AIKids' Holiday Card Action 2008
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AIKids' Holiday Card Action 2008 (PDF)
ALGERIA – Louisa Saker
Louisa Saker has not seen or heard from her husband, Salah Saker, since May 1994, when he was arrested at their home in the city of Constantine. For many years, Louisa Saker tried to find out the truth about her husband by contacting the Algerian authorities, but she received little information.In October 2002, Louisa Saker turned to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. In an important decision on enforced disappearance in Algeria, the Committee ruled in March 2006 that the authorities must begin a full investigation into the fate of Salah Saker, release him (if he is still alive), repay him and his family, and bring those responsible for his enforced disappearance to justice. Despite this, judicial authorities in Constantine ignored Louisa Saker's complaint.
If you wish to send her a message in French, you may write:
"Nous pensons à vous" which means: "We are thinking of you."
Please send cards to:
CHINA – Hu Jia and Zeng Jinyan
Hu Jia has been repeatedly harassed and detained by authorities because of his human rights activism. He and his wife, Zeng Jinyan, regularly reported on human rights abuses taking place in China and provided news of human rights defenders imprisoned or harassed by police. Hu Jia has been detained several times since 2006, including shortly after the birth of his daughter. Most recently, he was sentenced in March 2008 to three and a half years in prison.Held at the Beijing City Prison, Hu Jia is developing a serious medical condition called sclerosis of the liver and needs daily medication. Zeng Jinyan and her daughter are under house arrest, and no one is allowed to visit their home, making it impossible for her to receive formula powder to feed her baby.
Please send cards of support to:
OR
Hu Jia and Zeng Jinyan
GUATEMALA – Fredy Peccerelli
Fredy Peccerelli is an anthropologist and the head of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation, which carries out investigations of mass graves dating from the time of Guatemala?s internal armed conflict (1960-1996). The uncovering of mass graves and the identification of those who were buried is very important if truth and justice is ever to be achieved for the relatives and survivors of the conflict. Mr. Peccerelli and his colleagues have been threatened, followed, watched, and shot at on many occasions because of their work to fight injustice.If you wish to send messages in Spanish, you may write:
"Estimado Fredy, Te envío mi solidaridad ante las amenazas contra ti, tus colegas y tus familiares recibidas en los últimos años. Que pueden Uds. seguir desarrollando su trabajo tan importante." This means: "Dear Fredy, I am writing to express my solidarity regarding the threats that you, your colleagues and your relatives have received over the last few years. I hope that you will continue your important work."
Please send cards to:
SRI LANKA – Vettivel Jasikaran
Vettivel Jasikaran, a Sri Lankan writer and publisher, and his wife, Valarmathi Jasikaran, were arrested without charge by the Sri Lankan Police in March 2008. In June, their detention was extended for another three months, and they were formally accused of helping a co-worker publish articles critical of the government, which is illegal in Sri Lanka. Mr. Jasikaran said in court that he had been tortured by the police, and he was reportedly tortured again by them after he made that statement. Mrs. Jasikaran had a stomach operation before she was arrested, and she may have only seen a doctor once since being detained. Amnesty International calls on the Sri Lankan government to provide the Jasikarans with a fair and public trial that meets international standards and with appropriate medical care while they are in detention.Please send cards:
