Alerts & Actions!
Four years later Iran has become increasingly alienated and its people more polarized than ever before. The campaign of former Prime Minister Mir Hussein Moussavi galvanized voters hoping for change, especially among the youth – two thirds of Iran’s population is younger than 32. On June 12th 85% of eligible voters cast their ballots and what happened next changed Iran forever.
Therefore, our common endeavour for a world free of nuclear weapons and without war is needed more than ever before. For this reason we are kindly asking you to send us your message of support for the coming 6th of August (Hiroshima-Day). All the incoming messages will be collected and can be read at our Website http://www.hiroshima.at. They will be presented in public in the framework of the manifestation in Vienna. Send message of support: pax.vienna@chello.at In favor of Aung San Suu Kyi's release According to the witnesses, very high security measures had been taken near the jail. More than ten police wagons and armed agents were waiting in front of the establishment doors where around forty members of the NLD were gathered." World march for peace and nonviolence
21 September 2009: International Day of (Prayer) for Peace - Focus on Nuclear Disarmament Call to Action to Oppose the Coup in Honduras United for Iran: Global Day of Action, July 25 Join us on July 25, 2009 for a rally in your city in support of the Iranian people and in condemnation of the human rights abuses being committed by the Iranian government. Learn how you can get involved by emailing us at info@united4iran.org.or by visiting www.united4iran.org for the latest information and list of participating cities. Don't say we did not know 171 IRAN: Human Rights Lawyer Shadi Sadr Reportedly Arrested
Prominent lawyer, women's rights activist and journalist Shadi Sadr was arrested by plainclothes policemen on her way to Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's much-anticipated Friday sermon, according to several reformist websites. Human Rights Defender Natalja Estemirova killed Pax Christi Flanders has worked with Natalja on several occasions. On 16 July 2009, Pax Christi Flanders sent a message of solidarity and prayers to her colleagues of Memorial, the Russian human rights organisation she was working with. [Read more]
WAPI is a three-week intensive training program that aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society-based peacebuilding practitioners and institutions in order to promote the development of indigenous responses to conflict. Application form Learn more about WANEP Call for Nominations: the human rights defenders tulip Award from the Dutch Government Established last year by the Dutch government, the Human Rights Defenders Tulip is an expression of appreciation intended to acknowledge persons who have shown exceptional moral courage in protecting and promoting the rights of fellow citizens. Nominations must be received by 23 August 2009 at the latest. Iran: Stop the Crackdown
Regardless of who won the election, the hearts and hopes of the world are with the democratic protesters of Iran as they face a violent crackdown. Top Iranian leaders are divided on using violence -- we urgently need a united international community, led by non aligned and Muslim countries, to speak with one voice against the crackdown. Sign the petition: here! Don't say we did not know #170 In the security budget for the next two years, currently under consideration by the Knesset, is a section which adds NIS 3,336,000 to the Civil Administration budget. This money is to increase funding for construction inspectors “to enforce construction regulations” (in other words: demolitions) in areas near the separation wall. Don't say we did not know #169 This year the quota was reduced even further, and is down to 15 cubic metres per hour. The water pipes have been empty for a long time now. Many inhabitants are forced to purchase water delivered to the villages by water tankers. If purchased from Mekorot, the price of water is NIS 5 per cubic metre.The owner of the water tanker is paid NIS 40 per cubic metre. The settlements in thearea do not suffer any water shortage whatsoever.
