amnesty « WordPress.com Tag Feed

medicalprivacy — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 13:08:05 +0000

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7490262.stm

"Health bosses have ordered a data amnesty after an employee lost personal information of 137 patients. NHS Lothian launched the campaign to ensure all 28,000 staff understand the rules on storing sensitive data - and own up if they lost files themselves.

The move comes after a worker admitted losing a computer memory stick with copies of letters sent to Edinburgh GPs by NHS Lothian over two years.

The letters cover details of patients in the central Edinburgh from 2006".

This is something I sort of think is good. I believe that if someones loses patient data they should get in serious trouble or even sacked (right now most people get a slap on the wrist) but at the same time I think it is important to try find out how much data has been lost, I guess this is one of the best ways but it also means letting some people off the hook. It does say a lot about how worried some NHS trust are when they need to have this sort of thing.

Protesters Call Bush a Fascist During July 4th Event

infolution — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:07:28 +0000

Protesters Call Bush a Fascist During July 4th Event at the Home of Thomas Jefferson

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xV0C4X7gx-I

Protesters made it hard to hear President Bush Friday as he welcomed new citizens and marked Independence Day at the home of Thomas Jefferson.

As is the tradition each Fourth of July, a naturalization ceremony was held at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va. This year, 76 immigrants from 30 different countries came to take the oath of citizenship.

But Bush repeatedly was interrupted as he welcomed the guests.

"That man is a fascist!" one protester yelled. Another swore at him.

The protesters later were removed from the ceremony by law enforcement officials.

"To my fellow citizens to be — we believe in free speech in the United States of America," Bush said when the protesters started shouting.

To the din of more yelling, Bush discussed Jefferson’s legacy as he introduced the citizens.

"We honor Jefferson’s legacy by aiding the rise of liberty in lands that do not know the blessings of freedom, and on this Fourth of July we pay tribute to the brave men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America," he said.

"We also honor Jefferson’s legacy by welcoming newcomers to our land, and that is what we’re here to celebrate today."

Cheney to join July 4th Ceremony aboard the USS Constitution
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/re..rticleid=1104453&srvc=rss

San Fransisco Protects Illegal Immigrant Crack Dealers

infolution — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:11:52 +0000

San Fransisco Protects Illegal Immigrant Crack Dealers

UPI
June 30, 2008

San Francisco juvenile probation officials are protecting Honduran youths caught dealing crack cocaine from possible deportation, federal officials say.

Citing the city’s sanctuary city status for illegal immigrants, probation officials have even given some offenders a city-paid flight home, The San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday.

Rather than have young drug offenders deported, probation officials have recommended that Juvenile Court judges and commissioners approve city-paid flights home to Honduras for the offenders with the aim of reuniting them with their families.

Officials familiar with the case said the city is being investigated for systematically circumventing federal immigration law.

"Our job is to uphold the nation’s immigration laws," said Greg Palmore, spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Although San Francisco is a sanctuary city, it’s a problem whenever someone attempts to evade the law. ... Our law does not allow us to turn a blind eye to any individual who has come into this country illegally."

City officials say they are trying to balance their obligations under federal and state law with local court orders and San Francisco’s policies aimed at protecting the rights of the young immigrants, who they say are often victims of exploitation.

Read Full Article Here

LAPD won’t ask about immigration status

infolution — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:06:06 +0000

LAPD won’t ask about immigration status

AP
June 26, 2008

A California judge blocked a lawsuit that sought to enlist Los Angeles police officers in weeding out illegal immigrants.

Superior Court Judge Rolf M. Treu on Wednesday rejected arguments that the city’s policy — under which most suspects are not asked about their immigration status — conflicted with federal and state law.

Los Angeles police work in communities with large numbers of illegal immigrants, and generally don’t inquire about immigration status because it could discourage undocumented people from helping officers and reporting crimes.

Police Chief William Bratton said the judge preserved "an essential crime-fighting tool for us." Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said the ruling recognized that "turning local police into federal immigration agents would lead to fewer arrests, prosecutions and convictions."

Under a 1979 order formally known as Special Order 40, LAPD officers do not ask about immigration status while interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects, and do not arrest people based on immigration status.

Officers alert immigration officials if a suspect is a gang member who has been previously deported, or if a suspect is arrested for a felony or multiple misdemeanors.

The lawsuit filed in April 2007 was brought on behalf of unidentified police officers who said they were afraid to speak out, but who depicted a revolving door legal system in which the same illegal immigrants are repeatedly arrested instead of deported.

The lawsuit sought to require officers to inform federal immigration officials when illegal immigrants are arrested on drug charges.

