Newsletter

Amnesty International USA Group 48

10.10
In This Issue . . .

Stephanie Hofschlaeger Stock.Xchng

1 October 10 is World Against
Death Penalty Day
2 MEXICO: URGENT
ACTION - Activist Harassed
and Threatened
3 New Prisoner of Conscience
case for Group 48
3 Safer to Stay Silent: The
Chilling Effect of Rwanda’s
Laws on ‘Genocide Ideology’
and ‘Sectarianism’
5 Fight Against Torture in
Burundi: Target Burundi
Government Officials
7 CHINA : Urgent Action October 10 is World Against Death Penalty Day
- Torture/ Ill-treatment/ By Terrie Rodello, AIUSA Oregon State Death Penalty
Health concern Abolition Coordinator
9 INDONESIA: Authorities The 2010 World Day is focused on the is focused on the U.S. death penalty.
must hold inquiry into death U.S. death penalty; therefore, activists Therefore, activists around the world
of Maluku political activist around the world will be taking ac- will be taking action and educating their
AIUSA-Group 48 tion and educating their communities communities about our death penalty
about our death penalty system. To system.  Because World Day is just one
http://aipdx.org
find out more about what you can do day and happens to fall on a Sunday
503-227-1878 this year, Amnesty International is
and to access the World Day against
Next Meeting: encouraging people to consider having
the Death Penalty resource kit: http://
Friday October 8th www.amnestyusa.org/death-penalty/ activities during the ten days around
First Unitarian Church world-day-against-the-death-penalty- World Day (Oct. 6-15) in case Oct. 10 is
1011 SW 12th Ave october-10-2010/page.do?id=1721023 an impossible date to organize on.  
7:00pm informal
World Day will be on October 10, 10, World Day is a great opportunity for
gathering public education.  The World Coalition’s
7:30pm meeting starts 2010. This is an annual focal day orga-
nized by the World Coalition to Abolish website is www.worldcoalition.org
NewsLetter Design the Death Penalty (WCADP).  Amnesty If you have any questions or want to
MichelleWhitlock.com International is a founding and current organize an event, please do not hesitate
coalition member.  The 2010 World Day to contact me.
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 2

MEXICO: URGENT ACTION - Activist Harassed and Threatened

Juan Manuel Martínez (m)
ca) for the repeated acts of harassment against Juan Manuel
Julia Starr Stock.Xchng

Martínez and his family.

