Student Activism

Hey guys & gals,

As summer approaches its logical end I hope you have had enough time off the studies and work. Don't worry you still have time to enjoy the sunny days of vacations. Summer is indeed time of rest, but not inactivity. Summer is just more opportunity to be active and stand up for human rights.

Prisoners of conscience don't take vacations. Neither does Amnesty. It's here all year long.  We are always fighting for human rights and hope that our activists-YOU- are also with us during every season. The world needs you support and encouragement.

Here's what you can do while the school is not in full session. You can take any of the actions on our summer postcard action at http://www.amnestyusa.org/ or click here to download the full action in PDF format.

Remember it's always a great idea to inform the people around you about AIUSA actions and events and the important role the activists have. Do encourage them to take action.

-Liana

Keep on writing those numerous letters. Continue to participate in rallies. Never stop educating others about the many human rights violations happening in the world. Why? Keep on, keeping on because it works.

Today Amnesty International welcomed the release of prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia after a massive campaign calling for their pardons. The 38 prisoners were arrested in 2005 in connection with demonstrations against alleged election fraud. Though the demonstration started off peacefully it ended violently with soldiers and police killing 193 demonstrators.

Bring their arrest to light in November 2005; Amnesty condemned the imprisonment of opposition party members, journalist and one of the country’s most prominent human right defender Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, founder and first president of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, on charges which for they were eventually sentenced to life in prison.

Though Amnesty was “relived that the court rejected the prosecution’s request for the death penalty, [Amnesty] considered most – if not all – of those sentenced…to be prisoners of conscience.” They did not advocate or use violence, however were imprisoned for expressing their beliefs. Amnesty called on its members to mobilize and take action.

Today after submitting a letter to the government of Ethiopia acknowledging “mistakes committed both individually and collectively,” the 38 received pardons and were released.

So keep it up. Keep sending your messages, make sure you are heard. Use your liberty to promote others.

 -jon perry

REACT! What are some success stories you would like to see of your Amnesty involvement? Leave your comment.

AIUSA has a series of networks that are organized based on member affiliation and professional expertise. One of the networks is the FREEDOM WRITERS Network. You ask, "Why Freedom Writers?" Well that's easy. The members of the network are concerned about human right violations. To stop these violations people write letters. Each month the members of the network receive a bulletin containing cases of three individuals whose rights have been violated. Some of them may be prisoners of conscience, others may have been denied a fair and prompt trial, while the others may have been tortured, are facing execution or... All are of great concerns to Amnesty International.

It's easy to join the network. It's even easier to take an action if you are concerned and want to help. To join the freedom writers and take the action click here. 

You can use the sample letters as they are or compose your own using them as guides.

Whatever way you choose to take the action remember "Indifference is the essence of inhumanity." (George Bernard Shaw). Raise your voice. It's important and it counts.

-Liana

It's been a great morning for everyone at AISUA.

Last week we blogged about Troy Davis, whose execution was scheduled on July 17^th. We asked you to take action -sign a clemency postcard. And so you did. We want to thank everyone who did that. You have helped a great deal. Definitely your support has meant a lot and counted.

The good news is that after a nine-hour closed-door clemency hearing the board of the State Parole Board issued a 90-day stay of execution. Read more...

What does the 90-day stay mean? It means that during the 90 days that follow the board will be evaluating and analyzing the evidence provided.

These are 90 days and they give hope that the truth will prevail.

Keep active, sign letter. to do so, click here.

In peace,

-Liana

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002 as a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, was crimes, and the crimes of aggression, although it can't currently exercise jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. The court can only prosecute crimes committed on or after July 1, 2002, the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, entered into force.

As of June 2007, 104 States are members of the Court, and a further 41 countries have signed but not ratified the Rome Statutes.

If you are interested in the history of the ICC, click here and continue reading.

July 17^th is the birthday of the International Criminal Court. It's soon. So, are you ready for a celebration?

To find out how you can organize an event for the ICC birthday click here.

Also, sign up today to receive an International Justice Day 2007 Organizing Guide, and to be registered to win a birthday cake from the Program for International Justice and Accountability! To do so click here.

To learn more visit: www.amnestyusa.org/international_justice/

-Liana

Hey guys,

I have a special reminder this afternoon for you. Remember that the Amnesty International USA's 2007 Leadership Summit in Denver, CO is in August?

Students - don't miss the special pre-Summit student leadership training on Thursday, August 9th! Plan to arrive by Wednesday evening for a full day of training just for students on Thursday. The registration for the pre-training is open till JULY 6^th. Not much time left, huh? Hurry, click here to register.

The Summit provides volunteer leaders from across the country with the training and information you need to succeed. Highlights include training for new and seasoned leaders, information on Amnesty's upcoming priorities and campaigns, and networking with other staff and leaders to plan for our human rights work in the upcoming year.

Visit AIUSA website http://www.amnestyusa.org/ for more information about the Summit.

LGBT Pride is celebrated with festivities and community events across the US in the month of June. Annual DC Pride parade kicked off the festivities at the beginning of June and the LGBT Pride Day will finalize the celebrations on June 29^th. However, this doesn't mean that with the end of the festivities and celebrations the LBGT issues are solved.

Here are some facts about LGBT human rights

• There are over 70 countries in the world that criminalize same sex relations.
• Even in countries where same sex relations are not criminalized, abuse of LGBT people is widespread.
• Many LGBT people experience homophobic violence in the community where they live and work.

Think about these facts. Click here and take a tour throughout the world.

See what the LGBT rights are in some countries? I hope you understand how important it is to take an action. To find out what you can do click here