The judge referred to the national debate over immigration, but said he sought to "avoid considering the political aspects of the case and focus only on the legal ones."

Paul Orfanedes, a lawyer for Harold P. Sturgeon, who brought the case, said the judge sidelined tens of thousands of law enforcers who could help immigration authorities.

Police "are being gagged. It’s don’t ask, don’t tell as regards to legal status," Orfanedes said.

The ruling granted motions for summary judgment in favor of the Police Department and the American Civil Liberties Union, which intervened in the case.

Hector Villagra, an ACLU attorney, said the decision affirmed that the federal government, not local law enforcement, is responsible for carrying out immigration law.

By asking that Special Order 40 be thrown out, Villagra said, plaintiffs are "asking for carte blanche to engage in racial profiling," he said.

Al Giffoni Film Festival 2008 la V edizione del Premio Amnesty

marco valenti — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:33:30 +0000

Anche quest’anno, la Sezione Italiana di Amnesty International sara’ presente al Giffoni Film Festival, con un premio speciale assegnato al migliore film sui diritti umani. Il ‘premio Amnesty’ al Giffoni Film Festival e’ alla sua quinta edizione. E’ stato conferito nel 2004 a ‘The wooden camera’ di Ntshaveni Wa Curuli ((Sudafrica / Francia / Regno Unito), nel 2005 a ‘Innocent voices’ di Luis Mandoki (Messico), nel 2006 a ‘Zozo’ di Josef Fares (Svezia) e nel 2007 a ‘Rosso Malpelo’ di Pasquale Scimeca (Italia).

Il premio di Amnesty International al Giffoni Film Festival testimonia ancora una volta l’importanza del connubio tra cinema e diritti umani e la fiducia che l’associazione ripone nel veicolo cinematografico per sensibilizzare il pubblico sui temi delle sue campagne. Negli ultimi anni il cinema si e’ rivelato un mezzo sempre piu’ prezioso ed efficace per la promozione delle campagne di Amnesty International in difesa dei diritti umani. In Italia, a partire dal 2005, l’associazione ha dato il patrocinio a numerose pellicole che hanno contribuito a far conoscere a migliaia e migliaia di persone le violazioni dei diritti umani in specifici paesi o problemi gravissimi quali il traffico di armi o la violenza sulle donne.

Tra i film patrocinati: ‘Hotel Rwanda’, ‘Moolaade’’, ‘Paradise now’, ‘La vita segreta delle parole’, ‘Lord of war’, ‘Water’, ‘Il segreto di Esma’, ‘The road to Guantánamo’, ‘Bordertown’, ‘Cronaca di una fuga’, ‘Tutta la mia vita in prigione’, ‘Rendition’ e ‘Racconti di Stoccolma’.

McCain Admits Supporting Illegal Immigration Bill

infolution — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:47:12 +0000

McCain Admits Supporting Illegal Immigration Bill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpgVdPjXBoQ

Code Pink Interrupts John McCain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QeXSMHXMVc

Conservative paper calls McCain a liar
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/..cord-to-woo-hispanics/

’McCain is mentally unstable and out of control’ : Arizona Republicans
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070305/blumenthal

McCain: It doesn’t matter that I don’t know cost of gas
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/McCain_It_doesnt_matter_that_I_0629.html

Fmr. Bush aide takes over McCain campaign
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0..oday_operation.html

Baghdad Seeks Tentative Rebirth (the BBC version)

michaelt74 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:17:39 +0000

This is an email I sent to the BBC's correspondent Nicholas Witchell, who wrote the following article concerning what the US military and the BBC describe as the improving security situation in Baghdad. The sources for this article are only US military or government officials, no independent sources are called upon to substantiate these claims. A worrying phenomena which is common practise in the mainstream media.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7482307.stm

Dear Mr Witchell

I have an interest in the media and particularly the way in which the mainstream media covers news events.

In response to the article which appeared on the BBC website which was initially titled 'Baghdad Booming' and subsequently 'Baghdad sees tentative rebirth'.

I read the article with interest and concern for several reasons. The underlying message is the BBC's attempt to put a positive spin on the US occupation of Iraq and to promote the idea that life in Baghdad is returning to normal. Furthermore, all of the sources in the article, apart from a reference to an [Iraqi?] estate agent are either US military or government officials, which does not adhere to the journalistic guidelines of balance and objectivity.

Amnesty International has released several reports on the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Iraq. These reports offer a stark contrast to the claims of progress being referred to in your article.

This is the link to the articles:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/middle-east-and-north-africa/east-gulf/iraq

'As US officials readily concede, comments about "breakthroughs" and "corners being turned" are premature.'

