Saturday, July 2, 2011

Updates from Greece: Freedom Flotilla II: The Tahrir: Canada



The departure of ships with any flag from Greek ports to Gaza has been officially prohibited under the orders of the Greek government.

An hour ago, a Greek MP held a press conference in support of CBG and FF2 in front of the Tahrir at the port of Agios Nikolaos on the island of Crete (near the eastern end.)

All the delegates of Tahrir, from all countries, are well, free (no one has been arrested or detained) and in high spirits, each and every one of them

For coverage of what happened on the Tahrir yesterday: http://livenews.thestar.com/Event/Aboard_the_Gaza_flotilla

For the media:

 
Greece:

 
David Heap: +30 (697) 837 9887
Dylan Penner: +30 (699) 663 6796
Sandra Ruch: +30 (698) 030 1711
 

Canada:
 
Ehab Lotayef: 514.941.9792

lotayef@gmail.com
Wendy Goldsmith: 519.619.6766 wendygoldsmith21@gmail.com


Please keep the letters and calls to the Greek and Israeli authorities and the Canadian government going strong. We know that it makes a difference.


EVENTS

Let us know if you are planning an event or activity. We’ll help get the word out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgcCuqILdeU
http://www.origami-instructions.com/easy-origami-boat.html


MONTREAL

1. July 2, Saturday, 4:00 PM, at the entrance of the Montreal Jazz Festival 
(Bleury / Président Kennedy.)

We will rally to show solidarity with the Canada Boat, the Tahrir, we will have banners and distribute material. We will call on the Greek government to the Flotilla sail.

2. July 4, Monday. 11h30 AM, in front of the Greek Consulate (1002 Sherbrooke W.) We will deliver letters to the Greek Consulate, demanding they let the Tahrir sail.


OTTAWA

1.  July 2, Saturday, 12:00 noon, Vigil at the Greek Embassy, 76-80 McLaren Street (near Cartier.)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=177987668927794

2.  July 3, Sunday, 1:00-3:00 PM, at the Human Rights Monument (Elgin St./Lisgar St) Ottawa Symbolic launch, all welcome.

 
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=156111541128152


TORONTO

1. July 2, Saturday, 3pm, Location: Greek Consulate, 365 Bloor Street East


VANCOUVER

1. July 2, Saturday, 2:00-4:00 PM, In front of CBC headquarters at corner of Georgia & Hamilton.
 

VICTORIA

1. Sunday, July 3, 2:00pm, Beside the Tourist Information Centre, Wharf at Government St., Inner Harbour Rally.
 

WINDSOR, ON

1. July 2, Saturday, 11:00 AM – noon, Corner of Ottawa and Monmouth (across from Market Square.)

Windsor Peace Coalition

 
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=233175653373617


WINNIPEG

1. July 2, Saturday, 1:00 p.m. Corner of River Avenue and Osborne Street in Winnipeg.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=219730754734154



Together we can end the siege of Gaza!




               
Witness Gaza
 
 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Gaza Blockades: Canadian "Tahrir" and US "Audacity of Hope": Freedom Flotilla II



July 1, 2011

The blockade of Gaza reaches the shores of Greece!

As it attempts to sail, the Canadian Boat to Gaza, the Tahrir, blockaded in Greece

Greek coast guard are now on board the Tahrir attempting to arrest Sandra Rush, Jewish Canadian member of the Canada boat to Gaza Steering Committee, who is refusing to surrender boat's registration papers.

Efforts to stop Freedom Flotilla 2 - Stay Human from sailing have included diplomatic pressure and manipulation, economic blackmail, bureaucratic obstacles, baseless and slanderous allegations against the flotilla and the delegates, and sabotage of at least two vessels.

"The world watched as an intensive campaign to prevent the Tahrir and the entire Freedom flotilla II from sailing was underway.  We have been unjustly and duplicitously treated." said Irene MacInnes of the Tahrir organizing committee. "The government of Israel, shamefully with the tacit support of the Harper government, is doing everything in its power to maintain the blockade. 



Today, as a result of the concerted efforts of the 4th largest military power in the world and its backers, we have been prevented from sailing to Gaza. Yet we will persevere in our attempts till the blockade is lifted."

"Israel has in effect extended the illegal blockade of Gaza to Greek ports, using the Greece's economic difficulties to influence the government's position", said David Heap of the organizing committee.

