WILPF: Program & Legislative Actions Dec/Jan 1994
Rich Winkel
** Topic: Cuba Blockade News **
** Written 9:38 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
The Times They Are A-Changin' for the Cuba Blockade
In addition to the strong U.N. mandate against the U.S. blockade of
Cuba (see WILPF Action Updates, page 5) many other changes are in
the offing. In October, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee held hearings about the blockade, saying "It is my view
that the embargo hurts more than it helps."
Meanwhile, the New Republic printed an article by Ann Louise
Bardach, critical of Jorge Mas Canosa. Mas Canosa is the self-styled
head of Florida's right-wing Cuban exile community. She outlined his
strong influence on President Clinton's U.S.-Cuba foreign policy.
Evidence of this influence was Mas Canosa's successful attempt to
prevent Cuban-American lawyer Mario Baeza from being appointed as
assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs. Bardach described
Mas Canosa as a mobster and a megalomaniac. She alleged that many
of Mas Canosa's opponents have been threatened, assassinated, bombed
and burned. According to Americas Watch, Mas Canosa and his
organization, Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) have effectively
undermined free elections, free speech, and freedom of the press in
Miami. Denunciation by Mas Canosa or CANF as a "traitor, a Communist
or a Castro agent" is often followed by telephone threat, vandalism
and physical assault.
As soon as the New Republic issue was released, the magazine
disappeared from every newsstand and point of sale in Miami. Obviously,
this disappearance corroborated many of Bardach's charges.
In the interim, many countries are defying the U.S. blockade on trade
with Cuba. Venezuela and Russia conducted an oil exchange. Australia
is entering into a joint nickel mining and refining venture. Spanish
firms are investing in Cuban tobacco and cigar production. Mexican
and Cuban enterprises are cooperating in oil exploration and refining
as well as agriculture, fishing and cattle ranching ventures. Foreign
ministers from Chile, Honduras, Colombia, Mexico and Spain have publicly
called for normalization of relations with Cuba.
All this tells us that the log-jam is about to break loose. Now is
the time to make an impact.
Action:
At the October Board meeting WILPF committed itself to at
least seven branches per region visiting and lobbying representatives
who have not yet signed onto the Free Trade With Cuba Bill (this bill
was HR 2229 and will be assigned a new number in the 104th Congress.)
Now that the elections are over, it is time for new representatives
to hear your voices loud and strong. Also, returning representatives
may be more likely to take a controversial position against the blockade
now that they have been re-elected.
The following are the current signers to the Free Trade
with Cuba bill. Any representative not on this list needs lobbying:
Thomas H. Andrews (D-ME); Xavier Becerra (D-CA); Anthony Beilsenson
(D-CA); William L. Clay (D-MO); William Coyne (D-PA); Ronald V. Dellums
(D-CA); Don Edwards (D-CA); Sam Farr (D-CA); Henry Gonzalez (D-TX);
Dan Hamburg (D-CA); Maurice Hinchey (D-NY); Gerald D. Kleczka (D-WI);
Michael Kopetski (D-OR); John J. Lafalce (D-NY); Jim McDermott (D-WA);
Cynthia McKinney (D-GA); George Miller (D-CA); James P. Moran (D-VA);
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY); James L. Oberstar (DFL-MN); Ed Pastor (D-AZ);
Donald M. Payne (D-NJ); Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Barbara Rose-Collins
(D-MI); Martin O. Sabo (DFL-MN); Bernard Sanders (IND-VT); Jose Serrano
(D-NY); Fortney H. Stark (D-CA); Esteban E. Torres (D-CA); Jolene
Unsoeld (D-WA); Nydia Velasquez (D-NY); Lynn C. Woolsey (D-CA).
Z
Program and Legislative Coordinator
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** Topic: Wages for Housework **
** Written 9:39 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Wages for Women's Work
The International Labor Office concluded that women perform two-thirds
of the world's work for five percent of the world's income. In the
United States most women work a "double-day," earning a low wage and/or
doing unwaged housework. The U.S. Department of Commerce concluded
in 1985 that housework was worth $1,462 billion to the U.S. economy.
