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Activism Guide Summer 2012

Amnesty International Canada 312 Laurier Ave East, Ottawa Ontario, K1N 1H9 www.amnesty.ca

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June 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon

August 2012
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 3 10
17 Amnesty International AGM: Vancouver

2 9
16 Amnesty International AGM: Vancouver

1 5
12 International Youth Day

2
9 International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

4
11 National mobilization for First Nations Children

5 12 19
26 International Day for Victims of Torture

6 13
20 World Refugee Day

7 14
21 National Aboriginal Day

8 15 22 29

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

8 15 22 29

16 23
30 Day of Disappeared

18 25

23 30

19 26

24

27

28

July 2012
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

September 2012
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10
17 10th anniversary of the International Criminal Court

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28 2 9 16 3 10 17 24 4 11 18 25 5 12 19 26 6
13 Day of Action on Indigenous Peoples at Risk of Extinction

1 7 14
21 International Day of Peace
28 Latin America: day of the decriminalization of abortion

12 11 60th anniversary of World Population UN convention on the Day Status of Refugees

8
15 International Day of Democracy

18 25

19 26

20 27

22 29

24 31

23 30

Join your local happening pride events throughout the summer

Resources for Action

Q & A, talking points, and 10 Killer Facts are available via ATT page on website: amnesty.ca/arms treaty Postcard & Poster: order via national office (no charge) The campaign video is available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9RSBmkTXg&feature=player_embedded Petition: www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/ take_action.php?actionid=856&type=Internal pdf version: www.amnesty.ca/files/ATT_paper_petition_Global.pdf

Dear Amnesty International activists,

Summer activism is all about going to where people are having fun and offering them easy ways to voice their support for human rights. Think parades, festivals, pow wows, beaches, neighborhood barbeques, outdoor sports, and markets. Summer is a time to pay particular attention to your community calendar, identifying where you are most likely to meet people with some interest in human rights, and choose opportunities that match your interests, skills, connections and availability. In this guide, you will find information on our current priorities, activism materials such as petitions and postcards, tips on organizing events and a list of key dates to help your plan your activism for the summer. Plenty has happened since we were last in touch. In Syria, months of peaceful protest have failed to bring a change of government. Many lives have been lost or dramatically changed by injury or abuse, leading some within the opposition to turn to armed violence to try and force change. On International Womens Day we stood in solidarity with the women of the Middle East and North Africa. We must continue to take action and to mobilize others to support the people demanding reform and respect for human rights on the frontlines of the Arab uprising. In Guatemala, Amnesty International has further documented the on-going pattern of human rights and environmental violations associated with extractives industries and the lack of capacity of the state to effectively monitor and regulate the industry. In April many of you took part in our were all shareholders online action calling Canadian mining company Goldcorp to pay for the full costs of closure of the Marlin mine. In March we launched our 100 days of action to ensure that all governments stand up for an arms trade treaty at the United Nations negotiations in July. Amnesty International members around the world are encouraged to collect as many signatures as possible onto our global petition calling on every government to set up an Arms Trade Treaty that

effectively prevents arms from fuelling serious human rights abuses or war crimes. Much has also happened that can give us hope and motivate us to continue to demand change. Write for Rights generated an incredible 1,376,962 actions, in 78 different countries. And we got results: Jabbar Savalan, a student imprisoned in Azerbaijan for comments he posted on Facebook was released. The Mexican government formally accepted responsibility for the rape of Ins Fernndez Ortega and Valentina Rosendo. When Jenni Williams, of Women of Zimbabwe Arise, was last held in custody, she reported being treated better than she had been in the past. In March we saw the first conviction at the International Criminal Court, of Thomas Lubanga, for the use of child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In April Charles Taylor was convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the West African country between 1996 and 2002. These convictions are truly milestones. Human rights activism is hard work but it is also hugely rewarding when we see the kind of difference we can make. Many thanks to each of you for contributing to making all of this happen. We look forward to hearing about your summer activism. Let us know how it goes, and send us pictures or copies of any media coverage. If you have any questions that are not addressed in the guide, please contact the Campaigns Team members whose contact information is included at the end of the Guide. In solidarity, Alain Roy Director of Campaigns and Activism Amnesty International (Canada) (aroy@amnesty.ca)

Arms Trade Treaty:

Business and Human Rights:

Visit the We are All Shareholders Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WeAreAllShareholders#!/WeAreAllShareholders Indigenous Rights: Visit the facebook page:

www.facebook.com/Action4IndigenousRights

A pocket-size edition of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples can be ordered from the national office.

