Amnesty International Group 22 Pasadena/Caltech News
Volume XVI Number 1, January 2008
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, January 24, 7:30 PM. Monthly
Meeting. Caltech Y is located off San Pasqual
between Hill and Holliston, south side. You will
see two curving walls forming a gate to a path--
our building is just beyond. Help us plan future
actions on Sudan, the 'War on Terror', death
penalty and more.
Tuesday, February 12, 7:30 PM. Letter
writing meeting at Caltech Athenaeum, corner of
Hill and California in Pasadena.
Sunday, February 17, 6:30 PM. Rights Read-
ers Human Rights Book Discussion Group at
Vromans Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd. in
Pasadena. 626-449-5320. The featured book is
"The Yacoubian Building", by Alaa Al Aswany.
COORDINATOR'S CORNER
Hi everyone,
Happy New Year! Hard to believe that it's 2008
already. We spend the holidays in Oregon (where
it was cold and wet) and returned to cold and
wet southern California! I worked on my Masters
project up until the end of December, and finally
got my instructor's approval and drove it to
Ontario, CA on December 31!! Now I can get
back to my regular routine (which includes
cooking Đ we have enjoyed home-made soup and
other goodies lately!) and catch up with friends
and family. Whew!!
Some Group 22 members (as individuals, as
we all realize that Amnesty officially does not
take a position for or against the float, but
against HR abuses in China) were involved in
varying degrees in the protests against the Rose
Parade, even just turning their backs as the
Chinese float passed. Robert and I attended a
New Year's Eve service at All Saints Church in
Pasadena that had the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights as its theme. Various members of
the Pasadena community participated, including
Mayor Bogaard and other city officials,
representatives from other human rights groups
such as the United Nations Association
Pasadena chapter, Ann Lau from the Visual
Artists Guild (who has been active in the protest
against the float), and yours truly representing
Group 22. We each read selected portions of the
declaration. It was an opportunity for the
concerns of all involved with this issue to be
recognized and expressed. Thanks to Ed Bacon,
rector of All Saints, for proposing this service.
Unfortunately, the New Year, instead of
ushering in peace, has seen violence continuing
throughout the world - especially in Pakistan
(with the murder of Benazir Bhutto) and Kenya
(with the continuing violence that has occurred
after recent elections). Paula, our Africa visitor
and expert, has some comments on Kenya later in
this newsletter.
And last but not least, don't miss the Doo-
Dah parade January 20 in Old Town Pasadena at
11:30am, starting at Memorial Park. Group 22 is
participating this year, with a really hilarious
float on a serious theme (torture, specifically
water boarding). Check our website post-parade
for photos!
Con cari–o,
Kathy
aigp22@caltech.edu
ERITREA POC
In early 2006 Group 22 adopted Eritrean Prisoner
of Conscience Estifanos Seyoum. We remain
committed to working for him and for other
Eritrean POCs who were arrested during the
crackdown of September 2001. Estifanos and the
other detainees have been held incommunicado in
secret locations with no access to their families or
lawyers or international humanitarian
organizations. Several are reported to have died
as a result of the harsh conditions and denial of
medical treatment.
In December Reporters Without Borders
announced the award of "Journalist of the Year
2007" to Seyoum Tsehaye, another Eritrean POC
imprisoned since 2001. Their press release
(www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=24645)
says: "The panel of judges sought to highlight not
only the case of this brave journalist held in
Eritrea's appalling jails since September 2001 but
also the catastrophic state of press freedom in
this small Horn of Africa country. At least four
journalists have died in prison in Eritrea over the
last few years. The blame lies chiefly at the door
of Issaias Afeworki, the highly authoritarian and
obdurate president of the country since its
independence in 1993."
We hope to use the publicity generated by this
award to bring more attention to the deplorable
human rights situation in Eritrea and to the plight
of our adopted POC and his fellow detainees.
This month let's write once again to obdurate
President Issayas. Here is a sample letter that you
can copy or use as a guideline. Postage is 90
cents.