Juan Manuel Martínez’s lawyer, Alba Cruz, has previously
also been threatened. She left Oaxaca City in March 2010. She
went to Mexico City and then travelled abroad in search of
respite. She recently returned to Oaxaca City to continue her
human rights work.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Spanish or your own
language:
◌ Calling on the authorities to provide effective protection for
Juan Manuel Martínez and his relatives, in consultation with
J uan Manuel Martínez, a political activist from Oaxaca state, them and in accordance with their wishes;
Mexico, had his house broken into on 24 September. He has ◌ Calling on them to order a full, prompt and impartial in-
been repeatedly harassed and threatened. His life and that of vestigation into the threats and attacks Juan Manuel Martinez
his family may be in danger. and his family have suffered;
On the afternoon of 24 September, Juan Manuel Martínez ◌ Calling for the authorities to conduct a full and impartial
and his wife returned to their home in the Municipality of investigation into the killing of Brad Will.
Santa Cruz Xoxocotlan, Oaxaca state, Mexico, to find that it PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 8 NOVEMBER 2010 TO
had been broken into and ransacked. Official documents re- Attorney General of the Republic
lated to complaints he had filed with the local public prosecu- Arturo Chávez Chávez
tors office against previous acts of harassment and intimida- Procuraduría General de la República
tion had been rifled through, but no valuables were stolen. Av. Paseo de la Reforma nº 211-213,
Juan Manuel Martínez was detained in 2008 for the murder Col. Cuauhtémoc, Del. Cuauhtémoc
of US journalist Brad Will, but was released in February 2010 México D.F., C.P. 06500, MEXICO
after a federal court ruled that the charges against him were Fax: +52 55 5346 0908
baseless. Amnesty International repeatedly raised concerns Email: ofproc@pgr.gob.mx
that his prosecution was unfounded and welcomed his release. Salutation: Estimado Procurador/ Dear Attorney General
According to Juan Manuel Martínez, he and his family have Governor of Oaxaca
been threatened and intimidated on several occasions since Lic. Ulises Ruiz Ortíz
his release. He and his family have been forced to move home Gobernador del Estado de Oaxaca
three times because of a pattern of harassment. Juan Manuel Carretera Oaxaca-Puerto Ángel, Km. 9.5, Santa María Coy-
Martínez’s wife has received threatening phone calls. Once, otepec,
she was reportedly told: “stop causing problems or we will Oaxaca C.P. 71254, Oaxaca, MEXICO
give you a serious beating” (“deje de chingar la madre o te Fax: +52 951 517 5890
vamos a partir la madre”). The family has also noticed that Salutation: Estimado Gobernador/ Dear Governor
armed men have been keeping watch of their home and of Copies To
the school their children attend. Human rights organization,
A criminal complaint for has been filed with the Federal At- Comité 25 de Noviembre
torney General’s Office (Procuraduría General de la Repúbli- Email: comite25noviembre@yahoo.com.mx
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 3
New Prisoner of Conscience case for Group 48
By Jane Kristof
© Private
Chekib El-Khiari
Group 48 was given a new “Prisoner of Conscience” case
this summer! We are working for the release of Chekib El
Khiari, a Moroccan human rights activist and journalist, who
has been sentenced to three years in prison and a large fine
for alleging official corruption and drug trafficking. Amnesty
International urges the immediate and unconditional release
of Mr. El-Khiari, and also the amendment of the Moroccan
Penal and Press Codes so as to comply with the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, Article 19: “Everyone has the
right to freedom of opinion and expression…”
We have already sent letters and petitions to King Moham-
med VI of Morocco and more than a hundred postcards to
the Moroccan Embassy. We have also met with the staff of
Representative Wu’s office and they are looking into the case.
More post cards are being prepared for King Mohammed.
We are particularly fortunate that AIUSA’s country specialist
on North Africa, Jacob Mundy, happens to be in Portland,
and he has agreed to come to our October meeting and talk
Safer to Stay Silent: The Chilling Effect of Rwanda’s Laws on ‘Genocide
Ideology’ and ‘Sectarianism’
Shlomit Wolf Stock.Xchng
about the case and its background. You can also learn about
the case from a more personal viewpoint by watching a
YouTube appeal by Mr. El Khiari’s brother, which can be
found by googling “Chekib El Khiari.”
Please write to King Mohammed or to the Moroccan ambas-
sador, or both. Their addresses are:
His Majesty King Mohammed VI
Bureau de Sa Majeste le Roi
Palais royal
Rabat, Morocco
Salutation: Your Majesty
Ambassador Aziz Mekouar
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco
1601 21st St. NW
Washington, DC 20009-1002
Sample letter
As a member of Amnesty International, Group 48, in Portland,
Oregon, I appeal to you for the immediate release of Moroc-
can journalist and human rights activist, Chekib El-Khiari,
now serving a prison sentence for alleging official corruption.
Chekib El-Khiari’s imprisonment is a violation of the Inter-
national Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (ICCPR),
to which Morocco is a state party. Article 19 of the ICCPR
guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
It is also a violation of Morocco’s own constitution, Article
9, which similarly assures freedom of expression. Amnesty
International regards Chekib El-Khiari as a prisoner of con-
science, jailed solely for his anti-corruption statements and
his human rights activities.
Please release this innocent man!
The Rwandan government passed laws banning the promo-
tion of “genocide ideology” and “sectarianism.” While it is
understandable given the 1994 genocide why the Rwandan
government wishes to ban hate speech, the laws as written
and enforced today are extremely vague and give no clear def-
inition of what actually constitutes “genocide ideology” and
“sectarianism.” An Amnesty International (AI) report released »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 4

