Exposed -- U.S. doing business with Syrian arms supplier 8MAR12 & Syria Crisis: Idlib Assaulted By Regime Troops 10MAR12 & Senate Hearing Probes U.S. Arms Purchases from Rosoboronexport 7MAR12

IT is unbelievable the American government is dealing with a major Russian arms supplier to the Syrian government while assad is slaughtering thousands of Syrians for demanding freedom, democracy and human rights. This must stop now! I am ashamed the American government is dealing with rosoboronexport while the Syrian people die every day struggling for their freedom. Please sign the petition to Sec of Defense Panetta demanding ALL contracts with rosoboronexport be ended now. And check out the article from Human Rights First in the U.S. governments dealings with rosoboronexport....

Yesterday, three U.S. Senators strongly questioned Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta about U.S. contracts with the Russian arms dealer Rosoboronexport — the same company selling billions in arms to Syria. Panetta didn't have an answer. Keep the pressure on and tell Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to cease all contracts with Rosoboronexport now. Together we will make a difference. —Tom
		Stop U.S. Support for Syrian Weapons The death toll in Syria is now frequently exceeding 100 civilians a day. Men, women and children are being targeted by the Syrian government — and the United States is doing business with the same company supplying weapons to this brutal regime. The U.S government has signed a contract for nearly $1 billion in business with Rosoboronexport — the Russian arms dealer that supplies the Syrian government with weapons capable of targeting homes and streets and murdering thousands of innocent Syrian civilians. Tell Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to cease all contracts with Rosoboronexport now. The situation in Syria is intensifying. The Syrian regime is slaughtering innocent civilians every day. And 25,000 Syrian citizens have registered as refugees, almost 200,000 people are now displaced within Syria, and the humanitarian situation is rapidly deteriorating. While the United States calls on the world to sanction Syria's government, our own Department of Defense is signing contracts with a company that has provided $4 billion dollars' worth of weapons to the Syrian regime. This is unconscionable. Condemning Syria's regime is not enough. We must also condemn those who are engaging in business with the regime — and especially those that provide the means to enable the continued slaughter. But the United States is entering into contracts with the same company that is responsible for supplying weapons to the Syrian government and providing their military with the means to perpetrate widespread and systematic attacks on civilians. Demand that Secretary Panetta stop doing business with Rosoboronexport — the company responsible for supplying weapons to Syria's murderous government. Thank you for your support. Together we will make a difference in the lives of people facing mass atrocities in Syria. Sincerely, Tom Andrews President United to End Genocide
		ABOUT UNITED TO END GENOCIDE We are United to End Genocide, the largest activist organization in America dedicated to preventing and ending genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. We are faith leaders, students, artists, investors and genocide survivors, and all those who believe we must fulfill the promise the world made following the Holocaust — "Never Again!" Syria Crisis: Idlib Assaulted By Regime Troops  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/10/syria-crisis-idlib_n_1336541.html?ref=topbar By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press BEIRUT -- Syrian troops pushed ahead with a new assault on the northern region of Idlib on Saturday, shelling one of the centers of the uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule and sending families fleeing for safety as armed rebels tried to fend off the attack. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky. The military operation has raised fears that the regime is planning a new all-out offensive in Idlib like the bloody siege last month that captured a restive part of the city of Homs, further south. While the fighting raged, U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Assad in Damascus during a high-profile international mission trying to bring a halt to fighting and arrange talks between the two sides to end the country's yearlong conflict. But the mission was already hitting dead ends. Assad told Annan that any political dialogue was doomed to fail "as long as there are armed terrorist groups that work to spread anarchy and destabilize the country," according to the state news agency SANA. The regime blames terrorists acting out a foreign conspiracy for the uprising, not protesters seeking change. The opposition as well has rejected dialogue, saying it is impossible to talk to Assad's regime after a crackdown that the U.N. estimates has killed more than 7,500 people. Activists put the toll even higher, at more than 8,000. In the town of Idlib, a number of families fled, clutching their belongings, according to an Associated Press team in the town, the main center of the northern region. A group of women and children huddled with blankets in a room of one building. Troops that are moving in place to encircle the town battered it with dozens of tanks shells from dawn until noon, the AP team said. Armed opposition fighters dashed through the streets, taking cover behind the corners of buildings in clashes with the troops. Wounded fighters were pulled into trucks to be sped to clinics for treatment. A group of men used shovels to destroy speed bumps along one street to allow ambulances and other rescue vehicles to drive faster. Military reinforcements have been pouring into Idlib this week, including dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers, activists said, reporting that dozens have been killed in the area in recent days. Their casualty reports could not be independently confirmed. The moves suggested the regime was now turning its focus on Idlib after recapturing the rebel-held district of Baba Amr in the central city of Homs, in a monthlong assault that reportedly killed hundreds and devastated the district. The Homs bloodshed further fueled calls among Arab countries and the West for action to stop the crisis, which many fear is moving closer to civil war as the opposition turns more to armed resistance. The U.N. estimates that more than 7,500 people have been killed since Syria launched its crackdown on the uprising, which began a year ago as peaceful protests against Assad. Activists put the toll at more than 8,000. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sought to defend his country's stance on the crisis before Arab leaders, angered by Moscow's blocking of international pressure on Syria's president to step down. Last month, just as the Homs offensive was heating up, Russia and China vetoed a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that would have supported an Arab League peace plan calling on Assad to hand over his powers. That brought accusations that Russia, a longtime Assad ally, was giving Assad diplomatic cover to intensify his crackdown. "We are not protecting any regimes," Lavrov insisted at a heated session of the Arab League in Cairo on Saturday. "We are protecting international law ... We are not looking for a special prize or geopolitical interest here." He said Russia was trying to prevent "interference in domestic affairs of states, not to mention military interference" - something he hinted other Arab countries should be concerned about, given the upheaval of the Arab Spring the past year. "We certainly believe that all outside actors must be extremely careful in addressing problems which your countries are facing," he said. He said Russia was trying to "promote a peaceful resolution" to Syria's crisis and that the immediate mission now is to halt violence and enable humanitarian assistance to reach those in need in Syria. "If we agree to this, then we shall not really engage in discussing who is to blame" for the bloodshed, he said. "This could be done later by authority or international structure empowered to do this." Speaking after him, Qatar's prime minister sharply criticized Lavrov's remarks. "There is systematic genocide by the Syrian government," Sheik Hamad bin Jassem Al Thani said, adding that Arabs are not looking for a cease-fire anymore after "genocide" and "systematic killings" of Syrians. Annan's visit to Damascus marks a new international push for peace nearly a year after protesters took to the streets to demand Assad's ouster, inspired by Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. Since then, the regime has dispatched snipers, tanks and civilian gunmen to crush dissent. As the death toll mounted, protests have spread, and some have taken up arms to defend themselves and attack government forces. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told reporters Friday that Annan's priority is to immediately halt all fighting by government forces and opposition fighters - if not simultaneously, then first by government troops, followed by the opposition. Ban said a cease-fire should be quickly followed by inclusive political talks to resolve the yearlong conflict. But there is a widening gap between opposition leaders who say only military aid can stop Assad's regime, and Western powers who fear more weapons will exacerbate the conflict. So far, Western powers have declined to intervene. Unlike Libya, where a U.N.-sanctioned bombing campaign helped rebels topple Moammar Gadhafi last year, Syria has key allies in Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and shares a border with the region's closest American ally, Israel. Outright war in Syria could spark a regional conflagration. Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, was appointed last month as the joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League. ___ AP photographer Rodrigo Abd contributed from Idlib. AP correspondents Albert Aji in Damascus and Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report. WARNING: Some of the images below contain graphic content. 1  of  8 PLAY FULLSCREEN ZOOM SHARE THIS SLIDE  Free Syrian Army fighters take cover during fierce fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke in Cairo at a heated meeting of the Arab League as U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. Amid the diplomatic efforts, Syrian troops were pushing ahead with a new assault on the northern region of Idlib, one of the centers of the uprising against Assad's rule.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd) Senate Hearing Probes U.S. Arms Purchases from Rosoboronexport http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/2012/03/07/senate-hearing-probes-u-s-arms-purchases-from-rosoboronexport/  For Immediate Release: March 7, 2012 Washington, DC – Human Rights First today praised Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) for recognizing that U.S. arms purchases from a Russian company enabling atrocities in Syria “makes no sense.” Cornyn raised the U.S. Defense Department’s purchase of arms from Rosoboronexport – a Syrian arms provider – during today’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Syria featuring Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey. “Senator Cornyn hit the nail on the head today,” said Human Rights First’s Sadia Hameed. “It makes absolutely no sense for the U.S. to continue doing business with companies that are so clearly enabling atrocities. It’s hard for the U.S. to have credibility in pushing for a cease fire in Syria when it’s buying arms from the same company supplying those carrying out the ongoing atrocities there.” Russia remains the top supplier of weapons to Syria and recent reports from human rights monitoring organizations confirm that Russian weapons have been found at the site of atrocities in Homs.  According to Thomson Reuters, at least four cargo ships have left a Russian port used by Rosoboronexport for the Syrian port of Tartus since December 2011, and another Russian ship carrying ammunition and sniper rifles, a weapon Syrian forces have used on protestors, docked in Cyprus in January before delivering its cargo to Syria.  In January, Rosoboronexport signed a deal with the Syrian government to sell 36 combat jets capable of hitting ground targets, and the company’s chief spokesperson Vyacheslav N. Davidenk recently declared his intention to continue supplying arms to Syria. Rosoboronexport benefits from a nearly $1 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Defense—signed on May 26, 2011, months after the crackdown began. The U.S. signed a no-bid, fixed price foreign sales contract worth $375 million to purchase the Mi series of rotorcrafts and spare parts with an estimated completion date of March 26, 2016. The contract reportedly comes with an option for $550 million in additional purchases, raising the total to nearly $1 billion.  Public contract records show ongoing business between the U.S. Army and Rosoboronexport, with a transaction as recent as November 3, 2011. The United States can withdraw from this contract at any point. When questioned about the contract, Secretary Panetta confirmed the purchase of the Mi-series helicopters for the Afghan Army, but stated that he was not sure if the company it sourced from was Rosoboronexport.  In a follow-up question, Dempsey speculated that the sale may have been the result of a competitive bid, which all public reports indicate  it was not. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)  and Carl Levin (D-MI) echoed concerns about continued trade with Rosoboronexport.  Human Rights First encourages the Defense Department to immediately provide the Committee with more details and answer  why this contract would continue given the ongoing atrocities in Syria and Russia’s enabling role. “The American people deserve answers about why the U.S. is doing business with those who are so closely aligned with the atrocities in Syria. It’s time for the U.S. to reevaluate this deal,” Hameed concluded. For more information or to speak with Hameed, please contact Brenda Bowser Soder at bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org or 202-370-3323

