April 2011

	Help keep Amnesty International researchers on the ground where they are needed as change sweeps through the Middle East and North Africa
	Your donation helps
	keep our field researchers on the ground to ensure timely, reliable reporting during times of crisis tell the world what is happeningthrough our field reports to the media worldwide put pressure on decision-makers to ensure that this historic opportunity for human rights is not lost campaign to stop the targeting of activists and journalists, and the distribution of arms hold leaders to account before the International Criminal Court for crimes against their own people
	Read Amnesty International's reporting from the Middle East & North Africa
	Securitiy Council must refer Syria to the ICC Syrian military assault against protesters must end Misratah: the spiralling human cost in a city under seige Questions & Answers on the war in Libya
	Take action on human rights
	Decisive moment in Yemen < Call on Yemen to investigate killings and protect protesters Ensuring accountability for excessive force and protection for protesters < Call on Bahrain to investigate attacks on protesters and medical workers
	Learn more about human rights in the Middle East and North Africa
	Amnesty International reports, press releases, and actions on Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Bahrain, Yemen, Sudan ... Click here
	Thank you to Amnesty supporters for speaking out for freedom, justice and equality
	"For change to take place within Egypt, your citizens must be given room to participate in what goes on. They have shown you they have something very important to say, and now that you have heard them, they are looking to ensure a follow-through." -Megan, on Amnesty's action on Egypt

Dear Human Rights Supporter,

These are, by any measure, remarkable and historic times. In fact, many people are asking whether we are in the midst of a human rights revolution. From Morocco to Egypt; Yemen to Iran, and now Syria - Amnesty International is standing alongside the people of North Africa and the Middle East in their courageous pursuit of the rights and justice that have been denied them for so long.

So momentous are these times; it is hard to believe that it has been less than four months. On December 17th 2010 Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26 year old Tunisian street vendor who was tired of the harassment and corruption of local officials, chose an anguished way to protest against injustice. He set himself on fire; and less than three weeks later he died of his injuries.

Mohamed never would have imagined – no one would have imagined – the tumultuous wave of demonstrations, demands for reform and renewed human rights violations that would be unleashed in the aftermath of his desperate act. In country after country across North Africa and the Middle East, thousands, then hundreds of thousands, and ultimately millions of people – many of them young people – have taken to the streets and to the digital universe and have clamoured for change.

And what changes there have been. The leaders of Tunisia and Egypt – in power for over thirty years and responsible for extensive human rights violations – relinquished office within a few short weeks. There have already been many democratic and human rights reforms announced in both countries and more are expected.

Unprecedented demonstrations in other countries in the region have, unfortunately, met much greater violence and reprisals from leaders unwilling to yield power. In Libya, the protests sparked a popular uprising which now has the markings of a civil war and has led the UN to authorize military action to enforce a no-fly zone to protect civilians. In Bahrain, Syria and Yemen throngs of courageous demonstrators continue to take to the streets, even as death tolls mount daily. It has become clear that their call for rights and justice cannot and will not be silenced.

Above all else, these staggering developments are all about human rights. The thirst for change is rooted in decades of entrenched disregard for human rights. The demands for change speak about the need for human rights, all human rights, to be protected. And the response from authorities in most countries, sadly, has been further human rights violations.

It is such a momentous time for human rights in a world region that has endured so many long years of cruel human rights neglect. Amnesty International has, therefore, mobilized to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support these inspiring human rights struggles.

We have deployed teams of expert human rights researchers throughout the region, building on Amnesty International’s extensive work in those countries over many years. Working in often dangerous conditions, they are documenting ongoing human rights abuses, so that the world is reminded of what is at stake. And it is dangerous. In early February, two of our researchers working in Egypt were arrested and detained for 36 hours, in the course of that important work.

Right now we have a team working in very difficult conditions in Libya. Amnesty International researchers are on the ground in many other countries as well, taking great care as they document what is happening in and around protests that can be violently repressed at any moment.

Away from the front lines, Amnesty International members in Canada and around the world have taken action to demand that human rights be protected. We have written letters, circulated petitions by hand and on Facebook, held public vigils, met government officials and conducted countless media interviews. We have pressed leaders in the region to rein in their security forces and end the abuses. We have called on the UN Security Council to act. We have urged foreign governments to put human rights first in their response to constantly evolving events.

This work will continue. It must continue. Human rights defenders and ordinary women, men and young people across the region are counting on our support; on your support.

It is impossible to know where this will all lead. What is sure is that we must do all we can to ensure that it leads to real and lasting human rights change for people across North Africa and the Middle East.

But we need your help. In Libya, Syria and elsewhere, progress towards democracy and human rights is not inevitable. A donation made RIGHT NOW to Amnesty International will help us to keep working at full capacity during this absolutely critical year for human rights. It will enable us to keep teams on the ground in human rights flash-points and it will support the research, campaigning and lobbying that time and time again produces positive human rights impact.

The stakes have rarely been higher. By the end of this year, we could be celebrating the most incredible changes to the global human rights situation we have witnessed for a very long time. Please join the millions of others who are uniting against injustice by making a donation today.


Thank you,



Alex Neve,
Secretary-General
Amnesty International Canadian Section

P.S.: We really are a powerful force when we come together. Each and every supporter of Amnesty International is part of the solution. Your voice and your donation will combine with many thousands of others all over the world. It will ensure that our vital, life-saving work is resourced.

P.P.S.: There are actions on Yemen and Bahrain that you can take right now with Amnesty International to help improve the safety and security of civilians.

Words and images from the Middle East & North Africa: 2011

Women in Egypt involved in protests were forced by the army to take virginity tests	At least 40 killed as snipers fire at protesters in Yemen	Civilians and refugees in Libya need protection from a government who sees them as their enemy	Iran stiffles political dissent by detaining opposition leader

members@amnesty.ca | 1-800-AMNESTY (1-800-266-3789) | www.amnesty.ca
312 Laurier Avenue East, Ottawa ON K1N 1H9
Registered Charity #11878 5914 RR0001