 The year
2001 will be remembered by many for the events of 11
September, which dominated the international political
agenda and posed new challenges to the human rights
community. Yet, as this Amnesty International Report
shows, there were countless other human tragedies during
the year.
Amnesty
International responded to the 11 September attacks in
the USA by condemning them unreservedly and by calling
for those responsible to be brought to justice in
accordance with international law. Its members worked
steadfastly to counter a racist backlash against people
identified as Muslim or Middle Eastern. When governments
introduced draconian security and immigration
legislation, Amnesty International campaigned to ensure
respect for fundamental human rights. The movement also
called for strict adherence to the rules of war during
the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan. Amnesty
International's message throughout was "Justice, not
revenge".
Human
rights abuses in 152 countries and territories around the
world are documented in this report, which describes the
repression and violence which blighted the lives of
millions of people throughout 2001. Some faced new
threats from those seeking to gain military advantage or
maintain political power. Others were still suffering the
effects of genocide and other atrocities committed in the
past. Many were denied protection from abuses based on
discrimination on grounds of race, gender or sexual
orientation. Millions were forced to seek safety in other
countries, but faced growing obstacles and hostility.
This
report shows not only the failures of human rights
protection but also the indomitable courage and
determination of human rights activists whatever the
challenges they face – and the vital role they play
in a world beset by poverty, war and repression
. 
In remembering those who tragically lost parents,
relatives, friends and beloved husbands and wives, the
members of this journal, The Handstand, would like also
to remember the independent internet networks who have
worked on behalf of the bereaved to accelerate their
care, which responsibility has been so tardily accepted
by the American Government. Also their constant
investigations into not only why an official enquiry has
never been undertaken into this crime; searching out
authorities who could guide a better understanding of the
colossal damage done to these buildings; the attention
they have drawn to the extraordinary loss of citizen
respect paid to Muslim's all over America often resulting
in their arrest and brutal arraingment; and the strange
public admission, without obtaining public calumny of the
individuals concerned, that there were those who made
enormous financial gains in short selling and buying on
the stockmarkets that occurred in tandem with this crime.
Again for the workers and firemen within the Twin Towers,
there remains after one year so many unanswered and
crucial questions it beggars belief that without personal
investigations undertaken by journalists and lawyers
representatives that any government representatives will
ever press for George W. Bush or any subsequent resident
of the White House to account for the
"accidental" neglect by the US Airforce of laws
that ensure that Air Transport misdemeanours are
prevented, or such interference as the explosion in
mid-air of the aeroplane over Pennsylvania of which there
was introconvertible evidence. The industrial conversion
of the Towers steel for re-use before any investigation
was undertaken to understand how the first plane, only
partially lodged with in the Tower, had caused its
downfall is another puzzle; and the complete lack of any
evidence given to the public for approbation of the
blackbox records, the question of names missing from
flight records etc. have cast such doubt in thousands of
minds that, in turn, must unfortunately cause much extra
pain and distress to the relatives of the dead.
j.braddell, editor.
Dear Friends of Rapprochement and ISM,
We would like to bring your attention that Mr. Ghassan
Andoni, the founder
and the executive director of Rapprochement and one of
the founders and of
the Palestinian leaders of the International Solidarity
movement (ISM) will
be in the United States between Sept 7th and Sept. 25.
The main purpose of
this visit is to attned and give a presentation in the UN
conference in NY
(Sep 22- sep 24).
Mr. Andoni is interested in meeting with ISM groups and
committees in the
united states. He is as well available for meetings,
presntations, and fund
raising opportunities.
if you are interested please write to us at pcr@p-ol.com
or at
g_andoni@yahoo.com
Canadian Events in September
Norman Finkelstein September 12, 2002 - 6:00 PM
Concordia University Hall Building Rm H110
Lecture sponsored by Concordia Student Union
Come early as it will be standing room only. If you have
never heard Dr.
Finkelstein speak you MUST hear him. The zionists wish he
would shut up
Svend Robison will be speaking and will be honoured by
PAJU on
September 13 at the Montreal Artothèque , at 19h30,
.. Contribution is 20$. Number of tickets is limited (
200) already more than
150 are gone. So hurry and reserve your ticket.
The exact address is 5720 St-Andre , Montréal (Metro
station Rosemont)
PAJU and SPHR are sponsoring Dr. Ismael Zayid confernces
and teach-in
and the speaking to the Rally in Ottawa. He will speak on
the subject of
ethnic cleansing on September 26 and will hold a workshop
on the 27 of
September. Will go to Ottawa and speak at the Rally. Time
and room for the
conference and the teach in to be announced soon.
Here's the link to the info on the Ottawa rally to
remember Sabra and Shatila
and other objectives . For more details on the
organization, buses and other
information click the link:
http://www.sphr.org/demo/info.html
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