1 CHINA: Urgent Action Risk of torture/ill-treatment 3 INDONESIA: Urgent Action - Papua Indonesia Activist at Risk Following Beating 5 Equatorial

Guinea: Surge in arbitrary arrests ahead of AU summit 7 Update on Oregon Death Penalty Pending Execution: Case of Gary Haugen AIUSA-Group 48 http://aipdx.org 503-227-1878 Next Meeting: Friday July 8th First Unitarian Church 1011 SW 12th Ave 7:00pm informal gathering 7:30pm meeting starts

Newsletter
Amnesty International USA Group 48

07.11
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CHINA: Urgent Action - Risk of torture/ill-treatment

beating to death in custody of Shohret Chinese national, was forcibly returned Tursun, a young Uighur man involved in the July 5, 2009, unrest in Urumqi. from Kazakhstan to China on 30 May He applied to the UN High Commisand is now being treated as a major terror suspect by the Chinese authori- sioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for ties. He is at risk of torture and ill-treat- asylum shortly after his arrival in Kazakhstan. In March 2010, the UNHCR ment in custody and unfair trial. recognized Ershidin Israil as a refugee Ershidin Israil was forcibly extradited and he was accepted for resettlement in back to China from Kazakhstan and Sweden. However, on 3 April 2010 he now faces charges as a major terror was taken into custody by the Kazakh suspect. Kazakh authorities reportedly authorities and formally arrested in turned Ershidin Israil over to Chinese June 2010. Between 23 June 2010 and authorities on 30 May 2011. On 14 June 18 May 2011, courts in Kazakhstan Chinese authorities confirmed he was considered and rejected his application in their custody, and being treated as a for asylum a total of five times. The major terror suspect. UNHCR revoked his refugee status on 3 Ershidin Israil fled China to Kazakhstan May 2011. in September 2009, days after having While the reasons behind the revocagiven an interview to Radio Free Asia tion of his refugee status are unknown, during which he exposed the alleged Amnesty International considers that

Ershidin Israil, an ethnic Uighur and a

Ershidin Israil (m)

NewsLetter Designed By Michelle Whitlock MichelleWhitlock.com

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Kazakhstans extradition of Ershidin Israil to China was a breach of the international obligation not to return individuals to a country where they are at risk of serious human rights violations. He is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment in custody and could be sentenced to death or to a long prison term. Amnesty International considers the charges against Ershidin Israil to be based solely on his having exercised his right to freedom of expression.
Background

ly ill. For more information please see: http://www.amnesty. org/en/library/info/ASA17/011/2011/en. International observers including Amnesty International have no information about the status and current whereabouts of the 20 who were forcibly repatriated to China. Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible: Call on the Chinese authorities to immediately release Ershidin Israil as he was detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression; Urge the Chinese authorities to ensure that he has access to family, legal assistance of his choice and any medical care he might require and to ensure that he is protected from torture or other ill-treatment while in detention.
Action

Ershidin Israil is from Huocheng County, XUAR, where he was a schoolteacher. On 23 September 2009, he and two other ethnic Uighurs, Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir, provided the US-based Radio Free Asia information about allegations of torture that led to the death of Shohret Tursun, Haji Appeals To Memets relative. Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir were President of the Peoples Republic of China detained the same day, reportedly on suspicion of having Hu Jintao Guojia Zhuxi leaked state secrets. At the time, the police were said to be looking for a third person, now believed to be Ershidin Israil. The State Council General Office Amnesty International has no information about the current 2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu Beijingshi 100017 whereabouts or status of Haji Memet and Abdusalam Nasir. PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA For more information please see: http://www.amnesty.org/en/ Fax: 011 86 10 63070900 library/info/ASA17/053/2009/en Email: gov@govonline.cn Since 2001, Amnesty International has documented cases in Salutation: Your Excellency which Uighur asylum seekers or refugees who were forcibly Secretary of the Political and Legislative returned to China were detained, reportedly tortured and in Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee some cases sentenced to death and executed. Zhou Yongkang Shuji In December 2009, the Cambodian authorities forcibly Zhongyang Zhengfa Weiyuanhui returned to China 20 ethnic Uighur asylum seekers. Like 6A Beichizi Dajie, Dongchengqu Ershidin Israil, most of them had left the XUAR after the Beijingshi 100006 riots of July 2009, fearing persecution by the Chinese authori- PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA ties. The UNHCR in Cambodia was still in the process of Salutation: Dear Secretary reviewing their applications for refugee status when they were Copies To taken to a military airport and put on a plane back to China. Nur Bekri Zhuxi Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Two people managed to flee one of them, Memet Eli Rozi, Renmin Zhengfu Bangongting escaped to Laos where his wife and their five children joined 2 Zhongshanlu, Urumqi 830041 him from China. However, they were caught by the Laotian Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu police who deported them back to China in March 2010. Ever PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA since, Memet Eli Rozi has been in custody but he has not Fax: 011 86 991 2817567 OR 011 86 991 2803621 been charged, tried or convicted. He is believed to be serious-

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Ambassador Zhang Yesui Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China 3505 International Place NW Washington DC 20008 Fax: 1 202 495-2138

Email: chinaembpress_us@mfa.gov.cn PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending appeals after 29 July 2011.