Tell the Bahraini King: Kansas City Wants Its Freedom Medal Back! 1SEP11

THE world hasn't forgotten the nonviolent struggle for freedom, democracy and human right by the people of Bahrain, or the brutality of the Bahraini government, along with troops from Saudi Arabia, in violently repressing them. Please join HRF in asking the mayor of Kansas City to revoke the Medal of Freedom that was given to king hamad bin isa al khalifa and ask him to denounce the king and his government for their continuing violence and repression against their own people.

Send the Medal Back! Nearly four decades ago, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was awarded the Freedom Medal of Kansas City, Missouri from the Mayor and its residents. The Bahrain Government's PR machine is using this and other awards he has received from various parts of the world as "evidence" of the King's international credentials and appeal. Ask Kansas City Mayor Sylvester James to make clear that Kansas City does not stand with the Bahraini King's appalling human rights record by taking back his Freedom Medal! King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has overseen a series of brutal measures since March against the pro-democracy advocates in Bahrain – hundreds have been detained, at least four people have died in custody, and there have been widespread reports of torture. In addition, dozens of doctors and nurses have been harshly punished—including by detention and torture—for treating injured protesters. Bahraini embassies have been claiming that the King is an internationally respected figure by using awards and medals from places like Kansas City. Does Kansas City really want to be associated with the violent crackdown on democracy advocates over the last few months in Bahrain? Urge Kansas City Mayor Sylvester James to denounce the Bahraini King's human rights abuses by taking back his Freedom Medal of Kansas City. It's time for Kansas City to unfriend the King of Bahrain. Add your voice! Sincerely, Brian Dooley Director, Human Rights Defenders Human Rights First, 333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004 www.humanrightsfirst.org Join us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter

NETIZENS, FIGHTING AGAINST REPRESSION AROUND THE WORLD from HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST

(http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/busines

­s/internet/index.aspx) Meet our featured netizens: journalists, activists and bloggers from around the world who use the Internet and communications technology as organizing tools. Listen as they discuss their experiences with Internet freedom and the challenges they face in repressive societies.

Standing up for Human Rights-in Uganda, Hungary, Egypt, and the U.S., HRF RIGHTS WIRE 29OKT10

UPDATES  and actions to participate in on terrorism trials, asylum seekers, defamation of religion (see previous post on this blog or click the link below), elections in Egypt, LGBT rights in Uganda, Hungary and more....

