8/3/2019 Group 48 Newsletter - October 2011

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Amnesty International USA Group 48

Newsletter 10.11

1 Help Abolish the Death

Penalty in Oregon

2 HONDURAS: Urgent

Action - Abduction, Fear

for safety 

3 Sudanese Activist and

Poet ortured

5 BURUNDI: Protect

Freedom of the Press

6 CHINA: Urgent Action -

Risk of torture, Legal

concern, Health concern

8 Demand a Fair rial for

Victoire Ingabire, Rwandan

Opposition Politician

9 Human Rights Defenders in

Russia Under Treat

AIUSA-Group 48

http://aipdx.org

503-227-1878

Next Meeting:

Friday October 14th

First Unitarian Church1011 SW 12th Ave

7:00pm informal

gathering

7:30pm meeting starts

NewsLetter Designed

By Michelle Whitlock 

MichelleWhitlock.com

Help Abolish the Death Penalty in OregonBy, Terrie Rodello

AIUSA Oregon State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator 

he state o Georgia shocked the world

when it took roy Davis’ lie. But the

movement to end the death penalty hasonly grown. Now is the time to abolish

the death penalty in Oregon.

Tere are several ways that you can help

us abolish the death penalty in Oregon

1. Sign Amnesty International’s “Not

in my name” pledge. (http://takeaction.

amnestyusa.org/site/c.6oJCLQPAJiJUG/ 

b.7741827/k.62FF/Not_in_my_Name_

Pledge/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?-

c=6oJCLQPAJiJUG&b=7741827&en=dm

IPI6PPJcIYLgOSLbKULiM9LvL9KmN4L

tI9LqNaIAK ) to show your commitment

to ending the death penalty.

2. Write a letter to the editor expressing

your opposition to the death penalty.

3. Contact your Oregon legislators

expressing your opposition to the death

penalty.

4. Support other organizations, such

as Oregonians or Alternatives to the

Death Penalty (www.oadp.org ) to abol-ish the death penalty in Oregon.

Your support at this time is critical. On

September 27th, the judge ruled that

Gary Haugen is competent to proceed

with his case to be executed by the state

o Oregon. We are opposed to any and

all executions, even i the inmate volun-

teers. We will need your help organizing

events as this case proceeds.

Other items related to roy Davisevents;

1. Amnesty International USA Blog

with updates on roy Davis: http://blog.

amnestyusa.org/deathpenalty/troy-davis-

celebration-of-life/ 

2. Photo gallery rom the roy Da-

 vis events in Savannah, GA: http:// 

www.deathpenaltyphoto.org/galleries/ 

troydavis/2011execution/index.html 

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 2

When a member o the Amnesty International Campaign met

with roy Davis the day beore he was killed to convey the

support that he had rom around the world, he asked that the

ollowing message be delivered:

"Te struggle or justice doesn't end with me. Tis struggle is

or all the roy Davises who came beore me and all the ones

who will come aer me. I'm in good spirits and I'm prayeruland at peace."

roy Davis did not die in vain. We will make certain o that.

HONDURAS: Urgent Action - Abduction, Fear for safetyJose Reynaldo Cruz Palma (m)

ing Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma, the two men handcued him

and orced him into the pick-up truck. As they did this, the

men covered Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma’s ace with a hood.

At approximately 3:00pm his wie went to the Primera Es-

tacion Police Station to report the crime. Te police ocers

made her wait or one hour and only took her complaint at

4:00 pm when other members o the community went there to

support her. Te whereabouts o Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma

remain unknown and the authorities have yet to take action

to establish his whereabouts.

Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma is well known in the community 

or his work on abuses committed by the police against local

youths. He did a television interview in July expressing his

concerns about violence in his local community and on 27August at a public event held in the community he also stood

up to express his concerns about police abuses. A police

ocer who was there stood up and said to him, “You have

to shut up because we reckon you’re a gang leader” (“vos te

debes callar porque te consideramos jee de la mara”).

Please write immediately in Spanish or your own language:

 ◌ Call on the authorities to do everything necessary to estab-

lish the whereabouts o Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma;

◌ Urge them to launch a ull, impartial and independent

investigation into the abduction o Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma

with the results made public and those responsible brought to

 justice.