Does this statement not echo the propaganda which has become commonplace since the US-British invasion of 2003? The impression given here is the US military is making progress in a positive way. What is omitted are the victims and the price Iraqis are paying for this brutal military occupation.

'From a peak last summer, when security incidents were occurring at the rate of well over 1,000 a week, there has been a steady decline until now they are, according to the Americans, at their lowest point for four years.'

Once again, this is sourced exclusively from US officials, with a history of manipulating information to serve the interests of the US government. There is no countering argument, which may lead the reader to conclude that what appears in the article is 'fact'. This is misleading. The BBC should question these statistics exhaustively by gathering information from a variety of sources not affiliated to the US military. Only then can the credibility of these statements be substantiated.

Do the apparent gains referred to in this article cover Baghdad in its entirety or only a select few neighborhoods or suburbs? 'One main street in west Bagdad' is somewhat vague.

I, like most people in the world, hope that the people of Iraq can someday live in peace.

Kind regards

Michael Tasseron

Amnesty International s'affiche pour Beijing

mralexpierre — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:09:12 +0000

A l'approche des Jeux Olympiques les plus controversés des 50 dernières années, Amnesty International propose une nouvelle campagne d'affichage dénonçant les différentes censures et tortures à l'encontre des minorités du pays et opposants au régime en place :

Pris à son propre jeu ?

Mexican Army Carrying Out Assassinations In U.S.?

infolution — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:12:19 +0000

Mexican Army Carrying Out Assassinations In U.S.?

KFYI
June 26, 2008

The suspects may have been hired by drug cartels to perform home invasions and assassinations in the U.S.

Police reports show that three men arrested in a Phoenix home invasion and homicide Monday may have been active members of the Mexican Army.

While on the J.D. Hayworth show, Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Mark Spencer said that the men involved were hired by drug cartels to perform home invasions and assassinations.

The Monday morning incident at 8329 W. Cypress St. resulted in the death of the homeowner. Between 50 and 100 rounds were fired at the house.

Spencer said a police officer told him that one of the men captured said they were completely prepared to ambush Phoenix police, but ran out of ammunition.

He added that all were all dressed in military tactical gear and were armed with AR-15 assault rifles. Three other men involved in the invasion escaped.

Read Full Article Here

National Guard on U.S-Mexico border will end mid-July

LA Times
June 23, 2008

An upcoming deadline of July 15, when the remaining National Guard personnel on the U.S- Mexico border are due to be withdrawn, has raised fears that without them the increased drug violence in the border area could spill into the United States.

"When the Guard was posted along the frontier in 2006 to help the strapped Border Patrol, critics warned that sending soldiers would be an insult to Mexico and that innocents could get shot by troops trained for combat, not law enforcement."

"Now those worries have given way to fears that without the Guard’s help, a bloody drug cartel war on the Mexican side will spill into the U.S. and overwhelm the Border Patrol." Dallas Morning News

Read on...

Meanwhile, conflict between Mexico’s drug cartels and law enforcement agencies continues. The Associated Press is reporting that Mexican soldiers captured at least 10 suspected members of a Tijuana-based drug cartel in a raid on a child’s baptism party in the border city.

Texas Real Estate Slump Lets Mexicans Take It Back

Bloomberg
June 25, 2008

A rising peso and an economy growing faster than the U.S. have given some Mexicans the buying power to take advantage of the housing slump in Texas, which became part of the U.S. under an 1848 treaty that ended a three-year war between the two countries.

The peso has gained 3.2 percent against the dollar since the beginning of the year. The economy, which rose 2.6 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, is expected to grow 2.6 percent this year, according to a central bank survey of 31 economists in May. The U.S. economy is forecast to grow 1.4 percent in 2008, according to a Bloomberg survey of 57 economists.

Marco Ramirez of McAllen, Texas, is among those trying to sell foreclosed Texas homes to Mexicans. Ramirez’s company, called Now! Co., has bought 32 Texas properties and has options on 88 more. His best prospects are Mexican buyers, especially in Monterrey, 150 miles from the Texas border, he said.

`Great Time to Buy’

``Many of these people have children who are studying in the U.S.,’’ Ramirez said. ``They’ve been renting or leasing and now it’s a great time to buy.’’

Mexico is better known for providing the U.S. with cheap labor than investment. The U.S. is home to an estimated 12 million Mexican-born residents, about half of them living there illegally, according to the Pew Hispanic Center in Washington.

Sales of existing U.S. homes in April fell 18 percent to an annual pace of 4.89 million from 5.93 million a year ago as banks shied away from making new loans, according to the National Association of Realtors in Washington.