HRF'S E-NEWSLETTER October 29, 2010 EMAIL TO A FRIEND» DONATE» From the President and CEO» VIDEO: Gitmo Trial Hits NYC; Manhattan Yawns» Egypt's Diminished Democracy» Deadline on Fear? Asylum Filing Requirement Hurts Refugees» Violent Homophobia and the LGBT struggle» A Tale of Three Trials» In Memoriam: Lou Henkin» HRF in the News» Upcoming Event» "I have hope that the powerful urge to be free and live with dignity can exist despite hatred and discrimination, despite fear and despair. And that those who experience this urge can join their voices together – and drown out those who hate." Julius Kaggwa, Human Rights Award recipient From the President and CEO Last week, we gathered at our annual Human Rights Award dinner with more than 800 of our friends and supporters to celebrate our victories and rededicate ourselves to the challenges ahead. We were privileged to honor two courageous human rights activists fighting discrimination against vulnerable minorities: Julius Kaggwa of Uganda and Viktória Mohácsi of Hungary. Julius promotes the rights of sexual minorities in Africa, and Viktória, a former EU parliamentarian, advocates for the rights of the Roma people across Europe. In a poignant and moving reminder of where fear and hatred of "the other" can lead, our special guest, Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein, presented the awards to Julius and Viktória with these words: "The honorees and I share something more than this prestigious award – something, quite sadly, that we did not seek, something we were simply born into. We – a Jew, a Roma and the member of a sexual minority -- are all members of a tragic society: survivors of communities persecuted during the barbarous acts of the Holocaust..The yellow star, the brown triangle, the upside-down pink triangle – they sound like shapes children would draw. Each of our people were marked with these symbols – and branded as unworthy. Many in our communities still feel the ghostly imprint of these marks today – because we still face discrimination all around the globe." Julius, Viktória, and Gerda inspire us with their courage and dedication to the principle of equality. Together, we are working to ensure that all people can live in dignity, free from discrimination. Thanks to all who were able to be with us in person – as well as those who were with us in spirit! Read more about the event and our honorees. Watch videos about their lives and work. Sincerely, Elisa Massimino President and CEO Human Rights First VIDEO: Gitmo Trial Hits NYC; Manhattan Yawns In September, the first Guantanamo trial began in New York City. We went to the scene to document the “mayhem” predicted by fearmongers: except, there wasn’t any… Our video was picked up by several news outlets, including Talking Points Memo (twice!), Salon, The Hartford Courant, and it was a “winner” on Charles Kaiser’s blog. More than 5,000 people have watched it on YouTube—watch it and send it to your friends! Egypt's Diminished Democracy The upcoming parliamentary elections in Egypt next month and expected presidential elections next year, could be a turning point for democracy and human rights—and a crucial test of the Obama administration’s commitment to advancing them.  But the early signals are not good, and many expect rigged elections, violence and repressive tactics. Human Rights First will head to Egypt next month to work with human rights and democracy activists to find innovative ways to monitor and report on elections. Together, we’re leveraging online organizing and reporting tools—but Egypt continues to crack down on these and other methods. International election monitors are needed to make sure the vote is fair. Egypt is one of the U.S. government’s closest allies and a top recipient of U.S. aid—and yet the United States hasn’t done enough to pressure Egypt to end repressive tactics. This is no time for subtlety; the United States must “call things by their proper names,” HRF’s Neil Hicks argued recently in the Washington Post. Help us pressure the Egyptian government to accept international election monitors and stop repressing opposition voices. Write President Obama today. Deadline on Fear? Asylum Filing Requirement Hurts Refugees An arbitrary deadline on applications for asylum in U.S. law has barred thousands of refugees from receiving protection in the United States. A missed deadline can send them back to persecution. A new Human Rights First report examines real cases that exemplify the harmful effect of this deadline, and shows how it has increased costs and delays in the asylum system. Read the New York Times article covering the report. Help end this and other harmful refugee policies—ask your Senators to cosponsor the Refugee Protection Act. Violent Homophobia and the LGBT struggle The disturbing attack against three gay men in the Bronx, violent protests against the pride parade in Belgrade and other recent hate crimes against those in the LGBT community underline the importance of creating a climate of tolerance—in the United States and abroad. We’ve been working with activists and governments across the world to adopt laws against such heinous acts of hate—and to ensure that they are enforced. One of our Human Rights Award Winners this year, Ugandan LGBTI activist Julius Kaggwa, is leading the fight against the draconian anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda that would punish homosexuality, in certain cases, with death. At the same time we were honoring Julius and his work, a newspaper in Uganda published the “top 100” homosexuals in the country, including names and addresses, under the headline titled “Hang Them.” This is not just about a piece of legislation—in many places, being homosexual itself is a death penalty, says Kaggwa. Watch Kaggwa discuss the problem in this video clip. A Tale of Three Trials Three trials this month leave little doubt about where we should try terrorist suspects: In a Manhattan federal court, Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square bomber, got a sentence of life in prison without parole. His trial ended less than six months after he was arrested and taken into the U.S. criminal justice system. Also in a Manhattan federal court, a judge barred the torture-tainted testimony of a prosecution witness in the trial of Ahmed Ghailani, accused of bombing two East African embassies in 1998. The rule of law prevailed. Meanwhile at Guantanamo, the U.S. is preparing a plea bargain for Omar Khadr. Khadr was fifteen when he was captured, there is credible evidence he was tortured, and the U.S. has held him for eight years while it tried to fix the secretive, capricious, and rights-denying military commissions. Though the choice seems obvious, it’s far from clear the country will make the right choice. That’s why Human Rights First is monitoring trials, sharing facts with congressional candidates, and mobilizing retired military leaders to get the facts out to the public and policy makers. Last week we issued a powerful TV ad with these leaders urging the government to use civilian courts to try terrorism suspects, shown throughout Pennsylvania, where this issue has become a partisan one in the Senate campaign. We’re urging candidates in the upcoming elections to ignore the fearmongering and trust our courts—sign our petition today! In Memoriam: Lou Henkin Human Rights First mourns the loss of one of our founding fathers, Lou Henkin. Professor Henkin served on our board for more than three decades.  He was our North Star, and a beloved role model for the countless human rights advocates he mentored. “Literally and figuratively, he wrote the book on human rights,” said HRF President and CEO Elisa Massimino. Read the obituary in the New York Times.  HRF in the News In an op-ed published in Politico, Daphne Eviatar discusses the shaky legal framework of military commissions—you just don’t learn this in law school. Daphne is in Guantanamo for the Khadr sentencing. The Washington Post On Faith blog featured an opinion piece by Tad Stahnke on “How American ideals won in Quran Burning Controversy.” He draws lessons from this controversy to explain why we should not adopt “defamation of religions” resolution at the UN.  Upcoming Event Human Rights First is cosponsoring, with Rabbis for Human Rights, Human Rights Under Fire: A Jewish Call to Action, an event that brings together an impressive list of speakers and will feature conversations on subjects ranging from indefinite detention to Netanyahu, exceptionalism and Jewish values. Register here. Click here to unsubscribe Human Rights First, 333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004 www.humanrightsfirst.org Join us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter

How American ideals won in Qur'an burning controversy 1OKT10

FREEDOM won this battle because we have the freedom to speak out. We showed the world we stand for the freedom of religion AND free speech, that the two can exist and be practiced without violence. The nations who are promoting this restrictive resolution at the U.N. need to do some serious introspection and consider the lack of basic human rights in their own nations, and accept the International Declaration of Human Rights as passed by the U.N. 


Recently, anti-Muslim incidents in the United States sparked deadly protests in Afghanistan, marches in India and Indonesia, and the burning of Israeli and American flags in Iran and Pakistan. General Petraeus spoke out to remind Americans that actions here in the United States directly impact our ability to achieve our objectives overseas. His message was clear: the world is watching what we do. Fortunately, with the spotlight upon us, we have some positive lessons to share with the rest of the world about what an effective response to bigotry and hate speech looks like. And these lessons are particularly relevant as the UN General Assembly takes up again efforts to establish a global code against blasphemy.

 
  (Pakistani Muslims burn a US flag during a protest in Lahore on September 19, 2010, against earlier threats by US pastor Terry Jones to burn copies of the Muslim holy book, the Koran.)

For over a decade, Pakistan, Egypt and some other predominantly Muslim countries have successfully promoted resolutions at the United Nations which argue that it is necessary to criminalize anti-religious hate speech (or "defamation") in order to protect freedom of religion. It would be tempting to view recent anti-Muslim incidents as evidence of why such legislation is needed.
In reality, criminalizing speech damages rather than advances efforts to combat religious intolerance. Such laws are all too often abused to stifle debate and dissent and can have devastating consequences for those holding religious views that differ from the majority religion. Journalists, bloggers, teachers, students, poets, religious converts and other individuals have been targeted, charged and sentenced to prison or received other punishments simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression.

The response to the aborted Koran burning event demonstrates how non-legal measures can effectively and successfully confront and counteract hatred and intolerance.

For starters, America's leaders got this one right. They affirmed their commitment to tolerance and diversity and ultimately drowned out the hateful rhetoric of an isolated extremist. Political, religious, and other leaders, including President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, General David Petraeus, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, and many others presented a clear message and a unified front against the Koran burning.
These high profile messages were joined by the voices of ordinary citizens and local political and religious leaders who successfully worked together to affirm religious solidarity. For example, in Gainesville, Florida more than 20 religious organizations united in hosting a series of interfaith events incorporating Muslim, Jewish, and Christian scriptures into worship services focused on peace and understanding. Members of the Gainesville community were also encouraged to attend a candlelight vigil and Iftar celebrations.

Their efforts ultimately led the Mayor of Gainesville to declare September 11th, the day of the planned Koran burning, as "Interfaith Solidarity Day" in the community. He also issued a statement condemning the "offensive behavior that has been directed at Muslim neighbors and those of the Islamic faith worldwide." Ultimately, they won. The planned "Burn a Koran Day" was cancelled.
Inspired by the success of efforts targeting the proposed Koran burning in Florida, communities and groups throughout the United States confronting similar anti-Muslim incidents have also united in opposition to intolerance.
Restricting speech is not the answer to fighting bigotry and hatred. What we need more of is condemnation of acts of hatred, as well as effective policies of inclusion, equality and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Instead of creating internationally binding obligations that aim to criminalize the "defamation of religions," politicians should confront hate speech and efforts to defame religions with the mightiest weapon in their arsenal--their voices.

Tad Stahnke is the Director of Policy and Programs at Human Rights First.

Gitmo Trial Hits NYC; Manhattan Yawns (WATCH THE VIDEO) from HRF 1OKT10

BY THE BY, the terrorism trial of Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Ghailani has been going on in Federal Court in NYC WITHOUT ANY TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE CITY, AND WITHOUT THE CITY BEING PARALYZED BY MASSIVE SECURITY BY THE GOVERNMENT OR FEAR AMONG CITY RESIDENTS, WORKERS AND TOURIST. This from Human Rights First.......

