Amnesty International USA February 2004

AMNESTY ONLINE

In this issue:

-- Students Organize to Stop Killings in Juarez, Mexico
-- Human Rights in Brief
-- Take Action: Help Pass the SAFE Act
-- More


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STUDENTS ORGANIZE TO STOP KILLINGS IN JUAREZ, MEXICO

This spring, as part of AIUSA's National Week of Student Action, Amnesty International student groups across the country will combat violence against women -- focusing on the hundreds of women who have been murdered or "disappeared" in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

During this year's Week of Action, participants will:

-- Take action on individual cases of murdered or "disappeared" women in which the Mexican government has failed to investigate.

-- Urge US House Members to co-sponsor House Resolution 466, to raise awareness, express concern and seriously address the murders and disappearances of these young women.

-- Increase public awareness about these murders and "disappearances" and make connections with local organizations working to end violence against women.

The focus of this year's Week of Action is a prelude to Amnesty International's upcoming two-year campaign focusing on stopping violence against women worldwide.

Violence against women is a global epidemic and a serious human rights violation. It takes many forms -- from "honor" killings and domestic violence to rape as a tool of war and prison conditions.

Find out how you can get involved.

Register now for this year's Week of Action:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8068

Learn more about Amnesty's upcoming campaign to stop violence against women:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8062

Support Amnesty's Life-saving work
Amnesty International's on-going work on behalf of women's human rights is an integral part of our worldwide effort to defend human rights and uphold human dignity for all. We need your support now more than ever.
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8070

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HUMAN RIGHTS IN BRIEF

An Amnesty International delegation has urged the government of Nepal to take immediate measures to address the developing human rights catastrophe in the country. The delegation was in Nepal for two weeks to investigate reports of extra-judicial executions, arbitrary arrests and "disappearances" by the country's security forces and reports of human rights abuses by the Communist Party of Nepal.

Read more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8041

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Amnesty International is calling on all parties to the conflict in Western Sudan to respect international human rights and humanitarian law at all times. Massive abuses of human rights in the region are documented in a new report entitled: Sudan: Darfur: "Too many people killed for no reason."

Read more:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8042

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Amnesty International supports the soon-to-be-introduced "End Racial Profiling Act of 2004." Racial profiling is not only a violation of domestic and international law, but has also proven to be an ineffective method of law enforcement.

Learn more about Amnesty International's concerns about racial profiling:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8073

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TAKE ACTION

Help Pass The SAFE Act

Amnesty International encourages Congress to pass the Security and Freedom Ensured Act (SAFE Act). The SAFE Act works to strengthen the system of checks and balances on law enforcement and due process safeguards. It will restore basic constitutional and international human rights that have been weakened by the USA PATRIOT Act.

ACT NOW:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8074

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ASK AMNESTY

Have a question about the Patriot Act? Submit your questions now. Over the next few weeks, our experts will post answers to select questions.

Submit your question:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8045


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TAKE ACTION

Ensure The Criminal Justice System In Afghanistan Protects Women's Rights

The freedom and security of Afghan women are still severely compromised. Urge the US government to use its influence to convince the Afghanistan Transitional Authority to publicly condemn all violence against women and to take immediate measures to ensure that cases of violence against women are investigated and perpetrators brought to justice.

ACT NOW:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8076


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POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST LGBT COMMUNITIES

Amnesty International is researching how the police interact with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and communities. Part of this research includes collecting testimony about LGBT encounters with police.

Do you have a story to tell?
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8077


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EVENTS CALENDAR

Visit our events calendar to see what's happening in your local community.

Go to the Calendar:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8048


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ONLINE STORE

Our new, limited edition Imagine T-shirt -- designed in Italy -- features John Lennon's iconic glasses, signature and resonant lyrics "all the people living life in peace."

BUY IT NOW:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8079

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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

The New York Times has a popular discussion topic on its web site entitled, "You know you're a New Yorker When..." This discussion is always lively and generates some great posts. So, what about human rights activists? What makes us unique? Join the discussion.

Go to the forums:
http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ctt.asp?u=444726&l=8080