20 People Killed in Mexican Border City
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewF..0806/INT20080625c.html

Bush Signs Citizenship Bill For Soldiers
http://www.baltimoresun.com/new..7jun27,0,3711849,print.story

It's anti-ILLEGAL immigration, stupid: An Open Letter To Chuck Todd, NBC News Political Director

edstate — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:34:56 +0000

Dear Mr. Todd,

I need your help.

I’m desperately trying to understand why you, The Head Political Analyst at NBC News, could consistently confuse the term “anti-ILLEGAL immigration” with the term “anti-IMMIGRATION.”

Sure, on the surface they may seem similar. After all it’s just that one word, that pesky “illegal”, that separates them. But the two terms describe very different points of view.

It's pretty simple.

“Anti-ILLEGAL immigration” describes any of the majority of Americans who are fed up with the Federal Immigration Laws being blatantly flouted by unscrupulous businesses, and concurrently ignored by our Government.

“Anti-IMMIGRANT” describes people who, quite simply, don’t like immigrants for some reason.

One does not automatically equal the other. Their meanings are very different. They are not the same thing.

And one would think that you, a highly educated man, a veteran of the punditry, and head political poobah at a vaunted network news outfit, of all people, would know the difference.

So, why do you keep making this mistake?

Is it just a simple slip-up? The result of verbal laziness? Not having the mental energy to include that all-important “ILLEGAL” when describing those hundreds of millions of Americans who simply want their Country's laws enforced?

Or do you really think that the majority of Americans are, well, jerks?

Well, in case you really are confused, I’ll explain again.

The vast majority of Americans, represented by poll-after-national-poll, simply want our laws enforced fairly, and without prejudice.

These people are “anti ILLEGAL immigrantion”.

They take issue with the upwards of 20 million people who are currently breaking our laws by blatantly ignoring our country’s immigration laws. Laws that are extremely important to our National Security, and our economy.

These people also take major issue with our Government not doing anything about this obvious, massive violation, especially after the ’86 Amnesty, and then of course, 911.

They also have a big problem with the cheating, profit-at-any-cost businesses who brazenly employ these illegal aliens with impunity, creating job scarcity and depressing wages. And they wonder why their Government could be so inept, or corrupt, as to not see such a blatant money grab, and flouting of our laws and not do a darn thing about it.

And, perhaps just as importantly, they wonder why you, the Media, refuse to take them seriously. When you’re not outright ignoring them.

These millions, and millions of proud, and law abiding citizens are not, as you refer to them, “anti-IMMIGRANT”.

These people are not haters.

They love America. And they absolutely appreciate the contribution that legal, controlled immigration, gives her.

They are not racists or xenophobes.

These people are, simply, Americans. Millions, and millions of regular citizens, of all ages, races, creeds, and colors, who are beyond frustrated their Government, and you, their Media… because they can’t trust either to do their jobs anymore.

Their Government turns a blind eye while greedy businesses import waves of neo-indentured servants.

While you call them names like hicks, protectionists, or worse.

Anti-IMMIGRANT?

You should be ashamed.

Oh yes, there are certainly jerks on all ends of this. Just like there are on most other emotional, and politically charged issues.

For every “Skinhead” there’s at least one “La Raza” (The Race) member. And you know it.

But the funny thing is we’ve never heard you, or anyone in the Media, refer to the Pro-Amnesty crowd as “LaRaza”… or, come to think of it, even as the “pro amnesty crowd”.

No. You’ve anointed them “PRO-immigrant”. You know, instead of “pro-ILLEGAL immigrant”.

How nice.

Chuck. You’re a college graduate, right? And judging from your resume, you’ve been in the thick of the political fray for many years.

So how could you make such an egregious error?

Or… well, the only other explanation there is, and I hate to ask this… are you doing this on purpose?

Because if you are, for whatever reason, you don’t deserve to be the Political Director for a High School Newspaper, much less a respected television network.

So, why?

Please. I must know.

Sincerely,

Your Audience.

Rake klappen van Amnesty

aartenvanbreensma — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:48:53 +0000

Dat de mensenrechten geschonden worden in China is iedereen inmiddels duidelijk, zo duidelijk dat de aandacht misschien verslapt. Maar hoe scherp Amnesty hier zijn campagne mee insteekt opent de ogen wel weer! Erg pakkende advertenties!

