Estimadas y estimados:
Esta mañana hemos realizado la acción por el cierre de Guantánamo y ha resultado un éxito rotundo. Han participado más de 50 activistas y la actividad ha sido cubierta por 16 medios de comunicación (incluyendo las agencias AFP, AP, Reuters y DPA).

Mañana y pasado son días feriados en el Perú (precisamente por la cumbre internacional que trae a Bush a Lima), así que el reporte completo y las fotos se las enviaremos el próximo lunes. De momento, y como avance, vean El Comercio, uno de los principales periódicos del país.

Gracias por su apoyo!

Núria, desde Perú

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The election of Barack Obama to the US presidency opens new opportunities for an end to the seven-year assault on human rights by the US administration.

Amnesty International urges US President-elect Obama to make human rights central to his new administration. In the first 100 days, Amnesty International is calling on the new administration to:

• announce a plan and date to close Guantánamo;
• issue an executive order to ban torture and other ill-treatment, as defined under international law;
• ensure that an independent commission to investigate abuses committed by the US government in its “war on terror” is set up.

These demands are part of a “checklist” of actions Amnesty International is asking the new US President to take during the first 100 days in office.

Call on President-elect Barack Obama to demonstrate a commitment to human rights in his first 100 days in office.

The action started at lunchtime and coincided with the US presidential elections. Activists were wearing orange overalls and we had one activist dressed up as Uncle Sam. In Holland the winter has started to get chilly so it was not very warm; however this did not stop the students from making this action successful. Every half hour the group walked around in circles with Uncle Sam.

The local press paid loads of attention to this action and a lots of people came especially to the Square to sign our petition. It is amazing that there are still people who have never heard about Guantanamo Bay. As with every action, there are always some funny stories to tell. At the end of the night, we are proud to present 1045 signatures to add to the AI petition to end illegal US detention at Guantanamo Bay!!

Add your name to Amnesty International’s petition to end the US illegal detention at Guantanamo Bay

Daisy Temple,
Holland

AI Canada picked a chilly day for their latest coalition demo for the repatriation of Omar Khadr on Nov 2nd. The site was the official residence of the Prime Minister: 24 Sussex. A dedicated crowd turned out from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa and the atmosphere was upbeat. After some rousing chants of “Mr Harper Mr Harper, bring Omar back to Canada” and variations thereof, the RCMP allowed the activists to deliver a joint letter and dossier.

The next event is tentatively planned for November 20th (Universal Children’s Day) outside the Prime Minister’s Office.

Take action and demand the repatriation of Omar Khadr to Canada!

Visit Amnesty International Canada’s website

Hilary, from Canada