These facts indicate that the whole of society, including industry
and government, depends on domestic labor in order to function; still,
U.S. policy continues to ignore the value of the work performed by
51 percent of the population.
As a result of the institutionalized devaluing of women's work, the
Wages for Housework Campaign has organized, in coalition with the
Women Count Network (a national network of women's organizations of
which WILPF is a member), a campaign advocating the counting of unwaged
work. These groups support the Unremunerated Work Act, HR 966. This
bill is now in Congress and includes counting the unwaged work of
all people, particularly women, in the gross domestic product.
The passage of the bill will provide useful data to proposed economic
and social policy. The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis found that
the inclusion of unwaged work into an economic model better explains
the ups and downs of the U.S. economy. Methodology to count unwaged
labor exists and has been tested by the U.N. International Research
and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. The Covington
and Burling law firm has stated that HR 966 has no tax ramifications.
The bill will also increase the value of women in the waged work force
as well as the value of their unwaged work. According to a Utility
Workers Union of America official, placing value on women's unwaged
work in the home often becomes a catalyst for pay equity agreements.
The valuing of unwaged work, such as household work, care giving,
agricultural work, food production and family business would increase
an awareness of women's and children's issues. Congresswoman Barbara
Rose Collins, a member of the group of Congresspeople introducing
HR 966, has said that if women's work were valued, "the significance
of these tasks would not be continuously debated, and bills like the
Family and Medical Leave Act would not take eight years to enact."
Finally, if unwaged labor was counted, women's position in divorce
litigation would be strengthened. The Judicial Council Advisory Committee
on Gender Bias in the Courts found that, "judges had a limited appreciation
of the economic plight of divorced women and that low spousal support
awards are a function of the devaluation of homemakers' services."
Perhaps also counting women's work as a valuable national resource
will help put to rest once and for all the specter of the "welfare
mother" who "refuses to work."
Presently the United States ignores the 1985 U.N. decision that all
governments count women's unwaged work "in the home, on the land,
and in the community" in their gross domestic product. At the 1995
U.N. Conference on Women in Beijing, the United States must report
any progress in implementing the U.N.'s 1985 decision. The conference
creates an opportunity to pass HR 966 so that the United States can
report positive progress.
WILPF is a co-sponsor of the bill. Since WILPF is a NGO with consultative
status at the United Nations, we will be playing an active role as
participants in the Fourth Conference on Women in Beijing. Because
of our status, we are in a unique position to promote the bill to
our representatives.
Action:
Write to your Congress members. Urge them to set a date
for hearings during this session of Congress so that this important
legislation can be reported to the Fourth World Conference on Women
in September of 1995.
Tell people about the bill so that others can get involved.
For more information, contact Wages for Housework Campaign,
PO Box 11795, Philadelphia, PA 19101; phone: 610-668-9886.
Jennie Lazor
WILPF Editorial Intern
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** Topic: Save Africa Subcommittee **
** Written 9:41 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
House to Eliminate Africa Subcommittee
The new Republican leadership in the House of Representatives will
begin a reorganization of Congress when they meet in early December.
Incoming House Speaker Newt Gingrich pledged to cut the size of Congress
by 25 percent and as part of this effort he plans to eliminate several
full committees as well as almost two dozen subcommittees. Decisions
on which subcommittees to eliminate or combine with other subcommittees
will be made in January or February 1995.
The House Foreign Relations Committee is currently organized with
seven subcommittees: Asia; Latin America; Europe and the Middle East;
Africa; Economic Policy and Trade; International Operations; and Human
Rights. Current plans will eliminate the House Africa Subcommittee.
A separate subcommittee on Africa is the only guarantee that Congress
will remain engaged with the issues confronting U.S. policy in Africa.
