Student Activism

Hello all,

Do you know what you are doing yet for International Human Rights Day on December 10th?

With Christmas and New Year's Eve parties being planned all over, why not do something different from your friends this month.

All of the Regional Offices are planning events so you can either host your own letter writing party or attend one of the regional events already scheduled. 

When you participate in the Global Write-A-Thon, you join thousands of concerned advocates fighting on behalf of human rights defenders, prisoners of conscience, and other victims of human rights abuses from all over the world.

Online you can:

• Register as an individual,
• Spread the word to friends and family
• Keep tabs on the number of letters already pledged for this year,
• Read profiles about the individuals you will be helping
• Watch short films and become inspired!

Help in Amnesty's 70,000 letter goal for this year.  You can directly help free a prisoner of conscience, help someone in jail receive proper medical care or just give a little hope.  Please take the time to help those who fought for freedom around the world.

-Allison

Want to be our friend?

Visit our NEW National Student and Youth Program MySpace page!  

Come look around and view Amnesty International video clips, links to different campaigns, updates from our blog, and most importantly, REQUEST TO BE OUR FRIEND! 

Not only is this is a great way to stay connected with other young activists, but also to do some social networking.

What are you waiting for?  Start MySpacing now!

Dear Student Activists,

The National Student and Youth Program would like to let you in on what some of your fellow AIUSA student members are doing.  Recently, Lafayette College hosted Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize winner currently doing work on the Darfur Genocide.  In anticipation of his arrival, the students created a student statement podcast about Darfur. 

WATCH IT NOW AT:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIslMO_ZdlM

In addition, the group held a Dance for Darfur that raised $2500 for the Save Darfur Coalition, engaged in numerous letter-writing campaigns, commemorated those soldiers lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and are currently planning a fundraiser for HealAfrica.org in the spring.

A representative from the AI group said, "We wanted to show that even as a small community, we still can take a stand against genocide and make our voices heard."

To find out more about the possibilities for student activism check out AIUSA's Student Activism Center.  

Or, if you want to find out more about national student work on Darfur, visit the Instant Karma or STAND website. 

Read more about Amnesty International making a difference in Darfur. 

Thanks for your attention, and feel free to email your own student accomplishments to nsypintern@aiusa.org or ocff@aiusa.org

-Allison Kole

On-Campus Film Festival Intern

Just a reminder, the 86 Days of Action campaign is still going on!  Since October 17th Amnesty activists from all over the world have been throwing house parties showing the "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib" and publicly demonstrating against the Military Commissions Act (MCA). The MCA, signed in October 2006, strips the right of habeas corpus from any foreign national in US custody that the President designates an "enemy combatant." It also created an unfair military commissions system to try foreign nationals that would allow evidence obtained through coercion and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment - evidence not previously allowed in any US court. However, there are several pieces of legislation in Congress that would fix some of the worst aspects of the MCA.

Luckily there are still various ways for you to get involved and increase public awareness on this issue!  

The new action for December is letter writing for the Global Write-a-Thon, which will focus on Denounce Torture Cases.  Visit the Global Write-A-Thon site to:

1. Find events in your area
2. View informational (and entertaining!) video clips
3. Download online actions and resources
4. Register for the Write-A-Thon! 

Help us meet our goal of 70,000 letters!  Make sure to also invite your friends and family to get involved. 

Highlighted cases include:

• Artur Akhmatkhanov, a student and volunteer for a human rights organization in Russia, was grabbed by masked soldiers and bundled into an armored personnel carrier. He has not been seen since.
  
• Sami al Hajj, a Sudanese national, has been detained in Guantanamo for more than 5 years, without charge or trial. The reasons for his detention remain unclear, and his family has received little information about him or the state of his well-being.

• Award winning journalist Dina Meza, Carlos Hernandez, and colleagues at the Association for a More Just Society have been subjected to a campaign of harassment and intimidation after investigating several private security firms for labor rights violations. This has had deadly consequences, and still officials will offer little protection.

So check out the website and start writing those letters! And in the meantime, sign the "America I Believe In" pledge online at http://www.tearitdown.org and encourage all your friends to sign it as well!

 -Tiffany

Dear Student Activists and Film Fans,

Today we are featuring one of the newest documentaries available for student groups in the On-Campus Film Festival Library.  No More Tears Sister is a beautiful film by Canadian filmmaker Helene Klodawsky and would be great for an at home screening or a student-run human rights film festival through AIUSA. 