His Excellency
President Issayas Afewerki
Office of the President
P. O. Box 257
Asmara, Eritrea
Your Excellency,
I am deeply concerned about Estifanos Seyoum
and Seyoum Tsehaye and other former
government officials and journalists who were
arrested in September 2001. These detainees have
been held incommunicado for over six years in
life-threatening conditions. Several of them, such
as former army chief General Ogba Abraha and
journalist Fessahaye Yohannes, are alleged to
have died in prison due to torture and denial of
medical treatment.
I call upon the Eritrean authorities to clarify the
fate of the detainees who are feared to have died
in custody. I appeal for the immediate release of
all prisoners of conscience who are imprisoned in
Eritrea solely for the peaceful expression of their
opinions or beliefs. I urge that the government of
Eritrea issue a public declaration against torture
and release information concerning the health and
status of Estifanos Seyoum and the others who
have been detained in secret locations since their
arrest in 2001.
Thank you for your attention to these important
matters.
Sincerely,
[Your name and address]
-Joyce Wolf, Eritrea Coordinator
RIGHTS READERS
Human Rights Book Discussion Group
Keep up with Rights Readers at
http://rightsreaders.blogspot.com
Next Rights Readers meeting:
Sunday, February 17, 6:30 PM
Vromans Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd
in Pasadena
(See Upcoming Events section)
"The Yacoubian Building", by Alaa Al Aswany.
This controversial bestselling novel in the Arab
world reveals the political corruption, sexual
repression, religious extremism, and modern
hopes of Egypt today.
All manner of flawed and fragile humanity reside
in the Yacoubian Building, a once-elegant temple
of Art Deco splendor now slowly decaying in the
smog and bustle of downtown Cairo: a fading
aristocrat and self-proclaimed "scientist of
women"; a sultry, voluptuous siren; a devout
young student, feeling the irresistible pull toward
fundamentalism; a newspaper editor helplessly in
love with a policeman; a corrupt and corpulent
politician, twisting the Koran to justify his
desires.
These disparate lives careen toward an explosive
conclusion in Alaa Al Aswany's remarkable
international bestseller. Teeming with frank
sexuality and heartfelt compassion, this book is
an important window on to the experience of loss
and love in the Arab world.
About the Author
Alaa Al Aswany is the bestselling author of three
previous books published in Arabic. He is a
journalist who writes a monthly opposition
newspaper column, and he makes his living as a
dentist in Cairo, Egypt, where his first office was
in the Yacoubian Building. The Yacoubian
Building, which caused an immediate scandal due
to its sexual frankness when first published in
Egypt, has been translated into nine languages
and was made into a film. It had the largest
budget in Egyptian cinema and has been screened
at various international film festivals.
KENYA COMMENTARY
As a frequent traveler to Kenya for public health
research (about 2-3 times per year since 1997), I
was asked to share some thoughts with you about
the current situation in that country. As many of
you know, Kenya is considered a stable country
with a growing economy, which has never fought
a war with its neighbors. It serves as the regional
base for many aid organizations as well as safari
companies, and has an extremely active port
(Mombasa) that serves the whole region. Yet
Kenya is still extremely poor: The gross national
income per capita is about $530, only about 50%
of youths enter secondary school, the HIV
rate of about 6%, the life expectancy is only 48
years, and it has an estimated 2.3 million orphans
(of a population of 36 million).
For 22 years, Kenya was ruled by an
authoritarian leader (Daniel Arap Moi) from the
Kalenjin tribe (11% of the population), who was
seen as a "compromise" because he did not come
from either of the two dominant tribes (Kikuyu
22% or Luo 12%). However, his leadership was
marred by corruption, cronyism, and tight control
over the press and assembly. Moi finally decided
to step down in 2002 and put forward a
successor. But Kenyans, in their first real election,
voted not for Moi's hand-picked successor but for
Mwai Kibaki, a Kikuyu. Prominent Luos, such as
Raila Odinga, supported Kibaki in this historic
election.
