European Union countries shamed for role in US renditions programme

Amnesty International

press release, 11/28/2006

The preliminary report by the Rapporteur of the European Parliament's Temporary Committee investigating CIA activity in Europe, Claudio Fava, confirms Amnesty International’s conclusions that complicity by European countries has allowed CIA renditions to occur in Europe.

The draft report found national security services in various countries were not being held accountable for their role in renditions. The report also highlights the failure of EU institutions and member states, candidate and associated countries to fully cooperate with the investigation as well as their failure to carry out independent investigations into the role played by their authorities in the US programme of renditions.

"Confronted once again with these facts, European leaders cannot continue to deny them just as the EU cannot maintain that it is not its business," said Amnesty International.

http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGIOR300172006

Israel/Lebanon: Urgent need for UN inquiry

Amnesty International

Israel/Lebanon: Urgent need for UN inquiry

"A full, impartial UN-led inquiry that includes provision for reparations to the victims is urgently needed. Anything less would not only be a gross betrayal of the civilian victims, more than one thousand of whom were killed, but also a recipe for further civilian bloodshed with impunity,"
--Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa programme


Amnesty International has published its latest and concluding report into violations of international humanitarian law committed during this year's Israel-Hizbullah conflict. The report focuses on Israeli attacks in which civilians were killed as well as the impact on civilians of other attacks by Israeli forces. It also examines allegations that Hizbullah used civilians as "human shields".

"More than three months have now gone by since the ceasefire and to Amnesty International's knowledge neither side has even begun investigations into the grave violations committed during last summer's conflict," according to Malcolm Smart.


Based on field research conducted in Lebanon and Israel in July, August and September 2006, the report includes evidence from interviews with victims; meetings with Israeli and Lebanese military and government officials, as well as senior Hizbullah officials; information from non-governmental groups; and official statements and media reports.

Amnesty International is calling on the United Nations to set up an international commission empowered to investigate the evidence of violations of international law by both Hizbullah and Israel, and to make provision for reparations for the victims. The organization is also calling for an arms embargo on both sides, and an immediate moratorium on cluster weapons.

For further information, please see:
Press Release:

Israel/Lebanon: Further evidence of grave violations in Israel-Hizbullah conflict underlines urgent need for UN inquiry (Hebrew / Arabic)Reports:Israel/Lebanon, Out of all proportion – civilians bear the brunt of the war (21 November 2006)Under fire - Hizbullah's attacks on northern Israel (14 September 2006)Deliberate destruction or 'collateral damage'? Israeli attacks against civilian infrastructure (23 August 2006)

http://web.amnesty.org/web/web.nsf/print/CB01E2DEF7E06B9C8025722C0043B50E

Amnesty International Demands Rep. Weller's Father-in-law Get the Justice He Deserves

Amensty International Demands Rep. Weller's Father-in-law Get the Justice He Deserves

by Kankakee Voice
karison@hotmail.com

Wed Nov 22, 2006 at 13:00:57 PM CST


During the worst period of Guatemala's long internal armed conflict, Guatemalan security forces sought to exterminate large parts of the indigenous Mayan population, killing tens of thousands of civilians. A U.N. sponsored truth commission concluded that acts of genocide had been committed, "through methods whose cruelty has outraged the moral conscience of the civilized world."
General Ríos Montt headed the Guatemalan military government from March 1982 to August 1983. During that period, the government carried out a scorched earth campaign which resulted in the most extensive human rights violations of the 36-year internal armed conflict. He remains an influential and powerful politician in Guatemala.

Seeking Justice Across Borders

Survivors and families of victims seeking justice in Guatemalan courts have faced severe delays, obstruction and harassment. They have asked courts in other countries to exercise universal jurisdiction over the crimes committed in Guatemala.

Universal jurisdiction is based on the principle that all countries have an interest in bringing to justice those responsible for human rights atrocities, no matter where the crimes were committed, and regardless of the nationality of the perpetrators or the victims. International law permits and-in some cases-requires every country to investigate and, if there is sufficient evidence, to prosecute in such circumstances. See the AIUSA factsheet on universal jurisdiction (in pdf format).

Why It's Critical that You Act Now

In July 2006, Spain's National Court charged General Ríos Montt and several other former senior officials with genocide, torture, terrorism and illegal detention, and issued warrants for their arrest.

The Guatemalan authorities subsequently took some of the accused into custody in order to ensure that they would not flee the country. General Ríos Montt, however, remains free. Strong international pressure is needed to ensure that all either face trial in Guatemala or are extradited to Spain.

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Learn more!

AIUSA's campaign for international justice and accountability.

AIUSA's International Justice Factsheet Packet (in pdf format)
AI's concerns in Guatemala.

The Center for Justice and Accountability's resource page on the case.
Take further action for justice in Guatemala!

Email this action to five friends. Organize a postcard drive in your community. Contact the Program for International Justice and Accountability to request free copies of the new postcard action! Hold a film screening featuring a film from our video library! Contact us for film recommendations!

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NISGUA also does Human Rights work and Actions in Guatemala.

Tags: General Rios Montt, Zury Rios-Montt de Weller, Guatemala, genodice, torture, drug trafficking, organized crime, government embezzlement, Spanish Warrant, Amensty International, NISGUA, Jerry Weller, (All Tags)

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