Two years ago, the Congressional Black Caucus led the effort to prevent
the Democratic leadership from eliminating the Africa subcommittee.
Although the Caucus has not traditionally been a critical constituency
for the Republican Party, the new House leadership is expected to
make some gesture of reconciliation to key voting blocks in the Congress.
The Caucus is arguing that "the Africa Subcommittee's continued existence
is critical to the effective operation of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee. Over 25 million Americans of African descent live in the
United States and the dismantling of the Subcommittee would be an
affront to their concerns."
Actions:
Write the incoming House Speaker, Georgia Rep. Newt Gingrich
and the expected chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. New
York Rep. Benjamin Gilman is expected to urge them to maintain a separate
subcommittee devoted to Africa. Send copies of your letters to the
Congressional Black Caucus.
Rep. Newt Gingrich, 2429 RHOB, U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, DC 20515; fax: 202-225-4656.
Rep. Benjamin Gilman, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rayburn
Building, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515; fax:
202-225-2541.
Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus,
Washington, DC 20515; fax: 202-225-3178.
AUTHOR - Pamella Saffer
Director, WILPF U.N. Liaison Office, New York
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** Topic: Mid East Peace and Jerusalem **
** Written 9:42 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
To Save the Peace: Negotiate Jerusalem
Although Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)
signed a peace agreement that allows Palestinians limited self-rule
in Gaza and Jericho, most Palestinians remain under Israeli occupation
and suffer greater hardship than ever. Israel continues to seize Palestinian
land to expand Jewish settlements, and takes 80 percent of West Bank
water for its own use. The new Palestine Authority received only a
trickle of foreign aid to help rebuild an economy crippled by 27 years
of occupation.
After a U.S. Israeli settler killed Muslim worshippers at the Ibrahimi
mosque in Hebron last February, Israel sealed off the West Bank and
Gaza, and put nearly a million Palestinians under round-the-clock
curfew to protect the 400 Jewish settlers in the middle of the city.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians are now barred from their jobs in
Israel, and prevented from reaching schools and hospitals in East
Jerusalem. Because of travel restrictions, Palestinian businessmen
are unable to conduct trade and farmers are unable to market their
crops. As a result, many Palestinian families face destitution. Meanwhile,
Israeli settlers remain fully armed.
Since signing the peace accords last September, Israel has confiscated
thousands of acres of Palestinian land and is proceeding to build
a solid ring of settlements around Jerusalem and spreading outward.
Jerusalem has for centuries been the cultural, spiritual, and economic
center of Arab life. Now Israel is demolishing Palestinian homes in
Jerusalem in order to make way for Jewish housing, and has ordered
the closing of Palestinian administrative offices in the city. Israel
has already taken 70 percent of the land on the West Bank in defiance
of U.N. resolutions. The continued building of settlements, along
with new roads that bypass Palestinian towns, is designed to isolate
Palestinian communities and make true self-government on the West
Bank impossible. Meanwhile, Israel's effort to replace the Palestinians
of East Jerusalem with Jewish settlers undermines the possibility
of shared rule over a city to which both peoples have a historic claim.
Action:
The United States gives the Israeli government more than
$4 billion a year. We must insist that Israel stop taking Palestinian
land for new settlements and begin negotiations now on the future
of Jerusalem. Please send this message to the White House. Call: 202-456-1111.
Marti Farha Ammar
WILPF Middle East Committee Co-Chair
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** Topic: Upcoming U.N. meetings **
** Written 9:43 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Invitation to Attend U.N. Meetings
Several important meetings will take place at the United Nations from
January through March 1995. WILPF, as an NGO in consultative status
with ECOSOC, can accredit representatives to observe and participate in
these meetings. Preparatory Committee Meeting III for the World Summit
for Social Development, January 16 - 27, 1995 (deadline: January 3, 1995).
Preparatory Committee Meeting IV for the 1995 Non-Proliferation
Treaty Review and Extension Conference, January 23 - 27, 1995
(Deadline: December 16, 1994). Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women, January 16 - February 3, 1995
(Deadline: January 3, 1995).