New Keep America Afraid video documents the "mayhem" caused by NYC terrorism trial. Watch the video and spread to your friends! Did you know that a Guantánamo detainee is currently on trial in New York City? Yep. Most people don't. And those who do, don't care. Human Rights First went to the scene of the federal court house in downtown Manhattan today to check in on New Yorkers' reactions to the first Guantánamo trial in New York. No big deal. We ate our bagels, drank our coffee, and hurried on to work. Watch our video reporting from the scene. Ahmed Ghailani, a former Guantánamo detainee, is charged with plotting with Al Qaeda in the 1998 bombings of two American embassies in East Africa that killed 224 people. Not a nice guy. Former Mayor Giuliani says these trials will make New York unsafe, even though as Mayor he supported the federal court trial of the blind sheik who bombed the World Trade Center. Karl Rove said, "we will see that this was an utter unmitigated disaster for the security of the United States." Yet, our federal courts have convicted 400 terrorists since 9/11, while Guantánamo has convicted only 4. Politics based on fear rather then national security do not serve the public. Here was the scene around the federal court house for the Ghailani trial: The streets were not blocked off. There were no legions of helicopters. Those who live and work near the court did not stay away. The police didn't need an extra dime for added security. New York courts and police have done the drill many times. It is just no big deal. Help us spread the word about this trial, and the nonevent it turned out to be. Watch our video and forward it to your networks! Sincerely, C. Dixon Osburn Director, Law and Security Program

Human Rights First, 333 Seventh Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5004 www.humanrightsfirst.org Join us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter

OPPOSE KORAN BURNING AND GET YOUR 'AMERICANS DON'T BURN BOOKS' BOOKMARK from HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST 9SEP10

Get your free bookmark opposing "Burn a Koran Day"—and spread the word!. Show that you don't support bigotry and hate!

President Obama. General Petraeus. The Pope.
World leaders are speaking out against the "Burn a Koran" event scheduled for September 11th. It's hateful and dangerous.
Despite the outcry, Terry Jones and the Dove World Outreach Center are moving forward with their event. In fact, they posted five MORE reasons to burn a Koran on their blog just yesterday.
Human Rights First pushed back: We decided to build our own list—using responses from over 5,000 supporters like you!—of "10 Reasons NOT to burn a Koran." We posted the final list yesterday on our blog, Huffington Post, FireDogLake, and other media outlets. Thanks to those of you who contributed!
Here's the Top 10 list:
Ten Reasons NOT to Burn a Koran

1. Book burning! Do I really need to say why?
2. By not burning a Koran I'm not burning a bridge to communication.
3. Burning the Koran because of extremist Taliban and Al-Qaeda terrorists makes no more sense than burning the Bible because of the Ku Klux Klan or Nazis.
4. Hatred breeds more hatred and that is not going to solve any of our problems.
5. That type of hate-filled religious intolerance has no place anywhere in the world, and is especially abhorrent in a country where religious freedom is one of the pillars of its foundation.
6. It's a sacred book to millions of people. We should respect all people's beliefs.
7. It will only inflame. I'd like people to understand each other.
8. I may not believe in the words of the Koran but I would never burn one out of respect for my fellow humans who do.
9. Support our troops!
10. We must learn to coexist. We cannot continue to live in fear and suspicion.

Show the fearmongers and the world that Americans don't stand for bigotry by ordering your free "Americans Don't Burn Books" bookmark right now. (You pay shipping and handling.)

Sincerely,
Sharon Kelly McBride
Communications Director

P.S. Want to support our work? Click here to make a donation. Every gift is tax deductible and supports our programs to stand up for religious tolerance and basic human dignity.

WILL GEORGE W BUSH SPEAK OUT? from HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST 3SEP10

WILL George W Bush speak out, does he have the moral backbone and courage to take a stand against the hate, prejudice, bigotry and fear being spread by tea-baggers and right-wing fanatics, flames of intolerance being fanned by the likes of glenn beck, sarah palin and fox "news"? Click the header to join the call for former Pres G.W. Bush to stand up for religious freedom like he did after 9/11.

Dear Craig, Leading up to September 11th, messages of hate are intensifying. Our leaders must not remain silent. 9/11 is a week away. Instead of remembering our loss with an affirmation of our nation's unity and confidence, some politicians are eager to exploit the tragedy of 9/11 to score political points. The fearmongers rallying against the "Ground Zero Mosque" are missing the point: messages of hatred get us nowhere. In fact, they hurt us. George W. Bush understood this. When he was president, he said: "America rejects bigotry. We reject every act of hatred against people of Arab background or Muslim faith,"1 and repeated this message during the 8 years of his presidency. More recently, leaders like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Rev. Larry Reimer from Gainsville have spoken out against bigotry. Send this letter asking former Pres. Bush to speak out again http://actions.humanrightsfirst.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2402 This is no longer only about an Islamic center in Manhattan—there are anti-mosque rallies taking place around the country, and even reports of arson and gun shots at a mosque in Tennessee. The Internet is filled with hatred, and a church in Florida is planning a Koran burning on September 11th. Right now, every American is faced with a choice: support the wave of religious intolerance, sit on the sidelines and say nothing, or stand up for the fundamental principles that have made this country great—religious freedom, pluralism, and tolerance. We need everyone to speak out—Democrats, Republicans, and Independents. George W. Bush—who took the lead in defending tolerance and freedom of religion in the past—could make a difference by speaking out now. Together, we can challenge those who are delivering messages of hate and seeking political gain by dividing us. Sincerely, Tad Stahnke Director of Policy and Programs 1: President George W. Bush at Parkside Hall, San Jose, California, April 30, 2002

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HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST RIGHTS WIRE E MAIL NEWSLETTER 13AUG10

ARTICLES on Blood Diamonds & Sierra Leone and charles taylor, Gitmo, Egypt, elections, the Omar Khadr trial, human rights, labor......

