WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS ONLINE BULLETIN Amnesty International USA April 2004 In this issue: -- Take Action: Domestic Violence Against Women in Iraq -- Take Action: Women's Human Rights Defenders Face Persecution in Colombia -- Take Action: Call on States to Protect Human Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation -- Hot Topic: Violence Against Women in the US Military -- More - - - - - - - - - - - - TAKE ACTION: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN IRAQ Amnesty International is calling upon activists to unite against domestic violence in Iraq. For several decades, Iraqi women have been victims of intolerable acts of torture such as rape, kidnapping, "honor killings," and forced prostitution. These crimes against humanity have risen dramatically since the 2003 US-led invasion and occupation of Iraq, which in turn has caused a weakening of Iraqi law enforcement and police supervision. Instead of increasing security measures for Iraqi citizens, law enforcement officials are turning a blind eye to blatant acts of violence against women and treating perpetrators of domestic violence with impunity. Additionally, citizenship rights of women are at stake. While the country's new government is under construction, extremist Islamic leaders are trying to instate fundamentalist politics and restrict the role of women in government affairs. The women of Iraq have endured war and oppressive rule for decades, and they deserve the guarantee of safety in their communities, and homes. TAKE ACTION! Call on the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the Iraqi Governing Council to put an end to violence against women. ACT NOW: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8407 - - - - - - - - - - - - TAKE ACTION: WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FACE PERSECUTION IN COLOMBIA On October 16, 2003, Esperanza Amaris Miranda, a human rights defender active with the women's rights group, Organization Feminina Popular, was abducted from her home in Colombia and shot dead by paramilitary forces. As Colombia faces internal conflict at the hands of armed opposition groups, its government has labeled women and girl leaders, activists and human rights defenders as "guerilla collaborators" and therefore "legitimate targets" during warfare. Esperanza previously reported to Colombian law enforcement officials that she was receiving threats from the paramilitary group Central Bolivar Bloc. Despite her pleas for help, Colombian police officers disregarded her complaints and ignored numerous phone calls made on her behalf after her disappearance in October. Police have responded similarly to the cases of the nearly 150 women in Colombia who have been killed or "disappeared" in 2003. TAKE ACTION! Call on President Uribe of Colombia to bring justice to Esperanza Amaris Miranda and the hundreds of other women and girl activists who have been tortured and killed at the hands of opposition guerilla groups. ACT NOW: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8408 - - - - - - - - - - - - TAKE ACTION: CALL ON STATES TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION In a revolutionary step to promote human rights, Brazil championed the call for worldwide protection of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation at last year's 59th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights. At its meeting this month, the Commission will once again consider the adoption of a draft resolution that calls for international standards and protections for the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The Brazil Resolution expresses concern for the prevalence of human rights abuses based on sexual orientation, and acknowledges that such violations breach existing international laws. In addition, the resolution calls on members of the UN to protect the human rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation. At last year's session, the United States declared that it would abstain from the final vote on the resolution to protect the human rights of LGBT individuals. This measure would make the United States the only western democratic country not to vote in favor of the resolution. TAKE ACTION! Write letters to the Secretary of State Colin Powell asking that the US government sign on as co-sponsor and vote in support of the resolution. ACT NOW: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8409 - - - - - - - - - - - - HOT TOPIC: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN THE US MILITARY When women dedicate their lives to the United States by enlisting into the US Armed Forces, they often face sexual violence at the hands of their male counterparts. According to The Miles Foundation (TMF), there have been 83 reported assaults against female US military personnel during the last 18 months of military action and enforcement in Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain. Additionally, women who are serving in other US-led military projects, such as the reconstruction of Afghanistan, have reported a total of 215 cases of violence against women by US servicemen. Violence against women is an issue not only for active military servicewomen: female partners of active duty military personnel suffer high rates of domestic violence by their partners. Investigations by TMF show that female partners of US servicemen have reported an unprecedented 1,973 cases of domestic violence during the 18-month military action in Iraq. This represents a far greater number of domestic violence cases than those reported during a period of non-deployment. Unfortunately, information on violence against female US military personnel and domestic violence by military partners are incomplete, as many women are too afraid to report sexual and physical assault to authorities. Pentagon