Commission on the Status of Women (final preparatory meeting for
Beijing World Women's Conference), March 15 - April 5, 1995 (Deadline:
February 15, 1995).
NGO Consultations on the Beijing World Women's Conference, March
13 - 14, 1995 (Deadline: February 15, 1995).
Action:
Members who are interested in attending these meetings, even for one or
two days, should contact Pamella Saffer at the WILPF U.N. Liaison
Office, 777 U.N. Plaza, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017; phone:
212-682-1265; fax: 212-286-8211 for further information.
Pamella Saffer Director WILPF International Liaison Office to the U.N.
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** Topic: War Toys "R" Out **
** Written 9:45 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
War Toys "R" Out
Thanks to the Toys "R" Us retail toy chain for refusing to sell
realistic-looking toy guns at their stores in the United States.
Hopefully other stores will follow Toys "R" Us' lead. WILPF U.S.
Section President Jean Gore sent a letter congratulating the company on
their sensible decision.
Action:
Let Toys "R" Us know you appreciate their bold step in taking
realistic-looking guns off their shelves. However, ask that they follow
their commitment and make the same decision in their stores throughout
the world. Contact Ms. Carol Fuller, Toys "R" Us, 461 From Rd.,
Paramus, NJ 07652.
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** Topic: 1st Ammendment Right **
** Written 9:46 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
U.S. v. Grossman and Talbot Threatens First Amendment Rights
In January 1993, Hazel Grossman and Karen Talbot (San Francisco WILPF
board members) joined 300 others at the San Francisco Federal Building
to peacefully protest the deportations of over 400 Palestinians from
the occupied areas of Israel--a matter of considerable concern for
peace in the Middle East.
Grossman, Talbot and 15 others--mostly women ranging in age from 25
to 89 years--attempted to enter the Federal building that day to discuss
their concerns with the offices of their senators and representatives.
Though the members of the group repeatedly explained their peaceful
intentions, they were arrested for standing at the top of the stairs
and insisting on their Constitutional right to visit the offices of
their elected representatives.
Grossman and Talbot, both of whom refused to accept a plea bargain
of five hours of community service, were tried and the case was dismissed
by Federal Judge Marilyn Patel. However, the government is appealing
the case to a higher court and Talbot and Grossman face the possibility
of prison terms for exercising their First Amendment rights. This
case has great importance for all of us ordinary citizens who visit
local congressional offices to express our views.
Action:
Write Attorney General Janet Reno, 10 Constitution Ave.,
Washington, DC 20510, and urge that Judge Patel's decision to dismiss
U.S. v. Hazel Grossman and Karen Talbot (N.D.Ca. No. CR-93-0444-MHP)
be upheld and end U.S. prosecution of the case.
Vivian Schatz
WILPF Civil Liberties Committee Co-Chair
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** Topic: Freedom to Travel victory **
** Written 9:52 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Freedom to Travel Campaign Wins!
Just three days after the Freedom to Travel Campaign returned from
their October trip to Cuba, the U.S. Treasury Department released
the group's bank account. The account had been frozen since before
their June trip to Cuba. Finally, it seems the administration is acknowledging
that travel restrictions are unenforceable. Further, the United Nations
voted 101 to two against the embargo. It looks like the tides are
starting to turn.
The Freedom to Travel Campaign plans to use the remainder of the account
to step up a lawsuit against the government. The suit will try to
erase restrictions on U.S. citizens' travel, and makes a clear statement
that they will not tolerate a restriction on the "right to know" other
peoples and cultures of our world.
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** Topic: Norma Jean Croy Needs You **
** Written 10:00 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Help End the Croy Case
Sixteen years ago, Norma Jean Croy and her brother Hooty Croy were
convicted of first-degree murder in the slaying of a California police
officer. The situation was clearly one of self-defense.