on August 24, 2010, “Safer to Stay Silent: The Chilling Effect
of Rwanda’s Laws on ‘Genocide Ideology’ and ‘Sectarianism ’”
(http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR47/005/2010/
en/ea05dff5-40ea-4ed5-8e55-9f8463878c5c/afr470052010en.
pdf) calls for the Rwandan government to act on its promise
to consider revising the law. This report exposes how the
Rwandan government has often punished individuals for op-
posing the ruling regime in a legitimate manner, as well as the
confusion of judges, lawyers, and others about the implemen-
tation of these laws. These laws also have been instrumental
in harassing and persecuting opposition parties during the
2010 presidential elections in Rwanda as well as in previous
elections, and in previous years to suppress oppositional
voices in the press. AI calls on its members to stand up for
free expression.
Action Request
This action is aimed at both US Government officials and
your congressional representatives. Please lobby the US Con-
gress and the State Department to encourage the Rwandan
government to revise these laws and to clearly define hate
speech following international conventions.
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4904
Salutation: Dear Senator,
Sample letter
ENTER YOUR ADDRESS HERE
ENTER RECIPIENT’S ADDRESS HERE
ENTER DATE HERE
I write to express concern after reading Amnesty Internation-
al’s report Safer to Stay Silent: The Chilling Effect of Rwanda’s
Laws on ‘Genocide Ideology’ and ‘Sectarianism’. . The report
explains how Rwanda’s laws on “genocide ideology” and “sec-
tarianism” were introduced in the decade following the 1994
Rwandan genocide. It shows how Rwanda’s laws on “genocide
ideology” and “sectarianism” have been misused to stifle
freedom of expression and to suppress legitimate political
dissent in Rwanda Aware of the role that hate speech played
in inciting genocidal violence, the post-genocide government
enacted laws to restrict speech that could promote hatred.»
AIUSA Group 48 Contact Information

Write polite letters to the following individuals as well as your

Group Coordinator Central Africa
own congressional representatives. You can find contact for
Joanne Lau RAN
your representatives at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov. 971-221-5450 Terrie Rodello
jlau@easystreet.net 503-246-6836
Assistant Secretary of African Affairs tarodello@igc.org
Concert Tabling
Johnnie Carson Will Ware OR State Death
Bureau of African Affairs (AF) 503-227-5225 Penalty Abolition
2201 C Street, NW ww_ware@yahoo.com Coordinator
Washington, DC 20520 Newsletter Editor Terrie Rodello
503-246-6836
Telephone: 202-647-2530 Dan Webb
trodello@igc.org
503-253-3491
Salutation: Dear Assistant Secretary of State,
dlwebb02@yahoo.com Central America
RAN
Rep. Donald Payne Treasurer
Tena Hoke Marylou Noble
Chair, House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa and 503-245-6923
tena.hoke@gmail.com
Global Health marylou_noble@
Legislative Coordinator
United States House of Representatives yahoo.com
Dan Johnson
2310 Rayburn House Office Building 503-310-4540 Prisoners' Cases
Washington, D.C. 20515-3010 subtlet@hotmail.com & Darfur
Jane Kristof
Salutation: Dear Congressman, Indonesia RAN kristofj@pdx.edu
Max White Marty Fromer
Senator Russ Feingold 503-292-8168 503-227-1878
Chair, Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs maxw33@comcast.net martyfromer@gmail.com
United States Senate
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 5

I understand that prohibiting hate speech is a legitimate aim, I would kindly like to request you to ask you to raise these
but the Rwandan government’s approach violates interna- concerns with the Government of Rwanda. I request that you
tional human rights law. I feel that these current laws against and your office urge the Rwandan government to revise the
“genocide ideology” and “sectarianism” laws are unclear and “genocide ideology” and “sectarianism” laws and ensure that
vague. Even judges found these laws to be broad and abstract. the laws are clearly drafted to prohibit only that expression
These broad and ill-defined laws have created a vague legal prohibited in Article 20(2) of the International Covenant on
framework which is misused to criminalize criticism of the Civil and Political Rights.
government and legitimate dissent.
It would be helpful to ask the Rwandan government to
The report illustrates how individuals have exploited the law provide regular information, made publicly available, on the
for personal gain. Several “genocide ideology” and “division- application of the “genocide ideology” and “sectarianism”
ism” charges based on flimsy evidence resulted in acquittals, laws, including the number of prosecutions, convictions and
but often after the accused spent several months in pre-trial acquittals, and the sentences imposed.
detention. In April 2010, the Rwandan government an- I would be grateful if you could let me know of any action
nounced a review of the “genocide ideology” law. Hopefully, taken regarding this matter.
it will result in better laws which will prohibit hate speech,
while allowing freedom of expression. I thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
Yours sincerely,