Appeals To

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 O:

Attorney General

Sr. Luis Alberto Rubi

Fiscal General de la República

Lomas del Guijarro, Avenida República Dominicana, Edicio

On 30 August Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma, a Hondurancommunity leader, was abducted in San Pedro Sula, northern

Honduras by two unknown individuals. o date, his where-

abouts are unknown. Amnesty International believes his lie

is at risk.

On 30 August at 2.30pm, Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma and his

wie were traveling on a minibus in San Pedro Sula when

the vehicle was stopped by a grey pick-up truck with tinted

windows, which had been ollowing them throughout their

 journey. wo men wearing balaclavas boarded the minibus

and took the keys to the minibus rom the driver. Tey then

ordered Cruz Palma’s wie to get o the bus, which she did.

Tey then grabbed Jose Reynaldo Cruz Palma, orcing him

out o the bus, where they searched him. Te men did not

identiy themselves or give any reason or their actions.

When his wie asked why they were doing this to him, one

o the men pointed a gun at her ace and released the saety 

catch, as i ready to shoot her, saying “it’s nothing to do with

you, it’s about him” (“con vos no es, es con el”). Aer search-

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 3

Lomas Plaza II

egucigalpa

HONDURAS

E-mail: http://e1.mc1615.mail.yahoo.com/mc/

compose?to=lrubi@mp.hn 

Fax: 011 504 2221 5667

Salutation: Sr. Fiscal General/ Dear Attorney General

Minister of Interior

Sr. Pompeyo Bonilla

Secretaria de Estado en el Despacho de Seguridad, Plantel

Casamata, subida al Picacho, egucigalpa, M.D.C

HONDURASFax: 011 504 2220 1756

Salutation: Dear Minister/

Estimado Sr.Ministro

Copies To

Comite de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos

en Honduras

(COFADEH)

Barrio La Plazuela, Avenida Cervantes

Casa no.1301

egucigalpa

HONDURAS

Fax: 011 504 2220 5280

Ambassador Jorge Ramon Hernandez Alcerro

Embassy o Honduras

3007 ilden St. NW Suite 4MWashington DC 20008

Fax: 1 202 966 9751

Email: lprado@hondurasemb.org 

Sudanese Activist and Poet Tortured

Abdelmoniem Raham is actively involved in Sudanese politics

and the arts. In 2010, he was appointed as a government advi-

sor or cultural aairs in Blue Nile, and is a co-ounder and

administrative director o Ajrass Alhurriya (Bells o Freedom)

newspaper in Sudan. Te newspaper was shut down by the

authorities on 8 July 2011.

Abdelmoniem Raham was also an active member o the

Sudanese Writers Union during the 1980s and chairperson o 

Sudana, an organization promoting art and literature o mar-

ginalized groups in Sudan. Between 2003 and 2005, he was

the head o the Arabic section o the Sudan Radio Services

network, in Nairobi, Kenya.

On 1 September ghting broke out in Blue Nile, Sudan,

bordering South Sudan, between the Sudanese Armed Forces

(SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army-North (SPLA-

N). On 2 September, Sudanese President al-Bashir declared astate o emergency in Blue Nile and appointed a military gov-

ernor to the state. Te ghting is linked to ongoing confict

in Southern Kordoan, where over 150,000 people have been

displaced.

Additional InformationTe ghting in Blue Nile state ollows tensions between Su-

dan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) and the southern

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) over security 

arrangements in the border areas prior to South Sudan’s

On 2 September, Sudanese activist and poet, Abdelmoniem

Raham, was arrested in Ed Damazin, Blue Nile state, Sudan.

He is being detained by the National Intelligence and Security 

Service (NISS) and has reportedly been tortured.

Aer Abdelmoniem Raham was arrested on 2 September, he

was seen in custody o the NISS in Ed Damazin. He was said

to have been tortured. He is at risk o urther torture and

other ill treatment.

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 4

independence on 9 July 2011. Following South Sudan’s inde-

pendence, the SPLM-North, which was previously part o the

southern SPLM, was ormed in Southern Kordoan and BlueNile.

On 5 June 2011, ghting between the Sudanese Armed Forces

(SAF) and the Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army-North (SP-

LA-N) broke out in Kadugli, the capital o Southern Kordoan,

and surrounding areas. Indiscriminate bombings by SAF and

ongoing ground attacks by both SAF and SPLA-N have re-

sulted in over 200,000 people displaced in Southern Kordoan

alone. Furthermore, Amnesty International received reports

o extra-judicial executions and arrests o people aliated

with SPLM-North in Kadugli town.