Kibaki made good on some of his campaign
promises, such as universal primary education to
8th grade for all Kenyans, as well as freedom of
press and assembly. However, he still had
numerous corrupt officials in his administration.
Moreover, the economy, albeit growing, was still
considered to be needlessly hindered. A major
contentious issue was his failure to support
efforts by a Constitutional Committee to revise
the constitution to limit the authority of the
presidency. Kibaki backed a very strong
presidency, although not a dictatorship like
Moi's. So the Constitutional Committee
constantly was thwarted, causing opposition to
Kibaki to grow. Also, people felt that he wasn't
doing enough to improve the lot of the
impoverished and of non-Kikuyu citizens.
So the populace become hungry for "change"--a
relatively new concept in Kenya. People generally
tolerate leaders far longer than we do in the West,
in part because many people liken them to
"chiefs" who are elder statesmen and should not
be challenged. However, many started to think
that "change" might be worthwhile if the new
leader was well-known, charismatic, with some
fresh ideas and a concern for the poor. Odinga fit
the bill. He also was skillful in appealing to non-
Luos (although not Kikuyus), particularly Luhyas
who represent about 14% of the population.
On December 27th, Kenya held its election. The
turn-out was massive. Every adult I know voted.
Polls of voters leading up to the election showed
that Odinga a lead of about 3-4% over Kibaki,
which was very significant considering Kenyans
predilections (in the past) to support traditional
figures.
Unfortunately, indications exist that both
Odinga and Kibaki engaged in some vote rigging,
but that Kibaki's was more serious and gave him
the presidency. Since the vote in Kenya is a "head
count", Odinga supporters may have stuffed the
ballot boxes in some Luo areas. But it looks like
Kibaki supporters were much more brazen:
actually changing the final counts on the tally
sheets for some districts. This is why the
European Union, the US, Kenya's neighbors
(Tanzania and Uganda) and other Western
observers declared the final outcome as unfair.
According to the AP, thirteen donors, including
the European Union and the United States, have
now threatened to withdraw direct aid to the
government if its commitment to "good
governance, democracy, the rule of law and
human rights" weakens.
Kibaki has been resistant to a hand count of
ballots. In fact, we now know that he and his
supporters put pressure on the Kenya Election
Commission to declare him as the victor only two
days after the election, on December 29th. In less
than 30 minutes after the declaration, Kibaki was
sworn in for a second 5-year term, even though
the swearing-in occurred on a Saturday night with
almost no one in attendance.
This absolutely enraged Odinga supporters and
his party, the ODM (Orange Democratic
Movement). They felt that the election had been
stolen from them and that they would now have
to endure another 5 years of Kibaki, which they
found intolerable. Odinga urged his supporters to
take to the streets in protest, even though the
government declared this unlawful.
As we all know, if people are not allowed to
protest peacefully, this can lead to violence.
Angry members of the Luo and supporting tribes
started to attack innocent Kikuyus, and in one
horrific case burned about 40 Kikuyus in a church
where they had gone for refuge. Others did take
to the streets, only to be met by soldiers and
policemen with live ammunition. At last count,
600 Kenyans have died (about 500 at the hands
of police/army) and another 250,000 (largely
Kikuyu) have fled their homes.
Odinga's party has the majority now in
Parliament, which will ultimately hamstring
Kibaki. But Kibaki will not back down from his
position, except to offer some "power-sharing"
which Odinga derides, since he believes that he is
the rightful president. Various prominent
individuals, such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu,
have been trying to mediate. However, until
either Kibaki concedes or Odinga agrees to a
power-sharing, there is likely to be a stand-off.
And more people, yearning for justice and fair
elections, will be protesting or attacking others
who they resent. A very sad situation for all
concerned.
