AI press release

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Call on President Obama to Keep His Promise and Shutter Guantanamo Bay Now

Amnesty International
Press Release
January 7, 2013

Broad Coalition Calls on President Obama to Keep His Promise
and Shutter Guantanamo Bay Now
Groups will mark 11th anniversary of first detainees imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay
with rally, march and vigil starting at Supreme Court

Contact: Sharon Singh, ssingh@aiusa.org, 202-675-8579, @spksingh

(Washington, D.C.) – A broad coalition of human rights groups and other like-minded organizations will mark the 11th anniversary of the first detainees being jailed at the U.S.-controlled detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Friday, January 11, 2013, with a rally, march and vigil in Washington, DC. The participants will begin with a rally in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, then march on Pennsylvania Avenue to the southeast corner of the Ellipse, for a vigil with the White House in the background.

There are solidarity events occurring in Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami and London, England.

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Protect lives in danger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Amnesty International
Press Release
November 26, 2012

Obama Administration Must Step Up Influence, Especially at United Nations, to Protect Lives in Danger in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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

(New York) – With tens of thousands of people at risk from renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Amnesty International USA today called on the Obama administration to step up its influence at the United Nations and directly with the Congolese government to help protect civilians and to supply needed food, water, medicine and shelter.

Amnesty International, in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said it is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians in Goma and Sake due to the renewed outbreak of violence and the appalling record of past human rights abuses by the armed group M23, which has been responsible for unlawful killings, forced labor and rape and the recruitment of children as soldiers.

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Arms Trade Treaty Talks Open at United Nations

Amnesty International
Press Release
July 2, 2012

International Artists Support Campaign for Effective Arms Trade Treaty As Talks Open at United Nations on Monday

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

(New York) – As more than 190 governments meet in New York Monday for the first day of month-long talks at the United Nations on arms control, more than 30 high-profile Amnesty International and Oxfam supporters, including the British war photographer Paul Conroy, urged governments to deliver a strong and effective treaty that helps protect human rights and prevent the flow of arms to irresponsible users.

Amnesty International and Oxfam sent the letter signed by Conroy, Keira Knightley, Kevin Spacey and others to U.N. Secretary General Ban ki Moon, urging governments to deliver a strong treaty that will save lives. Conroy is the British war photographer injured in the mortar attack that killed London Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin and French photo journalist Remi Ochlik, in Homs, Syria, earlier this year.

An effective ATT needs a “Golden Rule:” if there is a substantial risk that arms exported to another country are likely to be used for serious human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, or to undermine sustainable development, those arms supplies must be stopped.

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AI Expresses Regret over Death of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne

Amnesty International Press Release
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Amnesty International Expresses Regret over
Death of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne

Contact: Gwen Fitzgerald, gfitzgerald@aiusa.org, 202-509-8194

(Washington, D.C.) – Following the sad news today of the passing of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, Adotei Awkei, Amnesty International’s managing director for government relations, issued the following statement:

“Amnesty International is deeply saddened by the passing today of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne. The U.S. Congress and millions of people from around the world have lost a human rights champion and an individual of inspiring commitment and integrity.

Throughout his 23 years in office, Congressman Payne never said no to the fight for justice and dignity for all. Whether it was drawing attention to conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone and Liberia, or ending the violence and humanitarian crises in Darfur, Donald Payne was there. When Nigeria was reeling under the brutal dictatorship of the late Sani Abach and Africa’s ‘Big Men’ mercilessly silenced their citizens, Congressman Payne refused to stay quiet, chiding them in his unassuming voice. And when the opportunity presented itself to secure more than $50 billion to prevent, control and treat HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in Africa, Donald Payne led the fight.

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Amnesty International Kicks Off Annual Letter Writing Marathon

Amnesty International
Press Release
Saturday, December 3, 2011

Amnesty International Kicks Off Annual Letter Writing Marathon
Global Write-a-thon, one of the largest human rights events of the year mobilizes action for release of prisoners of conscience and others

Contact: AIUSA media relations, 202-509-8194

(Washington, D.C.) — Amnesty International this weekend kicks off its annual letter writing marathon, Write for Rights, which occurs from December 3 to December 11. Write for Rights is a global event in which people in more than 80 countries will call on governments worldwide to take action on behalf of prisoners of conscience and others whose human rights are threatened. In one of the largest human rights events of the year, Write for Rights participants will also provide messages of hope and support for these individuals at risk.

“Enlisting friends, family and members of their communities to take one simple step for human rights by writing a letter, people around the world will together send a powerful message in defense of human rights,” said Mike O’Reilly, director of Amnesty International USA’s Campaign for Individuals at Risk.

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