Enforced Disappearance: In Wake of the "War on Terror"

First published:

CNN International

WeSpeakNews India

Amina Masood Janjua, Chairperson: Defence of Human Rights is launching an international campaign for the release of missing persons that will include traveling, seminars, rallies, and camps in major cities to advocate for the release of human beings imprisoned without cause.

Amina began the Defence of Human Rights with almost no resources and this organization has flourished through the support of kind hearted people.

It will be 7 years since Amina has been separated from her husband, Masood. Her determination to find him has resulted in the relief of thousands of families of those wrongfully imprisoned.

THE APPEAL:

1. The struggle with military dictatorship and poverty upon the advent of the second decade of the 21st century introduced a new menace in Pakistan: Enforced Disappearance. Thousands of people have gone missing.

People were afraid to talk about this atrocity due to fear. Amina Masood Janjua took it upon herself to break this silence. 

2. Mrs. Janjua’s lone struggle began in 2005 after the disappearance of her husband Masood Janjua. After arduous rallies, protests, legal battles, and endless campaigning; Defence of Human Rights staged a 24/7 sit-in in front of parliament house in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

Hundreds of families of victims stayed in this camp for 76 days from February 15th to April 30, 2012. The exemplary and unprecedented camp turned out to be a huge success and attracted the attention of not only the nation, but the world.

3. Under the pressure of the continued struggle of the people, Parliament passed two unanimous resolutions against enforced disappearance, three parliamentary committees have been formed to look into the matter of enforced disappearance and up to 32 of the listed cases have been traced since the camp began.

Much remains to be done.

4. DHR registered more than 370 new cases of missing persons yet despite the phenomenal impact of the protest camp, it had to be closed down due to limited resources. Regardless, DHR has decided to launch this nationwide campaign and prepare for an even larger sit-in by the end of 2012.

The struggle to free human beings from illegal detentions, torture and unlawful arrests is a direct result from the wake of the War on Terror. An urgent humanitarian appeal is crucial for the sake of countless helpless victims that face death and torture from prolonged detention.

Defence of Human Rights depends 100% on the support of conscientious citizens. DHR represents more cases in Supreme Court than any other human rights association or legal firm in Pakistan without charging a single fee to the families of missing persons.

To report a case, for press and to assist the Defence of Human Rights, contact:

Amina Masood Janjua, Chairperson, DHR

40-C/1 Nagi Road Westridge-1, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Email

Website

Facebook

Twitter

"Justice Delayed is Justice Denied" - CJP

Live from Cairo: The Egypt Revolution

First published: 

CNN International

The News Tribe  - Pakistan

We Speak News - India

WGRZ CH 2 News - NBC

Mahitab Elgilani, one of the most leading faces in protests and rallies since long before the   revolution started, and during the events of the revolution.   

 
"It is 4am Cairo time. An attack had been launched against those in the sit in, in front of the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament. Water is pouring on them in this cold, stones and Molotov's from security. This means that soon they will progress into using tear gas and rubber bullets, then live ammo and toxic gases." - Ahmed Salah, December 16, 2011

On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, the people of Egypt led a campaign of non violent civil resistance against the 30 year regime of dictator, President Hosni Mubarak. The initial uprising began in Cairo, Alexandria.

"Clashes continue nonstop around Tahrir in Kasr ElEini St. and ElSheikh Rehan Street with the death toll rising to 15 protesters in two days and hundreds more injured or kidnapped by the military and security." - Ahmed Salah, December 18, 2011

Ahmed Salah, an Egyptian activist, public speaker and advocate of non violent resistance, shared his account through words and photo.

Hany Ghoraba, an Egyptian journalist, businessman and political analyst in Cairo, describes on live audio, the years preceding, during and up to present Egypt, focusing on The Egyptian Revolution: Live from Cairo: From Tahrir to the Muslim Brotherhood

On February 11, 2011, Mubarak resigned after demonstrations turned violent with clashes between security forces and protesters. 

 

Blood and live ammo, everywhere . . .