Guantanamo, Amnesty porta una cella in tour

carotel — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:40:12 +0000

Amnesty International ha lanciato giovedì un nuovo appello al governo degli Stati Uniti per la chiusura del carcere di Guantanamo. Non si è trattato però del solito comunicato scritto. L´associazione internazionale di difesa dei diritti umani ha inscenato una protesta alquanto originale. Nel cuore di Washington, a poca distanza dalla Casa Bianca, ha esposto una copia di una delle celle del carcere statunitense, alte tre metri e larghe due, per chiedere la chiusura del controverso carcere per terroristi. «È un modo per far vedere agli americani l´ingiustizia in taglia reale» ha dichiarato Gwen Fitzgerald, portavoce di Amnesty International. «I visitatori della cella potranno sentire sulla propria pelle la sensazione di stare 22 ore al giorno rinchiusi dentro una botte d´avorio», ha spiegato Larry Cox della sezione americana dell´associazione. «Speriamo che con questo tipo di azioni la gente si renda veramente conto di quello che è stato il governo Bush e con quale efferatezza ha trattato i prigionieri di Guantanamo Â– conclude Cox Â– il carcere deve chiudere». L'iniziativa è stata lanciata alla vigilia della giornata internazionale per il sostegno alle vittime della tortura. I visitatori possono registrare, quando sono all'interno, un messaggio per il presidente americano George W. Bush che Amnesty International porrà successivamente sul suo sito. La mostra è itinerante: dopo una settimana a Washington sarà spostata in altre città americane.

Fonte: http://www.unita.it/view.asp?IDcontent=76615

Amnesty: «Governo garantisca impegno contro la tortura»

udemath — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:54:18 +0000

«L'Italia si presenta al 26 giugno, Giornata internazionale per le vittime di tortura, impreparata e in ritardo rispetto all'obbligo internazionale di prevenire e reprimere la tortura». La denuncia è di Amnesty International. «Nel codice penale non c'è il reato di tortura- sottolinea l'Ong - le autorità italiane non hanno mai espresso una condanna chiara delle rendition, la detenzione illegale di prigionieri, e risultano coinvolte nella sparizione forzata di Abu Omar. L'Italia tende inoltre a «erodere sempre di più, e in svariati modi, le garanzie contro la tortura per le persone espulse e ha promosso azioni miranti a screditare l'assolutezza del divieto di tortura a livello internazionale». Per questi motivi da giovedì a lunedì 30, i Gruppi della Sezione Italiana di Amnesty International organizzeranno iniziative in tutto il paese, chiedendo al governo italiano di rispettare i suoi impegni contro la tortura. Incontri pubblici, mostre cinematografiche e fotografiche, spettacoli teatrali e reading dal volume «Poesie da Guantànamo» sono previsti in numerose città tra cui Bologna, Foggia, Roma, Ancona, Pisa, Civitavecchia, Padova, Napoli, Perugia, Pesaro, Torino, Mestre e Venezia. Lo scopo della mobilitazione «inviare fax al Presidente del Consiglio Silvio Berlusconi e raccogliere post-it a mo' di promemoria che poi verranno affissi su manifesti giganti per ricordare al Governo italiano la necessità di introdurre nel codice penale il reato di tortura».

Fonte: http://www.unita.it/view.asp?IDcontent=76595

Guantanamo, Amnesty porta una cella in tour

elsingapore — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:36:21 +0000

Guantanamo, Amnesty porta una cella in tour

perogart — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:48:27 +0000

Why Did 94 House Dems Change Votes on FISA? Money.

infolution — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:27:38 +0000

Why Did 94 House Democrats Change Their Votes on FISA?
(A: Money)

Politico
June 25, 2008

In March, the House passed an amendment that rejected retroactive immunity for telecoms that assisted the NSA in illegal wiretapping. Most of us have wondered what happened to change the minds of 94 Democrats. What happened between June 20 and March 14 to change 94 Democratic hearts and minds?

The answer might well be simple: money. Could it be that simple?

MAPLight.org has published a breakdown of contributions received from Telco PACS by the 94 Dems who experienced the change of heart. [Maplight.org is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Berkeley, California. Its search engine at MAPLight.org illuminates the connection between Money And Politics (MAP) via an unprecedented database of campaign contributions and legislative outcomes.’]

Here’s the bottom line:

Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint gave PAC contributions averaging:

$8,359 to each Democrat who changed their position to support immunity for Telcos (94 Dems)
$4,987 to each Democrat who remained opposed to immunity for Telcos (116 Dems)

88 percent of the Dems who changed to supporting immunity (83 Dems
of the 94) received PAC contributions from Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint
during the last three years (Jan. 2005-Mar. 2008). ( MAPLight.org)

Of course the average amount received is a bit misleading. A few of the very prominent Dems who changed their votes took a lot more than $8000. According to this website,

Nancy Pelosi [CA], Speaker of the House, allegedly received $24,500.

Steny Hoyer [MD] allegedly received $29,000.

James Clyburn [SC] allegedly received $29,500.

Rahm Emanuel [IL] allegedly received $28,000.