Fight Against Torture in Burundi: Target Burundi Government Officials

Send your letters to the following individuals:
Pierre Nkurunziza
Président de la République du Burundi
Boulevard de l’Uprona
Rohero I
Lena Pautina Stock.Xchng
BP 1870
Bujumbura, Burundi
The Burundian government’s notorious security agency, Fax: 011 257 22 22 74 90
National Intelligence Service (Service National deRenseigne- Salutation: Your Excellency
ment, SNR) has been severely criticized for continuing to use
torture despite Burundian law and international conventions Minister of Justice Jean Bosco Ndikumana
that ban torture. Amnesty International issued on 24 August Ministère de la Justice
2010 a report, “A Step Backwards’ – Torture and other Ill- BP 1880
Treatment by Burundi’s National Intelligence Service,” http:// Bujumbura, Burundi
www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR16/002/2010/en based Salutation: Dear Minister
on the investigations of Amnesty International researchers
in the summer of 2010. We need your help to put an end to Minister of National Solidarity and Human Rights Immac-
torture in Burundi. To see a video slideshow about the report, ulée Nahayo
go to http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/burundi- BP 5758
must-investigate-those-accused-torturing-opposition-politi- Bujumbura, Burundi
cians-2010-08-23. Fax: 011 257 22 21 75 49
Saluation: Dear Minister »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 6
His Excellency Celestin Niyongabo
Ambassador of Burundi in the US
Embassy of the Republic of Burundi
2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 212
Washington DC 20007
Sample letter
Dear [insert title and last name here],
As a member of Amnesty International, I am extremely
concerned about the use of torture by members of Burundi’s
National Intelligence Service (Service National de Renseigne-
ment, SNR) and police against opposition party members and
other individuals. The recent report by Amnesty International
“A Step Backwards’ – Torture and other Ill-Treatment by Bu-
rundi’s National Intelligence Service,” released in August 2010
exposes numerous acts of torture committed by SNR agents
and other law enforcement personnel in Burundi.
I demand that any official who directly or indirectly sup-
ported or participated in torturing individuals be persecuted
according to Burundian laws that ban this horrific practice.
Anyone suspected of using torture should be immediately
suspended until an impartial and transparent investigation of
the charges against them, and any allegation of torture should
be investigated by legal means in an impartial and transparent
way. Victims of torture must have the right to safely demand
justice for these crimes and to receive medical care and repa-
rations for the suffering they endured. The Burundian courts,
military, and law enforcement agents should report any
allegation of torture, and no evidence extracted via torture
should be used in courts.
To ensure the safety of detainees, your government should
allow an independent doctor to examine prisoners as soon as
they are arrested and that they have legal counsel provided to
them during all interrogations and throughout their incar-
ceration.
Your country has made impressive strides in promoting dem-
ocratic reforms, but these acts of torture cannot be allowed by
any country who sincerely respects human rights.
Sincerely,
Fight Against Torture in Burundi: Target US officials
Write the following individuals as well as your own congres-
sional representatives. You can find contact for your represen-
tatives at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.
Assistant Secretary of African Affairs
Johnnie Carson
Bureau of African Affairs (AF)
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 202-647-2530
Saluation: Dear Assistant Secretary of State,
Rep. Donald Payne
Chair, House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa and
Global Health
United States House of Representatives
2310 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3010
Salutation: Dear Congressman,
Senator Russ Feingold
Chair, Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs
United States Senate
506 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-4904
Salutation: Dear Senator,
Sample Letter
Dear [insert title and last name here],
As a member of Amnesty International, I am extremely
concerned about the use of torture by members of notorious
security agency, National Intelligence Service (Service Na-
tional deRenseignement, SNR) the Burundian SNR security
agency, and police against opposition party members and
other individuals. The recent report by Amnesty Interna-
tional released in August 2010 “A Step Backwards’ – Torture
and other Ill-Treatment by Burundi’s National Intelligence
Service,” exposes numerous acts of torture committed by SNR
agents and other law enforcement personnel in Burundi.
I strongly urge you to encourage the Burundian government
to persecute any official who directly or indirectly supported
or participated in torturing individuals. I also urge you to rec-
ommend to the Burundian government that courts, military,
and law enforcement agents should report any allegation of
torture, and no evidence extracted via torture should be used
in courts. »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 7

Please use your influence to ask the Burundian government to Burundian government fully investigate allegations of torture
comply with its own laws as well as international conventions and to protect the rights of victims of torture seeking legal
on human rights and the use of torture, and advocate that the redress.
Sincerely,