INDONESIA: Urgent Action: - Papua Indonesia Activist at Risk Following Beating

and throw objects. Yones Douw immediately rushed into the base to calm the protesters.
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In response, the military fired shots into the air and started hitting the protesters. Yones Douw was struck on the head with pieces of wood many times. He also sustained injuries on his shoulder and wrists from the beatings. As he was beaten he heard the military threaten to shoot the protesters saying these animals should be taught a lesson. A military Dear friends in Group 48, officer also hit the father of Derek Adii, Damas Adii, with a Below is an Urgent Action regarding a human rights defender I piece of wood. After the beatings, Yones Douw travelled to met in Indonesia a dedicated good guy who is truly vulnerable the Siriwini hospital for treatment and to obtain a medical as you read this. I hope you will write a letter and mail or fax it. report, but was told by medical staff that he required a letter An alarming number of serious attacks on individuals by Indo- from the police before they could treat him. He then decided nesian military and police occur in Papua Indonesia. Note that to go home and is still suffering from the injuries. He fears for our friend Yones was injured and denied medical treatment his health and safety. because he tried to moderate a situation between Indonesian military and enraged Papuans. Please take action. --Max White Yones Douw is a respected human rights activist in Papua and has been documenting human rights violations by the police ones Douw, a human rights activist in the Indonesian prov- and military over the last decade. ince of Papua, was beaten by military officers on 15 June and has been denied medical treatment. He fears for his health and safety, as he has previously been detained and assaulted as a result of his human rights activities. In recent years, there have been a number of cases of intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders and journalists in Indonesia , and human rights defenders are regularly intimidated and harassed in Papua. International human rights observers, non-governmental organizations and journalists are severely restricted in their work there. Amnesty International continues to receive credible reports of human rights violations by the security forces in Indonesia, including torture and other ill-treatment and the unnecessary and excessive use of force. There are often no independent investigations into allegations of human rights violations, and those responsible are rarely brought to account before an independent court. In January 2011 three soldiers who had been filmed kicking and abusing Papuans were sentenced by
Background

On the morning of 15 June a protest took place at the 1705 District Military Command (Kodim) base in Nabire, Papua province, to call for accountability for the stabbing and killing of Papuan Derek Adii on 14 May 2011, reportedly by military officers from the 1705 District Military Command. At about 9am on 15 June, Yones Douw, a 42-year-old human rights activist, heard that a protest, which included family members of Derek Adii, was about to take place, and he went to the base to monitor it. Thirty minutes after he arrived, a group of protesters turned up in three trucks, broke into the front entrance of the base and started to shatter the windows

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Chairperson National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) Ifdhal Kasim While Amnesty International acknowledges the difficulties Jl Latuharhary faced by security forces in Indonesia, especially when conNo.4 Menteng Jakarta Pusat fronted with violence, the power to use force given to security 10310, Indonesia forces is restricted by relevant international human rights Fax: +62 21 39 25 227 law and standards, the basis of which is the right to life. The Salutation: Dear Ifdhal Kasim Indonesian authorities must ensure prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all credible allegations of human Papua Police Chief Inspektur Jenderal Bekto Suprapto rights violations by the security forces. Those found responsible, including persons with command responsibility, should Papua Regional Head of Police (Kapolda) be prosecuted in proceedings which meet international stan- Jl. Samratulangi No. 8 Jayapura, Papua , Indonesia dards of fairness, and victims provided with reparations. Fax: +62 967 533763 PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY Salutation: Dear Kapolda in Indonesian, English or your own language: Ambassador H.E. Dr. Dino Patti Djalal Urging the authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Yones Douw, in accordance with his wishes, and Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia 2020 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. ensure his immediate access to medical care; Washington, DC 20036 Calling for an immediate, effective and impartial investiga- Fax: 1 202 775 5365 tion into the beatings and the threats against Yones Douw, Salutation: Dear Ambassador with the results made public and those responsible brought to justice in fair trials; Postage Rates Calling on the authorities to initiate an independent investigation into the possible unlawful killing of Derek Adii, and Within the United States ensure that, should the allegations be verified, those respon$0.28 - Postcards sible be brought to justice in fair trials and the victims receive $0.44 - Letters and Cards up to 1 oz. reparations; and To Canada Calling on the authorities to ensure that all members of $0.75 - Postcards the police and military are made aware of the legitimate role $0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz. of human rights defenders and their responsibility to protect To Mexico them, as set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights $0.79 - Postcards Defenders. $0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz. PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 29 JULY 2011
Appeals To