officials insist that the US military does not tolerate sexual assault on any level. Despite this claim, victims of violence assert that the military provides inadequate health services for servicewomen who have experienced assault, and that some women are hesitant to approach their commanders for the fear of being reprimanded or losing their jobs. According to The Denver Post, 37 servicewomen who were sexually assaulted and returned home from Iraq and Kuwait cited inefficient medical and counseling services, poor criminal investigations and threats of punishment by military officials after reporting their assaults. As violence against US servicewomen and the partners of US servicemen comes to light during the launch of the Stop Violence Against Women Campaign (SVAW), Amnesty International calls upon the US government to enact a military-wide protocol that creates standardized responses to violence against women. This would include the creation of an Office of Victim Advocate within the Department of Defense and would enact new regulations that provide victims of violence proper care and protection under law. Currently, there are no standards for military officials to adhere to when dealing with issues of domestic violence in the US Armed Forces. Some Congressional leaders are taking action to protect the rights of women in combat by investigating individual cases, as well as approaching the Senate Armed Services Committee. On March 31st, the Congressional Women's Caucus held a hearing on violence against women in the military. This hearing addressed interpersonal violence within the US Armed Forces and provided testimony from women who experienced violence in the military, as well as service providers, shelters and crisis centers that have worked with victims of domestic violence. Join Amnesty International urging Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to fully address issues of US military violence against women. To take action and learn more about this issue, click on the following link or paste it into your web browser: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8410 - - - - - - - - - - - - WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS IN BRIEF Amnesty International publishes report on rape as a tool of war in Burundi (New York) Amnesty International's newly published report, "Burundi: Rape - the Hidden Rights Abuse," outlines the rise of rape in Burundi and how it is systematically used against women as a weapon of war. The increasing number of Burundian soldiers who use sexual assault against women is adding to the HIV/AIDs epidemic and creating fear that a public health crisis is rapidly taking hold of the country. According to the Amnesty report, military combatants raped hundreds of women in 2003, and doctors in Burundi suspect that the number of women seeking treatment for sexual assault injuries is far below the number of women who need it. Many Burundian women are too afraid to take action against their perpetrators. Furthermore, fear, poverty and a lack of local health centers prevent women from seeking the proper medical treatment they need after being attacked. Amnesty International calls upon the Burundian government to take action to prevent violence against women, and to bring soldiers who use rape as a tool of war to justice. (Source: Amnesty International) Learn more: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8411 - - - - UN Commission on Human Rights addresses the effects of poverty and homelessness upon women Women and girls across the globe are more likely to experience inadequate housing, poverty, and violence than men, according to a recent report on women and housing for the UN Commission on Human Rights. Research conducted by the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing found that violence is more prevalent for women whose right to proper housing is jeopardized. According to the report, "marginalized women [single women, widows, women from indigenous, minority or descent-based communities, domestic workers, girl children, etc] who have less secure rights to adequate housing are particularly vulnerable to violence." Additionally, the lack of legislation on behalf of women's housing rights adds to the increasing disparity between men and women. To learn more about this report and participate in a study on women and housing for the Commission of Human Rights in 2005, please visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8412 - - - - Attorney General of Chihuahua State, Mexico resigns (Dallas) After mounting criticism concerning the deaths of over 370 women, Attorney General Jesús José Solís of Chihuahua State, Mexico resigned from his post in early March. Under fire by human rights activists, the US government and national and local media, Solís was accused of poorly investigating the murders of women in Chihuahua, as well as concealing a large-scale drug trafficking scandal that is suspected to be connected to the serial murders. Solís stated that the charges concerning his conduct are false and that he must step down to protect his family. According to the Dallas Morning News, there has been only one conviction in the hundreds of murders that have taken place during Solís's tenure as Attorney General in Chihuahua State. (Source: the Dallas Morning News) - - - - China: Longest-serving Tibetan female prisoner of conscience released (London) On February 24, 2004, China's longest-serving female political prisoner of conscience, Phuntsog Nyidron, was released a year before her original discharge date. Arrested in 1989 for staging peaceful protest for Tibet's independence, Nyidron was sentenced to 17 years in prison and suffered severe beatings in 1998 when she refused to sing pro-China songs during a flag raising ceremony. Although Chinese officials refer to Nyidron's