Tear gas canisters made in the USA. They were not bought, but given as military aid. This is where American tax payers money is spent.

The all women rally in Tahrir. 

Amnesty International and The Egyptian Organization For Human Rights have documented extensive cases of human rights abuses such as torture, killing and forced virginity tests under the regime of Mubarak between 1993-2007, including the 2011-2012 revolution when SCAF [Supreme Council of Armed Forces] were granted rule over Egypt.

"A massacre is underway in Tahrir. More and more troops are coming in covering more entrances to the square. Already stormed the mosque and the church that were converted into hospitals for the injured and injured and kidnapped the doctors as well as everyone else.  This keeps getting darker and darker, people are getting ready to die and write their names on their arms. I can't remember the last time I was so desperate and frustrated. The war of attrition against us worked, they exhausted us to the maximum, and now they move for the kill." - Ahmed Salah

In 2012, Egypt will elect a new President. 

* Topics discussed in live audio : The Muslim Brotherhood, The National Day of Police, The Friday of Fury, SCAF, Tahrir, Khaled Said, Hosni Mubarak, Emergency Law, the 2011-2012 elections, and the culture, history and strength of the people of Egypt.

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Alive in a Time of Dying

The days meld into nights into days of unrest to rest, my voice. I'm guessing the full moon rising, she may speak on my behalf.

SisterMoonChild shall bat her eyelashes spiderlike to each constellation as they sparkle and dim upon the backdrop of this grand stage.

This place we call Earth, it is a Hell birthing breathing dragons of denial and greed and in between, beauty. The blooming of new life.

The irony that existence is dependent upon black vs. white, good vs. evil, night vs. day, man vs. woman, sun vs. moon, and you vs. me.

Where are the ones standing and speaking for us all, we're outnumbered. Where is the golden chalice, my cup of poison, the holy altar?

I shall gladly drink my share to elevate me from a state of betrayal. Hand me a crudely chiseled cup made only by the hand of man.

Bring it to my lips, love. My eyes shall close, breathing cease, yet my spirit shall soar as pure divine energy.

Oh, what silly creatures to dream a dream upon dreams that may or may not exist according to each of our own waking states.

I shall attempt to reach a state of being and non being, of living while dying alive, of pure esoteric flight, of thinking without thought.

How grand it is to be alive in a time of dying. The fresh buds shall bloom when the frost sleeps during Springtimes coming of age. And Summer shall welcome Fall, prepare her for Winter. 

Drink, friends, this cup of mine is yours. 

It is sweet, oh, yet it is bitter.

© Susan Marie 2012 

lines finely sketched

On audio here

I raise both palms in supplication to that which is more immense than the feeble human mind and cry as thunder for the ills of society.

Voices reverberate in my skull bones causing me to question:  Is it I, solitary human, that has fallen backwards on her own insight?

It is an easy task to question if one is stark raving mad or on the brink of divine enlightenment, for the lines are finely sketched.

It is no surprise that all who are and have been deemed insane are and were brilliant in nature of mind, body, spirit, and creation.

 

How dare another attempt to deem one sane or insane, for it is all perception. How pompous are we, humans, to think otherwise?

Are we all not sane and insane? Are we all not greater and lesser? Who has the absolute right to judge such a notion? 

Such answers elude me. Raising my weary and shaking palms to the fiery boisterous sky. Waiting for answers only I have the answer to.

The thin line that separates us all is oh, so very fine. Like cracks in fault lines, the smallest disturbance, a chain reaction.

Today, I ask that social insanity cease, an illness worse than the plague. One of apathy and no remorse. One of no morals or manners.

Where have we gone wrong to sit so far on one end of a balance beam tipping it extremely left or right so that we have become blind?

 

I seek answers to questions that have no answers. I must be insane to imagine that fine line, erased, and the middle way, my berth.

 The Valkyrie's Vigil (1906) by Edward Robert Hughes

© Susan Marie 2012

"Nightingales Perched Upon Knots of Mother Nature" For Syria

Click here for audio on We Speak News

 

The dead speak in tongues known only to nightingales perched upon rheumatic knots of Mother Nature trilling: What fresh hell is this? 