No More Tears Sister is the story of activist Dr. Rajani Thiranagama and her actions on behalf of the people of her country, Sri Lanka.  Love for her people and her newly independent nation, and empathy for the oppressed of Sri Lanka - including women and the poor - led her to risk her middle-class life to join the struggle for equality and justice for all.  Love led her to marry across ethnic and class lines. In the face of a brutal government crackdown on her Tamil people, love led her to help the guerrilla Tamil Tigers, the only force seemingly able to defend the people. When she realized the Tigers were more a murderous gang than a revolutionary force, love led her to break with them, publicly and dangerously. Love then led her from a fulfilling professional life in exile back to her hometown of Jaffna and to civil war, during which her human rights advocacy made her a target for everyone with a gun.

Whether your group is interested in Sri Lanka or postcolonial turmoil of any diverse nation, showing No More Tears Sister is a great way to promote human rights awareness on campus or in the community. 

FOR MORE INFO ON THE FILM:      

Watch the trailer. 

POV films (a documentary production co. affiliated with PBS) site for No More Tears Sister has updates on the film, "behind the lens" look at the film, educational resources, and other productions.

Experts talk about Child Soldier recruitment with the Tamil Tigers. 

Amnesty International's work in Sri Lanka.

Thanks,

Allison Kole

On-Campus Film Festival Program Coordinator

ocff@aiusa.org

December 10^th is Human Rights Day.  To mark this day thousands of people will gather all around the world to participate in Amnesty International's Global Write-A-Thon.  Last year, activists in more than 30 countries wrote over 100,000 letters to political leaders and others in positions of authority, to help make a difference in the lives of people whose human rights were being violated. 

Writing Letters Does Make A Difference!

In 2005, a photo journalist, Jennifer Latheef of the Maldives, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for photographing a peaceful protest.  While in prison, in addition to receiving threats of death and torture from guards, Jennifer suffered a painful spinal injury as a result of repeated abuse.  In response, Amnesty International activists from around the world sent letters to authorities, calling for her release.  Thanks to their efforts, Jennifer was freed in August 2006.

This year, take part in Amnesty International's Global Write-A-Thon and help other victims of human rights abuses, like Jennifer. 

Save a life this Dec. 7-10.  Register today!

WHEN: January 25-27, 2008

WHERE: Hard Bargain Farm in Accokeek, Maryland

WHO: You-if you're a:

• AIUSA member (It's not too late to become one!  Register before November 30th) AND
• College student in the Mid-Atlantic Region: DE, DC, MD, PA, VA, WV

HOW: Fill out a short application by contacting Breanna Peterson in the Mid-Atlantic Office at: bpeterson@aiusa.org.  All applications are due November 30th, 2007.  We will notify accepted applicants by mid-December. 

Please note there is NO registration fee, and if you're accepted to the camp, your room, meals and travel expenses (up to $150) will be covered. 

This is a great opportunity for motivated college students from the Mid-Atlantic region to learn more about how to run an active and effective AI group!  The Action Camp will not only give you an opportunity to gain new recruiting and leadership skills, but also enable you to implement and teach others on your own campus! 

For more information contact Breanna Peterson at bpeterson@aiusa.org or 202-544-0299 x269

Dear fellow activists, 

I just got back in Seattle from the Western Regional Conference and have been eagerly awaiting to submit this blog.

Every year I attend the regional and every year I leave the weekend more and more inspired and motivated than before. This year has definitely managed to move me more than any regional, AGM or training before it. Perhaps it is because its my last year participating as an AIUSA National Youth Advisory Committee representative, or because change is definitely in the air at AIUSA or because this movement is crucial today more than ever before. Whatever the reason may be; this trip to San Francisco meant a lot to me as I am sure it meant a lot to all of the activists there.

My time on the NYAC is nearing its end and I was able to discuss the position with possible candidates at the student caucus and throughout the regional conference. I highly encourage anyone with experience out here in the west that may be interested in taking on this challenging and rewarding position to please contact Njambi Good(ngood@aiusa.org).

The NYAC is a great way to leave your mark on AIUSA by communicating with students in the region, reporting their thoughts to the larger organization and developing your own activism while enhancing the activism of your peers.

Organizational structures within AI are definitely changing with the implementation of the Strategic Plan. After talking to several people and knowing what I know about the strategic plan; it sounds like the changes will really revolutionize our activism and with the changes we will have a great deal more volunteer opportunities for students and youth.. Keep an eye on the AIUSA website, member news and all of your amnesty contacts for the latest information on the adjustments being made.

At the student caucus I had the pleasure of announcing the December launching of a new collaborations with Reebok that will send Amnesty Student Activists around the world doing human rights related research. Keep a look out for more news on that! Also, there is an interest in the future of turning the National Youth Advisory Committee into larger Leadership Council representing students/youth/faculty advisors and young professionals to the larger AI body.