4 page briefing on the human rights agenda for change Protect our Survival postcards: email Kathy Price to in the Middle East and North Africa order: kprice@amnesty.ca Report The Struggle for Survival and Dignity: Human Rights Abuses against Indigenous Peoples in Colombia available online at: Demand Dignity: www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/upload/AMR230012010.pdf Maternal Health and Sexual and Reproductive Online action on behalf of Kimy Perna Domic at: Rights Toolkit (email kmcinturff@amnesty.ca to www.amnesty.ca/atrisk/index.php/kimy-pernia/ request a copy)

Middle East and North Africa

Indigenous Peoples at risk in Colombia

Campaign Support
Director of Campaigns and Activism: Alain Roy (aroy@amnesty.ca) Corporate Accountability: Tara Scurr (tcsurr@amnesty.ca) Womens Human Rights: Kate McInturff (kmcinturff@amnesty.ca) Indigenous Peoples: Craig Benjamin (cbenjamin@amnesty.ca) Security and Human Rights: Hilary Homes (hhomes@amnesty.ca) Refugees and Migrants: Gloria Nafziger (gnafziger@amnesty.ca) Colombia and Mexico: Kathy Price (kprice@amnesty.ca) Activism Coordinator: Lily Mah-Sen (lmah-sen@amnesty.ca) * Special Summer Activism Kit for Amnesty Groups: Tell us about your summer activity plans and we will send you a free Summer Activism Kit. The kit includes stickers, buttons, tattoos, bookmarks, and Amnesty flyers (the only cost is postage). To order the Summer Activism Kit, banners, t-shirts, membership forms, AI@50 promotional items (buttons, t-shirts and posters) and other Amnesty materials, contact Louise Mulvihill materials@amnesty.ca For other materials and resources visit amnesty.ca/resources or contact materials@amnesty.ca

Indigenous Peoples at risk in Colombia

New photo exhibit, postcards and Taste for Justice
Mining has brought with it militarization of our territory. It feels like war. There is increased sexual violence against women. Many people have felt compelled to leave our territory but displacement is a huge threat to our survival We fear the Wayu will become extinct.
The Wayu People are not the only ones whose survival is in jeopardy. Last year, Amnesty activists took action on the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of Kimy Perna Domic, an Embera Kato leader who spoke out about the devastating impact of a big dam project partially financed by a Canadian crown corporation. Today, the Embera Kato are at risk of physical and cultural extinction. Colombias Constitutional Court has determined that at least 34 of Colombias 102 Indigenous nations are threatened with destruction. It is an emergency which is as serious as it is invisible, stated the Court. Making this emergency visible in Canada is priority number one if we are to mobilize the action needed to prevent a humanitarian tragedy. Recently, photographer Juan Pablo Gutierrez visited the territory of several Indigenous Nations at risk. The result is a powerful photo exhibit entitled This is what we want to tell you! - Messages from Indigenous Peoples in Colombia threatened with extinction. The exhibit comes with display information, handouts and post cards calling for urgently needed protection measures.

What you can do

100 Days of Action for a Bulletproof Arms Trade Treaty

Testimony of Anglica Ortiz of the Indigenous womens organization Fuerza Mujeres Wayu to the Inter-American Human Rights Commission on 28 March 2012

On March 23, Amnesty launched 100 Days of Action. This phase in campaign focuses on gathering thousands of signatures for the global appeal No Arms for Atrocities demanding that all governments stand up for a treaty with strong human rights protection rules. All signatures gathered before June 17 will be delivered to the United Nations in early July. The global appeal is available an online petition, paper copy and an innovative banana postcard format that is ideal for displays (see resources page for links and ordering information).

Here are a few ways you can help gather signatures on the global appeal: Include a link to the online petition in your email signature
Share the petition on Facebook, Twitter and other social media. Download the pdf version of the petition and pass it around at your next group meeting, school, workplace and any other gathering of like-minded people.

Set up an Arms Trade Treaty display table in your local mall or organize screenings of Lord of War, Devils Bargain and other films. If you are part of a youth/student group or have contacts in local schools, join the petition challenge! Groups and schools that gather the most signatures by May 30 will pack including a special

ATT soccer ball.

win

an Amnesty prize

The global petition drive wraps up with Canada website for more information.

a week of Action June 11-17. Watch the AI

Respect our Indigenous rights, message of a Zen Indigenous woman. This portrait is part of a compelling new AI Canada photo exhibit.

What you can do

in your community. The photos are available as framed prints or beautiful banners (24 x 36) easy to hang in a church hall, union local, public library, or display in a gallery-type space. Contact Colombia campaigner Kathy Price at kprice@amnesty.ca to Foreign Minister John Baird and make use of our new

Host our photo exhibit

Free!

Business and Human Rights -- Coupon

Yes! My local group or action circle wants to host the photo exhibit: Canadian Extractives as Development: Myth or Reality? The exhibit will feature James Rodriguezs breathtaking photographs of Canadian mining developments in Latin America.

postcard to the Colombian government.

