI Campus Chapter event that was really cool and innovative. The Campus Chapter co-sponsored a "Fast-Breaking Dinner" with the Muslim Student Association at their campus. Currently, it is the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The AI chapter provided desserts for the event. Before the desserts were served, the AI Campus Coordinator was given the opportunity to address the Muslim student body. She started by welcoming the beginning of Ramadan. Then she explained what Amnesty International USA is and what it does, and how her Amnesty Chapter wanted to be a partner with the Muslim campus community on mutual human rights issues and campaigns. Her presentation was only 3-4 minutes long. Many in the audience displayed appreciation for the outreach extended by the Amnesty chapter. After dinner, several Muslim students approached the Coordinator to learn more about Amnesty and about how the two organizations could collaborate on some issues.

In all, the event was successful. I think co-hosting the event was a really effective way for an Amnesty chapter to outreach to a new community while not having to use a lot of the chapter funds. More programs like this have the potential for growing the human rights movement and diversifying Amnesty's membership.

I'm learning more about how AIUSA has faith-based initiatives and materials to support collaborations between chapters and diverse faith communities. To learn more about the ways Amnesty collaborates with the American Muslim community, check out the Ramadan Action for Human Rights.

Has anyone seen or participated in other cool campus chapter events that outreach to diverse faith communities? If so, post them! Let's share our ways of expanding human rights awareness and advocacy to different communities, making the movement way more multicultural.

Peace,

Jihad *)

North Korea announced that they successfully detonated a nuclear bomb on Sunday. Today, North Korea’s announced that it would conduct more tests if the US does not cease its “hostile attitude" toward North Korea. The international community is wary of and concerned about these consequences.

The international transfer of small arms and light weapons (SALW) is another arms and weapons issue that has been continuous and violates human rights around the world. SALW – including shoulder-fired missiles and assault rifles - transfers are legal, but their irresponsible sales to countries have deleterious effects. SAWL transfers to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nepal, have increased the impact of the countries’ conflicts. The uncontrolled proliferation of SAWL transfers contributes to hundreds of thousands of deaths, and people being maimed, tortured, and forced to flee their homes. Sudan reported that from 2002 and 2003, they received SALW from China, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia, among other countries. Sudan acquired these weapons despite the US and EU’s embargo on military weapons to Sudan, for their civil war and government’s human rights violations.

In January 2006, 72 Senators signed a letter to Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, urging the US to add strong global guidelines to the UN’s Program of Action on SALW trade. On July 7, 2006, the United Nations Review Conference on Small Arms ended, but attending governments failed to agree to global guidelines of SAWL transfers. 25 governments had agreed to global guidelines in Nairobi, Kenya, in April 2006; they had hoped to use these to negotiate global guidelines at the July 2006 UN meeting, but the conference (12 days) did not leave enough time. At the end of the conference, the US blocked global guideline proposals for various reasons. A small UN study group will meet again in November 2006 to discuss how governments can handle SALW transfers. Check out Amnesty International’s Control Arms Campaign to see what you can do to take action and help decrease human rights violations from international SALW transfers.

Later

Nadine

October 10th is World Day against the Death Penalty and marks the beginning of many Amnesty actions concerning the practice of the death penalty around the world. The practice of the death penalty is a direct denial of personal human rights. Amnesty International acknowledges that taking the life of another human being if a violation of the right to life, documented in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, individuals should have a right to fair trial and should have confidence in their justice system; regardless of their country, economic/social status, sexuality, or ethnicity. Join Amnesty International today in taking a stand against the death penalty. Keep an eye out for Amnesty's National Week of Faith in Action on the death penalty taking place October 20th-22nd. Head over to Amnesty's website for more information on current death penalty actions and death penalty facts in your own state.

Later,

Veronica 

The day after the House passed the “Military Commissions Act,” this legislation passed in the Senate. Basic treatment standards for detainees in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are not clarified in the legislation. It prevents detainees from filing writs of habeus corpus and from protecting their rights in court, under the Geneva Conventions. The lack of judicial review confers that the administration believes a “trust us” approach is enough; but under this approach, there is no guarantee of one being treated in accordance with US and international law.

Also, “unlawful enemy combatants” under U.S. custody could be detained under law of war rationale, rather than under a human rights framework. Other provisions in the legislation of concern are a new tribunal system that tries Americans and foreigners in two separate judicial processes; a redefinition of fundamental laws and reversion to an old definition of rape that makes its prosecution more difficult; and retroactive immunity for those involved in policies or abuse for acts long considered to be torture, or cruel, degrading, inhuman treatment. The Supreme Court’s decision in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld looked to steer America in the correct judicial and policy direction, but this bill is a setback to the potential improved policies. It threatens America's judicial process and America's leadership in humanitarian law and human rights. Sign a pledge to stand up for America’s leadership on human rights.

Until next time,

Nadine

Take action now to ensure that unrestricted use of the Internet remains your right! Amnesty has started an international campaign entitled Irrepressible as a method of bringing attention to Internet censorship.

The most notable occurrence of Internet censorship has surfaced in China. Companies such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft have supplied tech-equipment which is used to control the use of Internet in China.

Don't let this suppression of basic human freedoms continue any longer and become the standard practice of your own government. Visit Amnesty's Website for more information about Internet Freedom. Also stop by Irrepressible for actions that you can take to stop Internet censorship.

Later,

Veronica

October is National AIDS Awareness Month and an excellent time to educate your organization and yourself about the HIV/AIDS crisis. Health as a human right relates to the availability, for all people, of basic facilities and services that are vital in attaining good health.  

This month is also a great time to get familiarized with Amnesty's five human rights goals for health, which include:

• Fighting discrimination
• Ending violence
• Addressing social and economic disempowerment
• Ensuring access to treatment
• Increasing international cooperation

For more information on these points as well as current actions, head over to Amnesty's website. Also check out the World AIDS Campaign and the United Nations Program Against AIDS for further information on HIV/AIDS crisis and what you can do to help.

Later,

Veronica