Alliance for Global Justice

The Alliance for Global Justice has, for some time, been following the situation at the maximum security prison in Valledupar, Department of Cesar, Colombia. The conditions there are deplorable. For instance, inmates are allowed access to water only 10 minutes a day, being forced to collect water in buckets coming out of pipes at a trickle. The water they collect must suffice for all of their daily needs, including drinking, bathing and clothes washing. Toilet facilities are filthy and often unusable. Read the rest of this entry →

Join Alliance for Global Justice Co-Coordinator Chuck Kaufman and be part of the ongoing accompaniment and solidarity presence in Honduras. September 15 (Central American Independence Day) is the day that the Honduran Resistance will present the results of the Consulta calling for a Constitutional Assembly. Delegates will meet with members of the Platform for Human Rights and learn about the “Commission of Truth” or “True Commission” launched as a counterbalance to the government-sponsored Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which is supported by the U.S. Read the rest of this entry →

Despite the fact that Costa Rica is widely regarded as a pacifist nation due to its decision not to have its own military forces, the country controversially granted the US permission to send 7,000 troops and 46 warships (along with their accompanying airplanes and helicopters) to Costa Rica through the end of the year. Officially, the act is considered part of the US led “Drug War” (which is increasingly war-like in nature). Costa Rica’s neighbors, however, see the massive military presence as a potential base for regional strikes. Internally, many Costa Ricans are questioning the military presence and its impact on the nation’s sovereignty. Read the rest of this entry →

Twenty-seven members of Congress sent Secretary of State Clinton a letter stating their concern over reports of continuing violence in Honduras. The group recommended that more investigative work be done into the state of human rights in the country, that just last year fell victim to a coup. The group also suggested that if reports of violence and human rights violations prove to be valid, the US government would need to reconsider its support for the country’s government. Please read this letter here.

Write or Call to Demand a Fair Hearing – On June 16 the House Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere of the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Press Freedom in the Americas.” Anti-Chavez Representatives Connie Mack (FL) and Eliot Engel (NY) have invited Venezuelan right-wing media mogul, RCTV owner Marcel Granier to testify.

We need to flood Congress, and the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee with calls, letters, and emails. You can use the draft letter below as a guide to write your own letter or email and/or for talking points for a phone call. Read the rest of this entry →

Human Rights Delegation to Honduras: Join Rights Action!
June 26-July 4, 2010
Cost: $750 (airfare not included)
For more information: Annie Bird, annie@rightsaction.org, 1-202-680-3002, & Karen Spring, spring.kj@gmail.com
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UPDATES:

The Peruvian indigenous leader that was detained, Alberto Pizango, was released on bail the following day. Thank you for your support in showing the Peruvian government that the international community is watching. It appears at this time that he will still face trial for the charges against him pertaining to “inciting” the June 2009 indigenous demonstrations. Read more at the BBC or AFP. Read the rest of this entry →

After Year of Exile, Pizango Detained Upon Arrival to Lima

We have learned from Amazon Watch that earlier today, Alberto Pizango, leader of the important Peruvian Amazon indigenous group AIDESEP was detained by police upon his arrival to Lima. Pizango had been exiled in Nicaragua for nearly a year, and was trying to return home today. Read the rest of this entry →

The Alliance for Global Justice will be leading a delegation to Colombia August 1-11. We are being hosted by Fensuagro, the largest organization of farmers and farm workers in Colombia, and by Traspaso los Muros/Beyond the Walls, a solidarity organization made up of political prisoners and their allies. The delegation will occur shortly after the completion of Colombia’s presidential elections, and will give us a good chance to assess what kinds of changes will be taking place. Read the rest of this entry →

The Afro-Colombian community mentioned below is being displaced and targeted by paramilitary groups, due to the fact that their land was taken for mining concessions. Please read more below, and then send this letter to the officials listed! Read the rest of this entry →