"We remain absolutely clear that the Canadian Boat to Gaza has not been, is not, and has no intention of, breaking any laws. It is the blockade of Gaza that is illegal under international law. 



We have a legal and moral obligation to challenge the blockade, given the failure of the international community to act", said Dylan Penner of the organizing committee. "This is why we must continue our attempts to sail to Gaza: to challenge the illegal and immoral blockade and to equally challenge the Canadian federal government's support for it."

Meanwhile the US boat to Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, is at a standoff with the Greek Navy boats, refusing orders to return to shore.


For biographies of delegates aboard the Tahrir visit:  


Contacts in Greece:
David Heap: +30 (697) 837 9887
Dylan Penner: +30 (699) 663 6796
Sandra Ruch: +30 (698) 030 1711
Contacts in Canada:
Ehab Lotayef: 514.941.9792 - lotayef@gmail.com
Wendy Goldsmith: 519.619.6766 - wendygoldsmith21@gmail.com


-----------------
français  ---------------


Pour diffusion immédiate

Le 1er juillet 2011

Le blocus de Gaza s’étend jusqu’aux côtes grecques!

Alors qu’il tente de prendre la mer, le Bateau canadien pour Gaza, le Tahrir, est retenu en Grèce


La garde côtière grecque a arraisonné le Tahrir et tente d’arrêter Sandra Rush, une citoyenne canadienne de confession juive et membre du comité de pilotage du Bateau canadien pour Gaza, qui refuse de céder les documents d’enregistrement du bateau.

On a pratiquement tout fait pour empêcher la Flottille pour la Liberté II – Rester humain, de prendre la mer : pressions et manipulations diplomatiques, chantage économique, obstacles bureaucratiques, allégations sans fondement et diffamatoires à l’endroit de la flottille et des délégués, sabotage d’au moins deux navires, etc.

«Le monde entier a pu voir à l’œuvre la campagne intensive pour empêcher le Tahrir et la Flottille de la liberté de partir. Nous sommes victimes d’injustice et de duplicité» a dit Irene MacInnes, du comité de pilotage du Tahrir. «Le gouvernement israélien, avec l’appui tacite et honteux du gouvernement Harper, fait tout en son pouvoir pour maintenir le blocus. Aujourd’hui, en raison des efforts concertés de la 4e puissance militaire au monde – et de ses supporteurs – nous avons été empêchés de mettre le cap sur Gaza. Mais nous allons persévérer et multiplier nos efforts jusqu’à ce que le blocus soit levé.»

«Dans les faits, Israël a étendu son blocus de Gaza jusqu’aux ports grecs. Au fond, Israël s’est servi des difficultés  économiques de la Grèce pour influencer la position du gouvernement grec» a dit David Heap du comité de pilotage.

«Soyons parfaitement clairs: le Bateau canadien pour Gaza n’a jamais enfreint la moindre loi. Nous sommes en tout point en conformité avec le droit. C’est au contraire le blocus de Gaza qui enfreint le droit international. Étant donné l’inaction de la communauté internationale, nous avons l’obligation légale et morale de contester le blocus» a dit Dylan Penner du comité de pilotage. «C’est pourquoi nous devons continuer nos efforts pour nous rendre à Gaza : pour contester le blocus illégal et immoral ainsi que l’appui que lui donne le gouvernement canadien.»

Pendant ce temps, le bateau américain pour Gaza, The Audacity of Hope, n’a pu s’éloigner que de quelques mètres des côtes grecques, étant bloqué par des navires de la marine grecque. Le bateau américain répond négativement aux ordres de regagner le rivage.


Pour la biographie des délégués à bord du Tahrir :
http://www.tahrir.ca/fr/content/d%C3%A9l%C3%A9gation-%C3%A0-bord-du-tahrir

-30-

Info en Grèce
Stéphan Corriveau: +44 7715 055 541
David Heap: +30 (697) 837 9887

Info au Canada
Lorraine Guay: 514.746.8453lorraineguay@videotron.ca
Denis Kosseim: 514.923.5594 - denis.tahrir@gmail.com



 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

UN: Office of the High Commissioner: Human rights / Counter terrorism





30 June 2011

Human rights / Counter terrorism: 

The new UN listing regimes for the Taliban and Al-Qaeda


 
Statement by the Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter terrorism,
 Martin Scheinin


GENEVA – On 17 June 2011, the Security Council adopted two landmark resolutions that result in a major reform of the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorist sanctions regime. The listing of terrorist individuals and entities by a Committee of the Security Council, and the duty of all states to subject anyone on the list to a freezing of assets and a travel ban has grown from Resolution 1267 (1999). That resolution was limited in time and space, as it merely targeted the then Taliban regime of Afghanistan, to put pressure upon it to hand over terrorist leader Osama bin Laden. 

Due to the threat posed to international peace and security by the Taliban harboring bin Laden, the resolution was a proper measure under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

A highly problematic step was taken through resolution 1390 (2002) which, under Chapter VII of the Charter, converted the Taliban list into a global consolidated list of Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists, without any temporal or geographic limitations. Coupled with the permanent, or at least indefinite, duration of the resulting sanctions, these features led the Special Rapporteur to conclude that the Security Council is acting ultra vires, beyond its powers, by maintaining under Chapter VII its consolidated list of Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists.

The terrorist blacklist has been subject to consistent and growing criticism, including by certain judicial bodies and the Human Rights Committee, for its human rights shortcomings. Issues of fair trial and due process, right to privacy, freedom of movement and right to property have been raised and litigated.

The Security Council has proven to be responsive to criticism. A series of reforms have been decided to remedy at least some of the shortcomings and to bring elements of due process into the terrorist listing. Prior to the June 17 resolutions, Resolution 1904 (2009) was the most important of the reforms, establishing the office of a Delisting Ombudsperson and a tight time frame for the consideration of delisting requests.

Despite the reforms, the Special Rapporteur has maintained the position that the procedures for terrorist listing and delisting by the 1267 Committee of the Security Council do not meet international human rights standards concerning due process or fair trial. 

Therefore he takes the view that as long as proper due process is not guaranteed at the United Nations level when listing individuals or entities as terrorists, national (or European Union) courts will need to exercise judicial review over the national (or European) measures implementing the sanctions.

The Special Rapporteur’s assessment of the new Resolutions 1988 and 1989 is the following:

 
The two resolutions separate the Taliban and Al Qaeda sanctions regimes from each other. The 1267 regime, originally created for the Taliban, is converted into a global Al Qaida terrorist listing regime. The Taliban will be covered by the new Resolution 1988 which is based on a territorial limitation, the identification of the situation in Afghanistan constituting a threat to international peace and security.

While the new Taliban sanctions regime under Resolution 1988 is easier to reconcile with Security Council powers under Chapter VII of the UN Charter than the preceding global Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorist listing regime, it is a retrogressive step in relation to the human rights concerns expressed and the reforms already undertaken within it. In particular:

 
  • The grounds for delisting (paragrah 18) are openly political.  They cover “individuals that meet the reconciliation conditions agreed to by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community”, which include “respect for the Afghan Constitution”.
  •  
  • The Delisting Ombudsperson, introduced through Resolution 1904 (2009) as a dimension of independent review in relation to the consolidated Taliban and Al Qaida terrorist list, will have no role in the new Taliban sanctions regime.

In relation to the modified 1267 sanctions regime, that under Resolution 1989 now relates only to persons or entities associated with Al Qaeda, the reverse observations apply:

 
  • The Special Rapporteur remains critical of the view that the criminal terrorist network generally known as the Al Qaeda would, without geographical or temporal limitations, constitute a permanent threat to international peace and security in the meaning of Article 39 of the United Nations Charter and hence trigger the powers of the Security Council to introduce under Chapter VII of the UN Charter mandatory measures, legally binding upon all Member States.
  •  
  • The Special Rapporteur commends Resolution 1989 for the important measure of removing the consensus requirement from delisting decisions. Under Resolution 1989, the Delisting Ombudsperson or the designating State can de facto exercise delisting powers by default, unless the 1267 Sanctions Committee by consensus decides to retain the listing. 
  •  
  • However, this important improvement is compromised by the possibility of any member of the Security Council to refer a delisting recommendation by the Ombudsperson or by the designating State to the full Security Council, where its normal decision-making rules will apply. This means that delisting will require the votes of nine out of the 15 members of the Security Council and can be blocked by the veto of any of the five permanent members.

In the assessment of the Special Rapporteur, the Al Qaeda sanctions regime under Resolution 1989 does not, judged by the letter of the resolution, remedy the human rights shortcomings expressed in relation to the earlier Consolidated List. Judicial challenges at national and European levels are likely to continue. 

