Month: July 2010

by

Congress passes Tribal Law and Order Act

Amnesty International USA
Press Release
July 21, 2010

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF LANDMARK LEGISLATION ADDRESSING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST NATIVE WOMEN
——
Tribal Law and Order Act is an ‘Historic Effort to Tackle Major Challenges That Allow Crimes Against Native Peoples to Flourish,’ Says Amnesty International

(Washington, D.C.) — Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) today applauded House passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that tackles the complex jurisdictional maze that allows violent crime against American Indians to continue unabated. The Tribal Law and Order Act, a long overdue effort to address public safety issues in Indian Country, would enhance the criminal justice system by improving coordination and communication between federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies.

“This historic, bi-partisan legislation addresses long-overlooked human rights abuses in Indian Country. It is an important effort to tackle major challenges that allow crimes against Native American and Alaska Native peoples to flourish,” said Larry Cox, executive director for AIUSA. “If properly implemented, it will open the door for the U.S. government to address the erosion of tribal authority. In time it will decrease the high levels of rape and finally provide Native women with effective recourse if they are sexually assaulted. In short, this legislation stands to curtail the impunity that allows rapists to prey on Native women like vultures.”

Continue reading →

by

North Korea’s crumbling health system in dire need of aid

Amnesty International
15 July 2010

North Korea’s crumbling health system in dire need of aid

Amputation and other major surgeries carried out without anaesthesia are just one indication of the dire state of North Korea’s healthcare system, a new Amnesty International report has found.

The Crumbling state of health care in North Korea draws on interviews with North Koreans and health workers to paint a picture of barely-functioning hospitals void of medicines and epidemics brought on by malnutrition.

Witnesses described hospitals where hypodermic needles were not sterilized and sheets were not regularly washed.

“North Korea has failed to provide for the most basic health and survival needs of its people. This is especially true of those who are too poor to pay for medical care,” said Catherine Baber, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Asia-Pacific.

According to the World Health Organization’s last available figures, North Korea spent less on healthcare than any other country in the world – under US$1 per person per year in total.

Continue reading →

by

Yusak Pakage, Indonesian prisoner of conscience released!

Amnesty International USA
Press Release
July 8, 2010

AI Welcomes Release of Indonesian Prisoner of Conscience Jailed for Raising Flag

Yusak Pakage

Yusak Pakage © ELSHAM

Amnesty International has welcomed the release of an Indonesian prisoner of conscience jailed for his role in a peaceful flag-raising protest.

Yusak Pakage, 31, was released on Wednesday morning from the Doyo Baru prison in Sentani, Papua province. He had been serving a ten-year sentence for his role in a peaceful demonstration in December 2004 during which the Morning Star flag, symbolizing Papuan independence, was raised.

According to local sources, Yusak Pakage was released because he was granted a presidential pardon last month, following the Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister’s visit with political prisoners in May 2010. Yusak Pakage has served half of his 10-year sentence. On his release, he thanked Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for campaigning on his behalf.

Continue reading →

by

Mohammed Odaini cleared for release from Guantánamo

From age 18 to 26, Mohammed Mohammed Hassan Odaini has been detained at Guantánamo without charge or trial. But about a week ago, the Obama administration finally said that it would release him back to his home country of Yemen!

For years, Amnesty International supporters have taken action for Odaini – writing countless letters and emails, holding vigils and demonstrations, organizing film screenings, meeting with elected officials and gathering petition signatures.

Mohammed Mohammed Hassan OdainiIn fact, this past year, more than 12,000 people joined the Global Write-a-thon to write letters on behalf of Odaini and other individuals at risk of severe human rights violations. In addition, Amnesty International USA Local Group 50 in Chicago, Local Group 139 in Wisconsin and Local Group 708 in Massachusetts adopted Odaini’s case. Together, our voices made all the difference. And now, Mohammed Odaini is going home.

Continue reading →