Te number o people displaced or otherwise aected by the

recent ghting in Blue Nile is not yet known, because inde-

pendent observers and aid workers have been prevented rom

entering the region.

Please write immediately in English, Arabic or your own

language:

 ◌ Call on the authorities to release Abdelmoniem Raham or

charge him with a recognizable criminal oense;

 ◌ Call on the authorities to grant Abdelmoniem Raham

immediate access to his amily, lawyers, and to any medical

treatment he might require ollowing allegations o torture;

◌ Urge the authorities to ensure that Abdelmoniem Raham is

not subjected to urther torture or other ill-treatment.

APPEALS ToPLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 31 OCOBER 2011

Minister of Justice

Mr Mohammed Bushara Dousa

Ministry o Justice, PO Box 302

Al Nil AvenueKhartoum, SUDAN

Fax: 011 249 183 764 168

Email: moj@moj.gov.sd 

Salutation: Your Excellency 

Minister of Interior

Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Hamed

Ministry o Interior

PO Box 873

Khartoum

SUDAN

Salutation: Your Excellency 

Copies ToPresident 

HE Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir

Oce o the President

People’s Palace PO Box 281

Khartoum

SUDAN

Fax: 011 249 183 782 54

John Ukec Lueth Ukec

Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan

2210 Massachusetts Ave. NW

Washington DC 20008

el: 202 338 8565

Fax: 1 202 667 2406

E-mail: sudan@sudanembassy.org

Please check with the AIUSA Urgent Action Oce i sending

appeals aer the above date.

Group Coordinator Joanne Lau

971-221-5450

 jlau@easystreet.net

Concert Tabling 

Will Ware

503-227-5225

ww_ware@yahoo.com

Newsletter Editor

Dan Webb

503-253-3491

write_to_dan@yahoo.com

Treasurer

Tena Hoke

tena.hoke@gmail.com

Legislative Coordinator

Dan Johnson

503-310-4540

subtlet@hotmail.com

Indonesia RAN

Max White

503-292-8168

maxw33@comcast.net

Central AfricaRAN

Terrie Rodello

503-246-6836

tarodello@igc.org 

OR State Death

Penalty Abolition

Coordinator

Terrie Rodello

503-246-6836

trodello@igc.org 

Central America

RANMarylou Noble

503-245-6923

marylou_noble@

 yahoo.com

Prisoners' Cases

& Darfur

 Jane Kristof 

kristofj@pdx.edu

Marty Fromer

503-227-1878

martyfromer@gmail.com

AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 5

BURUNDI: Protect Freedom of the Pressmemo to media outlets stating, “It is orbidden to all broad-

cast and print press to publish, comment or analyze the ongo-ing investigations in relation with the Gatumba carnage.”

In interviews this week, Burundian ocials said allowing

the media to reely report on the massacre would hinder the

ocial investigation. "Media can infuence the commission o

inquiry. It is not time or the press to publicize their ndings.

I they start reporting their news, they can infuence public

opinion," Nibigira told CPJ. She said the censorship measure

would only be in eect during the one month mandated or

investigation. "What we orbid is the daily coverage," said Bu-

rundi government spokesman Philippe Nzobonariba, "It sows

discord and cacophony."

Te ocials alluded to the country's recent history o ethnic

 violence during the 13-year civil war that ended in 2005 with

a ragile peace agreement. Since tumultuous May 2010 elec-

tions, in which President Pierre Nkurunziza ranunopposed 

ollowing a boycott by the opposition, violence has resurged 

with a wave o political murders.

But Tursday, ve radio stations, including Radio Isanganiro,

and private television channel Renaissance V deed the

government ban and discussed the shooting, Agence France-

Presse reported. Nibigira said authorities would investigate

the breach o its order, saying the government's "decision

must be respected," AFP reported. Journalists say reporting

on the incident or the ollow-up inquiry can put light on acts

the government does not want to make public.

"Tere have been many similar cases [o killings] in Gatumba 

but investigations have been disappointing," said Patrick 

Mitabaro, news editor at Radio Isanganiro, adding that thestation doesn't aspire to solve the investigation but has a right

to cover it. "We disagree with this decision o the govern-

ment," said Jean-Jacques Ntamagara, President o Burundi's

association o radio broadcasters, ABR. Emelyne Muhorak-

eye, editor-in-chie o Renaissance V, said the censorship

order on the Gatumba killings is unprecedented, as the press

has been reporting on a wave o unsolved political murders 

since the May 2010 elections. "Te government is using this

situation to prevent us rom doing our job as we would like to

carry it out," she said.

he latest report rom the Committee to Protect Journal-

ists (CPJ), titled “Burundi Media Dey Censorship Order” by 

Mohamed Keita and Aminata Le Bas, (http://www.cpj.org/ 

blog/2011/09/burundi-media-defy-government-censorship-

order.php) highlights the continued problems o reedom o 

the press in the Great Lakes area. Monthly reports highlight

issues in the DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda. Here are highlights

o the report, and a suggested action:

“ensions between the Burundi government and the local

press are bound to increase as several media this week de-ed an order not to investigate or discuss a recent massacre.

While ocials say the measure is “temporary” and necessary 

to saeguard national unity and the course o  justice, indepen-

dent journalists are asserting their right to publish inorma-

tion in the interest o public accountability.

Aer gunmen burst into a bar September 18 and executed

more than 35 patrons in Gatumba, a village in northwest

Burundi near the border with the Democratic Republic o 

Congo, the local press ocused on interviewing survivors and

raising questions about the circumstances o the killings, ac-

cording to Eric Manirakiza, editor-in-chie o leading inde-

pendent broadcaster Radio Publique Aricaine.

However, on September 20, Burundi’s National Security 

Council issued a press statement in which it accused “certain

media” o “wishing to take advantage o this situation to sow 

conusion, divide the population and incite to conrontation.”

Such media reporting “disorients” the public and “blurs” the

ongoing investigations, the government said. Te ollowing

day, Communication Minister Concilie Nibigira issued a

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 6

Independent journalists like Muhorakeye and Mitabaro be-

lieve the censorship order is part o an ongoing eort by gov-

ernment to silence critical reporting on sensitive issues such

as corruption and criminality. In recent months, authorities

have censored radio programs or threatened censorship, and

public prosecutors have issued judicial summons to several

 journalists. “

Action

Along lines taken in the past by Amnesty International to

protest restrictions on the press and imprisonment o journal-

ists, please send a polite letter to President Nkurunziza.

Sample Letter Président de la République Pierre Nkurunziza

Présidence de la République Boulevard de l’Uprona Rohero

I BP 1870 Bujumbura BURUNDI

Dear President Nkurunziza,

I am writing as a member o Amnesty International concern-

ing the memo issued by Communication Minister ConcilieNibigira to media outlets stating, "It is orbidden to all broad-

cast and print press to publish, comment or analyze the ongo-

ing investigations in relation with the Gatumba carnage."

Tis contravenes journalists’ rights, rights you have sub-

scribed to as party to the Arican Charter on Human and

People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and

Political Rights which guarantee the press reedom o expres-

sion. Especially now Burundi needs all the attributes o a

democratic society, which reedom o the press provides in

part.

I urge you to have Minister Nibigira reconsider her order and

rescind it immediately.

Tank you,

CHINA: Urgent Action - Risk of torture, Legal concern, Health concernWang Lihong (f)

Wang Lihong’s trial was held on 12 August. At the trial, the

charge against her was changed rom “assembling a crowd

to block trac or disturb trac order” to “provoking quar-

rels and making trouble.” Tis stemmed rom Wang Lihong’sparticipation in a peaceul protest in April 2010 in support

o three Fujian internet activists charged with deamation or

posting questions online about an alleged police cover-up

related to the death o a young woman.

On 21 March 2011, police had taken Wang Lihong, 56, rom

her home as part o a wave o detentions sparked by the

Jasmine protests in the Middle East and North Arica. Police

searched her home and conscated her personal computer.

On 21 April, Beijing Chaoyang District Police told her amily 

she had been ormally arrested and was detained at Beijing

Chaoyang District Police Center. According to Wang Lihong’s

lawyer, police limited the number o times lawyers could visit

her and the Procuratorate did not allow lawyers to access all

case documents, violating China’s legal provisions guarantee-

ing lawyers the right to access their clients and documents

related to their cases.

Wang Lihong suers rom chronic back pain and her health

has deteriorated since she has been in detention.

Human rights activist Wang Lihong has been sentenced to

nine months’ imprisonment. She is at risk o torture and otherill-treatment.