Norma, Hooty and three other relatives stopped at a convenience store
before going hunting near their grandmother's cabin outside of Yreka.
Following an altercation started by the store clerk, Yreka police
chased the Croys' car as they headed out of town. When the car stopped
at their cabin and as Norma and her family ran away, police fired,
hitting Norma in the back. Norma's cousin Darrell was also shot as
he stood up to surrender. Norma's brother Hooty was shot twice in
the back before he turned and fired one shot from his .22 hunting
rifle, which struck the officer in the heart, killing him.
Hooty was sentenced to death, Norma to life in prison. In 1985, Hooty's
conviction was reversed by the California Supreme Court, and in 1990
he was acquitted of murder and related charges on the grounds of self-defense.
Unbelievably, Norma is still incarcerated, although she never fired
a shot during the incident and, in fact, was herself seriously wounded.
She came up for parole in 1992, but her petition was denied.
Action:
Norma Jean Croy will have another chance at parole in mid-December.
Her lawyers want to have as many letters as possible to convince the
parole board to grant Norma a parole date. Please help end this 16-year
travesty of justice. Address your letter to the Board of Prison Terms,
but send it to: Norma Jean Croy Defense Committee, Pier 5, San Fransisco,
CA 94111.
Mary Stewart
WILPF Development Coordinator
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** Topic: 40 Acres & a Mule **
** Written 10:18 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Forty Acres and a Mule
There have been discussions for quite a long time about reparations
for the descendents of Africans taken as slaves to the United States.
In recent years Japanese Americans and Native Americans have been
successful in winning reparations for internment and illegal seizure
of land. The long-due successes of these groups fueled the determination
of some African Americans to seek redress for the 133-year-old unfulfilled
promise by members of Congress and the Lincoln Administration. Activists
working on the issue do not expect government action soon. However,
the reparations bill is an important tool for raising consciousness
about racial injustice and for explaining the historical roots of
the position some African Americans find themselves in today.
The call for reparations is complicated and raises many questions.
Who is to pay the reparations--the government or the descendants of
slave holders? What form would reparations take? Would they be paid
in money, land or both? Who would be entitled to reparations? Would
they only be available to those who can directly trace their ancestry
to a known slave? Could anyone of African ancestry living in the United
States today claim reparations? What about people of mixed ancestry?
How will they qualify?
Despite all these and other questions, we know that in 1861 two abolitionists,
Representative Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania and Senator Charles
Sumner of Massachussets introduced reparations bills to Congress.
After the Civil War, nearly a half-million acres of 40 acre parcels
from Charleston, South Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida were turned
over to former slaves under a field order of General Sherman. In 1869,
President Andrew Johnson rescinded the order. The government never
kept its promise of reconstruction. The People's Institute for Economics
estimates that the "Black tax rebate" is now equal to about $43,209
per person.
One hundred and thirteen years later, Representative John Conyers
introduced HR 40, a bill to Congress "to acknowledge the fundamental
injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery in the United
States and the 13 American colonies between 1619 and 1865 and to establish
a commission to examine the institution of slavery, subsequent de
jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination against
African Americans, and the impact of these forces on living African
Americans, to recommend a range of appropriate remedies, including
whether or not reparations or some other remunerative action is warranted."
This bill languished in the House Judiciary committee during the 103rd
Congress. Get an early start on demanding that hearings be held and
that the reintroduced (and renumbered) bill be given serious consideration.
Action:
Call or write to your representative and members of the
house judiciary committee (when they are appointed) with your support
for this bill. Urge them to co-sponsor HR 40 and to press for hearings.
Contact the People's Institute for Economics, P.O. Box 1958,
New York, NY 10027 for their report "Closing the Black Wealth Gap."
Enclose $1 for postage and handling costs.
For more information, call the National Coalition of Blacks
for Reparations in America (NCOBRA) at 202- 635-6272 or contact Bill
Meek at the American Friends Service Committe, 1501 Cherry Street,
Phila, PA 19107.
Z - Program and Legislative Coordinator
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** Topic: Women in Yugoslavia **
** Written 10:20 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Yugoslavia's War Against Women
The U.N.'s International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
office of the prosecutor affirmed on September 8, 1994, that investigations
of sex crimes against women are underway. Members of the Tribunal
stressed their desire to prosecute "crimes against humanity and genocide."
The Tribunal also maintained that the majority of war crimes are committed
against women and as a result, rape and sexual offenses are being
addressed. However, prosecutor Justice Richard Goldstone stressed
that the creation of a sex crimes unit would "belie the broadness
of our approach."
Instead of a separate unit focusing on the overwhelming number of
sexual crimes against women, the Tribunal hired several staff members
who are well trained in the area. In addition, Goldstone stated that
a "cultural-specific gender training [sic] is under consideration
for our lawyers, investigators and interpreters." The Tribunal is
not willing to appoint a second Deputy Prosecutor; Goldstone stated
that they are "committed to using the talent and experience of its
female staff in senior and productive positions." Goldstone believes
that an increase in Tribunal funds would facilitate the investigation
and prosecution of sexual crimes.
Action:
Continue to write to Goldstone, at the International Criminal
Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, Churchillplein 1, PO Box 13888,
2501 EW The Hague, Netherlands; fax: 011-31-70-344-5358. Urge him
to see that sex crimes are dealt with effectively. Stress the importance
of the cultural-specific gender sensitivity training. Recommend an
increase in women involved in the investigation and prosecution processes.
Jennie Lazor
WILPF Editorial Intern
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** Topic: S.O.A. action update **
** Written 10:21 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
S.O.A. Action Update
On November 15, five people were arrested at the U.S. Army School
of the Americas at Fort Benning, GA. The school has been covered in
previous issues of Program and Legislative Action. Its graduates
include Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega, and several other South
American and Caribbean military dictators.
Those arrested at the site are: Jesuit priest Bill Bichsel, veteran
Louis De Benedette (the two men chained themselves to the doors of
the school), Jesuit priest Fred Mercy, Vietnam veteran Will Prior,
and peace activist John Linnehan (the three were arrested for passing
out leaflets).
The group's action commemorated the fifth anniversary of the murders
at the hands of S.O.A. graduates of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper
and her daughter in El Salvador.
Action:
Support this protest by writing to President Bill Clinton
and Attorney General Janet Reno. Fax: 202-514-0467.
Send a copy of your letter or fax to Roy Bourgeois at SOA Watch: 706-682-5369.
Wendy Rosenfield
Editor, Program and Legislative Action
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** Topic: Human Rights & Wrongs in Colombia **
** Written 10:23 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Colombia's Crisis
Colombia suffers from a grave human rights crisis. Colombian NGOs
propose that the U.N. Commission on Human Rights assign a Special
Rapporteur to carry out a comprehensive study of the human rights
situation in Colombia. The Rapporteur should then present his or her
findings to the United Nations.
The gravity and complexity of the human rights crisis in Colombia
can be condensed into six points. These points show Colombia's violation
of basic rights and freedoms that a state should guarantee to its
citizens:
First, Colombia continues to violate the most basic of rights: the
right to live. More than 10 victims a day have been murdered since
1988. The breakdown of this figure is as follows: six people are assassinated
daily due to their political activism, such as involvement in social
movements or human rights; one person is murdered every other day
as a "presumed delinquent" due to their "marginal" social condition
(prostitutes, homosexuals, beggars, street children); one person is
disappeared every other day and more than three people die each day
as a result of the internal armed conflict.
Second, state agents regularly participate in acts of political violence.
Seventy-two percent of the perpetrators of violent crimes (where a
perpetrator was actually identified) were state agents, military or
police personnel and members of paramilitary groups. Twenty-seven
percent of the cases were perpetrated by guerilla forces.
