Civilians must be protected during Libya military action

Civilians must be protected during Libya military action

All parties to the conflict must make the protection of civilians their top priority

© Demotix

18 March 2011

Amnesty International has today urged all parties to make the protection of civilians in Libya their top priority, after the passing of UN Security Council Resolution 1973 paved the way for possible military action by international forces.
"While we welcome the strong emphasis on the protection of civilians in Libya reflected in UN Security Council resolution 1973, we call on all parties to the conflict, including any external forces acting under the authority of the UN Security Council, to put the protection of civilians above any other considerations," said Claudio Cordone, Senior Director at Amnesty International.
"It is critical that all Libyan and any other forces that may become involved in the conflict respect fully the laws of war."
The organization also called on all parties to ensure that any civilians who want to flee the country be allowed safe passage to the borders in safety, and to ensure that anyone fleeing Libya is allowed immediate access to whichever country they are able to reach, without discrimination.
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1973 with 10 votes in favour and five abstentions. The resolution authorizes member states to take all necessary measures short of a foreign occupation force to protect civilians and civilian populated a

Sheffield Hallam University

City Campus Adsetts 6620, 6pm

 

(screening followed by Q & A with Andy Worthington)

“Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” is a documentary film, directed by Polly Nash and Andy Worthington, telling the story of Guantánamo (and including sections on extraordinary rendition and secret prisons) with a particular focus on how the Bush administration turned its back on domestic and international laws, how prisoners were rounded up in Afghanistan and Pakistan without adequate screening (and often for bounty payments), and why some of these men may have been in Afghanistan or Pakistan for reasons unconnected with militancy or terrorism (as missionaries or humanitarian aid workers, for example).

(PLEASE SUPPORT THIS EVENT AND FORWARD TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bTpA59np30&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bTpA59np30&feature=player_embedded

Shezana Hafiz

Sheffield Amnesty Group Action on Cuba

Sheffield Amnesty Group Action on Cuba

 

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=19280 

In March 2003 prisoner of conscience, Orlando ZapataTamayo was arrested with dozens on others in Cuba and, a year later,sentenced to three years in prison for “disrespect”, “public disorder” and “resistance”.

Last year Orlando Zapata Tamayo,  died in hospital after 85 days on hunger strike to demand the release of prisoners of conscience in Cuba. 

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=19280

His mother, Reina Luisa Tamayo, was arrested by state security agents who threatened to stop her and other mourners from commemorating the anniversary of Orlando’s death in church, on 23 February 2011.
In our campaign to protest against this inhuman act, Sheffield Amnesty International group  put together paper flowers in the shape of the Amnesty Candle logo along with a ‘We will never forget" poster,  photographed our work and sent it to the Cuban president. The white flowers indicate our support for the `women in white' movement in Cuba - partners, friends or relatives of those unjustly imprisoned and whose right to peaceful protest is frequently compromised by the Cuban police.

It isn't all bad news from  Cuba, though, because many of the prisoners of conscience imprisoned after the 2003 crackdown have now been released, although many have been sent into enforced exile.  Amnesty International continues to press for release to be unconditional. For example, Pablo Panchero, another former political prisoner in Cuba has been released and now lives in Spain.  He thanks Amnesty International members profoundly for their part in securing his release. 

 

 

Esteli Benefit Night

Sheffield Amnesty International March Meeting: All welcome

Wednesday 9th March 2011 7.15 pm

  Quaker Friends' Meeting House, St James’ St, Sheffield City Centre

Action on Cuba with  reports and  actions  from around the world, and closer to home.

ALL WELCOME!

Don't let them send Reza to a country where he has never lived!

  
Protest  4.30pm 9th March outside Sheffield Town Hall!

Reza Yosefi was detained again on Thursday 3rd March morning and is now in Colnbrook IRC with flight booked to Afghanistan - where he has never lived - for March 16th.

There is a demo for Reza planned for Wednesday 9th March at 4.30pm outside Sheffield Town Hall.  Please can you publicise to your contacts and also see the suggestions for action on the cdas website: 

http://www.sheffieldcdas.org.uk/


Individual letters to Theresa May if possible with copies to David Blunkett who is Reza's MP and who is supporting Reza.

 A personal message from Reza:

My name is Reza Yosefi, I’m 20 years old. I will be forcibly deported  to Afghanistan though I have never been there. I have been a refugee all my life.

Please tell them to stop my deportation because everyone deserves to have a normal life in safety.
I was born in Iran and grew up there as the son of illegal Afghani refugees. I wanted to go school at 14, but was not allowed to attend. I wanted to work, but when I tried, I was arrested and badly beaten by the police.

At the age of 15, on fear of deportation I was sent to England to try to find a safe place where I could grow up. It took around 7 months to get here and I was often hungry and afraid. At 18 I was refused indefinite leave to remain and now, at 20, I am homeless, have no benefits and I am not allowed to work.

My situation is desperate. Now I am being deported. Please help me to stay in England. I want to study and work and live a normal teenage life. I have friends in Sheffield and have started to make a life of my own here, please help me to continue living here in safety.

Your Sincerely
Reza Yosefi

Reza Yosefi’s interview – click here to watch

Download - New Model Letter (please edit according to recipient and personalise if possible)

More information about Afghanistan and other asylum seekers due to be deported on the same flight as Reza – http://www.freemovement.org.uk/

Reza has been  detained once again 3/3/11

We have some worrying news. Reza was arrested around 11am when he went to sign on this morning (3^rd March 2011). He is currently being taken to Colnbrook detention centre in London, where he will stay until the UKBA try to deport him to Afghanistan on 16^th March on flight no. PVT 800.

Reza and his lawyer, Chris Cole, have been working hard since Reza’s release in November to put together a fresh asylum claim based on article 8. This claim will prove that Reza has established a private life in Sheffield and that he has friends and supporters here. Chris has been trying to finish the claim today, so that it can be sent tomorrow and hopefully help to stop Reza from being deported.

We have been in contact with David Blunkett’s office; who has contacted the immigration office to find out why they have arrested Reza. The office said Blunkett will support Reza and try to stop Reza’s removal to Afghanistan.

Please help us to save Reza by sending letters and emails to the UKBA and Home Secretary asking them to stop Reza’s removal from the UK. A template is below.

Thank you for your support,

The Save Reza team.