Te presiding judge at Beijing Chaoyang District People’s

Court announced Wang Lihong’s sentence in the morning o 

9 September. Wang Lihong immediately announced that she

was innocent o the charge o “provoking quarrels and mak-

ing trouble,” and would appeal. Her son, Qi Jinxiang, told the

media and his mother’s supporters that Wang Lihong should

not have been sentenced to even one day, and should be

released immediately.

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 7

Please write immediately in English, Chinese or your own

language, urging the authorities to:

 ◌ R elease Wang Lihong immediately and unconditionally;

 ◌ Ensure that Wang Lihong has access to her amily, legal

representation o her choosing and any medical attention she

may require;

 ◌ Guarantee that Wang Lihong will not be tortured or other-

wise ill-treated;

 ◌ Take eective measures to guarantee reedom o expression,

association and assembly, in line with China’s constitution

and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

which China has signed and declared an intention to ratiy.

Additional Information

Wang Lihong is a widely-known human rights activist who

oen visits petitioners and provides ood and clothes or

those living on the street waiting to seek justice. She also

requently moves in with activists under police surveillance

in order to provide them with emotional support. She has

 visited the wives o detained activists to help them with cook-

ing and child care,and has oen helped them nd nancial

support and secure legal aid or their spouses. “Her support is

always timely and practical, and she is always on the rontline

o human rights!” said activists launching a campaign or her

release. For example, she went straight to Chen Guangcheng’s

 village aer he was released and placed under illegal house

arrest and allegedly beaten. She wrote 23 letters to the Fujian

government to lobby or the release o three internet activists

when they were being held or posting questions online about

an alleged police cover-up related to the death o a young

woman.

Amnesty International issued a web action on Wang Lihongon 5 May 2011 (see: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-up-

dates/china%E2%80%99s-jasmine-activists-2011-05-05( http:// 

www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/china%E2%80%99s-

 jasmine-activists-2011-05-05). Many activists in China are

campaigning or Wang Lihong’s release. WangLihong has

been quoted as saying, “I I remain silent in the ace o suer-

ing and evil, then the next evil that should be struck down is

mysel.”

Appeals To

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 24 OCOBER 2011 O:

Director of the Beijing Public Security 

Bureau

Fu Zhenghua Juzhang

Beijingshi Gong’anju

9 Dongdajie, Qianmen

Dongchengqu

Beijingshi 100740

People’s Republic o China

Fax: 011 86 10 65242927

Salutation: Dear Director

President of the Beijing Municipal Higher People’s Court

CHI Qiang Yuanzhang

Beijingshi Gaoji Renmin Fayuan

10 Jianguomennan Dajie

Chaoyangqu

Beijingshi 100022

People’s Republic o China

Fax: 011 86 10 65290390

Email: bjgy_mygt@chinacourt.org 

Salutation: Dear President

Premier 

WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli

Te State Council General Oce

2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu,

Beijingshi 100017,

People’s Republic o China

Fax: 011 86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry o Foreign Aairs)

Copies To

Ambassador Zhang Yesui

Embassy o the People’s Republic o China

3505 International Place NW

Washington DC 20008

el: 202 495-2266

Fax: 1 202 495-2138

Email: chinaembpress_us@ma.gov.cn

Please check with the AIUSA Urgent Action Oce i sending

appeals aer the above date.

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 8

Demand a Fair Trial for Victoire Ingabire, Rwandan Opposition Politician

and Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga, publically proclaim-

ing victory in the case beore the deense had even mounted

its argument in court.

Ingabire, or members o the UDF, ace charges o being linked

to rebel activity in eastern Congo and that Ingabire has ut-

tered hate speech and denies the genocide. Ingabire has called

or government recognition that ethnic Hutu are also survi-

 vors o the genocide. Since the 2008 Constitutional revision, it

has become illegal to reer to the genocide as anything other

than the genocide o utsi.

Amnesty International and other international human rights

organizations have advocated or the Rwandan government to

allow or greater reedom o expression. Opposition politi-

cians, like Ingabire, journalists and human rights advocates

cannot criticize the policies or activities o the government

without ear o swi and severe repercussion. Te case o 

Victoire Ingabire is emblematic o broader trends o repres-

sion and oppression in Rwanda, as noted in Amnesty Interna-

tional’s on-going “Allow Criticism to be Voiced” campaign.