Frederick Boucher [VA] allegedly received $27,500.

Gregory Meeks [NY] allegedly received $26,000.

You can see the complete list here.

I guess with campaign finance laws in the state they’re in, we can’t expect them to turn down free money. I would like to believe that there are other reasons why they supported the current incarnation of FISA. I wish I could think of some.

Read Full Article Here

HR 6304 - A Bill To Abolish the 4th Amendment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIJdmePn4lY

Hatch compares FISA critics to those ‘who wear tin foil hats and think 9/11 was an inside job.’

Think Progress
June 26, 2008

Speaking today on the Senate floor in favor of the Foreign Service Intelligence Act legislation, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) compared critics of the bill — which include Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), among others — to deluded conspiracy theorists. Hatch mocked the what he called “onerous oversight provisions” included in the bill, and said those who raise the specter of unchecked executive wiretapping power “feed the delusions of those who wear tin foil hats around their house and think that 9/11 was an inside job.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T77_aahei1U

Those “onerous” oversight provisions Hatch maligns? A ban on “reverse targeting” of Americans and a new requirement of probable cause for surveillance of Americans abroad.

UpdateLate this afternoon, the Senate voted 80-15 to invoke cloture on the FISA bill. Ian Welsh at FDL writes that this "was the real vote" and applauds the 15 senators who "voted for the Bill of Rights."

Why Obama supports FISA: His fundraising firm takes money from AT&T
http://mparent7777-1.livejournal.com/649045.html

Obama: Immunity not that important. Won’t support filibuster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPljokDWERg

Whistleblower: Spy Bill Will Create Police State
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/06/att-whistleblow.html

Report: FISA vote may be delayed until July
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news..il-after-july-recess-2008-06-26.html

Obama Adviser On FISA: We’ll Trust The Inspector General To Prevent Surveillance Abuses
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/m.s.-b..-well-trust_b_108904.html

The Real FISA Vote Passes 80 to 15 With the Presidential Nominees Passing
http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/2..e-presidential-nominees-passing/

Ron Paul: The FISA bill clearly violates the Fourth Amendment
http://www.house.gov/paul/congrec/congrec2008/cr062008h.htm

Amnesty over het Nederlandse vreemdelingenbeleid

peeslog — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:46:25 +0000

Hieronder het persbericht dat Amnesty International vandaag uitbracht over de wijze waarop we in ons land omgaan met sommige vreemdelingen. Het is geen nieuws dat Nederland in het kader van het vreemdelingenbeleid elementaire fatsoensnormen en de internationale rechtsregels schendt. Daarover trekken mensenrechtenorganisaties al jaren bij de Nederlandse autoriteiten aan de bel (neem dus de reacties van geschokte kamerleden die straks weer gaan komen maar met een flinke korrel zout - ze weten het allang of behoren het te weten). Ik berichtte hier eerder over in 'So what?' en 'Aap uit de mouw.' Het rapport van 76 pagina's (‘The Netherlands: The detention of Irregular Migrants and Asylumseekers’) is geen prettig leesvoer. Het zal vrees ik opnieuw een druppel in de oceaan blijven (het weren van ongewenste buitenlanders heeft voor het gros van onze volksvertegenwoordigers prioriteit boven het internationale recht). Ik voeg er mijn druppeltje aan toe door er hier ook maar weer eens op te wijzen. Download het rapport.

Het Persbericht:

Vreemdelingenbewaring in Nederland op gespannen voet met internationale normen

27 juni 2008 Op vrijdag 27 juni om 10.30 uur, presenteert Amnesty International het rapport ‘The Netherlands: The detention of Irregular Migrants and Asylumseekers’, in Nieuwspoort in Den Haag. Eduard Nazarski, directeur van Amnesty International zal het rapport toelichten en het rapport aanbieden aan Tweede Kamerleden Heijnen (PvdA),Van Velzen (SP) en Azough (GroenLinks). Prof. A. van Kalmthout (Universiteit van Tilburg), deskundige op het terrein van het vreemdelingenrecht, zal zijn visie op het rapport geven.

Elk jaar worden er in Nederland zo’n 20.000 vreemdelingen gedetineerd. Zij worden opgesloten in detentiecentra onder een regime dat bedoeld is voor strafrechtelijk veroordeelden. Amnesty International ontvangt in toenemende mate klachten over de lange duur van de vreemdelingendetentie en over de manier waarop gedetineerde vreemdelingen worden behandeld. Amnesty heeft hierin aanleiding gezien om onderzoek te verrichten naar vreemdelingendetentie in Nederland. Dit heeft geresulteerd in het rapport The Netherlands: The Detention of Irregular Migrants and Asylum-Seekers.

