the flame - issue 1 - 2012

IT’S TIME FOR A BULLETPROOF ARMS TRADE TREATY

> INDIVIDUALS WHO SAID “ENOUGH!” > LOOKING TO THE FUTURE > THE FREEDOM TO LAUGH

IN THIS ISSUE

ISSUE 1 / 2012

“WELCOME TO THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR.”

2012 is already proving to be both challenging and rewarding for those who support and advocate for human rights. From the dramatic release of Myanmar’s political prisoners through to the daily turn of events in the Middle East & North Africa, it is clear we are in the midst of several significant and historical human rights moments, and Amnesty International is working hard to ensure we are offering the right support at key times.

In New Zealand we are well positioned to use our influence and networks to keep our decision makers abreast of international developments from a human rights perspective. Alongside this international focus we will also be continuing our work here in NZ. We are committed to ‘Making Rights Real’ for New Zealanders and are already underway with research aimed to critically examine why and how NZ needs to make economic, social, and cultural rights legally enforceable.

The first six months of the year will also see us focus our campaign efforts on the establishment of an effective Arms Trade Treaty. This may sound like it shouldn’t be hard to achieve. However, the reality is that various nations remain sceptical about signing up to a strong Treaty which they fear may curb the lucrative trade in conventional arms.

Amnesty International has been a leading force in the establishment of a Treaty from the inception of the Arms Trade Treaty movement and we hope that July will see the UN vote to support an effective Treaty.

This year will also see some new changes at the office. Our CEO of four years, Patrick Holmes, leaves to begin a new role as Chief Executive of The Royal NZ Coastguard Service. Patrick has capably led the organisation through a range of changes both here and internationally. He has been a much valued member of our team and has mentored and guided many of us with his clear thinking and professional leadership attributes. Thank you Patrick and best of luck with your next challenge!

While the recruitment of the new CEO takes place, Amnesty Aotearoa NZ will be jointly led by Development Director Cyrille Koolhaas and I.

Here at the office we are feeling refreshed and ready to continue to work hard for the promotion and enforcement of human rights. We greatly value your continued support.

Rebecca Emery Campaigns, Research, Advocacy & Communications Director

3 Arab Spring - Portrait on the Street

4 Feature: No Arms for Atrocities or Abuse

6 2012 Annual Meeting

7 Eviction & Resistance in Cambodia

8 Take Action

10 Good News

11 Amnesty Briefs & What’s On

CONTENTS

COVER PHOTO: A child collects bullets from the ground in Rounyn, a village in North Darfur, 27 March 2011 © UN Photo/Albert Gonzalez Farran

CONTACT DETAILS Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand 68 Grafton Road, Auckland, 1010 P O Box 5300, Wellesley St, Auckland, 1141 0800 AMNESTY (0800 266 378)

CHAIRPERSON: Helen Shorthouse

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Rebecca Emery & Cyrille Koolhaas (Acting)

EDITOR: Anita Harvey

ART DIRECTION + DESIGN: We Love Inc www.weloveinc.com

PASS IT ON When you’ve finished with your copy of Flame please

pass it on to someone else so they can learn about Amnesty International and the vital work we do.

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Send all your comments and suggestions to:

Flame Media and Communications Team Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand PO Box 5300, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141

EMAIL: [email protected]

WWW.AMNESTY.ORG.NZ

02THE FLAMEISSUE 1 / 2012

GUEST EDITORIAL

Portrait on the street. Amidst the crowds calling for change across the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), there are the faces of individuals who said “enough!”

WHO ARE THEY? WHAT DO THEY SEE FOR THE FUTURE?

The ‘Arab Spring’ has caused much suffering and sadness, yet it has also seen ordinary people stand up and demand action.

As the repression and state violence continues we will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of MENA and will be prioritising our campaign around Syria.

Read more http://bit.ly/wUvJ5Z

“THE MAIN THING IS THAT DURING THE ARAB SPRING WE BROKE THROUGH THE BARRIER OF FEAR”Shawky Othman (65) university lecturer Cairo

“WE NOW HAVE FREEDOMS, WE CAN EXPRESS OURSELVES, BUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DOES NOT PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.”Omayma Miladi (22) student from Sousse, Tunisia

Hashim (21) just graduated, lives in Cairo All images © Amnesty International/ Ilya van Marle


ARAB SPRING

Shortly after breakfast on 31 July 2011, 21-year-old construction worker Khaled al-Hamedh left his home in the city of Hama in Syria to buy medicine for his four-year-old brother, who had a fever. He never came home. Several hours later, family members laid him to rest in the garden of nearby al-Serjawi mosque, his body crushed and a bullet wound in his back.