CHINA : Urgent Action - Torture/ Ill-treatment/ Health concern

Alim Abdiriyim (m)
Rebiya Kadeer’s family has been targeted by the authorities
since she was first detained as a prisoner of conscience in
Raido Lepp Stock.Xchng

1999. This intensified after she was released on medical parole

Alim Abdiriyim, son of Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, is
being tortured and otherwise ill-treated in detention, accord-
ing to his family. They believe his life is at risk. He has been
in prison in Urumqi, in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous
Region of China since 2006 on tax evasion charges.
According to sources in China, Alim Abdiriyim has suffered a
serious deterioration in his health and shows signs of physi-
cal and psychological trauma. He is reported to have said that
the prison authorities were “turning a blind eye to what was
happening” to him in prison, had not given him the medi-
cal attention he required, and that if the situation persisted
he feared for his life. Rebiya Kadeer and her family believe
his life to be at risk unless urgent action is taken to urge the
authorities to address the situation.
Alim Abdiriyim was detained on 30 May 2006 and severely
beaten by police. On 13 June 2006, he was charged with tax
evasion, following an investigation by the authorities into the
family business, and “subversion of state power.” In November
2006, Alim was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined
US$62,500. He is believed to have confessed to the charges
after being tortured while in detention.
on 17 March 2005 and left China for the USA. Alim Ab-
diriyim and his brother Kahar Abdiriyim were sentenced on
27 November 2006, the day after Rebiya Kadeer was elected
president of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). Amnesty
International believes that the pattern of retribution against
Rebiya Kadeer’s family for her human rights activities casts
serious doubt on the credibility of the police investigation
into their business affairs and the fairness of the trial process.
Background Information
The Chinese authorities have used the global “war on terror”
to justify harsh repression against the ethnic Uighur com-
munity in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and to
deny them their human rights. Uighurs are the only known
group in China currently sentenced to death and executed for
political crimes.
Rebiya Kadeer was sentenced in 2000 to eight years’ impris-
onment on charges of “providing state secrets outside the
country,” which were publicly available newspaper clippings
she sent to her husband in the USA. During her trial, nei-
ther she nor her lawyer was allowed to speak in her defense.
She was released on medical parole after almost six years in
prison in March 2005. She has never been charged or accused
of violent crimes. Amnesty International considered her a
prisoner of conscience and campaigned to bring about her
release.
Rebiya Kadeer’s family has experienced intensified persecu-
tion by Chinese authorities since she was released on medical
parole in March 2005. In 2006 Rebiya Kadeer was nomi-
nated by Swedish parliamentarian Annelie Enochson for the
Nobel Peace Prize. Annelie Enochson stated in her nomina-
tion, “Rebiya Kadeer champions the rights of western China’s »
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 8
Uighur ethnic group and is one of
UHRP
China’s most prominent advocates
of women’s rights...[she] has also
used her resources as founder and
director of a large trading company
in north-western China to provide
fellow Uighurs with training and
employment.”
Alim Abdiriyim
Torture and other ill-treatment are endemic in all forms
of detention, although China ratified the UN Convention
against Torture in 1988. Amnesty International also receives
regular reports of deaths in custody, many of them caused
by torture, in a variety of state institutions, including prisons,
Re-education Through Labor facilities and police detention
centers.
The authorities have passed numerous regulations intended
to strengthen the formal prohibition of torture contained in
China’s Criminal Law. However, the categories of prohibited
behavior are limited, and do not comply fully with definitions
of torture under international law. Articles 247 and 248 of the
Criminal Law list several offenses related to the prohibition of
torture; however, these charges can only be brought against a
limited range of officials in particular circumstances or places.
The prosecuting authorities, who also investigate and pros-
ecute torture offenses, set criteria for taking up cases which
further limit the application of these provisions.
The broad discretion given to the police by the Criminal
Procedure Law (CPL) to detain suspects for long periods
before trial increases opportunities for torture and other ill-
treatment. During this time detainees’ access to their families
and legal representatives may be limited. Under the CPL, the
police should inform the family of a detainee about their ar-
rest and place of detention within 24 hours, except where it
“would hinder the investigation” (Articles 64 and 71). How-
ever, in practice communication with the family is frequently
denied until the detainee is brought to trial or sentenced.
Provisions on access to legal counsel also fall short of inter-
national standards. Article 96 of the CPL states that a sus-
pect “may appoint a lawyer to provide legal advice or to file
petitions and complaints on his behalf,” after the first session
of interrogation by the “investigative organ,” or from the day
when the suspect is subjected to one of the forms of detention
or restriction provided by the law. In cases “involving state
secrets” the approval of the police is required before a lawyer
is appointed or any meeting between lawyer and client can
take place.
Recommended Action
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible:
◌ Urge the authorities to ensure that Alim Abdiriyim is not
tortured or ill-treated in prison and is provided with all nec-
essary medical treatment including for any injuries sustained
in custody;
◌ Urging them to order a full and impartial investigation into
allegations that Alim Abdiriyim has been tortured and ill-
treated in prison with the aim of bringing those responsible
to justice;
◌ Calling on the authorities to end the human rights viola-
tions directed at Rebiya Kadeer’s family, including torture
and ill-treatment in detention, police harassment and other
restrictions on their freedom of expression.
Appeals To
Premier of the People’s Republic of China
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie, Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017 »
Postage Rates
Within the United States
$0.28 - Postcards
$0.44 - Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.
To Canada
$0.75 - Postcards
$0.75 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.
To Mexico
$0.79 - Postcards
$0.79 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.
To all other destination countries
$0.98 - Postcards
$0.98 - Airmail Letters and Cards up to 1 oz.
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 9