Gather signatures on our petition

in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples struggling to defend their rights in Colombia. This is a meaningful, fun way that you and your friends can raise money for AI Canada initiatives in support of this crucial struggle. For more info, contact Hala al-Madi at halmadi@amnesty.ca

Host a Taste for Justice meal

To book this photo exhibit, please provide us with contact information and proposed dates that would work for you. You can mail this coupon to the BHR Program (c/o the AI National Office) or email us at bhr@amnesty.ca. For more information, please email us or call BHR campaigner Tara Scurr, at 1-613-744-7667 ext. 102.

Campaigning for an Effective Global Arms Trade Treaty

Too many weapons are too easily obtained. They end up in the wrong hands. There is no international system to control the flow of arms. The human cost is staggering: every day, thousands of people are killed, injured, raped and forced to flee from their homes as a result of armed conflict, armed violence, and human rights violations and abuses perpetrated using conventional arms.

Write for the rights of refugees

Bill C-31, Protecting Canadas Immigration System Act is a dangerous and disappointing Bill which directly goes against Canadas history as a country of safety and refuge. The Bill does not live up to our international human rights and refugee protection obligations and will put the lives of refugees at risk. This Bill severely restricts a number of essential rights of refugees including: detention for one year without review, the denial of access to an appeal processes, serious limitations on freedom of movement, serious limitations on family unity. Ask your Member of Parliament to oppose Bill C-31 and call for legislative reforms which are consistent with Canada's international human rights and refugee protection obligations. Take action at: http://www.amnesty.ca/protectrefugees Watch the Refugee Blog to monitor the progress of the bill and take appropriate action. http://www.amnesty.ca/blog.php?blog=refugees_hr_blog

The problem: lives, rights and livelihoods are at risk every day

The solution: a global Arms Trade Treaty

Amnesty International has been campaigning since the 1990s for a global treaty shaped around a very simple idea: if there is a substantial risk that arms exported to another country will contribute to serious human rights abuses, those arms supplies must be stopped. Now an international Arms Trade Treaty is finally within reach and negotiations are set for July 2012 at the United Nations.

Canada and the Arms Trade Treaty

We will also continue to call on the Canadian government to play a positive role in the upcoming UN negotiations and support an effective Arms Trade Treaty. Members can write personal letters to Canadas Minister of Foreign Affairs calling on the government of Canada to do all it can to promote and support adequately funded, comprehensive and robust Arms Trade Treaty.

Be a Taste for Justice host

Hosting a Taste for Justice event can be as big or small, simple or fancy as you like! You can host at home, or talk to your favorite restaurant to see if they will give you a good deal to host a big number of people for the night.

Write to:

Minister of Foreign Affairs The Honorable John Baird House of Commons Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 Canada Fax: 613 992 7559 Email: BairdJ@parl.gc.ca

contact Hala Al-Madi at: 1800-266-3789 or tasteforjustice@amnesty.ca

Register

at www.tasteforjustice.ca or

Imagine households across Canada celebrating the

Members are also encouraged to contact their Member of Parliament and ask what they are doing to make the Arms Trade Treaty a reality. To help coordinate MP approaches and for support, please contact Hilary Homes at the national office (hhomes@amnesty.ca).

rich cultures of Colombias Indigenous Peoples, sending a strong message that they cannot be erased, and you can be a part of it!

summer campaign activity

clean water for all Canadians

First Nations communities in Canada face a drinking water crisis. According to a federal government study, the majority of water systems in First Nations communities are inadequate and almost 40 percent represent a high risk to human health and the environment. The current federal budget for First Nations water systems is simply inadequate to ensure that First Nations have access to safe drinking water on a comparable basis to non-Aboriginal communities. For more: www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?
actionid=669

Rebellion in the Middle East and North Africa

In the aftermath of the 2011 uprisings, people throughout the Middle East and North Africa continue to struggle for their human rights. The crisis in Syria has escalated and clashes continue in Yemen following an immunity deal which saw President Saleh step down on February. Despite commitments for reform, authorities in Bahrain continue to crackdown on protests and sentence activists to long prison terms. Egypt, Tunisia and Libya face the challenge of human rights protection and accountability while in transition to new governments amid unresolved differences. This summer, we will focus primarily on three situations:

Take Action
Sign them! Count them!

Collect signatures and messages on pieces of paper cut out in the shape of water drops. Make them!

TAHRIR street art in Bern, Switzerland Susanne Keller

Draw, paint and decorate your drops!

Syria: the ongoing crisis and a call for international action Libya: civilian protection and accountability, including a call for investigations into NATO bombings and civilian casualties

Bahrain:

accountability and implementation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquirys recommendations Members are encouraged to continue to hold panels and discussion on human rights in the Middle East and North Africa region. Amnesty has produced a dialogue toolkit to help you organize discussions face-to-face or online with your existing group, or more broadly with activists and academics in your community. Order your copy from Hilary Homes at the national office (hhomes@amnesty.ca).

