Remember Rohingya
Restless Beings has prepared a media statement
on behalf of community organizations and business to ask media to end the blackout from Burma on this issue and to report according to international standards without bias.
To support, email your business/organization/network logo to: rohingya@restlessbeings.org
A special event for press and limited guests:
This
event will look at the human stories behind recent clashes and the
ensuing state-led campaign against the Rohingya in Burma.
Monday 23 July 2012, 6.30pm - 8pm
Brady Arts and Community Centre 192-196 Hanbury Street London E1, 5HU.
Space is limited, for more information and to register for this free event click here.
On
Monday, July 23, 2012 (same day as the press conference), there will be
an international tweet up on Twitter. Go to @RestlessBeings.
The
tweet up is between 6 - 11pm UK time. The more people tweeting, the more chance of getting the topic trending to grab media attention.
Described
by the UN as the most persecuted community in the world, the struggle of the Rohingya is largely unknown.
Help give a voice to one of the most marginalized communities in the world: #SOSRohingya
The ethnic
cleansing campaign of the Rohingya in Burma demands mainstream coverage. Human rights activists and advocates, please spread the word.
This community is being killed.
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Friday, July 20, 2012
Rohingya: The Human Story
Monday, July 2, 2012
Enforced Disappearance: In Wake of the "War on Terror"
First published:
WeSpeakNews India
Amina
Masood Janjua, Chairperson: Defence of Human Rights is launching an
international campaign for the release of missing persons that will
include traveling, seminars, rallies, and camps in major cities to
advocate for the release of human beings imprisoned without cause.
Amina
began the Defence of Human Rights with almost no resources and this
organization has flourished through the support of kind hearted people.
It
will be 7 years since Amina has been separated from her husband,
Masood. Her determination to find him has resulted in the relief of
thousands of families of those wrongfully imprisoned.
THE APPEAL:
1.
The struggle with military dictatorship and poverty upon the advent of
the second decade of the 21st century introduced a new menace in
Pakistan: Enforced Disappearance. Thousands of people have gone missing.
People were afraid to talk about this atrocity due to fear. Amina Masood Janjua took it upon herself to break this silence.
2.
Mrs. Janjua’s lone struggle began in 2005 after the disappearance of
her husband Masood Janjua. After arduous rallies, protests, legal
battles, and endless campaigning; Defence of Human Rights staged a 24/7
sit-in in front of parliament house in Islamabad, the capital of
Pakistan.
Hundreds
of families of victims stayed in this camp for 76 days from February
15th to April 30, 2012. The exemplary and unprecedented camp turned out
to be a huge success and attracted the attention of not only the nation,
but the world.
3.
Under the pressure of the continued struggle of the people, Parliament
passed two unanimous resolutions against enforced disappearance, three
parliamentary committees have been formed to look into the matter of
enforced disappearance and up to 32 of the listed cases have been traced
since the camp began.
Much remains to be done.
4.
DHR registered more than 370 new cases of missing persons yet despite
the phenomenal impact of the protest camp, it had to be closed down due
to limited resources. Regardless, DHR has decided to launch this
nationwide campaign and prepare for an even larger sit-in by the end of
2012.
The
struggle to free human beings from illegal detentions, torture and
unlawful arrests is a direct result from the wake of the War on Terror.
An urgent humanitarian appeal is crucial for the sake of countless
helpless victims that face death and torture from prolonged detention.
Defence
of Human Rights depends 100% on the support of conscientious citizens.
DHR represents more cases in Supreme Court than any other human rights
association or legal firm in Pakistan without charging a single fee to
the families of missing persons.
To report a case, for press and to assist the Defence of Human Rights, contact:
Amina Masood Janjua, Chairperson, DHR
40-C/1 Nagi Road Westridge-1, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
"Justice Delayed is Justice Denied" - CJP
Friday, May 25, 2012
Live from Cairo: The Egypt Revolution
Mahitab Elgilani, one of the most leading faces in protests and rallies since long before
the revolution started, and during the events of the revolution.