a Military Court to between eight and 10 months imprisonment for disobeying orders. The fact that the victims were not able to testify because of the lack of adequate safety guarantees raised serious concerns about the trial process. Amnesty International believes that the civilian courts are much more likely to ensure both prosecutions for crimes involving human rights violations and protection for witnesses than the military system, which is unlikely to be impartial and independent.

Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950 Indonesia Fax: +62 21 525 3095 Salutation: Dear Minister

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Patrialis Akbar

To all other destination countries $0.98 - Postcards $0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2011 Pg 5

Equatorial Guinea: Surge in arbitrary arrests ahead of AU summit

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temporarily suspended on the orders of higher authority. No other explanation for the suspension was given.

President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea is the current Chair

of the African Union (AU). Ahead of the AU summit in the Equatorial Guinean capital Malabo, the authorities have implemented a draconian clampdown on freedom of expression. Political opponents as well as some 100 students have been arbitrarily arrested and detained in recent months, apparently as a pre-emptive measure to prevent any demonstrations during the summit. Many of them were reportedly ill-treated. There has also been a crackdown on foreigners living in Equatorial Guinea.

Police raids on neighbourhoods inhabited by foreigners in the port city of Bata reportedly intensified on the weekend of 1112 June. A number of undocumented foreign nationals, along with some foreigners legally residing in the country, were arrested and ill-treated in the crackdown. Amnesty International has also received reports of road blocks and arbitrary stop and search operations by the security forces, who harass, intimidate and demand bribes from both Equatorial Guinea nationals and foreigners.
2011 Run for Congo Women

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All demonstrations in Equatorial Guinea have been banned following the mass uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa. In late May, over 100 students were reportedly arrested and briefly detained in the port city of Bata. No reason for their arrest was given. Seven people believed to be members of opposition political parties were arrested and briefly detained in April. Among them were Iris Loeto Sepa and Anselmo Ichaikot, who were arrested in Malabo on 9 April on suspicion of being members of the Movement for the Self-determination of Bioko Island (MAIB). They do not belong to this organization and were released without charge on 23 April. Prior to the arrests, the government ordered a news blackout in February on events on North Africa, the Middle East and in Ivory Coast. Access to the internet in Equatorial Guinea has reportedly become increasingly difficult. In March, a radio journalist working for the state French language broadcaster was suspended for mentioning the situation in Libya in his radio programme. Juan Pedro Mendene was ordered by the Secretary of State for Information to leave the radio station. As he was leaving, he was attacked and beaten by the Secretary of States bodyguard. A week later, the director of the state radio station announced that broadcasts were

Join AI Group 48 in supporting the annual 5K walk/ run on July 23rd. The $35 registration directly benefits Women for Women International programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This Portland-based organization sponsors runs throughout the country. This year's run will be at Willamette Park (SW Macadam & Nebraska St.). Check in begins at 7:30 and the run starts at 9AM. It's on a paved trail along the Willamette River. All are welcome including babies in strollers and dogs. T-shirts and refreshments are included in this family fun event. Group 48 coordinator Joanne Lau has registered a team, Run for Rights. Both runners and walkers are welcome to join. Join the team at: http://rfcwportland2011.kintera.org/runforrights If you are not able to attend, please consider making a donation at: http://rfcwportland2011.kintera.org/joannelau

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2011 Pg 6

Please write to the Equatorial Guinea authorities listed below, in Spanish or English: Express concern at the arrest of political opponents and students ahead of the African Union Summit in Malabo; Call on the authorities to end the detention, torture and illtreatment of people merely exercising their right to freedom of expression; Urge the authorities to halt indiscriminate raids on migrant communities and treat undocumented migrants humanely and in accordance with the law; Ask that allegations of ill-treatment of detainees be investigated with those found responsible for ill-treating detainees being brought to justice; Call on the authorities to respect and protect peoples right to freedom of expression and end restrictions on freedom of the press. President General Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo Presidente de la Repblica Gabinete del Presidente de la Repblica Malabo Repblica de Guinea Ecuatorial Fax: 011 240 333 09 3313/3334 Salutation: Excelencia/ Your Excellency Minister for National Security Sr Don Nicols Obama Nchama Ministro de Seguridad Nacional Gabinete del Ministro Comisara Central de Polica Malabo Repblica de Guinea Ecuatorial Fax: 011 240 333 09 8259 Salutation: Sr. Ministro/Dear Minister Ambassador Purificacion Angue Ondo Embassy of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea 2020 16th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 FAX: (202) 518-5252 Salutation: Your Excellency
Copies to Letters To