Their voices echo in crisp cold eves, melding with wind's fierce breath. She welcomes them, wind, embracing martyrs, one by one.

Dear Earth, how short life is. We pay homage to those who travel to better places more so than precise moments of our own existence.

We cannot fully experience what death holds dear. Pure and absolute energy, alive and aligned divine with the universe, whole.

There's no reason to fear existence nor death. They are similar, yet this is the playground, the game board, the poker chip.

Each breath of ours mimics movements elsewhere. Do not think that you do not matter. For every fallen soul, there is birth.

Hassan Saad, 13, who fled Idlib in Syria, flashes a victory sign while walking outside the refugees camp near the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern city of Yayladagi, on February 16, 2012. Hassan said that his father was killed by the pro-Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad army five months ago.   

© photo Zohra Bensemra

© Susan Marie 2012

Firewall Looming in Pakistan: URL Filtering and Blocking

First published: 

The News Tribe UK

WeSpeakNews India

The Denver Post 

WGRZ Ch 2 News NY

Pakistan Defence Pakistan

Yahoo Tech Crunch

Western New York Muslims.Org  NY

Pakistan News 24

By March of 2012, The Pakistani Telecommunication Authority (PTA), may have succeeded in deployment of an Internet URL Filtering and Blocking system unless we, global citizens, along with the people of Pakistan, help prevent this from occurring.

As people become more aware and active globally, governments have begun to attempt to increase online censorship. Online censorship or filtering can be seen as justifiable when it may involve harmful content to children in educational systems, however, to censor or filter Internet usage in any fashion to adults, is in direct violation of constitutions and amendments that exist, against 14 of 30 Universal Human Rights, and the Constitution of Pakistan, as seen in the preamble alone.

America, with help from worldwide activists, citizens, businesses and Internet networks, fought back against two proposed bills SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act] and PIPA [Protect IP Act] through petitions, calling state and government legislation, with businesses and online networks blacking out their websites in protest. 

Internet censorship is the control or suppression of the publishing of, or access to information on the Internet. 

The PTA is asking institutions [business, organizations, education, communication, media, etc] to submit a proposal allowing the PTA to block URL's [universal resource locaters] aligned with The National RCT & RD Fund. 

THE RCT states the URL blocking will "Transform Pakistan’s economy into a knowledge based economy by promoting efficient, sustainable and effective ICT initiatives through synergic development of industrial and academic resources."

This is not the first time Pakistan has experienced online censorship in the current Federal Parliamentary System [Executive branch with support of legislation] however, with help, it can very well be the last. 

On 24/7OnlineTV, broadcast journalist, Faisal Kapadia speaks with Sana Saleem, activist/journalist and Yusra Askari, correspondent with NDTV in Part One of "Out of Bounds" on the Firewall Looming in Pakistan. All three explain and address how the government has invited proposals to private and semi-private companies to block 5 to 10 million URLS.

Why is the government doing this?

In Part Two of "Out of Bounds", Faisal addresses the online community for reaction inside and out of Pakistan as to how this issue is viewed using varied comments from activists, journalists and citizens.

In May of 2011, The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights General Assembly in Article A/HRC/17/27 focused on freedom to access online content, access to the physical and technical infrastructure online, the increase in censoring information online, namely through arbitrary blocking or filtering of content, and criminalization of legitimate expression as human rights abuses under the right to freedom of expression and opinion.

Universal access to the Internet is not only freedom of expression and opinion as a human right, it is part of the Constitution of Pakistan. Blocking of URLS will hamper international business inside and out of Pakistan, as well as further damaging the cross border communications already in dire need of repair between people.

Business owners may not be able to promote their services, as well as global access to each business. Media will be hampered immensely due to not being able to access the global online network in order to tell the world what is occurring in Pakistan. Global aid for disaster relief, disease, hunger and medical care will not be able to reach those in need. The world will continue to operate as usual, however, to assume according to the RCT statement aligned with the Government of Pakistan that this filtering is solely to enhance the economy and education of Pakistan is preposterous at most.