"It is 4am Cairo time. An attack had been launched against those in the sit in, in front of the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament. Water is pouring on them in this cold, stones and Molotov's from security. This means that soon they will progress into using tear gas and rubber bullets, then live ammo and toxic gases." - Ahmed Salah, December 16, 2011
On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, the people of Egypt led a campaign of
non violent civil resistance against the 30 year regime of dictator,
President Hosni Mubarak. The initial uprising began in Cairo, Alexandria.
"Clashes continue nonstop around Tahrir in Kasr ElEini St. and ElSheikh Rehan Street with the death toll rising to 15 protesters in two days and hundreds more injured or kidnapped by the military and security." - Ahmed Salah, December 18, 2011
Ahmed Salah, an Egyptian activist, public speaker and advocate of non violent resistance, shared his account through words and photo.
Hany Ghoraba, an Egyptian journalist, businessman and political
analyst in Cairo, describes on live audio, the years preceding, during and up to
present Egypt, focusing on The Egyptian Revolution: Live from Cairo: From Tahrir to the Muslim Brotherhood
On February 11, 2011, Mubarak resigned after demonstrations turned violent with clashes between security forces and protesters.
Blood and live ammo, everywhere . . .
Tear gas canisters made in the
USA. They were not bought, but given as military aid.
This is where American tax payers money is spent.
The all women rally in Tahrir.
Amnesty International and The Egyptian Organization For Human Rights have
documented extensive cases of human rights abuses such as torture,
killing and forced virginity tests under the regime of Mubarak between
1993-2007, including the 2011-2012 revolution when SCAF [Supreme Council
of Armed Forces] were granted rule over Egypt.
"A massacre is underway in Tahrir. More and more troops are coming in covering more entrances to the square. Already stormed the mosque and the church that were converted into hospitals for the injured and injured and kidnapped the doctors as well as everyone else. This keeps getting darker and darker, people are getting ready to die and write their names on their arms. I can't remember the last time I was so desperate and frustrated. The war of attrition against us worked, they exhausted us to the maximum, and now they move for the kill." - Ahmed Salah
In 2012, Egypt will elect a new President.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Alive in a Time of Dying
The days meld into nights into days of unrest to rest, my voice. I'm guessing the full moon rising, she may speak on my behalf.
SisterMoonChild shall bat her eyelashes spiderlike to each constellation as they sparkle and dim upon the backdrop of this grand stage.
This place we call Earth, it is a Hell birthing breathing dragons of denial and greed and in between, beauty. The blooming of new life.
The irony that existence is dependent upon black vs. white, good vs. evil, night vs. day, man vs. woman, sun vs. moon, and you vs. me.
Where are the ones standing and speaking for us all, we're outnumbered. Where is the golden chalice, my cup of poison, the holy altar?
I shall gladly drink my share to elevate me from a state of betrayal. Hand me a crudely chiseled cup made only by the hand of man.
Bring it to my lips, love. My eyes shall close, breathing cease, yet my spirit shall soar as pure divine energy.
Oh, what silly creatures to dream a dream upon dreams that may or may not exist according to each of our own waking states.
I shall attempt to reach a state of being and non being, of living while dying alive, of pure esoteric flight, of thinking without thought.
How grand it is to be alive in a time of dying. The fresh buds shall bloom when the frost sleeps during Springtimes coming of age. And Summer shall welcome Fall, prepare her for Winter.
Drink, friends, this cup of mine is yours.
It is sweet, oh, yet it is bitter.
Drink, friends, this cup of mine is yours.
It is sweet, oh, yet it is bitter.
© Susan Marie 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
lines finely sketched
I raise both palms in supplication to that which is more immense than the feeble human mind and cry as thunder for the ills of society.
Voices reverberate in my skull bones causing me to question: Is it I, solitary human, that has fallen backwards on her own insight?
Are we all not sane and insane? Are we all not greater and lesser? Who has the absolute right to judge such a notion?