At the same time, I do see a few hopeful signs
in this. While the tribal clashes are clearly
disturbing, it is noteworthy that Kenyans now
take elections very seriously and consider them
important in effecting change in government
policy. Most are willing to vote for someone not
of their tribe (recall that the Luos are only 13% of
the population). They are not passively going to
accept the results of an unfair election (unlike
many Americans in 2000). The unfettered press
has been reporting 'round the clock and Kenyans
have been glued to the TV, radio and
newspapers. Police attacks on protesting civilians
are being widely condemned and challenged. It is
very possible that Kenya's human rights record
and organizations will be strengthened after this
period has passed.
So let us all hope for a fair resolution of the
political crisis: either with a hand count of the
ballots (which we never obtained in Florida) or
possibly a new election (which is very costly).
And let us also support--in any way we can--
efforts over the coming months to rebuild
friendship, love, trust and caring between
Kikuyus and other tribes (especially Luos, Luhyas
and Kalinjins).
Sincerely,
Paula Tavrow
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE ON VIOLENCE IN KENYA
January 18, 2008
Amnesty International Condemns Lethal Force by
Police in Kenya; Death Toll in Protests Rises to 12
(New York)--Amnesty International today
condemned the reckless and excessive use of
lethal force by Kenyan police, including firing live
ammunition into crowds, as reports emerged that
police killed at least 12 people, including a 13-
year-old boy, during protests called by the
opposition Orange Democratic Movement
(ODM).
"We recognize that the Kenyan police are trying to
contain what in some cases have been violent
protests in Kenya. However, by firing live
ammunition into crowds the police have far
exceeded what is acceptable use of force. The
firing of live ammunition into crowds can not be
justified," said Erwin van der Borght, director of
Amnesty International's Africa Program.
In one incident, captured on video by a local
television station, an unarmed protestor in
Kisumu was shot at close range by a Kenyan
police officer, who then kicked the protestor as he
lay wounded on the ground. The man reportedly
died later from the bullet wound.
In a number of other incidents, protestors and
bystanders in Kibera, in Nairobi, were reported to
have been shot by police preventing residents
from travelling to the city center for the mass
protest rally called by the opposition. Kibera,
inhabited by many opposition party supporters,
has been the site of considerable post-election
violence.
"The government must immediately send clear
instructions to the police to stop this excessive
use of force, conduct an independent and
impartial inquiry into the police killings, and
prosecute any police officers who have used
excessive force against protesters," said van der
Borght.
Amnesty International is also concerned over
reports that police have harassed journalists
covering the protests, and that human rights
defenders protesting the use of excessive force by
Kenyan security forces have been arrested.
"The Kenyan government must respect the right to
freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
throughout Kenya," said van der Borght. "It is
only through the respect for human rights that the
country will be able to resolve the political crisis it
is now facing."
"U.S. government officials--along with other key
allies of Kenya--must use their considerable
influence with Kenyan government and party
leaders and support regional initiatives to prevent
further devastating violations of human rights
across the country," added Lynn Fredriksson,
Amnesty International USA's advocacy director
for Africa.
Amnesty International has called on both Kenyan
government and opposition party leaders to
refrain from behavior that could be perceived as
condoning violence by their supporters against
rivals.
Background information on Kenya situation
from the AIUSA website:
Since December 30, 2007, more than 600 people
are reported to have been killed and thousands
injured during violence that erupted following the
announcement of disputed election results. More
than 250,000 have been internally displaced.
Under the U.N. Code of Conduct for Law
Enforcement Officials and the U.N. Basic
Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by
Law Enforcement Officials, police may use force
only when strictly necessary, and only to the
extent required for the performance of their duty.
Firearms should not be used except to defend
people against the imminent threat of death or
serious injury or to prevent a grave threat to life,
and only when less extreme means are
insufficient. Intentional lethal force should not be
used except when strictly unavoidable.
ACTION FOR PAKISTANI
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Background on Action for Pakistani Supreme
Court Justices
On December 27, 2007, Pakistan's former Prime
Minister, Benazir Bhutto, was assassinated while
leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi. The
presumed gunman and at least 20 others were
killed moments later in an apparent suicide
bombing. She had survived a similar attempt on
her life in October, shortly after returning to the
country after an extended period of exile. At the
time of her death, she was campaigning for a
national election scheduled for January 8, 2008.