“Door de lange duur en het strafrechtelijke regime waaronder mensen worden opgesloten, lijkt vreemdelingenbewaring te zijn verworden tot een middel om asielzoekers en migranten af te schrikken en te bestraffen voor illegaal verblijf, terwijl illegaal verblijf geen strafbaar feit is.”, zegt Eduard Nazarski, directeur van Amnesty International Nederland.

Peter, een 40 jarige afgewezen asielzoeker uit Liberia, moest twee keer Nederland verlaten nadat hij documenten had gekregen van zijn ambassade. In beide gevallen weigerden de Liberiaanse autoriteiten hem de toegang tot het land, omdat de documenten vervalst zouden zijn. De eerste keer werd Peter teruggestuurd naar Nederland met hetzelfde vliegtuig waarmee hij in Liberia was aangekomen. De tweede keer werd hij door de Liberiaanse autoriteiten gevangen gezet en na een maand teruggestuurd naar Nederland. Uiteindelijk heeft Peter –in Nederland en in zijn eigen land- in totaal 13 maanden gevangen gezeten, voordat hij in Nederland vrijgelaten werd.

Amnesty International constateert dat het in Nederland vanzelfsprekend is geworden dat vreemdelingen worden opgesloten, terwijl vreemdelingendetentie volgens internationaal recht en internationale standaarden een laatste middel behoort te zijn. Ook worden mensen opgesloten die behoren tot kwetsbare groepen, zoals kinderen, ouderen en slachtoffers van mensenhandel en marteling. Er wordt nauwelijks gekeken of een lichter middel volstaat, zoals een meldplicht of het betalen van een borgsom.

Naar de mening van Amnesty International duurt vreemdelingendetentie te lang. Nederland kent geen wettelijke maximumtermijn en het gebeurt dat mensen langer dan een jaar vastzitten. Ook worden mensen opnieuw opgepakt en een tweede of derde keer opgesloten, waardoor zij in totaal zeer lange tijd in gevangenschap doorbrengen.

In vreemdelingendetentie geldt bovendien een regime dat bedoeld is voor mensen die een straf uitzitten. Illegaal verblijf is op zichzelf niet strafbaar en iedereen heeft het recht om asiel te zoeken. De detentieomstandigheden zijn in vreemdelingenbewaring zelfs soberder dan in strafrechtelijke detentie, omdat op resocialisatie gerichte activiteiten zoals onderwijs, arbeid en verlof ontbreken.

Amnesty International is tevens van mening dat de klachtenprocedures voor gedetineerde vreemdelingen niet effectief zijn. Klachten worden niet goed en niet snel genoeg onderzocht.

Amnesty international heeft tijdens haar onderzoek ook een ernstig gebrek geconstateerd aan betrouwbare gegevens over alle aspecten van vreemdelingendetentie, zoals cijfers over de duur, herhaalde bewaring, het aantal uitzettingen vanuit bewaring naar specifieke landen, gebruik van isolatiecellen en klachten over disproportioneel geweld.

Het Europees Parlement heeft op 18 juni 2008 de Terugkeerrichtlijn aangenomen die een maximumduur van 18 maanden toelaat. Amnesty International heeft eerder aangeven dat dit onacceptabel is en de Richtlijn geen garanties biedt voor een veilige en waardige terugkeer. Amnesty wijst erop de het minimum-standaarden betreft die geen reden zijn voor de Nederlandse overheid om het huidige beleid niet te verbeteren.

“Amnesty International staat niet alleen in haar kritiek. Ook het Comité ter Preventie van Foltering uitte vorig jaar zorgen over vreemdelingendetentie in Nederland.”, aldus Eduard Nazarski. “Het wordt tijd dat de staatssecretaris het Nederlandse beleid weer in lijn brengt met internationale standaarden.”

REPUBLIC of MALAYSIA : ASPIRATION : CASE STUDY

Ko Yem Binjai — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:37:10 +0000

ROM : ASPIRATION : CASE STUDY

LINK : CAMPAIGN

CINTADINEGARA

I know I talk aloud. Coz I love them.
I know I condemn a many. Coz I love them.
I know I shout. Coz I love them.
Because I love the spirit to be a Citizen.

I am a nobody. I am a nation.
I am a no one. I am equality.
I am a man. I am human.
Because I love the spirit to be a Citizen.

I am in troubled. I need a help.
I am in desperations. I need a wish.
I am a Citizen. I need a spirit.
Because I was born to be the People.

The people The love The spirit
To be a Distinguished Human.

.