Such answers elude me. Raising my weary and shaking palms to the fiery boisterous sky. Waiting for answers only I have the answer to.
The thin line that separates us all is oh, so very fine. Like cracks in fault lines, the smallest disturbance, a chain reaction.
I seek answers to questions that have no answers. I must be insane to imagine that fine line, erased, and the middle way, my berth.
The Valkyrie's Vigil (1906) by Edward Robert Hughes
Thursday, March 1, 2012
"Nightingales Perched Upon Knots of Mother Nature" For Syria
The dead speak in tongues known only to nightingales perched upon rheumatic knots of Mother Nature trilling: What fresh hell is this?
Their voices echo in crisp cold eves, melding with wind's fierce breath. She welcomes them, wind, embracing martyrs, one by one.
Dear Earth, how short life is. We pay homage to those who travel to better places more so than precise moments of our own existence.
We cannot fully experience what death holds dear. Pure and absolute energy, alive and aligned divine with the universe, whole.
There's no reason to fear existence nor death. They are similar, yet this is the playground, the game board, the poker chip.
Each breath of ours mimics movements elsewhere. Do not think that you do not matter. For every fallen soul, there is birth.
Hassan Saad, 13, who fled Idlib in Syria, flashes a victory sign while walking outside the refugees camp near the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern city of Yayladagi, on February 16, 2012. Hassan said that his father was killed by the pro-Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad army five months ago.
© Susan Marie 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Firewall Looming in Pakistan: URL Filtering and Blocking
First published:
WeSpeakNews India
Pakistan Defence Pakistan
By March of 2012, The Pakistani Telecommunication Authority (PTA), may have succeeded in deployment of an Internet URL Filtering and Blocking system unless we, global citizens, along with the people of Pakistan, help prevent this from occurring.
As people become more aware and active globally, governments have begun to attempt to increase online censorship. Online censorship or filtering can be seen as justifiable when it may involve harmful content to children in educational systems, however, to censor or filter Internet usage in any fashion to adults, is in direct violation of constitutions and amendments that exist, against 14 of 30 Universal Human Rights, and the Constitution of Pakistan, as seen in the preamble alone.
America, with help from worldwide activists, citizens, businesses and Internet networks, fought back against two proposed bills SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act] and PIPA [Protect IP Act] through petitions, calling state and government legislation, with businesses and online networks blacking out their websites in protest.
Internet censorship is the control or suppression of the publishing of, or access to information on the Internet.
The PTA is asking institutions [business, organizations, education, communication, media, etc] to submit a proposal allowing the PTA to block URL's [universal resource locaters] aligned with The National RCT & RD Fund.
THE RCT states the URL blocking will "Transform Pakistan’s economy into a knowledge based economy by promoting efficient, sustainable and effective ICT initiatives through synergic development of industrial and academic resources."
This is not the first time Pakistan has experienced online censorship in the current Federal Parliamentary System [Executive branch with support of legislation] however, with help, it can very well be the last.
On 24/7OnlineTV, broadcast journalist, Faisal Kapadia speaks with Sana Saleem, activist/journalist and Yusra Askari, correspondent with NDTV in Part One of "Out of Bounds" on the Firewall Looming in Pakistan. All three explain and address how the government has invited proposals to private and semi-private companies to block 5 to 10 million URLS.
Why is the government doing this?
In Part Two of "Out of Bounds", Faisal addresses the online community for reaction inside and out of Pakistan as to how this issue is viewed using varied comments from activists, journalists and citizens.
In May of 2011, The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights General Assembly in Article A/HRC/17/27 focused on freedom to access online content, access to the physical and technical infrastructure online, the increase in censoring information online, namely through arbitrary blocking or filtering of content, and criminalization of legitimate expression as human rights abuses under the right to freedom of expression and opinion.
Universal access to the Internet is not only freedom of expression and opinion as a human right, it is part of the Constitution of Pakistan. Blocking of URLS will hamper international business inside and out of Pakistan, as well as further damaging the cross border communications already in dire need of repair between people.