On the US State Website after a 2010 visit to China, where the government controls the Internet, President Obama held a meeting with an online component to highlight the importance of the Internet. He defended the right of people to freely access information, and said that the more freely information flows, the stronger societies become. Obama spoke about how access to information helps citizens hold their own governments accountable, generates new ideas, encourages creativity and entrepreneurship.

In 2011, SOPA and PIPA were introduced to the American public.

Condemnations of this action, along with information regarding this initiative have already begun by: The Electronic Frontier Foundation, The Civil Society Against Blanket Ban of the Internet and Freedom House.Org. 

Censorship, in any form, is to silence.

PT II: What is Occupy? OWS Visits OccupyBuffalo [Live Audio]

First published in: 

Think Twice Radio [Buffalo, audio] 

WGRZ CH 2 News NBC [Buffalo]

The Denver Post [Denver]
 

FDL [USA]

The News Tribe  [UK and Pakistan]

We Speak News [India]

“There need be no blood-shed or violence, and there shall be none unless it be forced upon the national authority. The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion, no using of force against or among the people anywhere.”  

– Abraham Lincoln Inaugural Address 1861, prior to The Civil War.

February 2012: Occupy Wall Street NYC visits Occupy Buffalo. The following interviews educate one on “What is Occupy?” from various perspectives of four people continuously active within “Occupy.”  Through their experience, education, and advocacy; Occupy can be seen not only as a “movement”, but as global transformation.

 

OWS arriving in Buffalo © Brian Pickard 2012

Robert Albini and Logan Noonan discuss: The True Face of Media, Social Order, Stepping Out of Comfort Zones, Lack of Government Representation, Moving Forward as a Species, Steps to a Well Informed Population, and Class Division.

LISTEN HERE

Heron E. Simmonds – Price speaking of What is Occupy? What an Occupation is and why, Direct Action, Advocacy, Global Engagement, and Suitable Time Frame for Social Change.

LISTEN HERE

Linda Abrams speaks of: The School of Everything, Social Disease and Indoctrination, Justice Dialogues, Non Violent Communication, Specialization, The Activist Toolbox, and The Banking Model of the Educational System.

LISTEN HERE

                                                              

Occupy Together is a grassroots website to aid in self-organization. It began when two designers and artists watched news feeds and information reported on Facebook, Twitter, and live feeds online, wishing to bring greater awareness to events they witnessed. The purpose was to provide people with information. After a website was created, Occupy Together became a tool for people to research  the events, protests and demonstrations across the globe. The birth of Occupy Together began due to citizens taking action against corporate greed and corruption. OT has grown into a valuable tool for all people who desire change. Occupy Together stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

                 

Occupy Wall Street began on September 17, 2011 as a people-powered initiative in Liberty Square, Manhattan’s [New York City] Financial District. This movement spread to over 100 cities in the U.S and over 1,500 cities globally. Occupy Wall Street speaks against the prolonged destructive powers of banks and corporations through a true democratic process. The need for OWS began due to economic collapse that caused immense recession. This movement aims to take the richest 1% of people and hold them accountable for creating an unjust global economy. The 99% is a symbol for all people affected by an unfair economy. 

OWS is inspired by the revolts in Egypt and Tunisia.

Occupy Wall Street embodies:

• Principles of Solidarity
• Statement of Autonomy
• Declaration of the Occupation
• Everyone has the Right to Occupy Space, Safely

 "This is as grassroots as it gets.” – Occupy Wall Street

OWS: Occupy Buffalo Eviction

First published: 

WeSpeakNews: India 

The Denver Post USA
The News Tribe UK /Pakistan

Witness LIVE on Ustream by Boots of Solidarity

Official Statement on Eviction

 

On February 2, 2012, OccupyBuffalo was forcefully evicted from Niagara Square in Buffalo, New York after peacefully occupying since October of 2011. 