Ko Yem Binjai

26June2008

Nouveau rapport.

raannemari — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:30:23 +0000

La crise des réfugiés irakiens : le discours et la réalité.

http://www.amnestyinternational.be/doc/article13144.html

Des droits mouvants.

raannemari — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:28:18 +0000

Réfugiés, demandeurs d'asile, personnes déplacées à l'intérieur de leur pays, migrants.

Même en mouvement, on a toujours des droits.

http://www.amnestyinternational.be/doc/article11751.html

Torture Began at the Top

michaelt74 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:15:14 +0000

This is a letter I emailed to the writer of the following article which appeared in the Los Angeles Times on June 18 2008.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-oe-rutten18-2008jun18,0,1766225.column

Dear Mr Rutten

In response to your editorial 'Torture Began at the Top'.

The US government's sanctioning of torture and its inhuman treatment of detainees including the removal of habeas corpus, makes clear the current administration's disregard for the human rights and the rule of law. You state the decision to approve torture as policy was approved at the highest levels of government involving individuals such as Cheney, Rumsfeld and Addington.

The catastrophic Iraq invasion and occupation of that country was founded on the lies the Bush Administration told the American public. Since the US led invasion of 2003 it has been estimated that over one million civilians have been killed and The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated 4.7 million Iraqis have been made refugees both within and outside of Iraq.

You mention the Senate investigation and House inquiries and accompanying right wing allegations of a 'witch hunt' and 'anxiety' that the investigations will lead to indictments and possibly even war crimes trials for guilty officials. Why do you refer to the people who have called for these investigations as a 'handful of European activists and people on the lacy left fringe of American politics', instead of referring to them as people wanting certain individuals in the US government to be held accountable for their actions?

You state unworthy officials or 'losers' should be thrown out of work and not into prison. Is this not why President Bush and his top officials have been able to act with impunity and commit horrendous criminal acts; simply because they know they can get away with them?

Furthermore, 'But a healthy democracy punishes policy mistakes, however egregious, and seeks redress for its societal wounds, however deep, at the ballot box and not in the prisoner's dock'.

A healthy democracy according to who? The elite in American politics or ordinary Iraqis living in turmoil under a brutal occupation or the lives of those destroyed by torture? The invasion of Iraq was illegal under international law and the atrocities committed in that country constitute war crimes. It was not an 'egregious policy mistake'.

What is needed is a drastic about turn in US electoral politics, the stability of which you regard as being threatened should officials responsible for the deaths and displacement of millions of people be brought to justice for their actions. What you are implying is that it is unacceptable for the leaders of the United States to deceive their electorate and to legitimize torture, yet in the same vain, you are not holding them to account for what they do.

Does this not appear as a double standard?

I look forward to you reply

Yours sincerely

Michael Tasseron

You Racist Evil Sc*mbags!

te2ataria — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:48:14 +0000

submitted by a reader

What Is This All About? Try illegal occupation of a country! Land thieves! Racism! Denial of the most basic human rights! Assault by paramilitary thugs serving as policemen! Systematic Court abuse! Sc*mbag judges ...

It's about four racist evil b*stards who assaulted a defenseless teenager, Rawiri Falwasser, now 20, with batons and pepper spray in a police cell in 2006. It's about an apartheid system that found the four racist evil b*stards NOT guilty.

The gang of four paramilitary thugs [policemen] were acquitted by an all white jury. (Source: 3News) Image may be subject to copyright. See NewZeelend Fair Use Notice!

The thugs' lawyer Susan Hughes, QC, said the police officers were delighted. [Doesn't it feel like winning the lottery!]

"There was only ever going to be one verdict and this was it," she said. [To be sure!]

Mr Falwasser's father, Charles, called the four police officers "vermin" but said he still believed in the justice system. [That's a mature response, except for the belief in the colonial justice system bit!]

Rawiri Falwasser's mother, Kihi, condemned the racist justice system: "It proves we live in a black-and-white world. ... We are absolutely shocked and devastated by the decision but we're not surprised. We had a white jury in there." [That's the whole truth!]

Victim's eldest brother Tawhiao shouted "Murderers" and "Pigs" as he left the courtroom. [That's a fair description. ]

Tawera Falwasser said when he visited the police station and asked how his brother's head had been split, the answer from a smiling Senior Constable Bruce Laing was "with a baton." [That demands a punishment with a baton!]

Mr Falwasser said he feared for his life and wrote "Jesus" in his blood on the cell walls to attract attention.

He suffered a five-centimeter gash on his head, a 6½-centimeter cut on his arm and bruising on his arms and legs from batons. He now suffered from post- traumatic stress.

The racist judge, Patrick Treston, declined media applications to publish police station CCTV footage of the assault. (Source)

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