Business owners may not be able to promote their services, as well as global access to each business. Media will be hampered immensely due to not being able to access the global online network in order to tell the world what is occurring in Pakistan. Global aid for disaster relief, disease, hunger and medical care will not be able to reach those in need. The world will continue to operate as usual, however, to assume according to the RCT statement aligned with the Government of Pakistan that this filtering is solely to enhance the economy and education of Pakistan is preposterous at most.
On the US State Website after a 2010 visit to China, where the government controls the Internet, President Obama held a meeting with an online component to highlight the importance of the Internet. He defended the right of people to freely access information, and said that the more freely information flows, the stronger societies become. Obama spoke about how access to information helps citizens hold their own governments accountable, generates new ideas, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship.
In 2011, SOPA and PIPA were introduced to the American public.
Condemnations of this action, along with information regarding this initiative have already begun by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation, The Civil Society Against Blanket Ban of the Internet and Freedom House.Org.
Censorship, in any form, is to silence.
Friday, February 17, 2012
PT II: What is Occupy? OWS Visits OccupyBuffalo [Live Audio]
First published in:
Think Twice Radio [Buffalo, audio]
“There need be no blood-shed or
violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national
authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and
possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to
collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for
these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or
among the people anywhere.”
– Abraham Lincoln Inaugural Address 1861,
prior to The Civil War.
February 2012: Occupy Wall Street NYC visits Occupy Buffalo.
The following interviews educate one on “What is Occupy?” from various
perspectives of four people continuously active within “Occupy.”
Through their experience, education, and advocacy; Occupy can be seen
not only as a “movement”, but as global transformation.
OWS arriving in Buffalo © Brian Pickard 2012
Robert Albini and Logan Noonan
discuss: The True Face of Media, Social Order, Stepping Out of Comfort
Zones, Lack of Government Representation, Moving Forward as a Species,
Steps to a Well Informed Population, and Class Division.
Heron E. Simmonds – Price
speaking of What is Occupy? What an Occupation is and why, Direct
Action, Advocacy, Global Engagement, and Suitable Time Frame for Social
Change.
Linda Abrams speaks of:
The School of Everything, Social Disease and Indoctrination, Justice
Dialogues, Non Violent Communication, Specialization, The Activist
Toolbox, and The Banking Model of the Educational System.
Occupy Together is
a grassroots website to aid in self-organization. It began when two
designers and artists watched news feeds and information reported on
Facebook, Twitter, and live feeds online, wishing to bring greater
awareness to events they witnessed. The purpose was to provide people
with information. After a website was created, Occupy Together became a
tool for people to research the events, protests and demonstrations
across the globe. The birth of Occupy Together began due to citizens
taking action against corporate greed and corruption. OT has grown into a
valuable tool for all people who desire change. Occupy Together stands
in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.
Occupy Wall Street
began on September 17, 2011 as a people-powered initiative in Liberty
Square, Manhattan’s [New York City] Financial District. This movement
spread to over 100 cities in the U.S and over 1,500 cities globally.
Occupy Wall Street speaks against the prolonged destructive powers of
banks and corporations through a true democratic process. The need for
OWS began due to economic collapse that caused immense recession. This
movement aims to take the richest 1% of people and hold them accountable
for creating an unjust global economy. The 99% is a symbol for all
people affected by an unfair economy.
OWS is inspired by the revolts in
Egypt and Tunisia.
Occupy Wall Street embodies:
- Principles of Solidarity
- Statement of Autonomy
- Declaration of the Occupation
- Everyone has the Right to Occupy Space, Safely
"This is as grassroots as it gets.” – Occupy Wall Street
Saturday, February 4, 2012
OWS: Occupy Buffalo Eviction
First published:
WeSpeakNews: India
On February 2, 2012, OccupyBuffalo was forcefully
evicted from Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York after peacefully occupying since October of 2011.