ActionPlease write a letter to President Paul Kagame, requesting

a air trial or Victoire Ingabire. Please also send a postcard

prepared by Amnesty International USA calling on Rwanda

to allow criticism o the government to be voiced by opposi-

he trial o detained opposition leader Victoire Ingabire

is set to resume on uesday, October 4, 2011. Ingabire, o 

the United Democratic Front (UDF), is on trial in Kigali or

omenting insecurity, denying the 1994 genocide and promot-

ing ethnic divisionism. Rwandan security orces detained her

in January 2010, in advance o the August 2010 Presidential

elections in which the incumbent, Paul Kagame, was re-elect-

ed with 93% o the popular vote. Ingabire’s detention meant

that her UDF did not stand in the August elections. She will

spend 30 years in prison i ound guilty.

Background

Te Prosecution claim to have evidence o Ingabire’s ‘terror-

ist’ activities with Hutu rebel groups based in neighboring

Democratic Republic o the Congo. Ingabire’s deense team,

a British national and a Rwandan, had been unable to assess

the veracity and validity o the prosecution’s claims because

the 2500-page indictment was issued in Kinyarwanda, a

dialect o the Rwandan language. Tis was contrary to thedeendant’s right to an interpreter, which was required or

deense lawyer Iain Edwards to do his job. Te indictment

was nally translated, but only a ew weeks beore her trial

began in September 2011, leaving her deense team little time

to prepare its counter-arguments.

At the same time, it appears that the rule o law and the right

to presumption o innocence are under threat, with senior

members o the Rwandan government, including President

Paul Kagame, Foreign Aairs Minister Louise Muskikwabo,

 Within the United States

$0.28 - Postcards

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To Canada

$0.75 - Postcards

$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.

To Mexico

$0.79 - Postcards

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011 Pg 9

tion politicians ound here: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/ 

info/AFR47/003/2011/en

Sample Letter 

His Excellency President Paul Kagame

Oce o the President

Kigali

Rwanda

[Date, and your location o residence]

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express my concern or judicial irregularities

and lack o respect or the rights o Mrs. Victoire Ingabire o 

the United Democratic Front. Te indictment against Mrs.

Ingabire is vague and sweeping. Her legal team has been un-

able to adequately prepare its deense arguments. In addition,

Mr. President, members o your government have publicly 

spoken out about Mrs. Ingabire’s guilt, which is direct govern-

ment intererence in the judicial process. Such actions raise

serious questions about the independence o the Rwandan

 judiciary, and the ability o Mrs. Ingabire to receive a air trial

that respects her human rights.

I urge you to allow Mrs. Ingabire a air trial, which means let-

ting her deense team to work unencumbered without ear o 

government intererence in the proceedings.

Tank you,

Human Rights Defenders in Russia Under Threat"Unless and until such critical voices receive the recognition

and protection they need – and are entitled to – Russia will

not get the civil society it needs," said Dalhuisen. "In its place,

corruption, the abuse o power and human rights violations

will continue to fourish."

While there has been some progress with the investigation

into Anna Politkovskaya’s murder on October 7, 2006, there is

still no guarantee that all those involved, including those whoordered this crime, will be brought to justice.

Human rights deenders, journalists and civil society activists

continue to ace threats and harassment or courageous work 

uncovering human rights abuses and corruption across the

Russian Federation.

Since 2006 a number o human rights deenders, journalists

and human rights lawyers had been attacked and severely 

beaten or murdered. Only the murders o lawyer Stanislav 

Markelov and journalist Anastasia Baburova have been suc-

cessully investigated and the perpetrators convicted. Other

cases, including the abduction and murder o human rights

deender Natalia Estemirova, the brutal beatings o Kom-

mersant Daily journalist Oleg Kashin, or editor-in-chie o 

the newspaper Khimkinskaia Pravda Mikhail Beketov, remain

unsolved.

"Strong international support or and solidarity with civil soci-

ety in Russia will be vital i we are to help change the climate

o impunity and encourage positive changes," said Dalhuisen.

(Washington, DC) -- Five years aer the murder o Anna

Politkovskaya, the investigative journalist, little progress has

been made to increase the saety o journalists or human

rights deenders who dare to expose abuses or challenge au-

thority in Russia, Amnesty International said today.

"In Russia, journalists, human rights deenders and civil soci-

ety activists are targeted and oen murdered because o their

work. Tis cannot be tolerated," said John Dalhuisen, Europe

and Central Asia deputy program director. "Attacks are not

being ully and impartially investigated and perpetrators are

not being brought to justice."

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2011

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