UN to study over 350 cases of disappearances

GENEVA – The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) has started reviewing more than 350 cases of enforced disappearances, including recently submitted information on previously accepted cases, and other communications concerning more than 40 countries.

During its 94th session, taking place at the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva from 4-8 July, the independent experts will hold meetings with Government delegations and civil society representatives, including relatives of disappeared persons, to exchange views on individual cases under consideration and on the phenomenon of enforced disappearances in general.

The Working Group is comprised of five independent experts from all regions of the world. 

The Chair-Rapporteur is Mr. Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa) and the other members are Mr. Ariel Dulitzky (Argentina), Ms. Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Mr. Osman El-Hajjé (Lebanon) and Mr. Olivier de Frouville (France).

The Working Group was established by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1980 to assist families in determining the fate and whereabouts of disappeared relatives. 

It endeavours to establish a channel of communication between the families and the Governments concerned, to ensure that individual cases are investigated, with the objective of clarifying the whereabouts of persons who, having disappeared, are placed outside the protection of the law. 

In view of the Working Group's humanitarian mandate, clarification occurs when the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person is clearly established.

The Working Group continues to address cases of disappearances until they are resolved. 

It also provides assistance in the implementation by States of the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

For more information on the WGEID:
http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/index.htm

How to submit cases to the WGEID?
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/disappear/docs/Communication_form_E.doc

For more information and media requests:

Ms. Giovanna Zucchelli: 
+41 22 917 9189
gzucchelli@ohchr.org

Mr. Matías Pellado:
+41 22 917 9336
mpellado@ohchr.org

Independence: All Men Are Created Equal?

First published WGRZ Channel 2 News

Buffalo.com

Righteous:  acting in accord with divine or moral law.

Rightful:  having a just or legally established claim.

© Merriam Webster 2011

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." 

- Preamble, The United States Declaration of Independence, 1776 

Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, is a celebration [and federal holiday] in the United States to recognize the Declaration of Independence of 1776.  A statement was adopted by the Continental Congress declaring that thirteen American colonies [then at war with Great Britain], were now independent states, no longer a part of the British Empire. 

Thomas Jefferson wrote this declaration stating that July 4th become the birth of America. The signed document is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.  The main components of this document, beside the Preamble, are grievances against King George III, including the right of revolution. 

Abraham Lincoln considered this declaration to be the foundation of his philosophy. The document has been utilized to promote rights of minority groups, basic human rights, and as moral standards that Americans live and abide by.

Are you, American citizen, practicing and applying these simple moral codes?

• - creating all men equal
• - recognizing endowment of one's Creator
• - allowing others, as well as self, to pursue life, liberty, happiness

Every American citizen rightfully and righteously should have been able to answer the above question with a resounding, "YES!"

This document is the cornerstone of the DIVERSITY that is all of the PEOPLE of the United States of America. It was put into effect to create a union, not a separation.  

Until we, America, learn how to treat ourselves and one another with respect, acceptance, love, kindness and compassion; then we, Americans, cannot accept this declaration as independence. 

This document was drafted to unite us as people, to progress us as a nation, for ourselves and for the world, and to be free from any rule that does not speak for the NATION of the PEOPLE of the United States of America. 

If you honestly have answered YES to the above question, you rightfully and righteously own this declaration.

As an American citizen, owning such declaration, the Preamble further states: 

• "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed [that is us, people.] 

• That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.  

• Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.  

• But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their RIGHT, it is their DUTY, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

READ THAT AGAIN. 

Regardless of how America came to be, who rightfully owned this land, those who were brought here under duress, the current state of the world, actions of the United States government and governments therein, and regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, and culture:

If you are indeed an America citizen, RIGHT NOW, the Declaration of Independence belongs to YOU.  

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT? 

[click above image to view 100%]

Susan Marie Public Relations

Think Twice Radio 

New York USA 2011

 

Alert Update: US Boat To Gaza

July 3, 2011 - 6 pm NY time

Athens: the 8 people who were fasting in front of the U.S. Embassy have been arrested then released. They are Ken Mayers, Carol Murry, Medea Benjamin, Paki Wieland, Ray McGovern, Brad Taylor, Kit Kitteridge and Kathy Kelly. We will not have any more news until the morning. 

In the meantime, keep the pressure on Washington. They need to pressure the Greek government to release our captain, our boat and now these 8 people as well! Let them sail to Gaza!

Throughout this country people have responded to our call to contact the U.S. State Department to demand that they take the steps necessary to ensure that the Greek authorities immediately release the captain and let our boat sail to Gaza. 

There has been such a strong response that their voice mailboxes are full! That's great, but of course frustrating for those of you trying to make those calls.

Here are some other phone numbers and email addresses to try:

• State Department general number: 202-647-4000 - ask for the Overseas U.S. Citizen Services Duty Officer and you'll get a live State Dept. official who has to hear you out.

• The voicemail for Kim Richter - also at the State Dept. - says she's out of the office for several days, and that callers with urgent issues should contact a colleague at 202-647-4578.

• If you can place an international phone call, the number for the U.S. Embassy in Athens is 011-30-210-721-2951.

• You can email the U.S. Embassy in Athens at: athensamemb@state.gov and athensamericancitizenservices@state.gov

Please try to call, fax or email your members of Congress as well.

EMAIL: nycons@greekembassy.org

• Consulate General - Chicago
• 650 North St. Clair Street
• Chicago , IL 60611
• Telephone: 312.335.3915
• Fax: 312.335.3958
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/chicago/
• E-mail: chicago@greekembassy.org
•  
•  
• Consulate General - San Francisco
• 2441 Gough Street
• San Francisco, CA 94123
• Telephone: 415.775.2102
• Fax: 415.776.6815
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/sanfrancisco/
• E-mail: sfgr@greekembassy.org
•  
•  
• Consulate General - Los Angeles
• 12424 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
• Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Telephone: 310.826.5555
• Fax: 310.826.8670
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/losangeles/
• E-mail: lagr@greekembassy.org
•  
•  
• Consulate General - Tampa
• 601 Bayshore Blvd., Suite 800
• Tampa, FL 33606
• Telephone: 813.865.0200
• Fax: 813.865.0206
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/tampa
• E-mail: grgencon.tam@mfa.gr
•  
•  
• Consulate - Atlanta
• Tower Place, Suite 1670 3340, Peachtree Rd., N.E.
• Atlanta, GA 30326
• Telephone: 404.261.3313
• Fax: 404.262.2798
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/atlanta/
• E-mail: atlanta@greekembassy.org
•  
•  
• Consulate - Houston
• 520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450
• Houston , TX 77027
• Telephone: 713.840.7522
• Fax: 713.840.0614
• Web Address: http://www.greekembassy.org/houston/
• E-mail: houston@greekembassy.org

Help us keep the pressure up!!

WWW.USTOGAZA.ORG