Good News Newsletter Feb 2014 by Amnesty International Aotearoa NZ

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February 2014

A celebration of good news from around the world

Toast to Freedom Papua New Guinea women less vulnerable

Thank you from a land rights activist A3

HELLO FRIENDS,

Victory on the global arms trade treaty

Hamid Ghassemi-Shall escapes death thanks to your support

2013 is well and truly behind us, but we would like to take a moment to thank you for all the support you’ve given. While the world looked the other way, you stood together with people around world whose freedom was taken, who were subjected to cruel punishment and whose voices were silenced. You gave them back their voice and in many cases their freedom.

Arms Trade Treaty Passed!

After 20 long hard years of campaigning, the world finally has a global arms trade treaty which requires countries not to transfer weapons if there is an overriding risk of human rights violations. On April 2nd, 156 governments voted to regulate the $100,000,000,000 arms trade, preventing for the first time the transfer of guns, bombs, tanks and bullets to countries where we know or suspect they would be used to commit abuses. This treaty has already been signed by 115 different countries, and its implementation spells the beginning of the end for profits at the expense of lives. Nine countries have ratified the treaty, and we will keep watching to make sure it is realized around the world.

Although we also lost a great man in 2013, we hope that millions around the world will follow in Nelson Mandela’s footsteps and continue the good fight. As a supporter of Amnesty International you are certainly doing just that. This year we will continue to keep you informed of developments and occasionally may ask you for some additional support.

This treaty makes a lifetime of difference for all the women who will no longer be raped at gunpoint and all the children who will no longer be forced into armies. A huge thanks to our supporters for your donations which enabled our team of experts to be present and vocal at the United Nations meeting in New York, representing us all, including victims. Thanks also to the letters written, the demonstrations and meetings held, and all the emails and tweets our supporters sent right into the last hours of the negotiations which helped strengthen the final Treaty text. Our partners in the Control Arms coalition and our own Government also fought strong for a treaty we can all be proud of.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support and we hope you will have a wonderful 2014 with more successes to celebrate. The team at Amnesty International

Amnesty International delegates (from top left) Justus Nyang’aya, Kate Allen, Olly Sprague, David Grimason and Verity Coyle at the UN Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty, UN building, New York, USA, 28 March 2013.

We should all be proud of being part of this historic moment. This treaty has the power to save millions of lives - and it couldn’t have been possible without you.

David (bottom left) has worked tirelessly on this campaign after his two year old son, Alistair, was killed by a stray bullet in a cafe in Turkey in 2003.

You are the reason we are able to stand here today and celebrate an achievement that, two decades ago, we only just dared to believe was possible. Thank you for helping make this dream a reality.

How do your gifts help? © Licadho

Antonella Mega (centre) and members of Amnesty call for the freedom of Antonella’s husband, Hamid.

Canadian-Iranian national Hamid Ghassemi-Shall, who had been sentenced to death in Iran in 2008, was released on 23 September after spending over five years in prison. He returned home to Toronto, Canada where he was reunited with his wife. Hamid Ghassemi-Shall, co-owner of a computer business in Canada, was one of a number of political prisoners who were released shortly after Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani took office. He was arrested in May 2008, while visiting his elderly mother in Iran. His older brother Alborz Ghassemi-Shall, who lived in Iran,

had been arrested about two weeks earlier. Both brothers spent 18 months in solitary confinement without legal representation in a military detention centre and Evin Prison and were then transferred to section 350 of that prison where many political prisoners are held. Both men were sentenced to death on 29 December 2008, after an unfair trial by a Revolutionary Court. They were convicted of enmity against God for espionage and cooperation with the proscribed People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. The brothers were denied regular access to a

A joyous moment when Hamid landed in Canada , greeted by his wife and cheering Amnesty supporters.

lawyer of their choice. Evidence used against them during trial included a “confession” and an email the authorities alleged Hamid Ghassemi-Shall had sent to his brother, who had previously worked as a mechanical engineer in the Iranian army. In fact, the email address had never even existed. The Supreme Court of Iran upheld the sentences on 7 November 2009. Alborz Ghassemi-Shall died in prison in January 2010, though the circumstances of his death are unclear. The Iranian authorities told the family that he had died from stomach cancer, but the coroner who examined his body reported a large head injury.

Your support helps save 15-year-old rape victim from 100 lashes A 15-year-old girl sentenced to 100 lashes and eight months house arrest for ‘fornication’ in the Maldives has had her sentence squashed following the outrageous conviction. The stepfather, who had reportedly sexually abused his daughter for years, was accused of raping and impregnating her. She was also prosecuted for fornication. The girl was illegally prosecuted, as the charge of fornication is not valid under international law.