112: the number of First Nations under boil water advisories as of February 2012 314: the number of First Nations water systems that the federal audit classified as high risk 792: the number of First Nations water systems found to be inadequate 1880: the number of First Nations homes without running water

Snap them!

New Resource: Maternal Health and Sexual and Reproductive Rights Toolkit

Take a picture of what youve done! Create a display!

Share them!

Invite reporters to a public signing event or to the presentation of the drops to your MP. Write a letter to the editor thanking community members Write a letter to the editor thanking community members for adding their voices

More than 358,000 women die in pregnancy and childbirth every year. One every 90 seconds. With the full realization of sexual and reproductive rights, many of these deaths can be prevented. This toolkit is designed to help you understand those rights, claim those rights and take action.

Send them!

When youve met your goal, send the water drops and a cover letter to your member of Parliament: explain how you collected signatures (at public events, in a congregation, etc) and the significance of the number collected, and ask your MP to bring their constituents concerns to the attention of the government.

Corporate Accountability: We Are All Shareholders

The situation facing many people living near large-scale extractives projects is dire. Agricultural land, fishing and hunting grounds are being lost. Access to clean water is diminishing. The people of the Bodo Region of the Niger Delta have lost their livelihoods as a result of oil contamination. Oil spills have affected the area for decades, damaging the soil, water and air quality. The oil industry that has seen an estimated community living in poverty.

$600 billion in profits

since the 1960s, has now left this

In Guatemala, Indigenous Mayan peoples living near the Marlin mine are concerned that they will be left with when the lucrative gold mine ceases operations. They have not been adequately involved in the companys mine closure planning and question the companys long-term commitment to monitoring the site for water contamination. Communities affected by extractive projects from the Niger Delta to Guatemala are

contaminated water and soil

Netherlands and Canada: no decisions about them without them.

taking their message to the shareholders of companies in the

During the Community Consultation in Good Faith on Mining Exploration and Exploitation, held on August 11th, 2007, in Nentn, Huehuetenango, nearly all of the 20,000 inhabitants of the municipality voted against the industrial activities in their territories. C. James Rodriguez / mimundo.org.

What you can do

- All three companies are recipients of investments made on your behalf by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board or most private pension funds or mutual funds youre invested in. Amnesty is urging its members to

Investigate

out which companies their money is being invested in on their behalf.

find

Many fund managers are surprised to learn there are human rights concerns related to some of these companies. Send an email to bhr@amnesty.ca for support or background information.

Host Amnesty International Canada has produced a photo exhibit about Canadian mining in Central America and is pleased to offer it to local AI groups this fall. If you are interested
in hosting the exhibit in your community, please fill out the enclosure and mail it to the national office care of the Business and Human Rights team.

Everyone has the right to clean, drinkable water and adequate sanitation. Canada should stand up for these rights. Add your drop to the bucket! Write your own message the Government of Canada!

Days of Action
June 11: National mobilization for First Nations Children Education Give First Nations children the same chance to grow up safely at home, get a good education, be healthy, and proud of their cultures. Encourage children, youth, families, schools and organizations in your area to write letters to your MP and the Prime Minister supporting culturally based equity for First Nations children and organize a walk to a mail box in your community. Amnesty is encouraging members to participate in this event. For more information see: www.fncaringsociety.com/our-dreamsmatter-too June 21: National Aboriginal Day Celebrate the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Mtis peoples of Canada at events across the country. Follow the Indigenous Rights blog at: www.amnesty.ca/blog/ June 26: International Day for Victims of Torture: The theme this year is security and human rights. Many governments have responded to or exploited heightened concern about terrorism by detaining people without the basic safeguards required under international law. Unlawful detention leaves people at heightened risk of torture and other ill-treatment. Individual cases will be profiled on and around June 26. Follow the blog at www.amnesty.ca/blog/ to find out more. Summer: Pride Parades: Pride Parades are being held across Canada this summer. Check out your local events calendars to find out whats happening in your community. Show up and support human rights! July 17: Tenth anniversary of the International Criminal Court: On this day, Amnesty International will highlight the ICCs role in providing justice and reparation to victims and call on states to make voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court. Watch the website for more details in late June. August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples The International Day of the Worlds Indigenous People was first proclaimed by the General Assembly in December 1994, to be celebrated every year during the first International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (1995 2004). The focus of this years International Day will be Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future. Follow the blog at www.amnesty.ca/ blog/ to find out more. September 13th: The fifth anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This is a day of action in defense of Indigenous Peoples at risk of extinction in Colombia.

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