Finally, it seems this year's conference ocurred in the shadow of human rights atrocities taking place in Pakistan, Burma, Sudan and even here in the US. The message was clear and important: our movement is crucial and our activism vital to bringing about change. We are not just people signing a petition and hoping for the best. We are students, youth, leaders, young professionals all joined in a movement to end injustice, bring about peace and spread respect for human dignity worldwide.

If you did not have a chance to attend your regional conference, please connect with AI staff or volunteer leaders to get the latest information and resources distributed at the conference. If you want to hear more about the opportunities I mention in this blog please feel free to contact me at eleazar.juarez@gmail.com

In Solidarity,

Eleazar Juarez

Dear Student Activists,

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference commences this Friday in Baltimore, Maryland.  In addition to having compelling speakers and a myriad of informative sessions, Amnesty International's Mid-Atlantic Regional Office has an exciting event planned.  On Saturday November 17th, AIUSA and the Hip Hop Caucus will team up for a concert to call for the closure of the detention center at Guantanamo. 

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Hip-Hop After Part will feature Son of Nun, Salim, Brothers in Axiom, and DJ Chuck.  It will take place at the Baltimore Best Western Hotel and Conference Center.  Mid Atlantic Regional Office representatives will be passing out postcards to the public in places like Morgan State University and UMBC will serve as tickets to the event.  So, if you can't make the regional conference, you can still come to the after-party.

To find out more about the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference or  other conferences in your area go to the AIUSA webpage. 

If you can't attend the event, please check out other opportunities to participate in the fight against torture on AIUSA's website.

AIUSA's work on torture

Tear Down Guantanamo

 "86 Torture Campaign"

Thanks,

Allison

Hello student activists, 

This is a general overview of the urgent situation in Pakistan

How it Happened: President of Pakistan, Gen. Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday in response to what he claims to be a result of instability in the country caused my terrorist groups.  Violence has escalated since Bhutto, the opposition party representative returned to the country.  Now Bhutto has joined in demonstrations against Musharraf's emergency rule, and the government response has led to many human rights violations. 

Situation on the Ground:

The crackdown is still continuing, as are demonstrations. In effect "Martial Law" is in place. Hundreds have been arrested and arbitrarily detained across Pakistan. They include lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders and political activists. Yesterday, several Supreme Court Justices were sacked, including the Chief Justice, and today they are reported to be under house arrest.

The office of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan was raided and around 70 human rights activists were arrested. Asma Jahingir, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion is under house arrest. Her house has been declared a sub-jail.

 Read more:

 from AIUSA's site or

an Associated Press article that touches upon Musarraf's election plans. 

» Take action
through AIUSA's Online Action Center by contacting President Bush to ensure the U.S. will not do anything to escalate the violence. 

Thanks for your attention.

-Allison

Last July, despite strong evidence of his innocence, Troy Davis came within 24 hours of execution by the state of Georgia. Thanks to the 34,000 individuals who sent appeals, Troy was granted a 90-day stay. Listen to Troy tell his story and personally thank you for all your efforts.

The Georgia Supreme Court will decide if Troy gets a new trial and an opportunity to finally present evidence that has never been heard in court. Listen to Troy share his experience:

• There was no physical evidence against Troy Davis.
• The weapon used was never found.
• The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony.
• 7 of the 9 non-police witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony.
• Many of these witnesses have stated that they were pressured or coerced by the police. One of the witnesses who has not recanted is the principle alternative suspect.
• Nine individuals have signed affadavits implicating this suspect as the actual shooter.
• Troy Davis has never had a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him.

Troy's life was temporarily spared, yet the possibility of his execution still remains if he is not granted a new hearing or trial. Please sign the petition today, and ask five of your friends to do the same.

Together, we'll send a strong message to the Georgia authorities that when it comes to the death penalty, fairness matters.

In solidarity,

Larry Cox

Executive Director

When you conjure up images of Iran in your head, what comes to mind?  Perhaps rolling desert landscapes, women draped head to toe in black, or maybe shining, towering mosques with prayer songs pouring out of tall minarets.

Now picture this: Suspicion. Police brutality. Arbitrary arrests.  Disappearances. Torture. Killings.

These are the conflicting images, and brutal reality which students were asked to consider about Iran at the Northeast Regional Conference, held over the weekend at Boston University. The true obstacles to human rights activism were explored in Forbidden Iran, a Frontline production, in which the film-maker explores the grim truth of freedom of expression in this elusive nation.