Due to the unsatisfactory level of due process guarantees such as disclosure of information and a right to an effective remedy, the strengthened role of the Ombudsperson is unlikely to satisfy national or European courts that the safeguards at the United Nations level are sufficient, so that these courts could allow deference instead of exercising their jurisdiction over the national or European measures for the implementation of the sanctions.

However, if it turns out that Security Council members are prepared to secure all the following conditions, the assessment may change:

 
  • any listing proposal requires the submission of the full set of information that is used as the substantive basis for the listing proposal;
  •  
  • the person or entity subjected to the listing proposal has the right and practical means to effectively challenge the proposal;
  •  
  • the Delisting Ombudsperson has access to the full set of information used for the listing; 
  •  
  • the delisting recommendations by the Ombudsperson or delisting proposals by the designating State are in practice respected, so that they are not overturned through a consensus decision by the 1267 Committee or referred to the full Security Council.

If these conditions are met in the implementation of Resolution 1989, the Special Rapporteur finds it likely that national or European courts will require listed individuals or entities to exhaust the delisting procedure of the Ombudsperson before exercising their jurisdiction in relation to the national or European implementing measures.”

ENDS

Martin Scheinin was appointed Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, by the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights in August 2005.  His six years of service as Special Rapporteur will come to an end on 31 July 2011. 


The mandate was renewed by the Human Rights Council in October 2010.  As Special Rapporteur, he is independent from any Government and serves in his individual capacity. He is Professor of Public International Law at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence, Italy.

As Special Rapporteur he has addressed the issue of terrorist listings on a number of occasions, including by appearing before the 1267 Sanctions Committee, as part of his country visits and in several of his thematic reports, including:
 



    UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy 




    Information/media requests: 

    Nikolaus Schultz

     
    UN Human Rights:




    Monday, June 27, 2011

    Gaza, We Are Coming: Greek officials attempt to block U.S. Boat to Gaza


    On Saturday, 25 June, the French boat, Dignity / Karama, left the port of l'ile Rousse in Corsica, France, to meet up with at least nine other vessels sailing to Gaza to challenge Israel's illegal blockade. 

    Israel's best efforts to stop the boats at port, including pressure on governments, threats against insurance and communications companies, intimidation of human rights defenders, frivolous lawsuits and other underhanded tactics, have thus far failed. 

    The Freedom Flotilla has set sail. In the coming days the rest of the vessels in the flotilla, two cargo ships and seven other passenger boats, will leave from various ports to a meeting point in international waters from which the boats will sail all together towards Gaza. They will carry nearly three thousand tons of aid and hundreds of civilians from dozens of countries, including members of parliament, politicians, writers, artists, journalists and sports figures, as well as representatives of indigenous peoples and various faith groups. 

    Some of the vessels are facing delays admittedly initiated by bogus complaints from the Israel Law Center, attempted sabotage of some boats, as well as administrative obstacles created by the Greek government in response to Israeli pressure. 

    There is no question that Israel's near hermetic closure of the Gaza Strip is illegal; this has been affirmed again and again by numerous international human rights bodies including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.  When prompted by the flotilla effort, international consensus has been unequivocal in the demand for the Israeli siege to end. 

    There is no question that Israel's closure policy has had a devastating effect on the occupied people of Gaza. This has also been well documented. The only question is why does the international community of states allow Israel to keep violating the law and rights of the Palestinian people with impunity? 

    Recent steps taken by Israel to address the concerns raised in the public eye by the Freedom Flotilla II - Stay Human initiative, including last week's announcement of authorization for construction materials for 1,200 homes and 18 schools in Gaza, prove that flotillas work. However, this is not enough, as our effort is not simply about increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is about freedom for Palestinians in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. 

    Calls by some world leaders for flotilla organizers to use "established channels" to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza show a fundamental disregard for Palestinian human rights. The Palestinian people do not want handouts from the international community; rather they demand liberation - a call we must all support. 

    Therefore, despite intimidation, pressure, and threats of violence from the Israeli government, which is not ashamed to boast that it will use snipers and attack dogs against unarmed civilians, we will sail. 

    We call on our governments to do their utmost to protect their citizens as we take to the sea, without weapons, protection or threat of force, in defense of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. 