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Wulumuqi Shizhengfu Bangongting

Fax: 011 86 10 65961109 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 72 Nanhulu
Salutation: Your Excellency Urumqi 830002
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu
Chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
People’s Government Fax: 011 86 991 4689654
Nur BEKRI Zhuxi Salutation: Dear Mayor
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu Bangongting
2 Zhongshanlu, Urumqi 830041 Ambassador Wen Zhong Zhou
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 3505 International Place NW
Fax: 011 86 991 2817567 or 011 86 991 2803621 Washington DC 20008
Email: master@xinjiang.gov.cn Fax: 1 202 465-2190
Salutation: Dear Chairman Email: chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn
Copies To Please send Appeals Immediately.
Mayor of Wulumuqi People’s Government Check with the AIUSA Urgent Action office if sending ap-
Gela YISHAMUDIN Shizhang peals after 27 October 2010

INDONESIA: Authorities must hold inquiry into death of Maluku political activist
13 September 2010
According to local sources, Yusuf Sapakoly, aged 52 and a
father of four, was denied medical treatment by the Nania
creative11 Stock.Xchng

prison authorities for kidney failure which required dialysis.

He had also made complaints that he did not receive adequate
treatment for rib injuries he had received during his deten-
tion. On 7 September 2010, prison authorities released him
into the care of his family.
Amnesty International believes that such denial of urgently
needed medical care amounts to cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment.  The treatment of Yusuf Sapakoly violates Indone-
sia ’s obligations under international human rights law as well
as in Indonesian law.
Yusuf Sapakoly,  was arrested on 29 June 2007 for assisting a
T he Indonesian government must immediately initiate an group of peaceful political activists in Maluku province who
independent, effective, and impartial inquiry into allegations unfurled the “Benang Raja” flag, a symbol of South Maluku
that Yusuf Sapakoly was consistently denied access to ade- independence, while performing a traditional “Cakalele”
quate medical care in Nania prison, Ambon , which may have dance in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The
contributed to his death today. police then reportedly tortured him in detention. He was
subsequently charged with “rebellion” under Articles 106 and
Moreover, the family has the right to insist that a medical or 110 of the Indonesia Criminal Code and sentenced to 12 years’
other qualified representative be present at the autopsy and imprisonment.
its findings must be made public.
 AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010 Pg 10

Group 48 Membership
Group 48's membership fee is due every January. If you join Group 48 after January in any given year, we appreciate you pay
the full membership fee at the time you join us or you have the choice to pay in January of the following year. Please send a
check or money order payable to Amnesty International Group 48 and the form below to our treasurer: Tena Hoke, 5026 SE
46th Ave, Portland OR 97206. None of your contact information will be shared with any other organization.
If you wish to pay online, go to: http://aipdx.org/donate/
Name __________________ Please add my email address
to the Group 48 email list.
Address _________________
$15 Regular membership
City/State/Zip _____________
$25 Family membership
Phone ____________
Email _____________
$50 Generous donor
$100 Amnesty Angel
Note: Group 48 is not a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Donations to Group 48 are not tax-deductible. $5 Limited income

Postage

AIUSA group 48 Newsletter October 2010