“He fell on the ground but nobody was able to take him away from the street as the tanks were nearby. That is when an army tank deliberately crushed his body repeatedly.”

Eyewitness account.Each year, the global trade in conventional arms carries an enormous human cost. Serious human rights abuses have been committed around the world using a wide range of weaponry, armaments, munitions and related material. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, raped and forced to flee from their homes as a result.

Evidence of crimes such as that committed against Khaled al-Hamedh continue to grow in Syria. Yet an effective Arms Trade Treaty could have prevented the importation of US$1,132,320 worth of tanks from India to Syria between 2005 and 2009. It could have helped save the life of Khaled al-Hamedh and thousands of other Syrians.

However, current weaknesses and loopholes in existing national, regional and multilateral arms control mechanisms have enabled states and other parties to continue trading arms irresponsibly and with impunity. But now the absence of international standards to adequately regulate conventional arms trading and transfers can finally be addressed.

In July this year, United Nations (UN) member states will be invited to a UN conference to negotiate an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Now is the time to ensure that the Treaty contains the highest possible common standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. Now is the time for a bullet proof ATT.

Such a treaty is essential to help prevent serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian

law. An ATT could have helped prevent the atrocities occurring in Syria; we must not let this once in a generation opportunity pass us by.

Amnesty International is calling on governments to take action to prevent others facing the same fate as Khaled al-Hamedh by committing to an effective ATT with respect for human rights at its core. We were presented with the perfect opportunity to do just that as officials from nearly every nation met in New York in mid February for the Fourth UN Preparatory Meeting - to hammer out the rules of procedure for the final ATT negotiations in July. Around 20 Amnesty experts immersed themselves in the negotiations and then took the opportunity to lobby governments to ensure that safeguards in the treaty that could protect human rights weren’t watered down.

Be part of history in the making by helping create a desperately needed new human rights law. Be responsible for preventing rape, murder and torture; join our call for an end to arms for atrocities and abuses. Visit www.amnesty.org.nz to read more about our campaign and how you can take action here in New Zealand and the Pacific.

NO ARMS FOR ATROCITIES OR ABUSES

ARMS TRADE


PICTURED: Previous page - Rubber bullets and tear gas, used during the protests, Manama, Bahrain, 21 February 2011. © Amnesty International.

This page - Tripoli Street, Misratah, Libya, May 2011. © Amnesty International

COMMIT TO AN EFFECTIVE ARMS TRADE TREATY


Stand Up & Be Counted at the 2012 Annual MeetingCalling all human rights supporters to Auckland!

Join us as we look to the future at this year’s Annual Meeting. Last year we were celebrating 50 years of Amnesty action. It was a time to reflect on the work the movement has undertaken to support the many brave human rights defenders around the world who have stood up for what they believed in.

This year we want to honour the examples these people have made by

committing ourselves to continue to stand up and to be counted for what we believe in. We currently find ourselves in the midst of a significant human rights moment in history. The so called Arab Spring is well underway, Myanmar is experiencing considerable change to its governance and we are on the cusp of finally achieving a strong Arms Trade Treaty.

Our keynote presentation will reinforce the ‘power of one’ the power of a few to achieve much. And we will all be witness to the presentation of the annual Human Rights Defender Award, which recognises someone in our region who has done just that.

For all attendees there will be moments

for you to stand up, to take action and to be reminded that we all need to do our bit to ensure human rights are realised by all.

The meeting will be held in Auckland on Saturday 12th May, with a Regional Training Workshop on Sunday 13th May.

Deadline for receipt of motions, remits and Governance Team nominations is 13th March. Registrations close 30th April and Proxy Voting Forms must be received at our office by 2nd May. Dove Award Nominations close 21st April. For everything you need to know about the Annual Meeting please visit www.amnesty.org.nz/am2012 or contact Mo on 09 303 4520 or [email protected]

Tēnā koutou.

