Actions & Alerts!

Persepolis 2.0
Since the Revolution in 1979, Iranians have coped with an increasingly repressive regime. Attempts for greater social and political freedoms have resulted in brutal crackdowns by the hardline government. The ensuing apathy and significant boycott of the 2005 presidential elections led to the election of the ultraconservative mayor of Tehran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
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. [Read more]

Hiroshima day
The Viennese Peace Movement together with the Hiroshima Group Vienna will again organise the annual manifestation in commemoration of the victims of the first atomic bombs ever employed on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, on the 6 August 2009 in Vienna, at St. Stephan's Square. This year will be the 64th anniversary of the atomic raid on the two Japanese Cities.

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 messages of support to pax.vienna@chello.at .

In favor of Aung San Suu Kyi's release
"The Burmese opponent Aung San Suu Kyi’ lawyers have welcomed the calls for her release from the international community, on Friday whereas her trial is entering its last part. Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial took place again on Friday after weeks of procrastination, entering its last part, but the date of the decision is still unknown.
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."
[version française]

World march for peace and nonviolence
by Holger Klee

The German FOR is supporting the Worldwide March for Peace and Nonviolence.
One of the German FOR board members, Dieter Hemminger, is coordinating some publicity work and will be the one joining some part of the route of the march. [Take ation] 21 September 2009: International Day of (Prayer) for Peace - Focus on Nuclear Disarmament
by Claudette Werleigh

Each year Pax Christi International Member Organisations joins thousands of other organisations worldwide to mark the UN International Day of Peace, 21 September, also as an International Day of (Prayer) for Peace. This initiative, launched by the World Council of Churches as part of its Decade to Overcome Violence (2001-2010), calls on churches and communities all over the world to arrange services or vigils on 21 September. The WCC provided “Services for International Prayer for Peace Day” to be used on Sunday 20 September 2009. Additional details are available at:
http://www.overcomingviolence.org
http://www.worldpeace.org/peaceday.html .

Call to Action to Oppose the Coup in Honduras
We are making this call to action to our feminist allies and all women from Latin America, the Caribbean, the USA and other countries around the world, to oppose the coup d'état that took place in Honduras last June 28th.
While our street action, strikes and boycotts in Honduras continue to sustain our opposition to the coup, we are asking for your solidarity and support to mobilize the pressure needed from multilateral institutions and from governments, especially the US government who we ask to stand firm against the coup and on the side of the rule of law.
[Take action]

United for Iran: Global Day of Action, July 25
On July 25, stand in solidarity with the Iranian people. Join this unprecedented wave of global citizen activism for the people of Iran.
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.
Human rights activists are organizing a coordinated Global Day of Action on July 25, 2009 to demand respect for the human rights of the Iranian people and to demonstrate worldwide solidarity with the civil rights movement in Iran.

Don't say we did not know 171
Roughly three weeks ago, settlers from the Maon settlement in the South Hebron Hills began to pave a road, west of the road which passes next to the settlement, on private land belonging to the Palestinian Da’ayaf family. After a short time, members of the family went to their land, escorted by Israeli and international human rights activists. The IDF prevented their access, by declaring the area a closed military zone.
Last Saturday, 18th July 2009, members of the family again went there, again escorted by human rights activists, and again the army declared the area a closed military zone. On that occasion, family representatives were ordered to go to the Civil Administration (IDF) local offices, to prove their ownership claim to the land.
The invading settlers who have taken over the land are not being asked to prove their ownership of the land...

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.
The activist group blog Mothers of Laleh reported that Sadr was walking with several other female activists when she was approached by individuals in civilian dress who refused to show a warrant before forcing her into a waiting car.
Conflicting reports say she called her husband to ask for a computer password or a cellphone personal identification number, but her whereabouts are still unknown.

Human Rights Defender Natalja Estemirova killed
On 15th of July 2009 Natalja Estemirova, one of the strongest defenders of human rights in the war-torn republic of Chechnya, was abducted not far from her house. Her body was found later the same day just over the border in Ingushetia.
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]

Start of admissions to theWest Africa Peacebuilding Institute (WAPI) for 2009
by WANEP

This year’s Institute will be held from August 31 – September 18, 2009 at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana.
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.
The deadline for application is 30th July, 2009.
(Version Française)

Application form
Fiche d'inscription

Learn more about WANEP

Call for Nominations: the human rights defenders tulip Award from the Dutch Government
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 Human Rights Defenders Tulip award. Anyone can nominate a candidate for the human rights defenders award at www.humanrightstulip.org. The award, an initiative of the Dutch Government, will be presented by the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs on 9 November 2009.