Amnesty International condemns in the strongest
possible terms the murder of Benazir Bhutto, and
any other targets of political violence.
Unfortunately, Ms. Bhutto's assassination is but
the most recent incident marking a steady
deterioration in Pakistan's political stability. On
November 3, 2007, a State of Emergency was
declared and much of the Constitution was
suspended. Within hours, the arrests began.
Hundreds of lawyers, human rights activists, and
other perceived opponents of General Pervez
Musharaff's government were detained under
provisions allowing detention without charge or
trial. Courts were expressly prohibited against
issuing any order against the President, Prime
Minister or any person exercising powers under
their authority. Lawyers opposing these measures
were arrested en masse, and a number of Supreme
Court and Provincial High Court justices were
suspended and placed under house arrest for
refusing to take an oath to uphold the new
Provisional Constitution Order. Human rights
activists were also targeted and imprisoned, and
peaceful demonstrations met with violence. All
private local and international news broadcasts
were suspended, and new laws impose heavy
restrictions on all forms of media.
This crisis has occurred amidst longstanding
concerns about human rights in Pakistan,
including patterns of arbitrary detention, torture
in custody, imposition of the death penalty, and
abuses committed during the course of the "War
on Terror." Vulnerable and marginalized groups,
including women and religious minorities, have
faced particular threats. As a major recipient of
US military aid, Amnesty International USA has
also opposed American military assistance that
may contribute to these human rights violations.
While many emergency rule provisions have been
lifted and many of those imprisoned have been
released, others remain under detention and the
legal system has been purged of independent
judges and lawyers. A return to full rule of law is
essential to restoring democracy, human rights,
and stability in Pakistan.
Here's a sample letter to President Bush:
President Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush,
The assassination of Pakistan's former Prime
Minister Benazir Bhutto was devastating and
further evidence that the situation continues to
deteriorate in Pakistan. I urge you to publicly call
on General Pervez Musharraf to immediately
restore the constitution and rule of law, and to
release and reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar
Muhammad Chaudhry and the other justices of
the Supreme Court. This measure is critical to
ensuring the independence of Pakistan's judiciary
and maintaining stability and basic human rights
in the country. Without an independent judiciary,
any investigation into the assassination of Bhutto
may lack credibility.
Although General Musharraf has sought to justify
the suspension of the constitution as a response
to terrorism and extremism, martial law, from the
start, has constituted an attack on the
independence of the judiciary and on civil society.
As you know, President Musharraf has purged
the Supreme Court of independent-minded
judges. The arrests have targeted moderate and
democratic critics of his rule: human rights
activists, lawyers, and members of opposition
political parties. It is critical for the United States
government to condemn these serious human
rights violations, and for senior U.S. officials to
express these concerns clearly and forcefully.
Without a lifting of the emergency and a return to
the rule of law it is not possible for the country to
proceed to free and fair elections which General
Musharraf has indicated he will hold in early
January.
The human rights community is in full support of
effective and appropriate multilateral
counterterrorism measures. However, even tacit
support for this imposition of martial law and the
sacking and imprisoning of justices in Pakistan
can be expected to set back efforts to address
terrorism in that country and throughout the
region.
For these reasons, I urge you to publicly call on
General Musharraf to release and reinstate Chief
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the
other justices in the Supreme Court. It is our duty
to advocate the independence of the judiciary
and the basic human rights of the Pakistani
people- and do everything we can to bring
stability back to the country.
Thank you for your attention on this matter.
Sincerely,
(your name and address)
LETTER COUNT
Urgent Actions 30
Total: 30
To add your letters to the total contact
lwkamp@gmail.com
Amnesty International Group 22
The Caltech Y
Mail Code 5-62
Pasadena, CA 91125
www.its.caltech.edu/~aigp22/
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