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Amnesty International USA applauds Oregon Governor for halting all executions

November 24, 2011 by joanne

Amnesty International USA
Press Release
Wednesday, November 23, 2011

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL APPLAUDS OREGON GOVERNOR FOR
“PRINCIPLED LEADERSHIP” IN HALTING ALL EXECUTIONS

Contact: AIUSA media office, 202.509.8194

(Washington, DC) – Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today applauded Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon for declaring a moratorium on the state’s executions. The human rights organization’s supporters in Oregon, around the country and around the world wrote letters appealing to the governor to halt the December 6 scheduled execution of Gary Haugen, who had dropped his appeals, “volunteering” to be executed.

“This is a significant day for Oregon and another step forward in the inevitable march toward the end of the death penalty in the United States,” said Laura Moye, death penalty abolition campaign director for AIUSA.

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Formal petition filed to grant indefinite reprieve for Gary Haugen

November 13, 2011 by joanne

In less than 30 days, Oregon’s first execution in 14 years could take place. Gary Haugen has waived his appeals, and he could be executed 7:00 p.m. on December 6. This execution must be stopped.

Amnesty International USA, Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (OADP), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon, and the Oregon Capital Resource Center took a major step to stop this execution. They filed a formal petition with Governor John Kitzhaber to grant an indefinite reprieve for Gary Haugen and to appoint a commission to review Oregon’s capital justice system and make recommendations for change or abolition.

We must let Governor Kitzhaber know that the use of the death penalty is unacceptable and Gary Haugen must not be executed. Please send a letter to Governor Kitzhaber to voice your opposition to the death penalty and support of an indefinite reprieve and a moratorium on the death penalty:

Governor John Kitzhaber
Rm 160 Oregon State Capitol
900 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301

Oregon must not execute Gary Haugen in our name.

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Civil Liberties 10 Years After 9/11

October 24, 2011 by joanne

Public Forum on Civil Liberties and National Security
Tuesday, November 8, 2011, 7:30 PM
Portland Building Auditorium, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR

The National Lawyers Guild, ACLU of Oregon, American Constitution Society, Peace and Justice Works – Iraq Affinity Group, and Amnesty International USA – Group 48 are sponsoring an evening forum entitled:

“Civil Liberties 10 Years After 9/11 – Can We Be Safe and Free”

The forum will discuss the threat to our civil liberties caused by the prior and current administration’s systematic policies of torture and targeted killing, extraordinary rendition and warrantless wiretaps, military commissions and indefinite detention, political surveillance and religious discrimination – policies which have dubious or no value in preserving our safety and national security.

Panelists will also highlight ongoing efforts by ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild and others to uncover such abuses and hold those responsible accountable in the legal courts and the court of public opinion.

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Urgent Action – First Oregon Execution in 14 Years Looming

October 20, 2011 by joanne

URGENT ACTION APPEAL
20 October 2011

UA 308/11
USA (Oregon)

The first execution in Oregon since 1997, and only the third in this US state since 1962, looks set to be scheduled for 6 December. Questions remain about the mental competence of the condemned prisoner, who has chosen to give up his appeals against his death sentence.

Oregon has carried out two executions since judicial killing resumed in the USA in 1977 — one in 1996 and one in 1997. Both were of inmates who had given up appeals against their death sentences. Now Gary Haugen, a 49-year-old man, is expected to receive an execution date of 6 December after waiving his appeals. He and Jason Van Brumwell were sentenced to death in 2007 for the murder of fellow inmate David Polin in Oregon State Penitentiary in 2003. At the time of the murder, Gary Haugen was serving a life sentence after being convicted in 1981 of the murder earlier that year of his former girlfriend’s mother. On automatic appeal in 2010, the state Supreme Court affirmed his conviction and death sentence. Since then Gary Haugen has said he wants to drop any further appeals.

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Nobel Peace Prize Important Recognition of Struggle for Women’s Rights

October 9, 2011 by joanne

Amnesty International
Press Release
Friday, October 7, 2011

Nobel Peace Prize Important Recognition of Struggle for Women’s Rights,
Says Amnesty International

Contact: Suzanne Trimel, strimel@aiusa.org, 212-633-4150

(New York) – Salil Shetty, secretary general of Amnesty International, issued the following comments today about the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to three women who have fought for womens’ rights and equality:

“This Nobel Peace Prize recognizes what human rights activists have known for decades: that the promotion of equality is essential to building just and peaceful societies worldwide,” said Shetty. “The tireless work of these and countless other activists brings us closer to a world where women will see their rights protected and enjoy growing influence at all levels of government.”

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