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.

Petition
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: http://www.avaaz.org/en/iran_stop_the_crackdown/

Don't say we did not know #170
The International Court of Justice in The Hague declared, in an advisory ruling of July 2004, that construction of the separation wall in the occupied territories is against international law.
The use of the wall as a means to steal land from the Palestinians is well known, but less known is its use as a pretext for home demolitions.
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
Several Palestinian villages situated north of Ramalla used to get their water from a spring called 'Ain Zarqa. These villages are: Qarawat Bani Zayed (pop. 4000), Kufr 'Ain (pop. 3000), Dir Ghasane (pop. 3000) and Beit Rima (pop. 5000). In 1998, Mekorot – the Israeli national water company - took control of the spring. The villagers were promised they would get 60 cubic metres per hour, but they get less. 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.

Articles & Reports

Solidarity Statement on the Global Day of Action for Human Rights in Iran
25 July 2009

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!
We would like to warmly congratulate Ms. Rashida Manjoo as the new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences. Ms. Manjoo is a WLUML Council member, as well as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a former commissioner of the Commission on Gender Equality (CGE), a constitutional body mandated to oversee the promotion and protection of gender equality. She has been an active member of the Women’s Caucus for Gender Justice in the International Criminal Court, and is also an educator and trainer in the fields of law and women’s human rights.

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

In June 2009 the Gender Action for Peace and Security UK (GAPS) launched The Global Monitoring Checklist which monitors implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325 in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Northern Ireland, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The research lays out up-to-date information on women, peace and security issues in the five countries and identifies achievements, good practices, challenges and obstacles to the implementation of SCR 1325. It provides practical information and recommendations, which can be used to support national governments, the international community and civil society actors in their work around on peace and security.

Read the Global Monitoring Checklist

Towards Global Zero of Nuclear Weapons Now
by Claudette Werleigh

Pax Christi International has issued a new position statement on nuclear disarmament entitled ”Towards Global Zero of Nuclear Weapons Now. An Appeal to the USA: Make Use of the Momentum! Yes, you can!”
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
On 10 July 2009, Pax Christi International expressed its deep concern about the multiple bombings that have recently occurred in the Philippines. These violent attacks have largely been targeted against civilians. Since 4 July 2009, five bombings have exploded in public places throughout the southern Philippines. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Pax Christi International extended its thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims, to those who have been wounded, and to all the citizens of the Philippines.

Pax Christi International Condemns Military Coup in Honduras and Calls for Dialogue

On 8 July 2009, Pax Christi International issued a press release condemning the military actions that ousted President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales from Honduras on 28 June 2009 and extended its thoughts and prayers to people of Honduras. Pax Christi is concerned about the violence that has occurred and urged movement toward a peaceful solution.

End Government Harassment of Pakistani Champion of Women's Rights

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.
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
FOR calls for nonviolent solution to Iran crisis

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
by David Smock and Qamar-ul Huda

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
A conceptual framework for the conflict, crime and violence agenda

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
By José de Vries

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
by Han Deggeler, Anke Kooke and Greetje Witte-Rang

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

OAKLAND, CA: The United States is planning to establish anewmilitary facility in Colombia that will give the U.S. increased capacity for military intervention throughout most of Latin America. Given the tense relations of Washington with Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador, as well as the Colombian military’s atrocious human rights record, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) believes the plan should be subjected to vigorous debate.

“This base would feed a failed drug policy, support an abusive army, and reinforce a tragic history of U.S. military intervention in the region,” said John Lindsay-Poland, Latin America Program Co-director for FOR. “It’s wrong and wasteful, and Congress should scrap it.”

Conference: Nonviolent Liveli­hood Struggle and Global Militarism: links & strategies: International Confe­rence, Ahmedabad, India, January 2010

War Resisters' International is cooperating with Indian partner organizations for an international conference investigating the links between local nonviolent livelihood struggles and global militarism, including war profiteering. 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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