This eviction was a result of a disagreement between OccupyBuffalo and the City of Buffalo.
Originally, the City offered to extend a prior approved joint agreement from 2011 to occupy until March 8th, 2012. OccupyBuffalo wanted the agreement to run until the end of March in order to find another location and to serve the needs of the community.
Occupiers had until Wednesday [Feb 2] night as a deadline to leave, after 4 months of peaceful occupation. The occupation wished to further discuss this with the city. OccupyBuffalo denied the sudden and unexplained choice by the city to vacate dependent upon the cities actions to not renew the prior contract until end of March.
The First Amendment of the Constitution provides for 'the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.'"
That is exactly what OccupyBuffalo did. That is not what occurred.
The permit to stay [that need not be obtained under the First Amendment yet
was] in the square expired at midnight. Crews [Buffalo Police Department,
bulldozers, dump trucks, and the SWAT team in riot gear] moved in to dismantle
all structures in Niagara Square.
The City and OccupyBuffalo have always worked
together.
This is a model occupation.
The raid occurred around 2:30am Thursday. 10 were arrested. All equipment,
save for one or two items, were destroyed. I watched live on Ustream in
abject horror.
I thought: I cannot believe this is occurring in my city.
This
abuse of power was an immense shock as witnessed on Ustream by BootsofSolidarity
because it occurred when people were sleeping. Peaceful resistance technique
was again taught [on video] by a seasoned community leader when the raid began.
It is heard on the stream: "The Buffalo Police Department said they will
not destroy anything."
Occupiers were also educated on possible arrest, meaning if they did not wish to take a chance, then to go across the street and for those that chose to exercise their legal, civil and human rights, then to stay put, peacefully.
There were no misunderstandings within the occupation.
SWAT Team members and Buffalo Police officers moved in on OccupyBuffalo with dump trucks, bulldozers and scooped the tents, equipment and all private and personal property into the dump trucks to be picked up at a "location" and sorted through.
Nearly everything was destroyed. This was not part of the agreement to vacate. Occupiers were simply told they may need to vacate.
OccupyBuffalo has melded into a community of teach ins, education, free food for the hungry, information on war, diversity of all faith, government, politics and true democracy.
Before this illegal raid, OccupyBuffalo was and is currently nominated for Top 20 out of 157 nominated occupations for a "community activist" award through FDL Action, coordinated by Jane Hamsher [HuffPost, Alternt, American Prospect, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and producer of Natural Born Killers.]
Mayor Brown told Channel 2 News there was nothing but positive discussions between the two parties and: "As part of their contract there is the potential for renewal, but again we are talking. The talks are going very well. There has been a very positive communication with the City's Law Department, special events division and the occupiers from the very beginning and we feel that this will go forward in a very positive fashion."
Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda stated: "We did not
anticipate violence but we prepared for the worst and hoped for the best."
When speaking to Channel 2 News, Mayor Brown said the peaceful protest in
Buffalo has been a model for other protest movements around the county. He told
a reporter "there is a chance the protesters will be allowed to
stay."
In court on Thursday morning [VIDEO
HERE] the 10 arrested [that never needed to be] were charged with disorderly
conduct and trespassing, yet dismissed with restrictions: no occupying in a 3
mile radius to Niagara Square.
The City has offered an abandoned house, at this point, to the occupation.
Why was the house not offered before the raid and arrests? Before the
destruction of private property? Is that any different than what government
bodies and police forces blame occupiers for doing? Destructing
governmental and city property by occupying it?
OccupyWallStreet has recognized this violation, as well as the world.
OccupyBuffalo will continue with or without a place to occupy in order to
continue to serve the community as they have been.
Gina Panzarella of Buffalo NY states quite clearly:
"We are not Radicals. We are a very creative, intelligent group of diverse individuals who are trying to make better lives for ourselves, our children, our families and our neighbors. We want to expose the corruption that has taken out the middle class while serving as many as we can for our community."
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