After four enormously enjoyable years as Chief Executive Officer of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve decided it’s time for me to move on and I will shortly be commencing a new role as CEO of the Royal New Zealand Coastguard service. I am tremendously excited to be given the opportunity to lead this highly respected organisation, which is responsible for saving so many lives around our beautiful coastline - it represents a huge honour, but a very steep learning curve. It’s been a privilege to lead the organisation through a period of significant change and I am very proud of what has been achieved during my term at the helm (forgive the nautical terminology!). Recruitment of my successor is about to get underway and, in the interim, Rebecca Emery (Campaigns Director) and Cyrille Koolhaas (Development Director) will be holding the reins. I should like to thank my wonderful staff (past and present) for their extraordinary work on behalf of those individuals around the world whose basic human rights are threatened. I should also like to express my thanks to members of the Governance Team for their unfailing support over the years. And, not least, I want to send my heartfelt appreciation to the thousands of members who support Amnesty’s vital work

Nāku i runga i aku mihi ki a koe.

Farewell from Our CEO


GENERAL BUSINESS

PICTURED: Patrick and staff supporting the people of Syria

PICTURED: Patrick with Aung Khaing Min & former intern Danielle Davies at Radio New Zealand

PICTURED: Patrick and former AIANZ Treasurer Sandra Moorhead

Eviction and Resistance in CambodiaImagine waking up to the sound of a bulldozer in front of your house. You have no more than a minute or two to grab whatever possessions you can before your home, and anything left inside is reduced to rubble.

For some this is a reality.

“My house, possessions, identity cards, clothes, photos all went up in smoke. Nothing was left.”

Mai was five months pregnant when she watched her home and all her possessions go up in flames. A few days later she was thrown into prison for eight months for trying to defend her housing rights.

“I begged them not to destroy my house and let me move my stuff outside. But they did not agree. All I could salvage was one sewing machine.” Sophal’s vibrant inner-city community resisted eviction for over three years, until the night it was surrounded and stormed by hundreds of police and company workers who decimated the village in just a few hours.

“In the end, winning or losing, I will still feel happy that I resisted with the others. I will struggle to live in my old nest, struggle until the last round.” Vanny is one of the leading figures in the high profile struggle against the largest forced eviction since the Khmer Rouge era. Her home on the banks of what remains of Boeung Kak lake in central Phnom Penh is under threat. She’s doing everything she can to protect her home.

The women above are not alone in their stories of courageous struggle, hardship and sorrow.

Forced evictions in the name of economic development now occur regularly across Cambodia, as local elites and foreign investors seek to capitalise on a newly privatised land market and take control of the country’s natural resources.

Alongside numerous UN human rights monitoring bodies, and national and international NGOs, Amnesty International has exposed the Cambodian authorities’ systematic failure to protect people from forced evictions.

In 2012 we will be campaigning for the adoption of national laws to prohibit forced evictions and national eviction guidelines. We will be lobbying governments and embassies on forced eviction and will mobilise globally for rapid activism on forced evictions. Here in New Zealand we will be paying close attention to the situations in Cambodia, India, China and Papua New Guinea.

To read more about our work on Forced Evictions visit http://bit.ly/wUvJ5Z


2012 PLANS PICTURED: Tep Vanny stands in a doorway, Boeung Kak Lake, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 5 April 2011. © Amnesty International.

On the day he was ordered to enlist, Moon Myung-jin held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Defence and declared his refusal to perform military service.

He was charged and imprisoned in a Southern Seoul Prison where he works from 6am to 6pm in the kitchens.

Moon Myung-jin said that his interest in conscientious objection began in 2006 when he witnessed riot police and the armed forces violently dispersing protesters during a campaign against forced eviction.

As of November 2011, there were over 790 conscientious objectors in prison in South Korea. There is no provision in South Korean law for conscientious objectors to do alternative civilian service.

PLEASE WRITECall on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Moon Myung-jin from prison and ensure that he is exempt from any further military service orders. Urge them to clear the criminal records of Moon Myung-jin and all other conscientious objectors in South Korea, and adequately compensate them for the time spent in prison.