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News & Reports!Solidarity Statement on the Global Day of Action for Human Rights in Iran On the occasion of the Global Day of Action for Human Rights in Iran, members of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD IC) express solidarity with the civil society in Iran in their struggle to demand that the leaders of the regime respect women’s rights and uphold their human rights as guaranteed in the Iranian constitution and in international human rights covenants that Iran has signed. As the protests over the disputed outcome of the presidential elections intensify, the Coalition are deeply concerned about the safety and security of the following women human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily arrested and still remain in detention for their courageous acts of advocating for women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms. Greetings from Women Living Under Muslim Laws! You can find out more about the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women here. Global Monitoring Checklist on Women, Peace and Security Towards Global Zero of Nuclear Weapons Now An historic opportunity now exists to fulfil the promise of a nuclear-free world made in the 1968 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This is possible if government leaders speak out clearly now and if they take resolute steps in this direction. Recent statements at the highest international and national levels raise universal hopes that the goal of total elimination is not illusory but it is within reach. President Barack Obama made several statements regarding “America’s commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons.” The upcoming 2010 Review Conference of the NPT is a crucial moment in this disarmament process. Pax Christi International Strongly Condemns Attacks on Civilians in the Philippines Pax Christi International Condemns Military Coup in Honduras and Calls for Dialogue
End Government Harassment of Pakistani Champion of Women's Rights For her activism, she has faced constant harassment, including from government officials, who have strongly discouraged her from proceeding with her case. In the latest incident, on June 11, 2009, a power company raided her human rights organization, falsely accusing it of stealing electricity. The company proceeded to disconnect all of the electricity, also affecting hundreds of families in the surrounding area. According to witnesses to the raid, power company officials claimed that a member of the Pakistani government ordered the raid. [Take Action] Active nonviolence is key in resolving the conflict over Iran's election outcome During the past few days, the world has witnessed massive demonstrations by Iranians in response to the June 12 national election in Iran. Hundreds of thousands of people have poured into the streets of Tehran and other major cities to express their feelings about the election results. While, for the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful, there are reports of shootings and beatings that have resulted in dozens of injuries and deaths. According to official reports, at least 10 people are dead and more than 100 have been injured. Islamic Peacemaking Since 9/11 Muslims in general and Muslim leaders particularly have often been severely criticized for not more energetically condemning the violent acts of Muslim extremists. The uninformed often assume that extremists represent Islam’s mainstream. Even those who recognize that extremists are on the margins of the worldwide Muslim community do not understand the degree of pluralism within Islam. Islam comes in many forms and interpretations. Violent extremists are on one edge of the Muslim community, but they are counterbalanced by a growing movement of Muslim peacemakers. MAKING SOCIETIES MORE RESILIENT TO VIOLENCE Violence exacts a high cost on world development. In about 60 countries, over the last ten years, violence has significantly and directly reduced economic growth. It has hampered poverty reduction efforts and limited progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. About half of these 60 countries currently experience violent conflict or are in post-conflict transition. The other half experience high levels of violent crime, street violence, domestic violence, and other kinds of common violence... No peaceful solution has been established yet in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan army issued at the end of April 2009 a statement, in which it was expressed that the Sri Lankan troops would no longer use heavy weapons or air strikes in fighting against Tamil Tiger rebels in the north-east and that it would focus on trying to rescue civilians. In response to the violent situation in Sri Lanka, a joint letter was submitted to the UN Security Council, United Nations Member States, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and the Executive Office of the Secretary General (EOSG). Without Peace, no Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Economy The Declaration of Tilburg strives for a transition to a sustainable and mutually beneficial economy. Up until now global distribution of resources and the environment have been the main issues. However, steps in the direction of peace and disarmament belong here as well, because of the many connections between the economy and preparations for violence. Including peace could also lead not only to a base in the environmental movement, but also the inclusion of the wider peace movement (among others, People Building Peace, the PBP), giving a broader and stronger base for the whole movement. Pentagon Plans Latin America-Wide Intervention Ability for New Military Base in Colombia Conference: Nonviolent Livelihood Struggle and Global Militarism: links & strategies: International Conference, Ahmedabad, India, January 2010 This participatory conference will bring together campaigners from all over the world to analyze the role of states and multinational corporations in depriving local communities of their sources of livelihood, and learning from the experience of nonviolent resistance at various levels – from the community to the global – and at various phases, from preventing displacement to planning for return. For more information contact the WRI: info@wri-irg.org.
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In 2002, Mukhtar Mai was gang-raped on orders of a traditional village council as punishment for acts allegedly committed by her younger brother. Instead of suffering in silence, Ms. Mai fought back and testified in a rape case against her attackers and is now a leading Pakistani women's rights activist.
