AMNESTY ONLINE
Amnesty International USA
November 9, 2004
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In this issue:
-- Conditions for Torture Persist in US Policy
-- Human Rights in Brief
-- 2005 Wall Calendar
-- More
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CONDITIONS FOR TORTURE PERSIST IN US POLICY
Former detainees released from US-run facilities around the world continue to come forward with disturbing reports of torture or degrading treatment during their interrogation and detention, according to a new Amnesty International report.
In the report -- Human Dignity Denied: Torture and Accountability in the 'War on Terror' -- the organization documents the pattern of human rights violations that run from Iraq to Guantanamo Bay. It outlines how the US has fallen into a historically familiar pattern of violating human rights in the name of national security.
Amnesty International cites more than 65 specific recommendations that, if implemented by the US government, would provide substantial safeguards against further torture and abuse. Among these is a call to President Bush to make public and revoke any measures or directives that have been authorized by him or any other official that could be interpreted as authorizing "disappearances," torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, or extrajudicial executions.
TAKE ACTION
Urge President Bush to support the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry and appointment of a Special Counsel to conduct a thorough, independent and public investigation; to prosecute up the chain of command those responsible for committing acts of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and for contributing to a command climate that condones such abuses; and to ensure US forces and their allies know that such violations will not be tolerated.
ACT NOW:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10618
Read more about the report:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10619
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HUMAN RIGHTS IN BRIEF
The Brazilian government has launched a project to protect human rights defenders. Amnesty International is calling it an important step in the fight for human rights in Brazil and throughout the region.
Learn more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10621
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Amnesty International strongly condemns the abduction of three UN election staff in Kabul and appeals for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.
Learn more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10622
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Amnesty International urges Indian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence carried out in 1984 against the Sikh community be brought to justice.
Read more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10623
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TAKE ACTION
UNIFEM, the women's fund at the United Nations, promotes women's human rights and equality in more than 100 countries. Urge your Senator to sign on to a letter circulated by Senator Mary Landrieu addressed to other members of the Appropriations Committee on the Foreign Operations Subcommittee in support of funding for UNIFEM and the UNIFEM Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
ACT NOW:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10625
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EVENTS
Participate in The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, November 25 - December 10
Amnesty International USA is once again participating in this worldwide campaign and encourages you to do the same! This year's focus: the connections between violence against women and HIV/AIDS.
Learn more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10626
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SIGN UP FOR THE 2004 GLOBAL WRITE-A-THON
Thousands of Amnesty International members and friends around the world come together every year on December 10, Human Rights Day, to help free prisoners of conscience during the organization's annual Global Write-a-thon. Bring Amnesty International's message of hope to your community this year. Sign up to participate today!
Sign up now:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=677776&l=10627
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