Flogging is akin to torture in human rights conventions. A government spokesperson initially suggested that the girl was being given lashes for her to ‘feel the shame’ of her offence. Amnesty supporters responded outrageously to the 100-lash sentence with emails, letters and by contacting media. Within days, Avaaz and other international organisations joined the call to overturn the sentence.

After the international campaign, President Waheed announced that the government would support, care for and defend the girl. An appeal on her case was lodged and a government lawyer appointed. A huge thanks to our supporters for shining a light on such injustice and for defending a 15-year-old sexual abuse survivor from receiving 100 lashes.

After learning that her husband could be executed at any time, Antonella Mega contacted Amnesty International Canada where a campaign spearheaded by her spread across Canada and later, the world. Upon her husband’s release, Antonella shared her gratitude with Amnesty supporters such as you.

“They tried to silence me. But you spoke for me. Your voice gave me strength when all around me was desperation and hopelessness. The only way I can thank you now is to join your voices for those who are still being silenced.”

“Every day of freedom is like a miracle to me... If it had not been for Amnesty International, I would not be standing before you today.”

- Vera Chirwa, Africa’s longestserving Prisoner of Conscience, released after more than 11 years in prison wrongfully convicted of treason.

Until every person can enjoy all of their rights, until everyone can live in dignity; until every person’s voice can be heard, and no one is tortured or executed – our candle of hope will continue to burn. But this is only possible because of your generous donations. To remain completely independent and objective, we do not receive any government funding so your donations are really the lifeblood of our work and are so appreciated. All our work is founded upon our research teams who collate reports and verify them for legitimacy and neutrality. These teams collect information from around the world, documenting cases that need our attention through direct contact with victims, media, activists and officials. Our reputation is one of our most important assets, and we ensure that our reports can be trusted. Once the facts are confirmed, we contact lawmakers and governments directly, pressuring them to do what they can, and must, in order to prevent further abuses and bring those responsible to justice. Often, Amnesty International publishes reports on its recommendations to governments and intergovernmental organisations for the resolution of violations.

be tolerated, and to show solidarity with those whose human rights have been violated. These efforts are often successful; the success stories in this newsletter are concrete proof that you make a difference. Each time you raise your pen to write to your MP, every time you sign a petition to release a prisoner of conscience, and every dollar you donate brings us a step closer to a future without human rights abuses. Thank you so much for using your freedom to help free those who have none.

We coordinate public demonstrations and community activities, raising the visibility required to let officials know that abuses will not

Make your gift go further You can get a third of your charitable contributions back when you file your taxes in New Zealand. By mid-April, we will send you an annual receipt of your donations for you to use when filling out the form, which takes less than 5 minutes to complete. You don’t even have to do any maths. The Inland Revenue department will take care of that for you. If you claimed the tax credit last year, the IRD will automatically send you the proper form (IR526), or you can download it at the end of the tax year under the “Forms and guides” section of their website. Claiming your tax and donating it back to Amnesty International is a fantastic way to make your donation go further. For example, if you donated $100, you are eligible to claim $33. Donating this credit to Amnesty makes your gift worth $133.

Check the webshop for $10 t-shirts, $7 cards, and $10 diaries

To donate your tax credit to help us strengthen the voices of freedom, you would put our tax ID in the “transfer your tax credit” section of the form. Our number is 26-307-473.

TSHIRTS

Please call Julie at 800 - AMNESTY or email her julie.corker@amnesty. org.nz to let us know if you choose this option so we can send you a proper receipt for the extra contribution. CARDS

Amnesty International experts meet with those in power, and human rights defenders like you put pressure on critical figures by writing letters and presenting petitions. In mobilising our supporters, we utilise the media to break stories on a global scale, bringing issues to public attention.

This truly historic celebration is a testament to what human right defenders worldwide, including you, can do when we come together and use our influence to help bring about change that will save lives for many generations.

GIFTS & MORE

2014 DIARY

SHOP AMNESTY

www.amnesty.org.nz/shop

“Because of your care and love, not only do you have my gratitude, you have caused me to experience that side of humanity characterised by warmth and hope.” Former Prisoner of Conscience Huang Hua spent over 21 years in prison for writing articles for an opposition magazine and participating in Taiwan’s democracy movement.

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Inspiring a new generation of human rights leaders worldwide

PNG women gain new protections thanks to your efforts Left: Women attending an Amnesty International human rights training session, Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea. Despite the difficulties they encounter, many women in Papua New Guinea are taking up the struggle for protection from violence and for the rights of victims.

Thank you for your efforts in speaking out against violence towards women in the Pacific.

