2009 Summer Solidarity Action
For many people, summer is a time for vacations, picnics and recreation. But for prisoners of conscience or those who defend human rights in many countries, summer brings no relief from the potential danger and sense of isolation they may face. By simply sending a postcard, however, you can help support these women and men. You will find information here on several cases of concern to Amnesty International. Please send cards to these people expressing your support and encouragement.
Click here for the Update on 2008 Summer Solidarity Action.
FEATURED CASES
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NIGERIA - Patrick Okoroafor
At age 14, Patrick Obinna Okoroafor was arrested in 1995 on charges of kidnapping and robbery, crimes he has maintained he did not commit. When he was only 16, authorities sentenced him to death in violation of international standards that prohibit death sentences for juveniles. Patrick's death sentence was reduced to life in prison on appeal. Despite his desperate situation, Patrick remains hopeful that he will be released.
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SRI LANKA - J.S. Tissainayagam
Prominent Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam was detained in March 2008 on suspicion of links to the armed opposition group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He was held without charge until August 2008, when he was charged with "aiding and abetting a terrorist organization." The only evidence presented by the prosecution to support this were two articles he had written for the magazine criticizing the conduct of the security forces in the war against the LTTE, and the impact of the war on civilians.
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HONDURAS - Garifuna Community
The members of the Afro-descendant Garífuna community have been attempting to protect their land which they inhabited for generations and is now increasingly coveted by real estate companies seeking to build tourism complexes. In an attempt to pressure the Garífuna people to sell their land, companies have employed private security guards to attack and intimidate members of the community. Many members of the Garifuna community have been subject to death threats, abduction, beatings, and harassment. No one has been brought to justice for these attacks, and authorities have yet to implement protection measures for the members in any meaningful way.
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IRAN - Ronak Safarzadeh
Ronak Safarzadeh is a member of the Azar Mehr Women's Organization of Sanandaj and of the Campaign for Equality, which seeks an end to legalized discrimination against women in Iran. On October 8, 2007, Ronak collected signatures in support of the Campaign for Equality and attended a meeting to mark the International Day of the Child . The next day, officials arrested her and later sentenced her to six years in prison.
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UZBEKISTAN - Azam Farmonov and Alisher Karamatov
Azam Farmonov and Alisher Karamatov are members of the independent Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan (HRSU). They were detained in April 2006 as they defended the rights of local farmers who had accused some district farming officials of corruption and later sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of extortion.
