Below is an index of features from May 2007
Canada: Justice for Dudley George long overdue - Amnesty International urges action on the report of the Ipperwash Inquiry
Posted: 31 May 2007
Amnesty welcomes the release of the report of the Ipperwash Inquiry and urges federal and provincial officials to work with Indigenous peoples to ensure a timely implementation of its recommendations ... Public Statement | Read the Report | Find out more
Colombia: Justice for the people of the Sinú River
Posted: 31 May 2007
"The survival of my people is dependent on the rivers. But our survival is now in great danger." Kimy Pernía Domicó. An internationally-respected defender of Indigenous rights, Kimy Pernía Domicó was abducted by paramilitaries on June 2, 2001 in the Colombian city of Tierralta. He was never seen again. Kimy had spoken out about the damming of a river central to the lives and culture of his people, the Embera Katío ... Take Action
Peru: Denial of the right to maternal and child health
Posted: 31 May 2007
The lack of proper investment, the unequal distribution of health resources and unequal access to health care in Peru result in one of the highest mother and infant mortality rates in the Americas. This situation affects the rural poor and indigenous women in particular. If there is clear political will, adequate funding and appropriate services, these deaths are preventable ... Take Action
Amnesty celebrates 46th anniversary
Posted: 29 May 2007
Hosts and restaurants participating in Taste for Justice joined staff and members in the National Office this week to launch the "Dine Out" event to raise money for human rights work, and to celebrate Amnesty's birthday ... Visit the "Dine Out" restaurants across the country | Amnesty's birthday wishes | Slideshow
Amnesty International Report 2007
Posted: 23 May 2007
Powerful governments and armed groups are deliberately fomenting fear to erode human rights and to create an increasingly polarized and dangerous world, said Amnesty International today as it launched Amnesty International Report 2007, its annual assessment of human rights worldwide. "Through short sighted, fear-mongering and divisive policies, governments are undermining the rule of law and human rights, feeding racism and xenophobia, dividing communities, intensifying inequalities and sowing the seeds for more violence and conflict," said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International. ... News Release: Politics of fear creating a dangerously divided world | Video | Go to Report web site
Mexico: Dam opponents at risk
Posted: 18 May 2007
Amnesty International is gravely concerned for the lives of Indigenous subsistence farmers opposed to the construction of the Parota hydroelectric dam in Guerrero, Mexico. It is estimated that the Parota dam may result in the flooding of some 14,000 hectares of land, causing the eviction of 25,000 people and impacting the lands of 75,000 farmers living downstream. There are serious concerns that all members of the affected Indigenous communities have not received accurate and impartial information on the impact of the dam project. As well, the authorities in Guerrero state have reportedly failed to consult the communities fairly and transparently, leading to an atmosphere of increasing tension and violence ... Take Action
Canada: Stop discrimination against Indigenous children
Posted: 18 May 2007
The federal government has estimated that Indigenous children are three to five times more likely than any other children in Canada to be taken from their families and placed with foster parents or in state institutions. Indigenous child welfare advocates say the numbers are actually much higher. The government has also acknowledged that one of the main reasons so many Indigenous children on reserve are taken from their families is that there is less funding provided by government to keep Indigenous children safely in their homes as compared to non-Indigenous children. ... Take Action
Ivanhoe Mines is developing a human rights policy to guide its operations in Asia
Posted: 11 May 2007
Amnesty International representatives attended the Ivanhoe Mines shareholder meeting in Vancouver today and raised questions from the floor about company operations in Myanmar and Mongolia. Ivanhoe President and CEO John Macken responded favourably to AI's Business and Human Rights campaigner's question about developing a corporate human rights policy in Mongolia. He stated that the company is currently developing a global human rights policy to guide its operations in Asia. The company's Values and Principles document states the company supports the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. The development of a distinct company Human Rights Policy would provide a roadmap for employees, management and shareholders of how Ivanhoe Mines will promote respect for human rights in its operations. Amnesty will follow up with Ivanhoe management and monitor the progress of the Human Rights Policy. Thank you for your letters. No further action is currently required ... Find out more about Share Power
Amnesty members are raising money to build a safer world for women
Posted: 9 May 2007
Almost 200 people have now registered to hold a Taste for Justice dinner. Elisa Wakabayashi, from Vancouver, and band leader Joanne Cheung, raised over $400 to support Amnesty's work to stop violence against women worldwide ... See how easy it can be to host your own dinner
Instant Karma: The campaign to save Darfur
Posted: 9 May 2007
In an historic effort to mobilize activism around the human rights atrocities occurring in Darfur, Sudan, more than 50 international recording artists and over 30 record labels have united behind Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. The collection features iconic songs by legendary musician and peace activist John Lennon recorded by an array of best-selling artists and will be available for purchase both on CD and as digital downloads via online retailers. In keeping with its long tradition of activism powered by music, Amnesty International, the world's largest grassroots human rights organization, will use Yoko Ono's generous gift of Lennon's solo catalogue as the centerpiece of its campaign to rally activists toward human rights activism for the people of Darfur. The Instant Karma mobilization centers on saving the lives of innocent women, children and men who are dying by the thousands and restoring peace in the region ... News Release | Find out more and download songs