    What You Can Do: 

    Call upon the Greek government not to become complicit in Israel's illegal actions by succumbing to this pressure, and to join France in standing unopposed to the flotilla.


    • Call:
    • Huwaida Arraf, Athens +30-694-781-5798
      Greta Berlin, Athens +33 607 374 512 
    • Email: Greek Embassy in DC, asking them not to cave in to any Israeli or US pressure not to let the US Boat sail. at  ambassador@greekembassy.org   









    Gaza, we are coming.  

     

    Sunday, June 26, 2011

    Pakistan: A New Perspective 3D




    Click the links in bold below for a 3D experience of Pakistan



    “Let us trust each other,” roared the Governor-general designate and added; “Let us judge by results, not by theories. With the help of every section –I see that every class is represented in this huge gathering –let us work in double shift if necessary to make the Sovereign State of Pakistan really happy, 
    really united and really powerful.” 

    Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Speech at a Dinner Party given by the late Mr. Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah at the Karachi Club on 9th August, 1947.



    In a span of over two years, based on interviews, heated and tolerant discussions, my own research, speaking and writing about and with Pakistan; I have come to know a nation through the eyes and voices of Pakistanis. I revert to the vision Jinnah had of Pakistan. I understand politically and historically why his idealism never flourished; yet I find insurmountable beauty through landscapes, culture, architecture, history, artists, activists and people of Pakistan.


    The world is ablaze. People are born while simultaneously dying. Nations are revolting. I have witnessed and experienced in many nations, grave religious and cultural intolerance, lack of education [although educated on a collegiate level], mass media propaganda, ignorance and apathy.  In a world of negative, how many focus on the positive?


    Pakistan equals the combined land areas of France and the UK. It is the 36th largest nation by area with a coastline along the Arabian Sea. Land borders include: Afghanistan, China, India and Iran. Pakistan means Land of [the] Pure in Urdu [national language] and Persian.


    Ethnic groups consist mainly of: Punjabis, Pashtuns,Sindhis, Muhajirs, and Balochs. Pakistan is home to refugees from Afghanistan, India, Iran and Africa, as well as cultures that reside in Pakistan from other nations causing Pakistan to be a country abundant in diverse faith, language, music, art and literature.



    Experience a 3D positive perspective of Pakistan.





    Pakistan is the 2nd most populous Muslim majority nation, consisting mainly of Sunni and Shi’a sects of faith, as well as: Sufism, Hinduism, Christianity, Ahmadi, Sikhism, Parsi, and Buddhism. Pakistan is multilingual with more than 60 languages spoken, most prevalent are: Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, and English.





    Pakistan claims some of the tallest mountain peaks in the world. This nation is home to Mughal architecture and archaeological remains in The Indus Valley to the empire of Alexander the Great. Landscapes in Pakistan allow for variety of trees and plants to flourish. The animal life in Pakistan reflects the varied climates of the land.





    Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan is not utilized as a building block nor guiding
    force by the current government of Pakistan, its leaders nor its foreign affiliates.  Jinnah’s idealism is alive in the passion of the youth of Pakistan. I have witnessed youth [ranging from ages 16-28] over extending themselves during emergent and dangerous situations [all current, unsolved and ongoing] such as:



    • Amina Masood Janjua and Missing Persons
    • Solidarity with Kashmir
    • Palestinian Solidarity
    • The IDF Mavi Marmara Attack
    • The Trial of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui
    • U.S. Drone Attacks
    • The Margalla Crash
    • 2010 Pakistan Floods
    • Death of Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti [regarding blasphemy law]
    • Unrelenting bombing within Pakistan [specifically Karachi and Peshawar]
    • Solidarity with the Arab Uprising
    • Justice for The Sialkot Brothers
    • PNS Mehran
    • Emergency Education
    • Solidarity with Physicians
    • Death of Osama Bin Laden
    • Death of investigative journalist Saleem Shahzad [one of many]
    • Death of Sarfaraz Shah in Karachi



    Tragedy has become an “expected” part of existence in Pakistan.






    My view of the people of Pakistan is one of immense strength, perseverance and tolerance for occurrences that should never be tolerated. My experience is a direct result of speaking to journalists, political activists, social media, youth organizations, and adults who are there to guide youth. As a journalist and a human being, it is incomprehensible to fathom existing in a nation where the wrong rights are utilized and the right rights are ignored.


