China Regional Action Network (ChiRAN)
The China Regional Action Network takes immediate action on human rights abuses in China. It acts on behalf of Chinese citizens who have been imprisoned, tortured and even executed for peacefully exercising their civil and political rights. Among the actions repressed by the government that the CHIRAN has responded to are: organizing workers and protesting working conditions, seeking proper health care, supporting the Falun Gong movement, using the internet and advocating the interests of ethnic minorities. In many instances those accused of these acts were unfairly tried, harshly detained and imprisoned, and tortured.
Each month, members of Group 11 who belong to the CHIRAN receive a notice describing human rights abuses against specific individuals. The notice outlines the points to be emphasized in letters to officials in China and who should receive them. All members of Group 11 who are active in the CHIRAN are expected to write at least one personal letter on the monthly case.
In several cases, responses have been received from the families of the individuals for whom we have written or from government authorities, proof that our letters have an effect. Click here to read a typical CHIRAN case.
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established by the Treaty of Rome July 1, 2002 to prosecute for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Treaty has been ratified by 108 states, but not the major states of the United States of America, China, Russia and India. Jurisdiction is limited to prosecution of nations of ratifying states or crimes committed on the territory of a ratifying state or by reference from the United Nations Security Council. At present, the Court has ongoing investigations or arrest warrants relating to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Darfur.
Group 11 members have sent numerous letters to their representatives urging ratification of the Treaty of Rome by the United States and extension of the jurisdiction of the Court to and greater involvement of the United Nations in countries in which grave violations of the human rights sought to be protected by the Court are occurring and greater support by the United States for these objectives. Click here to view a sample letter to your New York Senator or Representative.
International Violence Against Women Act
One of every three women worldwide will be physically or sexually abused during her lifetime with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries. This type of violence ranges from rape to domestic violence and acid burnings to dowry deaths and so-called honor killings. Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, a public health epidemic and a barrier to solving global challenges like desperate poverty, HIV/AIDS and conflict. Violence and abuse devastates the lives of millions of women, knows no national or cultural barriers, and most importantly, must be stopped.
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) gives the U.S. government an opportunity to take leadership in establishing an overall and integrated approach in combating violence against women and girls internationally. The time is now to support this comprehensive vision to address the problem of violence against women.
Act Now. Contact your Federal representatives and ask their support for the I-VAWA. Click here to view a sample letter.
Krasivskyj Book Project
Group 11 is hoping to publish a book about a Prisoner of Conscience case that members of the group worked on from 1976 to 1987. The case concerned Zenovij Krasivskyj, a well known Ukrainian poet, Ukrainian political activist for his nation's independence, dissident, and member of the Helsinki group, who spent more than half of his life in psychiatric prisons, forced labor, and internal exile in Siberia. Iris Akahoshi, a member of our group, was the principal correspondent with Krasivskyj; and, according to Krasivskyj, saved his life. Their correspondence was published in Ukrainian by a Ukrainian Amnesty International group, and we have decided to publish a book in English, including the correspondence, samples of Krasivskyj’s poetry, and material relating to the experiences of Group 11 members who were active in the group during the duration of the case. A Ukrainian publisher will publish the book in English.
We hope that the book will have wide appeal, attesting to the resilience of the human spirit, as well as documenting human rights abuses that occurred in the Soviet Union. Finally, the book will serve as a record of the value of the traditional way that Amnesty International members work – by writing letters on a one-to-one basis.
Myanmar (Burma): Prisoners of Conscience
Group 11 advocates on behalf of a number of Burmese POCs. For more information, please visit the Myanmar (Burma) tab on this site.
Members of group 11 also work with group 9/280 of Manhattan on the NYC Myanmar (Burma) Action Team, advocating for the release of Myanmarese Prisoners of Conscience. The team has developed the Informed Travel Project to reach out to people considering traveling to Myanmar and to U.S.-based travel and tour operators sponsoring travel there. The website associated with this project encourages travelers to become as fully informed as possible about Myanmar and urges travel professionals to provide clients with realistic information about the overall situation in the country, including human rights. It provides useful information and resources; it does not advocate for or against travel to Myanmar. The website also allows visitors to download letters on behalf of current POCs. Please visit AIUSAMyanmarTravel.com.
Security with Human Rights Campaign
Amnesty International USA’s Security with Human Rights Campaign responds to the actions of states that have responded to the threat of terrorism by abusing human rights. But human rights mean security and justice for all of us. Under international law, acts of terror and torture by states and armed groups must end, those responsible must be held accountable, and the rights of victims must be upheld. The campaign goals include upholding the rights of victims of armed groups, ensuring accountability for torture, and ending unlawful and abusive detention. To join the campaign, visit www.amnestyusa.org/security.
Mansour Ossanlu, Iranian prisoner of conscience
Mansour Ossanlu, leader of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Syndica Sherkat-e Vahed), has sought to obtain better working conditions and the end to discriminatory laws and practices that curtail worker’s rights.
Mr. Ossanlu was first detained from December 2005 through August 2006, followed by a shorter detention during November and December 2006. He was arrested again on July 10, 2007 and was held in the notorious Evin Prison at which prisoners are known to sometimes be subjected to torture. After trial and conviction for “acts against national security” and “propagating against the regime” his five-year sentence was upheld on appeal. He is currently being held in the maximum security criminal’s ward of the Rajayi Shahr Prison.
Amnesty International considers Mansour Ossanlu a prisoner of conscience who is being detained on vaguely worded charges in order to halt his efforts to build strong trade unions capable of defending the human rights of workers. Group 11 is working to win his immediate and unconditional release. Learn more and take action.