The repealed Act enabled mutilation, rape, and even murder among its citizens as long as they accused the victim of sorcery, no matter what the reality was. Women were six times more likely to be accused of sorcery than men. The accused were often victims of domestic abuse with no recourse to justice. Police overlooked persistent offenders, often referring to beatings as ‘family matters’.

In Papua New Guinea (PNG) where violence against women is rampant and systemic, we’ve seen some positive steps forward thanks to mounting international pressure from supporters like you.

Also, in September the PNG Government unanimously passed the Family Protection Bill 2013 which criminalises domestic violence and gives police the power to remove perpetrators from their homes to protect the victim. This year, we’ll be looking for your help to make these laws real.

In April, lawmakers finally agreed to strike down the controversial Sorcery Act that allowed human rights violations as defences against ‘witchcraft’.

Thank you so much for standing with the women in the Pacific. Your solidarity and support has enabled them to regain their dignity and helped ease their suffering.

Write for Rights: 2.1 million messages of hope

www.Amnesty.org.nz/write4rights

COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD SHARE YOUR IDEAS WITH US

Written appeals to governments and direct letters to prisoners protect the safety of those in detention. They often receive less severe sentences, better medical care, and are released from prison early.

HELP ME PLEASE! Remember to donate before 31 March to claim your tax back in April!

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amnesty.org.nz/helpme

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Sign the petition now www.amnesty.org.nz/helpme amnesty.org.nz/helpme

Go to amnesty.org.nz/ donate or call us on 0800 AMNESTY.

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A letter to someone unfairly detained is a simple way to brighten their day by creating human interaction and communication–something that’s often absent in prisons.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

We will be reaching out in February and March to get your feedback on our campaigns. Look for a call from us.

amnesty.org.nz/helpme

Letter writing is a classic tool in the fight to end torture. What began in 1961 as a campaign to free Portuguese students under the Salazar dictatorship has grown to a global movement of over 3 million people shining a light in the darkest corners of the world.

Women’s human rights workshop in Kenya

Thank you for all of your help educating people in disadvantaged situations about their human rights. For half a decade, Amnesty has been teaming up with activist groups to provide workshops across the developing world, under the Human Rights Education project.

Auckland Girls Grammar School students and staff participate in Freedom Challenge 2013.

One particular story we are pleased to share is that of Alice Beti of Kenya. Beti is a single mother of two, and following the death of her husband she was under threat from in-laws attempting to evict her so as to make financial gain from the property. Her desire to protect her children from homelessness led her to a local activist group with support from Amnesty International and other regional communities. At the workshop, she received a crash course in family law, giving her the platform she needed to successfully protect her home and keep a roof over her childrens’ heads.

Yorm Bopha is a housing rights activist from Boeung Kak Lake in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She was imprisoned from September 2012 to November 2013 on fabricated charges as a result of her peaceful activism.

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Right now, there’s someone being targeted by their government, though they’ve committed no crime. Their freedom and safety are in danger, but you can help - just by writing a letter. Join Write for Rights and put the spotlight where it’s needed most.

Thank you so much for your compassion and generosity.

Here in NZ, we’re training the next generation of human rights leaders. We currently have 98 school and youth groups filled with enthusiastic students who mobilise their peers to campaign and take action on various human rights issues throughout the year. Plans are also underway to implement human rights study into the school curriculum. With your generous ongoing support, we’re able to equip the next generation of leaders to prioritise human rights while empowering others whose rights are denied – so thank you.

Mam Sonando, Cambodian journalist and prisoner of conscience celebrating his release.

Freedom for peaceful activist Yorm Bopha

amnesty.org.nz/helpme

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Speaking on his release, Mam Sonando said, “The nightmare of being falsely accused and imprisoned had turned into a wonderful dream; bad to good, where I could see into the people’s hearts and the world caring about justice.” Because of your support, Amnesty is able to help free prisoners of conscience, defend individuals at risk, and campaign on behalf of many others whose human rights have been denied.

Each workshop focuses intensely on a subject crucial to those who have had their rights violated in a certain way and gives them the legal platform with which to protect themselves and their families.

Meet our youngest letter writing hero, Dylan.

Your support frees journalist

Over 90,000 people globally took action with her, leading to her release on bail on 22 November. However, there is more to do as her release is conditional and the charges have not been dropped. She was detained again on January 6th and faces additional court proceedings. Yorm shares her gratitude with you. “Thank you to Amnesty International’s supporters. Your campaign has been successful, as my release shows. But my case is not over yet. Please keep pushing the Cambodian Government to end the case against me. We can achieve the most success when we all work together.”