HRF'S E-NEWSLETTER August 13, 2010 EMAIL TO A FRIEND» DONATE» From the President and CEO» Naomi Campbell and Blood Diamonds» Egyptian Activist Promoting Election Transparency through New Media» HRF Founding Executive Director Mike Posner on Colbert Report» Prop 8 Victory Reminds of Need for Progress Abroad» HRF in the News» From the President and CEO Hitting the Campaign Trail to Close Guantánamo This week marks a new low at Guantánamo, as the United States begins the trial of Omar Khadr, who was picked up in Afghanistan at age 15 and has spent more than a quarter of his life at Guantánamo. International law prohibits the use of children under 18 in armed conflict and requires states to rehabilitate child soldiers by assisting with their physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration. The United States has failed to abide by these obligations; instead it began jury selection in Khadr's trial, undermining a fundamental norm and setting a dangerous precedent for children forced into armed conflict around the world. This development underscores what we know from our years of observing military commissions at Guantánamo: setting up a trial system that depends on coerced confessions, redefining the laws of war, and violating fundamental human rights standards is not only wrong, it's counter-productive. And in terms of convicting those who have committed terrorist acts, military commissions are a poor substitute for our federal courts. Not only have they failed to guarantee due process, they have only managed to convict four people, while the federal courts have convicted more than 400 terrorism suspects since 9/11. As the election season gets underway, we're sharing the facts about military commissions with congressional candidates. Next week we will be in Illinois with retired military leaders who continue to speak out against torture and Guantánamo. They will make the case to candidates from both parties that closing Guantánamo and relying on our time-tested federal courts for terrorism trials will make our nation stronger and more secure. You can join us in Illinois next week by signing our petition which we'll deliver personally to the candidates. Watch the retired military leaders making the case for federal courts in our video-and join them in Illinois by signing the petition! Sincerely, Elisa Massimino President and CEO Human Rights First Naomi Campbell and Blood Diamonds Last week Naomi Campbell appeared as a witness in the war crimes trial of Charles Taylor. How does a supermodel end up in an international tribunal? In 1997, Taylor allegedly gave Campbell the gift of a blood diamond.  Prosecutors sought Campbell's testimony to help establish the timing of Taylor's possession of diamonds from Sierra Leone, which he allegedly exchanged for weapons that armed Sierra Leonean rebels who used them in brutal attacks against civilians. HRF's President and CEO Elisa Massimino explains in the Los Angeles Times why we need to pay attention to the supply chain for mass atrocities and how focusing on the enablers of these crimes can help prevent them in the future. Read the op-ed and listen to our podcast» Egyptian Activist Promoting Election Transparency through New Media 500 million. That's how many people are now on Facebook.  So it's no surprise that activists from around the world are adapting their strategies to the networked world. During a recent trip to Cairo, HRF's Neil Hicks interviewed Egyptian activist Esraa Abdel Fattah on how she is using social media and other online tools in support of democracy and government transparency in the lead-up to elections in Egypt. Like many netizens we work with, Esraa is enlisting new media technologies to organize a movement, risking retaliation by an often repressive Egyptian government. Listen to her describe how, and watch other video testimonials from netizens around the world» HRF Founding Executive Director Mike Posner on Colbert Report Mike Posner talked about democracy, human rights and labor (and which one is his favorite!) on the Colbert Report this month. Check it out!» Prop 8 Victory Reminds of Need for Progress Abroad In a victory for equal rights, California’s Proposition 8 was overturned last week, ending the ban on gay marriage in the Golden State. Ruling the proposition unconstitutional, Judge Vaughn Walker explained that the measure “enacts, without reason, a private moral view that same-sex couples are inferior to opposite-sex couples.” But around the world, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people face legalized discrimination and threats far more severe than restrictions on marriage. Being gay is a crime in more than eighty countries. In Uganda, for example, existing law already criminalizes homosexuality, and a new bill would make “aggravated homosexuality” punishable by death. Human Rights First has been working with a broad coalition of partners to oppose this draconian legislation. In February, we invited the prominent Ugandan rights activist Julius Kaggwa to participate in our Human Rights Summit in Washington, DC. Julius explains what the proposed bill would mean for Ugandans in an exclusive interview to HRF»  HRF in the News Human Rights First is giving real-time updates from the Khadr trial on our blog, and we've been picked up by numerous media outlets including CNN, CBC News, and others. Check out our commentary in this round-up» Article of interest: Two prominent former judges, Eugene Sullivan and former FBI Director Louis Freeh, published an op-ed in the Washington Post supporting federal court trials for Guantánamo detainees... at Guantánamo. Read their argument»

HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST RIGHTS WIRE E MAIL NEWSLETTER 19JUL10

HRF'S E-NEWSLETTER

July 19, 2010

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From Our President and CEO» A Step Toward Justice for Man Beaten to Death by Police in Egypt; Question of Internet Freedom Lingers» The United States Military Rejects Torture» Elisa Massimino Receives Prestigious Award for Work on Torture» Success! Gitmo Reporter Carol Rosenberg Reinstated» Many Countries Fail to Report Hate Crimes» HRF in the News» From Our President and CEO After a bit of uncertainty, the Chinese government renewed Google's license to operate last week. Unfortunately, China is still censoring Internet search results, restricting freedom of expression and privacy, and repressing political dissent. Human Rights First is working with Google and other information technology companies to develop guidelines and practices to protect the right to free expression and privacy. In a meeting last week, we brought the voices of "netizens"—journalists, activists, and leaders using new technology to promote human rights and democratic values—from around the world to executives of these companies. As the activists in our video make clear, Internet freedom is essential to those fighting for human rights in repressive societies. It can sometimes be a question of life or death. Click here to watch the video. Many companies understand what's at stake, and are doing what they can. But we need our elected leaders to help make Internet freedom a priority. The Obama Administration recently announced that the White House will soon host a state dinner for China. Let's make sure that censorship is on the main menu and not just washed over with the dishes. Sign our petition to President Obama asking that he raise the question of Internet freedom when he hosts President Hu Jintao at the White House. Sincerely, Elisa Massimino President and CEO Human Rights First A Step Toward Justice for Man Beaten to Death by Police in Egypt; Question of Internet Freedom Lingers Khaled Saeed was in an Internet café when the police conducted a raid. When Saeed refused to hand over his ID, they dragged him out onto the street and beat him to death—in front of witnesses. The incident sparked outrage throughout Egypt. HRF responded right away, organizing a web chat with Egyptian activist Nora Younis to get the word out on what was happening on the ground and creating a petition to the Egyptian ambassador to the United States to let him know that people here were paying attention. Sign the petition and watch a segment of the webchat with Nora. Two policemen have since been arrested on charges related to the beating—an important step toward accountability for this murder. We'll be keeping close watch on developments in the case and the repressive tactics the Egyptian government is using to intimidate those who use the Internet to promote freedom and democracy—particularly in the lead-up to the Egyptian elections this fall and early next year. The United States Military Rejects Torture When General Petraeus was named commander of the war in Afghanistan, we noted that in 2007 when he was commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, he took a firm stand against torture "and other expedient methods" that violate our standards and international law. His consistent statements urging our elected leaders to trust in our values and institutions have brought a needed reality check to the debate surrounding how to treat and try terrorism suspects. We hope he continues to exercise this leadership in dealing with the issues surrounding detainees held at Bagram prison, where current policies fail to guarantee due process. Human Rights First's own David Levine—an Iraq war veteran who served under General Petraeus—tweeted his analysis live from the Petraeus confirmation hearing. Read his blog recap. Elisa Massimino Receives Prestigious Award for Work on Torture Human Rights First's President and CEO, Elisa Massimino, recently received the Eclipse Award from the Center for Victims of Torture for HRF's work with retired military leaders opposing torture. Past winners include Senator Richard Durbin and Alberto Mora, former General Counsel for the U.S. Navy. We're now working with these retired admirals and generals to keep up the pressure to close Guantanamo and try terrorism suspects in federal courts. Success! Gitmo Reporter Carol Rosenberg Reinstated Great news! Last week, the Pentagon reversed its ban on the onsite coverage of the military commission proceedings at Guantánamo Bay by Miami Herald reporter Carol Rosenberg. Human Rights First has been pushing for this reversal since the ban was announced. Barring veteran reporters from covering the proceedings because they named a witness whose identity was already publicly known was a set back to transparency at the hearings. Thank you to everyone who joined us in calling for the reversal. Read our press release for more about the ban and HRF's response. Many Countries Not Reporting on Hate Crimes Countries across Europe, North America, and the former Soviet Union have committed to combat hate crime and discrimination – but they're not following through with their promises. In a report released by Human Rights First and the Anti-Defamation League we found that the large majority of the 56 states members of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are failing to fully comply with their commitments to report on and respond to hate crimes. HRF staff used the report and our recommendations to urge further action to combat hate when we traveled to Kazakhstan recently for an OSCE conference where high-level government officials gathered to discuss states' strategies to combat intolerance and discrimination.  HRF in the News Ahmed Mahmoud al Qosi, the 50 year-old man who is alleged to have been a cook for Osama bin Laden, pleaded guilty to assisting al Qaeda in a recent military commission proceedings. HRF's Daphne Eviatar was quoted in the press with her assessment: "Mr. al Qosi's case is a textbook example of the inability of the military commission system...to achieve swift justice. The case has dragged on for more than six years without a trial." Read the Associated Press article.