This eviction was a result of a disagreement between OccupyBuffalo and the City of Buffalo.

Originally, the City offered to extend a prior approved joint agreement from 2011 to occupy until March 8th, 2012. OccupyBuffalo wanted the agreement to run until the end of March in order to find another location and to serve the needs of the community. 

Occupiers had until Wednesday [Feb 2] night as a deadline to leave, after 4 months of peaceful occupation. The occupation wished to further discuss this with the city. OccupyBuffalo denied the sudden and unexplained choice by the city to vacate dependent upon the cities actions to not renew the prior contract until end of March.

The First Amendment of the Constitution provides for 'the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.'"

That is exactly what OccupyBuffalo did. That is not what occurred.

The permit to stay [that need not be obtained under the First Amendment yet was] in the square expired at midnight. Crews [Buffalo Police Department, bulldozers, dump trucks, and the SWAT team in riot gear] moved in to dismantle all structures in Niagara Square. 

The City and OccupyBuffalo have always worked together. 

This is a model occupation.

The raid occurred around 2:30am Thursday. 10 were arrested. All equipment, save for one or two items, were destroyed.  I watched live on Ustream in abject horror. 

I thought: I cannot believe this is occurring in my city.

This abuse of power was an immense shock as witnessed on Ustream by BootsofSolidarity because it occurred when people were sleeping. Peaceful resistance technique was again taught [on video] by a seasoned community leader when the raid began. It is heard on the stream: "The Buffalo Police Department said they will not destroy anything." 

Occupiers were also educated on possible arrest, meaning if they did not wish to take a chance, then to go across the street and for those that chose to exercise their legal, civil and human rights, then to stay put, peacefully.

There were no misunderstandings within the occupation.

SWAT Team members and Buffalo Police officers moved in on OccupyBuffalo with dump trucks, bulldozers and scooped the tents, equipment and all private and personal property into the dump trucks to be picked up at a "location" and sorted through.

Nearly everything was destroyed. This was not part of the agreement to vacate. Occupiers were simply told they may need to vacate. 

OccupyBuffalo has melded into a community of teach ins, education, free food for the hungry, information on war, diversity of all faith, government, politics and true democracy. 

Before this illegal raid, OccupyBuffalo was and is currently nominated for Top 20 out of 157 nominated occupations for a "community activist" award through FDL Action, coordinated by Jane Hamsher [HuffPost, Alternt, American Prospect, CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and producer of Natural Born Killers.]

Mayor Brown told Channel 2 News there was nothing but positive discussions between the two parties and: "As part of their contract there is the potential for renewal, but again we are talking. The talks are going very well. There has been a very positive communication with the City's Law Department, special events division and the occupiers from the very beginning and we feel that this will go forward in a very positive fashion."

Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda stated: "We did not anticipate violence but we prepared for the worst and hoped for the best."

When speaking to Channel 2 News, Mayor Brown said the peaceful protest in Buffalo has been a model for other protest movements around the county. He told a reporter "there is a chance the protesters will be allowed to stay."  

In court on Thursday morning [VIDEO HERE] the 10 arrested [that never needed to be] were charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing, yet dismissed with restrictions: no occupying in a 3 mile radius to Niagara Square. 

The City has offered an abandoned house, at this point, to the occupation.

Why was the house not offered before the raid and arrests? Before the destruction of private property? Is that any different than what government bodies and police forces blame occupiers for doing?  Destructing governmental and city property by occupying it?

OccupyWallStreet has recognized this violation, as well as the world.

OccupyBuffalo will continue with or without a place to occupy in order to continue to serve the community as they have been.

Gina Panzarella of Buffalo NY states quite clearly:

"We are not Radicals. We are a very creative, intelligent group of diverse individuals who are trying to make better lives for ourselves, our children, our families and our neighbors. We want to expose the corruption that has taken out the middle class while serving as many as we can for our community."

Full media and pictures OccupyBuffalo Sept-Present

OccupyBuffalo Raid Photos 

After this eviction, Occupy Buffalo won a Community Activist Award from FDL.