Appeal to President Lee Myung-bak1 Cheongwadae-ro Jongno-gu Seoul 110-820 Republic of Korea

Fax: +82 2 770 4734 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Dear President

Send support to Myung-jin MoonLetters of solidarity (preferably in English or Korean) can be sent to Moon Myung-jin in prison. Please do not include return addresses. Send letters to:

Myung-jin MOON (Inmate No. 837) Geumcheon P.O. Box 165 Geumcheon-gu Seoul 153-600 Republic of Korea

MOON MYUNG-JIN

SERVING AN 18-MONTH PRISON SENTENCE IN SOUTH KOREA FOR REFUSING COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE

#1WHO

WHAT

BACKGROUND WHAT CAN YOU DO


TAKE ACTION

PLEASE WRITEPlease write, welcoming the release from prison of the other activists - Khun Bedu and Khun Dee De on 13 January 2012 and call for the immediate and unconditional release of Khun Kawrio, who Amnesty International considers to be a prisoner of conscience.

Appeal to Lt Gen Ko KoMinistry of Home Affairs Office No. 10 Nay Pyi Taw MyanSalutation: Dear Minister

PLEASE WRITEPlease write, calling on the authorities to ensure that Aayat Alqormozi’s conviction is rescinded and any charges against her are dropped. Urge them to investigate her allegations of torture and other ill-treatment in detention, and bring those responsible to justice.

Appeal to Dr. Fatima Mohamed Al-BalooshiMinistry of Human Rights and Social Development Manama P.O. Box 32868 Bahrain

Fax: +973 17104977 Email: [email protected] Salutation: Your Excellency

Political activist Khun Kawrio was arrested in 2008, tortured and sentenced to 35 years imprisonment for leading a campaign calling for a ‘No’ vote in a referendum on a new constitution.

He was interrogated for 15 days, his mouth was taped and with a plastic bag over his head, he was beaten with sticks, kicked and forced to kneel on stones.

Student Aayat Alqormozi could be sent to prison at any time for publicly reciting poems she wrote criticising the King of Bahrain and the Prime Minister during the February 2011 pro-reform rallies. She was arrested after turning herself in, in order to protect her family.

While the authorities have ruled that her case has been stopped pending further notice, charges against her have not been dropped.

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND

WHAT WHATWHO WHO

#2 #3

TORTURED IN DETENTION AND SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR INPRISONMENT.

SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS PRISON SENTENCE AND TORTURED.

AAYAT ALQORMOZI

KHUN KAWRIO

WHAT CAN YOU DOWHAT CAN YOU DO


TAKE ACTION

Azerbaijani student, Jabbar Savalan has been released.

Moving Forward in Mexico.

There’s been some good news in Mexico, where the government has formally taken responsibility for the rape and abuse of Valentina Rosendo Cantú, through a Public Act of Acknowledgement that took place on the 15th December.

Valentina and Inés Fernández Ortega’s cases were featured in the 2011 Global Write for Rights Letterwriting Marathon and are two courageous women who have stood up for their rights.

There will be a separate Public Act of Acknowledgement for Inés.

Valentina and Inés are both Indigenous Me’phaa (Tlapaneca) women who were

raped by Mexican soldiers in 2002.

Three soldiers entered Inés, home in the community of Barranca Tecuani one afternoon while she was cooking. The soldiers forcefully interrogated her about some meat drying in her backyard, which the soldiers said had been stolen. One soldier pushed her to the floor and raped her while the other two watched. She was 27 years old at the time.

Valentina was just 17 years old when she was approached by soldiers near her home in the community of Barranca Bejuco, while she was washing clothes by the river. They questioned her about the activities of some ‘hooded men’, and when she replied she did not know any she was threatened and two soldiers raped her.

In Mexico, Indigenous women who suffer

rape or other forms of sexual violence rarely file a complaint due to economic, social and cultural barriers.

Inés and Valentina have broken through these barriers and have shown great courage in reporting their ordeals to the authorities.

The move by the government is certainly a step forward, however it is important to maintain international pressure to demand the enforcement of sentences and ensure the safety of Inés, Valentina and their families.

Valentina said: “The road to follow is still very long, however, we will like to take the opportunity to truly thank you for all your support; without your letters, your action and your solidarity, we would have not achieved this moment. To each one of you, Nomaá (Thank you in Me’phaa)”.

SINCE THE LAST ISSUE OF FLAME

97countries now abolitionist on the death penalty for all crimes

130political prisoners were released in Myanmar – including Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, U Khun Htun Oo, Min Ko Naing and U Gambria.

160,000voices called on President Obama to end detentions and close Guantanamo

people called on Belarus to end executions

250,000

Iranian Actress Marzieh Vafemehr released.