    Pakistan, A New Perspective, cannot be realized without ideological tolerance, proper education, control of foreign powers, and consensual rights and equality for all people. I have immense respect for people who do speak, protest, work, exist and survive in a land I view as culturally diverse, rich in history, agriculture, literature, art, journalism. language, faith and courage.





    “I have no doubt that with unity, faith and discipline we will not only remain the fifth largest State in the world but will compare with any nation of the world….You must make up your mind now. We must sink individualism and petty jealousies and make up our minds to serve the people with honesty and faithfulness. We are passing through a period of fear, danger and menace. We must have faith, unity and discipline.”

    - Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Reply to North Western Railway Officers
    welcome address, Karachi, 28 December 1947.






    Friday, June 24, 2011

    Anuradha Koirala: CNN documentary: Nepal's Stolen Children


    WATCH below: Buffalo NY: Maiti Nepal





    WATCH: PBS Documentary:
    The Day My God Died

    CNN-TV documentary: Anuradha and Maiti Nepal:  NEPAL'S STOLEN CHILDREN

    Watch the premiere on Sunday, June 26th (times below) Reported by Demi Moore 

    Combating child sex trafficking in Nepal: 


    Last November, Anuradha won CNN Hero of the Year.  CNN has made a documentary about sex trafficking in Nepal: Maiti Nepal and Anuradha are the beating heart of it.

    groupof teens


    • CNN US:
    •  6/26      8pm ET / 5pm PT
    • 6/26      11pm ET / 8pm PT
    • 6/27      2am ET / (6/26) 11pm PT


    • CNNi BERLIN & JOHANNESBURG:
    • 6/26      20:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  
    • 6/26      21:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  
    • 6/27      02:00 Berlin & Johannesburg  


    • CNNi ABU DHABI:
    • 6/26      22:00 Abu Dhabi
    • 6/26      23:00 Abu Dhabi
    • 6/27      04:00 Abu Dhabi  

    • CNNi HONG KONG:
    • 6/26      20:00 Hong Kong
    • 6/27      02:00 Hong Kong
    • 6/27      03:00 Hong Kong
    • 6/27      08:00 Hong Kong 
    • CNNi KATHMANDU:
    • 6/26      17:45 Kathmandu
    • 6/26      23:45 Kathmandu
    • 6/27      00:45 Kathmandu
    • 6/27      05:45 Kathmandu
     
    • CNNi MEXICO CITY: (in English on CNNi)
    • 6/26      1pm Mexico City
    • 6/26      2pm Mexico City
    • 6/26      7pm Mexico City

    • CNNi LONDON:
    • 6/26      19:00 London
    • 6/26      20:00 London
    • 6/27      01:00 London



     Brigitte Cazalis-Collins and Joe Collins
    Friends of Maiti Nepal 



    Story of Maiti Nepal 


    Find us on Facebook


    "Please tell the world about my girls." -  Anuradha Koirala

    Wednesday, June 22, 2011

    Buffalo: WAM Summer Jam: (Writers, Artists, Musicians) June 29th

     
    Proud to announce on JUNE 29th WAM (Writers, Artists, Musicians) will be celebrating their 2 year anniversary at 464 Art Gallery!

    Don't miss this 2 YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY at WAM Summer Jam!

    Featuring performances from past WAM acts, as well as gallery of work from NOMAD artists. There will be a community painting project, photo booth, live outdoor music in the backyard (bring a blanket!) and the release of NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine Issue 5. We can't wait to celebrate with you all!

    PERFORMANCES BY:

    Andrew Daniels & Tony Trippi
    Dan Borodzick
    Mel Latimer
    Mark & Colin from Coterie of Stern
    Megan Callahan
    Andrew Delmonte.

    Event Name:
     WAM Buffalo (Writers Artists Musicians)

    Date:  Wednesday June 29th - 6PM START


    NEW LOCATION:
     
            464 Art Gallery
            464 Amherst Street
            Buffalo, NY
       
    *Additional details: http://www.wambuffalo.com


    *Facebook event: 
    https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223680860983031



      
    WAM Buffalo
    Writers Artists Musicians Event
    http://www.WAMBuffalo.com

    Sponsored by:

    NOMAD Art & Lit Magazine

    http://www.nomadbuffalo.com

    Free Henry!
    http://www.FreeHenryBand.com


    Please check out WAM, a monthly Writers/Artists/Musicians' creative mixer/showcase which encourages conversation and collaboration.  With a focus on live & local, WAM features new performers and artists each month along with Open Mic & live art projects, which guests are invited to participate in.

