verbena-19

Women's Human Rights Bulletin for November, 2005 from Amnesty USA

November 2005
TAKE ACTION

End Violence Against Women by DRC Armed Forces
Armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have committed acts of violence against tens of thousands of women and children. Since signing the December 2002 All-Inclusive Peace Agreement to end the major conflict, former leaders of these armed troops have become part of the current transitional government. But Amnesty International believes that these armed groups retain their military capability and readiness for renewed conflict and continue to commit grave human rights abuses.
» ACT NOW!

Stop the Ordered Flogging of a Woman in the United Arab Emirates
A female domestic worker has reportedly been sentenced to 150 lashes for becoming pregnant outside of marriage in the United Arab Emirates. The woman was sentenced by a Shari'a (Islamic) court of law, after the result of a forced pregnancy test was positive. The ordered flogging violates her right against torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, and is a form of gender-based violence. Help stop the ordered flogging immediately.
» ACT NOW!



HOT TOPIC

Housing Rights
All over the world, including here in the United States, survivors of domestic violence are forced to choose between escaping their abuser and keeping a roof over their and their children’s heads. The U.S. section of Amnesty International (AIUSA) is beginning a research project on the relationship between domestic violence and lack of adequate housing, due to be released in 2007.
» Read more



REPORTS AND RESOURCES

Gender-Based Violence Resource
New guidelines for gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian settings have been issued by a coalition of UN agencies, academic institutions, and local and international NGOs. The guidelines are the latest step in an international effort to effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence in emergency settings.
» Learn more
» Read the report (in PDF)

Greece: Out of the Spotlight: The Rights of Foreigners and Minorities Are Still a Gray Area
Amnesty International has released a report detailing the human right’s abuses that occur in Greece against foreigners and minorities. These abuses range from the denial of protection to refugees and the ill treatment of migrants, to the forced eviction of Roma from their settlements and the inadequate protection of minority rights.
» Learn more

United States: Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in the United States
Amnesty International has released a report detailing the grave human rights abuses suffered by members of the LGBT community that are perpetuated by law enforcement officials. The report highlights the treatment of LGBT individuals by the police within the larger framework of identity-based discrimination, and demonstrates how the interplay between different forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, create the conditions in which human rights abuses are perpetuated.
» Read more

Addressing the Sexual Misconduct of Peacekeepers
Refugees International has released a report addressing the sexual misconduct of UN peacekeeping forces against local women. The report discusses the economic disparities between local women and peacekeeping forces, and correlates these disparities with increased sexual violence towards the women.
» Learn more

The Day I Became A Woman now on DVD
Marziyeh Meshkini's film, The Day I Became A Woman, is now released on DVD. The film details the stories of three women through three generations and represents the courage of women around the world. Buy the film, and a portion of the proceeds will go to AIUSA’s Stop Violence Against Women Campaign.
» Buy the film

Human Trafficking Resource
Human trafficking remains a worldwide problem of epidemic proportion. 80% of trafficking victims are women. Learn more about this global human rights issue and take action.
» Learn more



UPCOMING EVENTS

DC Women's Human Rights Action Team Meeting
The DCWHRAT will meet on Wednesday, November 9th at 7:00 pm at the Amnesty International office (600 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, metro Eastern Market).
» Contact Erica for more information

New York Women’s Human Rights Action Team
The NYCWHRAT will meet on Monday, December 5th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Judson Memorial Church Assembly Hall, 239 Thompson Street, just below Washington Square South.
» Contact Jeanne for more information

16 Days Of Activism Against Gender Violence
Participate in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign from November 25 (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) through December 10 (International Human Rights Day). This year’s theme, "For the Health of Women, For the Health of the World: No More Violence," focuses on highlighting the connections between violence against women and HIV/AIDS.
» Learn more

AIUSA’s 2005 Regional Conferences
AIUSA’s 2005 Southern Regional Conference will take place in Atlanta, GA from November 4-6. The theme of this year's conference is “Demanding Total Respect for Human Rights!” The 2005 Western Regional Conference will be held in San Francisco, CA from November 11-13. The theme of this year's conference is “A Turning Point for Human Rights!” The conferences will have world-renowned speakers and human rights activists and are open to all Amnesty members.
» Learn more

Creating Change Annual Conference
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s 18th Annual Creating Change Conference is being held in Oakland, CA this year from November 9-13.
» Learn more

posted by Annamarie at 9:20 PM