Egyptian blogger, Maikel Nabil released in a pardon that included 2000 prisoners convicted by military tribunals in the past year.

PICTURED: Valentina Rosendo Cantú, Mexico, 2010. © Centre for Human Rights Tlachinollan


GOOD NEWS

Fighting Bad guys since 1961Check our awesome new t-shirts modelled by the Amnesty supporters Lisa Chappell and Raybon Kan. The shirts are a collaboration between clothing label Starfish, Powershop and Amnesty International and are available at http://www.amnesty.org.nz/shop and from Starfish stores in Auckland & Wellington

Update on YodokThank you to everyone who gave to our latest Yodok Prison Camp appeal. To date we have received over $40k towards this campaign. We will continue to advocate for change and monitor the human rights situation under North Korea’s new leadership. All petitions will now be directed to our offices in Geneva as part of a planned hand-over to authorities in April. It’s not too late to donate visit http://bit.ly/tgY3Fw

Tax that gives backDid you know that if you make a donation in support of dignity, freedom and justice you can claim a third of your total amount back from the IRD. Tax time is upon us but it’s not too late to give, as all donations made before 31 March are eligible for a tax rebate.

March 10th: Pasifika Festival

Western Springs Park, Auckland. The team will be there campaigning around the Arms Trade Treaty with a particular focus on Arms in the Pacific.

March 16th-18th: WOMAD

In Taranaki. The 50 Years of Amnesty Poster Exhibition. $10 for all WOMAD tickets bought by Amnesty members will be donated back to us by WOMAD organisers. Visit http://bit.ly/zzJWXw and enter code word Amnesty.

April 29th–9th May: World Cinema Showcase:

Screenings of ‘This is Not A Film’ by Iranian film maker Jafar Panahi. In Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin & Christchurch, tbc

May 6th: The Freedom to Laugh!

The Secret Policeman’s Ball , comedy show at the Comedy Chamber, Auckland, 7pm, tickets $35.

May 12th: Annual Meeting 2012

Stand up & be counted in Auckland on Saturday 12th May. All details at http://www.amnesty.org.nz/am2012 or phone Mo on 09 303 4520.

May 12th: The Human Rights Defender Award

Nominations are now open and for all the information you need and to nominate someone please visit http://bit.ly/zHEag5

To make a donation to our current tax appeal you can use the enclosed form, visit www.amnesty.org.nz or phone Julie on 0800 266 3789 ext 208.

Blowin’ Our WayHe changed the world with his protest music! We couldn’t wait to get our hands on a copy of the cool and colourful Chimes of Freedom album. Over 80 artists performing the songs of Bob Dylan to honour 50 years of Amnesty. $40, 4 CDs, hours of listening and available here http://bit.ly/ycIna5

Sow a seed for future generationsHave you ever thought about how you can ensure your voice is heard and your beliefs represented beyond your lifespan? One simple way is by leaving a bequest in your will.

“By leaving a bequest to Amnesty International I will continue to speak out against injustice- even when I am no longer around.” - John Lyon, Amnesty supporter

For a free copy of our legacy booklet, please refer to the donation form enclosed or contact Lisa Ho on 0800 266 3789 ext. 205 or email [email protected]

WHAT’S ON:


AMNESTY BRIEFS

We are very excited to announce that we’ll be hosting the first ever Secret Policeman’s Ball in NZ as part of the 2012 International Comedy Festival. Joining host Raybon Kan for this one-night only showcase will be comedians Jesse Griffin, Rhys Mathewson, Urzila Carlson and many more to be announced.

Started in the UK in the 70’s, the Secret Policeman’s Ball has become a

world famous event among comedians and audiences alike. The shows always feature the cream of the comedy crop so inspired by this tradition of a comedy gala we’ve signed up to have you rolling in the aisles.

Comedy Chamber @ The Edge, Sunday 6 May 2012 @ 7pm (tickets $35)

The Freedom to Laugh

KEEP AMNESTY GROWING WWW.AMNESTY.ORG.NZHave your beliefs represented beyond your lifespan.

For more info on how to leave a bequest, see page 11.

the flame - issue 1 - 2012

Documents

amnesty international

new year

new ceo

new changes

effective arms trade

amnesty aotearoa nz

new zealanders

new role