    This event is
    free and open to the public.  The last Wednesday of every month, join WAM for drink specials and amazing homegrown talent!



    Tuesday, June 21, 2011

    The 9th Music is Art 2011 Festival: Press Conference: June 23

     
    MiALogo   

    Music is Art 2011 Festival

    Join us for a special press conference to announce plans for the 2011 Music is Art Festival. 

    Public Press Conference 

    The 2011 Music is Art Festival marks the 9th year of bringing together over 50 local bands, displaying artists and photographers, dancers, live art demonstrations, DJs and the ever popular Kids Village.


    Join us Thursday at the Shakespeare stage in Delaware park as we reveal the festival:

    • date
    • location
    • theme
    • poster art
    •  
    Then stay for the 7:30 p.m., free performance of The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare in Delaware Park.

    Where, When:

    Shakespeare Stage at Delaware Park
    (Rain location: the Marcy Casino)
    Buffalo, New York 14222
    Thursday, June 23rd
    7:00 PM

    Music is Art
    121 Humboldt Pkwy
    Buffalo, New York 14214
    716-880-3375


    The Organization:


    Music is Art is a not for profit (federal 501c3) organization founded in 2004 by The Goo Goo Dolls bassist and Buffalo native Robby Takac. MiA operates through a board of directors, staff, partner organizations, sponsors, and many, many volunteers.


    Executive Director

    Tod A. Kniazuk





    Wednesday, June 15, 2011

    International Federation of Journalists Backs Pakistani Journalists



    The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) supports the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in rejecting of the Pakistan Government’s terms for appointing a judicial commission to investigate the abduction and murder in late May of journalist Saleem Shahzad.

     The Government announced on June 14 that it would appoint the Chief Justice of the Federal Sharia Court, Agha Mohammad Rafique, to head the commission.

    However, the PFUJ insisted the inquiry must be led by a fully independent Supreme Court justice. 


    Appointments to the Supreme Court are made by the President on the recommendation of the court’s Chief Justice, and are permanent appointments. Justices of the Federal Sharia Court are directly appointed by the Government on an ad hoc basis for a limited tenure of three years.

    The PFUJ had demanded the Government set up a commission headed by a Supreme Court judge by June 10. The demand was supported by the IFJ and other organisations around the world.

    “The inquiry into Shahzad’s murder must be as independent and transparent as possible, and recognised as such by the wider population. It is therefore necessary that the inquiry be headed by a Supreme Court justice,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

    The PFUJ, an IFJ affiliate, said journalists would proceed with a 24-hour sit-in outside the Federal Parliament from 3pm on June 15, and would boycott national and provincial assemblies for two days. Similar protests will be held at provincial assemblies in Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi.

    PFUJ president Pervaiz Shaukat told a press conference on June 14 that the Government was not paying heed to the demands of journalists for full investigations to bring killers of journalists to justice and to end the culture of impunity for the murders of media personnel across all provinces of Pakistan. 



    PFUJ secretary-general Amin Yousuf said journalists would only accept a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge.

    Journalists in Pakistan have voiced outrage since the body of Shahzad was found about 150km southeast of Islamabad on May 31. Shahzad disappeared in Islamabad on May 29, two days after he published on Asia Times Online an investigative report into alleged links between Al-Qaeda and Pakistani naval officials.

    At least four more Pakistani journalists have been reported killed in connection to their work during 2011.

    -     Asfandyar Khan, of the daily Akhbar-i-Khyber, died in a bomb blast, Peshawar, June 11.

    -     NasrullahAfridi, of Pakistan Television (PTV) and the Urdu daily Mashriq, murdered in targeted car-bomb blast, Peshawar, May 10.

    -     WaliKhan Babar, of GEO TV, murdered by unknown gunmen, Karachi, January 13.

    -     IlyasNazar, of the Baloch-language Darwanth, found dead in Pidarak, Balochistan, January 5, after abduction on December 28.

    Following the June 11 twin-blast in Peshawar, trainee reporter Shafiullah Khan, of TheNews, is reported to be in a critical condition in hospital, suffering burns to 70 per cent of his body.

    For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919

    The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

    Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

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