release as a "humanitarian gesture," China often releases political prisoners during important governmental campaigns. Currently, China is preparing for the UN Commission on Human Rights and the EU-China human rights dialogue in Dublin, Ireland. Amnesty International applauds the release of Nyidron, but asserts that no prisoners of conscience should ever be imprisoned, and that all should be released. (Source: Amnesty International) - - - - - - - - - - - - REPORTS AND RESOURCES Amnesty International launched its two-year international campaign to Stop Violence Against Women on March 5th, 2004. This groundbreaking project aims to ensure all nations have adequate resources to protect women from violence across the globe, and to underscore the varying social, cultural and economic factors that lead to women's oppression. To view the entire launch report of It's in our hands, Stop violence against women, visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8413 - - - - The United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women, with the International Labour Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, held an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) in Brazil to discuss and report on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. The summary of this EGM reports on the positive role that men and boys have in promoting women's rights and empowerment. To view the entire report, visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8414 - - - - Cultural Survival is an organization that works to promote the human rights of indigenous peoples across the globe. With an emphasis on the health, migration, legal standing, natural resources and cultures of indigenous peoples, the Cultural Survival website holds several resources on women's rights. Learn more: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8432 - - - - Violence against women and girls has sharply increased in Iraq compared to the time before last year's war. The assassination attempt against the only female member in the Iraqi cabinet, Nisreen Mustafa al-Burwari, earlier this week, clearly shows the urgent need for security. Many women and girls live under constant fear of being harassed, beaten, abducted, raped or murdered. Read the full story: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8438 - - - - - - - - - - - - STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN UPDATE SVAW Campaign Launch The Stop Violence Against Women Campaign is underway! Visit the following link to find out more on why women's rights are human rights, to view Amnesty International's report on violence against women, and find out how you can help support the SVAW campaign: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8415 - - - - Sign-up for the Stop Violence Against Women Campaign Amnesty International is calling on all governments as well as private actors, institutions and individuals to take immediate steps to put an end to violence against women and to redress the suffering it causes. Help join the effort! To sign up for the campaign, contact Robin Brown at rbrown@aiusa.org or at (202) 544-0200 x240. - - - - Join the Action Center Forum on Juárez, Mexico Take your activism online! Join Amnesty International's discussion forum on Ciudad Juárez and communicate with individuals who are learning about and continuing the efforts to bring the murderers of over 370 women to justice. To learn more and to engage in online discussion, visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8437 - - - - Download the SVAW Campaign Materials and Activist Toolkit Become actively involved with the SVAW campaign! To access SVAW campaign materials and downloads, visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8417 - - - - Making Violence Against Wowen Count - Facts and Figures Report Learn about the facts surrounding violence against women across the globe. Visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8440 - - - - - - - - - - - - HOT EVENTS Washington, DC Women's Human Rights Action Team The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14th at 6:45pm at Teaism - Penn Quarter. (400 8th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20004). For more information, contact Alyson at akozma@aiusa.org New York City Women's Human Rights Action Team The next meeting will be held Monday, April 12th at 6 p.m. at the AIUSA office (322 Eighth Avenue, 10th Floor). For more information, contact Alyson at akozma@aiusa.org AIUSA's Annual General Meeting April 16-18, 2004, Brooklyn, New York "Vigilant Justice: Securing Human Rights in Today's World." To register and learn more: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8419 Sexual Assault Awareness Month April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Learn about ways to educate yourself and your community on sexual violence by checking out the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Visit: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8420 March for Women's Lives On Sunday, April 25th, march in Washington, DC in support of reproductive justice for women, a fundamental women's human right. To join and march with the Amnesty delegation, please contact Jennie at giasuperstar@yahoo.com. Learn more: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8421 GenderPac Conference April 30-May 2, 2004, Washington D.C. "Three Days of Gender Politics, Strategy and Policy" To register and learn more: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=305607&l=8422 --- The "women-rights" mailing list provides information on issues related to women's human rights. Archives of "women-rights" messages, as well as instructions on how to (un)subscribe to the list, can be found at: http://www.hrea.org/lists/women-rights/markup/maillist.php
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