In Iran, student protests are crushed, activists tortured and sometimes killed, and the ruling mullahs have ultimate political and civil control over the population. The extent of their control, says Iranian Amnesty activist Shahram Hashemi (former SAC and current member of AIUSA Board of Directors), is evident through attempts students make to even plan meetings and rallies on campus. During a Q&A after the films, he explained that in Iran, as soon as word gets out about a protest concerning human rights or governmental reform, the organizers are taken away and usually tortured, or the police crack down on the rally, using violent tactics against participants.

The outlook for the future then? Well, pretty grim, at best. At the caucus following the film, youth attendees from the eight Northeast states reflected upon these challenges Iranian youth face to promote human rights. But it was only after a second brainstorm, in which we listed the challenges we faced as activists here in the U.S., did we notice something peculiar: in comparing the two, our challenges in fact weren't as different as you might think! On the chalk board in front of us we saw similar words like "organization," "communication," "apathy," and others which made us realize we can still learn from each other. Though the stakes of our actions might be considerably different, the freedom we have here should not prevent us from seeking to understand the techniques of activism of others in situations more grave then our own.

It is not only important, but imperative that our solidarity with others, such as students in Iran, be a dialogue- the more we can learn from each other, the closer we will get towards expanding our understanding of the path towards the protection of human rights. If we can challenge our methods of activism and earnestly seek creative solutions for sustainable change, we can indeed transform Amnesty International from just an international organization towards a global movement for human rights.

Hannah Dunphy

Northeast Chair, National Youth Advisory Committee

Fellow activists, 

In an effort to combat the global crisis of violence against women and girls the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA)  was passed on October 31^st in large part due to the efforts of AIUSA staff.  The bill applies U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid totaling $1 billion over five years toward preventing abuse and exploitation.

Introduced by Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), the legislation authorizes over $200 million annually in foreign assistance for international programs that prevent violence, support health programs and survivor services, encourage legal accountability and a change of public attitudes, promote access to economic opportunity projects and education, and better address violence against women in humanitarian situations. 

The legislation would deal with preventing violence in all of its forms, including honor killings, bride burnings, acid burnings, dowry deaths, genital mutilation, mass rapes in war, or domestic violence.  It is estimated that these and other acts of violence affect one in three women worldwide. 

To learn more about these issues you can check out AI's reports by country, or you can receive regular updates if you Join the Women's Human Rights Network.  The International Violence Against Women Act is just one example of the progress of AI's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.  To learn of more success stories visit the SVAW webpage. 

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but as we can see the fight against this and other human rights violations continues.

-Allison

 "The more I scream they will laugh and do it again... my screams all in vain."
- Guantánamo detainee Omar Deghayes

Last year Congress passed the Military Commissions Act (MCA), which stripped non-citizens in US custody that the President declares to be "enemy combatants" of the right to challenge their detention in court (habeas corpus), created unfair trials that allow evidence obtained through coercion or other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and established a very broad definition of what constitutes an "unlawful enemy combatant," a status not recognized by international law

This past July, Peter D.Hart Research Associatees, Inc., conducted a survey for Alliance for Justice on the issue of habeas corpus rights for detainees being held by the U.S. government as enemy combatants.  Their findings included:

1. By two to one (63% to 32%), voters support legislation extending habeas corpus protections to the Guantánamo detainees. Support remains solid even after voters hear both sides of the debate.
2. A strong majority believes that the Bush policy of denying habeas rights contradicts American values. Rather than providing legal rights to detainees, voters see the restoration of our values and our security as the primary reason for restoring habeas.

   After hearing about the current policy, large majorities oppose both a policy permitting indefinite detention of detainees without a trial or even formal charges (68% oppose, 34% strongly), and rules preventing detainees from learning the evidence against them (59% oppose, 23% strongly).

3. Habeas is consistent with keeping America safe, while the Bush policy puts Americans at risk. Americans understand that America can protect both its security and freedom.

The central anti-habeas message is that habeas would undermine the nation's "war on terrorism." Habeas supporters should reject the premise of a choice between national security and upholding our values, and state clearly that they favor both.  Fortunately, Americans overwhelmingly agree (91%) that the nation can do both.

Help us urge Congress to revise the MCA, which disregards international law.  Although Amnesty firmly believes that people involved in committing war crimes or terrorist acts should be held accountable, it also believes in the right of due process and fair trial standards.  While the United States is responsible for protecting its citizens from attacks by armed groups, the tactics it uses must be consistent with human rights and humanitarian law. 

Get involved by joining the "86 Days of Action" campaign.

• Restore Habeas Corpus by signing the "America I Believe In" pledge.
• Sign the petition to close Guantanamo Bay. 
• Host a DVD house party to screen the documentary, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib.

-Tiffany