From the Director

Since the Human Rights Defenders Policy Forum, held in Atlanta last June, Human Rights First worked closely with Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, Democracy and Labor, Barry Lowenkron to strengthen U.S. government support for human rights defenders around the world. We submitted information from human rights defenders that he was able to use in testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on June 8, 2006, and we participated in meetings at the State Department and submitted written suggestions for a set of core principles that would govern U.S. policy towards human rights defenders.

On December 14, we welcomed Secretary Rice’s announcement of the Guiding Principles on Non-Governmental Organizations that will serve as a guide for U.S. policy in this area and enable the U.S. government to assess the actions of other governments.

In the introduction to the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, issued by the State Department on March 6, 2007, Secretary Lowenkron wrote that in supporting “the work of human rights advocates and civil society organizations, we are helping men and women in countries across the globe shape their own destinies in freedom.  And by so doing, we are helping to build a safer, better world for all.”

Our program at Human Rights First shares these sentiments and with your support we will be urging U.S. policy makers to implement consistently its support for human rights defenders set forth in the Guiding Principles and in the statements of Secretary Rice, Assistant Secretary Lowenkron, and other senior officials.

Best Wishes,

Neil Hicks
Director of the Human Rights Defenders Program

Spotlight on…

Syrian Activists Say Long Imprisonments Will Not Deter Them

FIn a letter sent on April 28, 2007, from the Damascus Central Prison of Adra, detained activists Anwar al-Bunni, Aref Dalilah Michel Kilo, Kamal al-Labwani, Mahmoud Issa, and Faek Al Mir thanked and sent their “heartfelt greetings” to all the individuals and organizations that have supported them.

This support “makes us feel that we are not alone in this struggle, and gives hope to society” said the letter.

They asked for continuing international efforts to press the Syrian authorities to release them and respect human rights.

The jailed activists conclude: “Neither threats, intimidation, and repression, nor long years of imprisonment, will deter us from our convictions and commitments.” Human Rights First is continuing to call for their release.

Full text of the letter in English and in Arabic

More about the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Syria

The following are the imprisoned authors of the letter:

Anwar al-Bunni, sentenced to five years in prison for defending and promoting human rights.

Aref Dalila, serving a 10-year sentence in solitary confinement for exercising his right to freedom of expression and calling for peaceful democratic reforms.

Michel Kilo, detained and prosecuted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and calling for peaceful change. His sentence is scheduled for May 13, 2007.

Kamal al-Labwani, detained and prosecuted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and calling for democratic reforms.
His sentence is scheduled for May 10, 2007.

Mahmud Issa, detained and prosecuted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and calling for peaceful change. His sentence is scheduled for May 13, 2007.

Faek al-Mir, detained and prosecuted for exercising his right to freedom of expression and offering his condolences to the family of an assassinated friend.

Human Rights First’s supporters contributed to the release from prison earlier this year of Colombian human rights defender Gabriel Gonzalez. On April 4 a judge acquitted him of all charges. The judge found that the rebellion charges against him were baseless and relied on witness evidence and government reports that lacked credibility.

After his release Gabriel told HRF, “I express my deepest gratitude for the campaign you led for my release…. Those fifteen months [in detention] were very hard… and the support you gave me was fundamental in obtaining my freedom… I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your solidarity, your support and your trust that cheered me up in difficult moments.”

But Gabriel now faces new risks. These proceedings have unfairly stigmatized him as a rebel guerrilla, and he is now at high risk of reprisal attacks from paramilitary forces. Your action helped to free him; now it can help protect him.

Take Action

HRF Statement Following Mr. Gonzalez’ Release

In December last year, approximately 1000 of you called for the establishment of an International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). CICIG would investigate and promote prosecution of illegal armed groups that frequently attack human rights defenders.

After Human Rights First met with key members of the U.S. Congress in March and April, the House of Representatives wrote a letter to the Guatemalan Congress, and the Senate passed a Resolution, stating their support for CICIG. They called it an “innovative mechanism.” Also, after hearings supported and attended by Human Rights First, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned the recent increase in attacks against Guatemalan human rights defenders and called for the establishment of CICIG.

Pierre Claver Mbonimpa founded NGOs to help protect the rights of prisoners in Burundi and has campaigned against torture and human rights violations. In a fragile country, where civil war has claimed thousands of lives, Mr. Mbonimpa is often hailed as the only one who stands up for the rights of Hutu, Tutsi and Batwa.

Press Release

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Case Updates

COLOMBIA:
Following public and private pressure from Human Rights First and a Congressional letter supported by hundreds of you, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe in March recognized the importance of human rights defenders stating: “Women and men human rights defenders are a vital part of the democratic life… helping the construction of a free and independent society in which all citizens can exercise their civil and political rights…” In April, President Uribe also stated that the US State Department NGO guidelines coincide with his government’s human rights policy.

GUATEMALA:
On May 1, 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Resolution co-sponsored by 100 Representatives condemning gender-based killings in Guatemala. Representative Solis in her floor speech specifically thanked Human Rights First for its support. The Resolution condemned the harassment of human rights defenders who work with victims of gender-based violence. On the same day, the Senate introduced a similar resolution which sought U.S. aid to establish an effective protection program for human rights defenders in Guatemala.

On April 27, 2007, 30 members of Congress wrote to the Guatemalan Attorney-General to ask that he “take action to prevent General Efrain Rios Montt and other former leaders from obtaining immunity… for alleged serious human rights violations.” The letter followed Congressional meetings Human Rights First organized for Guatemalan Human Rights Defender, Ruth del Valle. It was signed by the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and concluded that the prosecution of violators of serious human rights would “combat impunity and therefore protect human rights defenders… who face threats and attacks due to their work.” The letter received media attention.

INDONESIA:
Justice took a tentative step forward in the case of Indonesian human rights lawyer Munir, as two new suspects were named in his murder. Munir died on September 7, 2004, on a flight to the Netherlands after being poisoned with arsenic. The former president of the state airline and a staffer were arrested last month and charged in connection with false documents tied to the murder. A new suspect has also surfaced but has not been charged. Furthermore, former senior intelligence officials linked to the crime through phone records have never been investigated. So the question remains: who planned and ordered the killing of Munir?

IRAN:
Though all of the 33 women who were arrested in early March were later released, the persecution of leading women activists in connection with the March 4 rally continues. Zeinab Peyqambarzadeh, a women’s rights activist, was arrested on May 7 and transferred to Tehran’s Evin Prison. Though not in custody at this time, Fariba Davoudi Mahajer, Sussan Tahmassebi, Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani, and Parvin Ardalan were all convicted and sentenced to both immediate and suspended sentences. We will call on the Defender Alert Network to support these activists in the coming weeks.

MEXICO:
It has been a year since our last alert about Lydia Cacho, a journalist and activist for the rights of women and girls, but she continues to face serious danger on account of her work.  Reports indicate that on May 7, 2007, a possible attempt was made on Ms. Cacho’s life.  A vehicle escorting her from the airport appeared to have been tampered with, causing it to veer out of control.  Though she was not injured, we remain concerned for the life and safety of Ms. Cacho.

ZIMBABWE:
Since we wrote to you in August 2006 about slanderous attacks by government agents against leading members of the Law Society of Zimbabwe, the situation has worsened. Arnold Tsunga, director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and a prominent human rights lawyer in Zimbabwe, has since received death threats and been placed on a government hit list. Two other human rights lawyers, Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni, were arrested without charge and taken into custody by Zimbabwe police. Two orders by a judge to allow them access to legal counsel and family visits have been ignored by the police.  Read Human Rights First’s letter here.

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