Third, the problem of impunity for human rights offenders constitutes
a grave violation of human rights in itself. Examples of such impunity
are the assassinations of leaders and activists of the major opposition
political party Union Patriotica. This party was annihilated by political
violence. Many of the murderers remain free. Since 1985 the number
of Union Patriotica deaths surpass 2,100.
Fourth, the Colombian state routinely utilizes human rights violations
such as torture and arbitrary detention.
Fifth, the continued use of Exceptional States to govern the country
modifies the administration of justice. This practice also infringes
on the guaranteed rights of those processed in the system.
Sixth, the Colombian state continues not to comply with the recommendations
and decisions formulated by international human rights protection
bodies.
Action:
It is essential to mobilize the immediate attention of the
international community. We can devise a number of monitoring mechanisms
to ensure that the state implements the recommendations of regional
and international human rights organizations. One of these recommendations
would be for the position of a Special Rapporteur on Colombia.
Contact your congressional representative and ask them to
co-sign and support the letter Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) is circulating.
Feingold's letter asks that the United States vote in favor of assigning
a Special Rapporteur to investigate human rights abuses in Colombia.
Send copies of your letters to Cecilia Zarate-Laun,
2415 Amherst Road, Madison, WI 53562; fax: 608-255-6621.
Cecilia Zarate-Laun
WILPF Treaty Committee Co-Chair
** End of text from cdp:wilpf.hotline **
/** wilpf.hotline: 135.0 **/
** Topic: Guatemalan Returnees in Danger **
** Written 10:24 AM Dec 9, 1994 by wilpfnatl in cdp:wilpf.hotline **
Program & Legislative Action
December/January 1994
WOMEN'S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
United States Section 1213 Race Street Philadelphia,
PA 19107-1691 215/563-7110 Fax 215/563-5527
Guatemalan Returnees in Danger
The body of Manual Lopez, a 30-year-old former refugee who was
returned to the community of Centro Veracruz, was discovered on
October 27.
Lopez's hands were tied and his body showed signs of abuse. Lopez
lived in the refugee camp of Quetzal Edzna, Campeche, Mexico until he
returned to Guatemala in May of 1994. This assassination causes great
concern in Guatemala and among human rights advocates, as it is the
first such attack against the returnee community. The Guatemalan army
and their civil patrols have harassed returnees in the Ixcan region
since the first refugees returned in
January 1993. An accord signed October of 1992 guarantees security for
Guatemalan returnees. However, if government forces turn out to be
responsible for Manual Lopez's assassination, returnee security
is in grave danger.
Action:
Demand that a thorough and professional investigation be undertaken to
find those responsible, and that they be brought to trial. Demand that
the returnee and displaced communities have adequate protection. Let
officials know that you will be watching for progress in the
investigation of Manual Lopez's murder. Ask for a response
to your concerns.
Send your letters to: Presidente de la Republica S.E. Ramiro de Leon
Carpio, Palacio Nacional, Guatemala City, Guatemala; telex: 305-5221
CAPRES GU; fax: 011-502-2-301503 or 011-502-2-516745.
El Procurador de Derechos Humanos, Lic Jorge
Garcia LaGuardia, 12 Avenida 12-72, Zona 1, Guatemala City,
Guatemala; fax: 011-502-2-81734.
Ambassador Marilyn McAffee, Embassy of the United States,
Avenida la Reforma, Zona 10, Guatemala C.A., APO AA 34024 (letters
to this address can be sent through regular U.S. mail); phone:
011-502-2-311541;
fax: 011-502-2-313885.
Amy B. Nelson, Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration, SA-1,
Room 1267, U.S. State Department, Washington, DC 20520; phone:
202-663-1025. Faxes and telexes can be sent to U.S. and Guatemalan
destinations via WORDLINK. To reach WORDLINK, use the following
numbers: phone: 800-946-7846; fax: 215-946-2080; modem: 800-946-7850.
Faxes and telexes may be sent also through other electronic services.
Wendy Rosenfield
** End of text from cdp:wilpf.hotline **
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