Action

Your Excellency, I am writing as a member of Amnesty International to express my deep concern at reports of a large number of arrests in your nation in recent months of students and political opponents of the current Government. I am particularly concerned at reports that many detainees were ill-treated. I respectfully request your Government to ensure an immediate end to the detention, torture and ill-treatment of people merely exercising their right to freedom of expression. All allegations that detainees were ill-treated should be investigated immediately, and anyone who is responsible for ill-treating detainees should be brought to justice. I am also very concerned at reports of raids by security forces on migrant communities in your country and urge that undocumented migrants be treated humanely and in accordance with international law. Respectfully yours, AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information
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 Africa RAN Terrie Rodello 503-246-6836 tarodello@igc.org OR State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator Terrie Rodello 503-246-6836 trodello@igc.org Central America RAN Marylou Noble 503-245-6923 marylou_noble@ yahoo.com Prisoners' Cases & Darfur Jane Kristof kristofj@pdx.edu Marty Fromer 503-227-1878 martyfromer@gmail.com

Sample Letter

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2011 Pg 7

Update on Oregon Death Penalty Pending Execution: Case of Gary Haugen

Action
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Gary Haugen volunteered to be executed in Oregon. His execution date is scheduled for August 16. The decision to execute Gary Haugen will depend on Governor Kitzhaber, who has the power to commute the death sentence to life without parole.

Please consider taking one or all of the following actions and ask your friends and family to do the same: 1. Write or email a letter to the editor to your local newspaper expressing your opposition to the death penalty and ask Governor Kitzhaber to take the lead to end the death penalty in Oregon by commuting the death sentence of Gary Haugen and supporting it is repeal. 2. Contact Governor Kitzhaber and ask him to commute the death sentence of Gary Haugen to life without parole and support the repeal of the death penalty in Oregon.

Last week, Jeffrey Ellis, Director of the Oregon Capital Resource Center, filled a writ of mandamus with the Oregon Supreme Court to invalidate Gary Haugens death warrant Mail To and require a hearing on Haugens mental competence. A writ Governor Kitzhaber or order that is issued from a court of superior jurisdiction 160 State Capitol commands a lower court to perform, or refrain from 900 Court Street performing a particular act. Salem, Oregon 97301-4047 Fax: 503-378-6827 Jeff Ellis said, The petition for a writ of mandamus asks Phone: Governors Citizens Representative Message Line: the states highest court to require a Marion County Circuit Court judge to hold a hearing to determine whether Haugen 503-378-4582 is mentally competent. This petition could block Haugens To respond online: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact. August 16 execution. shtml As of June 26, 2011, the writ of mandamus is still pending, Please make your voice heard today. and it is not known what the Oregon Supreme Court will do or when. The Court could grant the writ or petition sendIf you want to help work on the repeal of the death penalty ing the case back to Marion County Court for a hearing, set in Oregon, please let me know by sending me an email at arguments before the Supreme Court, or turn down the writ. tarodello@igc.org. In the meantime, a clemency petition is being prepared to In solidarity, present to Governor Kitzhaber. Terrie Rodello To read more: http://www.portlandtribune.com/news/story. AIUSA Oregon State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator php?story_id=130817366649698300 Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty Board Member http://photos.oregonlive.com/oregonian/2011/06/death_penalty_opponents_seek_t_5.html

Greetings Death Penalty Abolitionists,

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Group 48 Membership
Group 48's membership fee is due every January. If you join Group 48 after January in any given year, we appreciate you pay the full membership fee at the time you join us or you have the choice to pay in January of the following year. Please send a check or money order payable to Amnesty International Group 48 and the form below to our treasurer: Tena Hoke, 5026 SE 46th Ave, Portland OR 97206. None of your contact information will be shared with any other organization. If you wish to pay online, go to: http://aipdx.org/donate/ Name __________________ Address _________________ City/State/Zip _____________ Phone ____________ Email _____________ Note: Group 48 is not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations to Group 48 are not tax-deductible.

Please add my email address to the Group 48 email list. $15 Regular membership $25 Family membership $50 Generous donor $100 Amnesty Angel $5 Limited income

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AIUSA group 48 Newsletter July 2011